I BOUGHT THIS MANX IN AN UNFINISHED, VERY SORRY STATE IN FRANCONIA N.H. WITH A 1700 CC TYPE 4 HANGING OUT OF THE BACK OF IT. I TOOK IT APART DOWN TO ALMOST THE LAST BOLT, EXCEPT FOR THE TRANSAXLE, AND STARTED OVER. THIS IS ABOUT THE 24th OR SO BUGGY THAT I HAVE BUILT. THE FIRST RUN OF BUGGIES THAT I BUILT WERE ALL DESERTERS FOR CUSTOMERS OF ALEX DEARBORN IN THE 60's WHEN I WORKED FOR AUTODYNAMICS IN MARBLEHEAD MA.
MY MANX IS A REAL ONE, NOT A BOGUS BUGGY AS BRUCE MEYERS ALWAYS SAYS. IN FACT I HAD THIS ONE AUTHENTICATED BY BRUCE WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE PROJECT AND OF THE 69% THAT HE SAYS HE HAS KEPT TRACK OF, THIS IS ONE OF ONLY 3 KNOWN TO EXIST IN VERMONT ! THE YELLOW GELCOAT IS ORIGINAL AND IT IS IN GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE TO KEEP FOR NOW. THE CHASSIS IS A 1960 AND IS IN GOOD SHAPE AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF WORK . THE CHASSIS HAD BEEN SHORTENED BY A REAL '' PRO '' AND THE WHEEL BASE WAS 1/2 INCH LONGER ON ONE SIDE THAN THE OTHER, PLUS ( THANK GOD ) IT WAS 1 INCH TOO LONG WHICH GAVE ME ROOM TO WORK. IT RUNS AN ALMOST STOCK 1600 AT THIS TIME.IT HAS A FLAT 4 SPOKE STEERING WHEEL, ON A CHROME SAND RAIL POST, TURNED ALUM DASH, POLLY LOWBACK SEATS, A REAR MOUNTED, JAZ FUEL CELL, RED OAK FLOOR BOARDS AND ADJUSTABLE FRONT AND REAR TORSION BARS WITH LIMITING STRAPS ON THE REAR END. THE WIRING HARNESS IS HAND MADE AND USES HEAT SENSITIVE CIRCUIT BREAKERS INSTEAD OF ANTIQUE FUSES, A TURBO 1700 IS IN THE FUTURE . ( I HOPE ! )
THIS HAS BEEN ABOUT A 2 YEAR PROJECT AND, OF COURSE IS STILL AN ON GOING ONE !
OH,, BYE THE WAY, THAT"S MY GRANDAUGHTER ASHLYN IN THE LAST PHOTO.
BRUCE |
