Dr. Cranky Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 Fellow Styrene Addicts, I just bough my first copy of the Manx and this kit really has transported me back to California in the 70s, ore so than the vans or the Gremlins . . . it's just one of those things. So I've been doing a little research and came up with this pretty thorough information about dune buggies in general and the Manx in particular. http://www.dunebuggyarchives.com/DuneBuggyHistory I think the creation of such a vehicle is very much a part of our culture, although it might not happen much anymore, but usually someone somewhere is working feverishly through the night on a project that might or might not catch our attention. Why do such vehicles begin as a sub-culture niche and then spread like wild fire, transforming themselves through the years into other things?
Chuck Doan Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 My Dad and I built a Manx knock-off in the early 70's. One job I well remember is being under the donor bug removing all those body bolts...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 24, 2012 Author Posted February 24, 2012 My next door neighbor in Cali had one and he was always doing something to it. Boy, Chuck, I bet you you'd love to have some pictures of that one. (Or maybe you do.)
Bartster Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) In the case of the dune buggy, I think it was the cost. You could build a custom convertible "sportscar" on the cheap. I use the term sportscar very loosely here, but in time, there were some amazing things that could be done with a VW engine to "soup it up". They just oozed Beach, bikinis, & good times! Edited February 24, 2012 by Bartster
Joe Nunes Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) I grew up during the dune buggy rage and can tell you it was FUN! VW's were plentiful and relatively cheap, fiberglass bodies made for an easy project and custom parts were there, too. Riding around with the wind blowing in your hair was freedom at it's best and we really weren't too worried about paint jobs and such as would be the case with an expensive hot rod. Plus, gas was cheap and that VW engine (or Corvair engine) would let you cruise all over the place, making noise and looking cool for the girls that always wanted to go for a ride. I think those dune buggy's came along at just the right time to make a big hit. Every now and then I'll see someone riding around in one with a big grin and I know the driver is having fun. Joe Edited February 24, 2012 by rhoadapple
Danno Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 I grew up during the dune buggy rage and can tell you it was FUN! VW's were plentiful and relatively cheap, fiberglass bodies made for an easy project and custom parts were there, too. Riding around with the wind blowing in your hair was freedom at it's best and we really weren't too worried about paint jobs and such as would be the case with an expensive hot rod. Plus, gas was cheap and that VW engine (or Corsair engine) would let you cruise all over the place, making noise and looking cool for the girls that always wanted to go for a ride. I think those dune buggy's came along at just the right time to make a big hit. Every now and then I'll see someone riding around in one with a big grin and I know the driver is having fun. Joe Well stated, Joe. Don't forget that time was still part of the surfing music era and beach party movies were all the rage. The dune buggies just plugged right in to what was "cool." Even if you didn't live near the beach, you could cut down a surplus beetle and build a cool ride! My Approval -
Guest Dr. Odyssey Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 A Corsair engine, how cool would that be? Still air cooled too! Shake –N-Bake!
Dr. Cranky Posted February 24, 2012 Author Posted February 24, 2012 Well, my friends, last night I stopped at my LHS and I found a single copy of the Manx and so, of course, I bought it (25 bucks) and brought it home because I wanted to do a unboxing the kit video, and I was totally surprised by the kit. You will see why when I upload the video . . . The thing is molded in clear styrene with glitter thrown in for that faux 70s paint job look, something I think is a terrible mistake. Then I'm thinking I might have gotten a factory mistake, etc . . . Well, you'll see what I mean shortly. Stay tuned in.
Harry P. Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 Well, my friends, last night I stopped at my LHS and I found a single copy of the Manx and so, of course, I bought it (25 bucks) and brought it home because I wanted to do a unboxing the kit video, and I was totally surprised by the kit. You will see why when I upload the video . . . The thing is molded in clear styrene with glitter thrown in for that faux 70s paint job look, something I think is a terrible mistake. Then I'm thinking I might have gotten a factory mistake, etc . . . Well, you'll see what I mean shortly. Stay tuned in. That's a gimmick they're doing. In every case of kits, supposedly one is molded in that glittery plastic. I guess the execs thought that would be some sort of incentive for people to buy the kit and hope it's the "special" one. We'll have to see how that goes... whether more people think that was a good idea... or a bad idea! This picture says it all for me: Can you find a better shot to post? I can't see the car in this photo... there's a stupid girl in the way....
Dr. Cranky Posted February 24, 2012 Author Posted February 24, 2012 LOL, Harry. Well, I just verified the "extra special" kit in every case story and I have to tell you I don't really want mine, so I'm willing to trade it . . . for a white styrene version. If anyone is interested, email me.
Dr. Cranky Posted February 24, 2012 Author Posted February 24, 2012 Here's the video . . . I really want to build this kit:
Sam Cates Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 So, I was reading the box bottom, they say, molded in metallic purple unless otherwise noted. When I opened mine, it was white... Fine I suppose, though I actually wanted one of the colored kits. So I traded it to my brother for a '69 issue of the Revell EMPI IMP buggy. Coincidentally it is molded in metallic red! So Virgil, if I happen to get another WHITE kit when I make my next trip to the LHS, I would be happy to trade you!
Dr. Cranky Posted February 24, 2012 Author Posted February 24, 2012 Thanks, Sam, I already got a trade happening. I cannot imagine building this thing like this with the rough sparkly texture. I am not a collector of kits, I am a builder.
Sam Cates Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 My collision instructor bought a Berry Mini T4 last fall, no motor and is sad shape, but by far IMO one of the coolest. It fits the a full size VW pan rather than cutting it down by the stardard 14 1/2" Here is an example, I would love to either find a resin body of this style or somehow make my own. I will snap some photos next Tuesday of his in the shop to post up here.
Dr. Cranky Posted February 24, 2012 Author Posted February 24, 2012 Sam, that's a beautiful ride. I think if there's enough interest, the aftermarket folks will start putting out some body variations, I hope.
philo426 Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 I am surprised it was molded in color(not a usual AMT practice).It could explain the realitively high price.Still it is a cool kit!
Art Anderson Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 Well, my friends, last night I stopped at my LHS and I found a single copy of the Manx and so, of course, I bought it (25 bucks) and brought it home because I wanted to do a unboxing the kit video, and I was totally surprised by the kit. You will see why when I upload the video . . . The thing is molded in clear styrene with glitter thrown in for that faux 70s paint job look, something I think is a terrible mistake. Then I'm thinking I might have gotten a factory mistake, etc . . . Well, you'll see what I mean shortly. Stay tuned in. Welcome to the World of Tom Lowe! Lowe has been a proponent of the "chase car" (Johnny Lightning "White Lightning") and "chase kits" (those Polar Lights kits that were done in a different color, clear, even plated plastic, in VERY limited numbers--his idea being to get buyers to chase down the rare pieces--with JL cars it certainly worked! Art
von Zipper Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 It seems that Chuck Manson was into dune buggys, and even bought into a dune buggy shop in the late 60's
Sam Cates Posted February 25, 2012 Posted February 25, 2012 AGH! Second kit and no color!! The first one I bought stated that it was metallic purple...I opened the box with excitement...white plastic is all I found... I bought a second one today, it said "White or metallic red" but it was white too! I want a purple or red one! My Revell IMP was molded in metallic red...why can't I get the new one like that too?
Dr. Cranky Posted February 25, 2012 Author Posted February 25, 2012 Art, I am not a collector of kits, so when it's not white plastic, it sort of drives me crazy! I was getting ready to build the kit, but now I am going to wait until the trade arrives. So i goes.
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