Bruce Meyers: The Surfer Who Invented the Dune Buggy

Bruce Meyers was the artist, surfer, and boat builder who gave the world the dune buggy. In 1964, he created the Meyers Manx, a fiberglass kit car based on the VW Beetle. His creation didn't just look fun; it revolutionized off-road racing by winning the inaugural Baja 1000, creating a pop culture icon in the process.

The Surfer with a Wrench

Bruce Meyers was the embodiment of the Southern California lifestyle. A surfer, artist, and boat builder, he lived for the beach. In the early 1960s, he noticed people driving heavy, clunky jalopies on the dunes. Meyers realized his experience with fiberglass boat hulls could solve this problem. He wanted to build something light, agile, and fun.

Birth of the Manx

In a garage in Newport Beach, Meyers cut down a VW Beetle floorpan and bolted on a swooping fiberglass unibody he designed himself. He named it the Meyers Manx because of its "stubby and furry" look, resembling a Manx cat. Completed in 1964, the first prototype, known as "Old Red," was a revelation. It was lighter than anything else on the sand and could fly over bumps that destroyed other vehicles.

Conquering Baja

The Manx wasn't just a beach toy; it was a serious racer. In 1967, Meyers took "Old Red" to the rigorous run down the Baja peninsula (a precursor to the Baja 1000). He didn't just win; he shattered the record set by motorcycles by over five hours. This victory put the Meyers Manx on the map and kickstarted the entire off-road racing industry.

The Clone Wars

Tragically, Meyers became a victim of his own success. The Manx was so popular and relatively easy to mold that copycats sprang up everywhere. While Meyers produced about 6,000 authentic kits, it is estimated that over 250,000 copies were made by other companies. After losing a patent battle to defend his design, a heartbroken Meyers closed his company in 1971. He stayed away from the industry for decades but returned in his later years, finally receiving the recognition he deserved as a true automotive pioneer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Bruce Meyers and what is his legacy in the American car culture?

<p><strong>Bruce Meyers</strong> (1926–2021) was an American engineer, artist, and surfer who fundamentally changed the global automotive landscape by creating the <strong>Meyers Manx</strong>, the world’s first fiberglass dune buggy. Known as a "Renaissance man" of Southern California, Meyers translated his expertise in sailboat manufacturing into a vehicle that symbolized freedom, adventure, and the "cool" factor of the 1960s. His legacy in 2026 is preserved through the global off-road lifestyle and the enduring popularity of the lightweight, air-cooled machines he pioneered.</p>

What is the Meyers Manx and why is it historically significant?

<p>The <strong>Meyers Manx</strong> is an iconic, open-top recreational vehicle built on a shortened <strong>Volkswagen Beetle</strong> chassis. Introduced in 1964, it was the first car to use a <strong>monocoque fiberglass body</strong>, making it significantly lighter and more agile than the heavy, steel-bodied "water pumpers" that preceded it. It is historically significant for being the <strong>most replicated car in history</strong>, with an estimated 250,000 to 350,000 knock-offs produced worldwide, though only about 7,000 are authentic original Manx units.</p>

How did Bruce Meyers contribute to the birth of the Baja 1000?

<p>Bruce Meyers was a founding father of organized off-road racing. In 1967, he and Ted Mangels drove his prototype, <strong>"Old Red,"</strong> from La Paz to Tijuana in record time, beating the previous motorcycle record by five hours. This feat directly inspired the creation of the National Off-Road Racing Association (<abbr title="National Off-Road Racing Association">NORRA</abbr>) and the inaugural <strong>Mexican 1000</strong>, which later became the world-famous <strong>Baja 1000</strong>. His victory proved that lightweight, rear-engine vehicles could dominate the harshest desert terrains.</p>

Why did the original Meyers Manx company close in 1971?

<p>Despite the massive success of the Manx, Bruce Meyers faced severe financial and legal challenges. Because his design was so revolutionary and easy to copy, hundreds of companies began producing <strong>unauthorized replicas</strong>. Meyers attempted to defend his patents in court, but a judge famously ruled that his design was "not an invention," revoking his patent protection. This loss, combined with rising insurance costs and a shifting market, forced Meyers to close the original company in 1971.</p>

What is the "Old Red" Meyers Manx and where is it now?

<p><strong>"Old Red"</strong> is the very first Meyers Manx ever built (Chassis #1). It featured a hand-laid fiberglass body and a 1939 Ford transmission. In 2014, "Old Red" became the first off-road vehicle to be inducted into the <strong>National Historic Vehicle Register</strong> by the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is permanently preserved in the <strong>Library of Congress</strong>, recognized as a culturally significant piece of American industrial history that defined an entire era of automotive design.</p>

How did Bruce Meyers’ background in boat building influence his cars?

<p>Bruce Meyers was a naval architect and a pioneer in <strong>fiberglass boat construction</strong>. He applied the techniques of "laying up" fiberglass in molds—previously used for hulls and surfboards—to create the flowing, compound curves of the Manx body. This allowed the vehicle to be <strong>rust-proof</strong>, lightweight, and incredibly durable, features that were essential for a vehicle intended to spend its life near the salt and sand of the California coast.</p>

What is the 2026 status of the Meyers Manx company and the 2.0 EV?

<p>In 2020, Bruce Meyers sold the company to <strong>Trousdale Ventures</strong>, led by Phillip Sarofim and designer Freeman Thomas. In 2026, the brand is undergoing a major revival with the <strong>Meyers Manx 2.0 EV</strong>. This modern iteration is an all-electric buggy that maintains the classic 1960s aesthetic while utilizing a 62 <sup>kWh</sup> battery and dual-motor setup. It fulfills Bruce's vision of high-efficiency, fun-focused transport for a new generation of American eco-adventurers.</p>

Was Bruce Meyers a war hero?

<p>Yes, Bruce Meyers served in the <strong>U.S. Navy</strong> during World War II. In 1945, while aboard the USS Bunker Hill, he survived a devastating kamikaze attack. During the chaos, he famously gave his <strong>life vest</strong> to an injured sailor and jumped into the ocean to rescue others, swimming for hours while waiting for pickup. His bravery and survival at sea deeply influenced his later "life-is-short" philosophy, driving him to pursue art, surfing, and the creation of the joyous Manx buggy.</p>

How did Hollywood help popularize the Meyers Manx?

<p>The Meyers Manx became a global sensation thanks to its appearance in major Hollywood films. Most notably, <strong>Steve McQueen</strong> drove a custom Manx (the "Queen Manx") in the 1968 film <em>The Thomas Crown Affair</em>. <strong>Elvis Presley</strong> also featured a Manx in <em>Live a Little, Love a Little</em>. These appearances cemented the dune buggy’s status in the USA as the ultimate symbol of rebellion, leisure, and the "King of Cool" persona.</p>

What awards and honors did Bruce Meyers receive?

<p>Bruce Meyers received numerous accolades for his contributions to the automotive world:</p><ul><li>Inducted into the <strong>Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame</strong> (<abbr title="Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame">ORMHOF</abbr>) in 1978.</li><li>Awarded the <strong>Automotive Icon Award</strong> by the Petersen Automotive Museum.</li><li>Recognized by the <strong>Historic Vehicle Association</strong> for "Old Red."</li><li>Honored with the <strong>Meguiar’s Car Hobby Person of the Year</strong> award for his lifelong commitment to car culture.</li></ul>