Who is the Expert on Manx Front Emblems?

bobmanx · Post by **bobmanx** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:35 am

Who is the Expert, or a reasonable facsimile, to get some info on Manx front nose emblems. Looking for the thin aluminum adhesive backed type with the black paint(???) on them. Trying to date one that I have, and determine if it is a Manx or Manx2 or Manx? My understanding was that the Manx2 was the black plastic emblem that mounts with the studs through the body. When approx. did they switch over to the black plastic from the thin aluminum adhesive backed type, and are the vinyl sticker (from the Manx Store) types a "NEWER" item. I know that the heavy aluminum (?) ones were for the Manx SR. Thanks for any and all info. Bob

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:37 am

I am by far no expert but, a friend's Manx that is considered to be an early Manx, built by Major Motorcars in Chicago came with the aluminum sticker on the hood. My Manx, sn#M2006F815E which is definately a Manx 1, came with a plastic badge. I understand the Manx 2 came with the yellow Manx logo sticker. Hopefully someone can confirm what I have seen.

LIGreenManx · Post by **LIGreenManx** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:45 pm

For what i read on many sites the Manx I had the black plastic one and Manx II had the yellow sticker I belive the sticker came after Bruce left the company. The Alumium one was on the SR. You can tell if you have a ManxI or a II the Manx II has no tire well and battery well and the fiberglass is thinner and i think there wasn't any tubes under the fenders. I can be somewhat wrong on this but i tried

Ron

Siggymanx33 · Post by **Siggymanx33** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:18 pm

Again, I'm no expert. I was under the impression that the cars with the black and aluminum (sometimes refered to as foil) sticker were the earliest of early production Manx 1's?

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:59 pm

The first emblems were silver foil backed stickers.

The earliest black plastic emblem I've seen pictured was on a Manx in the first Baja 1000. That was November 1967. The original Manx 2 stickers I recall seeing had a large sticker that said manx 2.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:12 pm

A few years ago, I asked Winnie about reproducing the early emblems because I didn't like the look of the big plastic emblem. Here's part of her response: "I've talked to several people about the black and silver decals. The biggest problem being that there weren't that many Manx's that should have them. It should not be a replacement for the plastic one if one wants to remain authentic as they were only used on the very first Manx's that were built in perhaps 1966 - 1967." Bill's "Old Manx" had one of the black and silver decals when he got it, but it was very faded. He carefully removed it and has it stored in a plastic bag.

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:22 pm

From production numbers I've seen quoted in period magazine articles, I think there were near to 1000 Manxes made before they started putting tags on in Feb 68. The black plastic emblem started just a few months before that. I think around 500 to 700 Manxes should have the foil sticker.

Rick Leddon · Post by **Rick Leddon** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:49 pm

I agree with Nelson. I think there were quite a few made before the id tags were started. I have 7 manx's with the early tinfoil emblem. Can't be that rare.

bobmanx · Post by **bobmanx** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:08 am

Thanks everyone for their info. I talked to Winnie this AM and she said that the Manx Black on Aluminum foil type emblems were used on the Manx kits startin in 1966 and into late 1968 to real early 1969. She said that they were not used on the Manx2, which had the larger black plastic front emblem, supposedly from the start of production. Yes the cast Aluminum Manx emblems were used on the SR, but they are almost 1/4" thick, not the "aluminum foil style" Thanks for the help and info. Bob

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:52 am

[QUOTE="Bobmanx"] I talked to Winnie this AM and she said that the Manx Black on Aluminum foil type emblems were used on the Manx kits startin in 1966 and into late 1968 to real early 1969. She said that they were not used on the Manx2, which had the larger black plastic front emblem, supposedly from the start of production. Yes the cast Aluminum Manx emblems were used on the SR, but they are almost 1/4" thick, not the "aluminum foil style" Bob[/QUOTE] Bob, The foil sticker emblems were used 1965 to late 67. The black plastic were used from late 67 to mid 69. The Manx in this picture has a plastic emblem. Its the earliest dated picture of a plastic emblem I've seen. It was taken at the first Baja 1000, November 1967.

The Manx 2 was mid 69 to 71. A very few Manx 2s used the black plastic emblem but most had a larger raised bump on the hood that used the Manx 2 sticker. The cast SR emblems were an alloy but not aluminum. They're actually magnetic so contain at least some iron. I believe they are a low grade of stainless steel.

bobmanx · Post by **bobmanx** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:33 am

Nelson, I bow to your knowledge, and stand corrected. I was going by my discussion with Winnie on 4/24/08 AM. She said that you might know a bit more. They were not used on the Manx2, is what I was told. Thanks, Bob

CairoManx · Post by **CairoManx** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:06 am

[QUOTE="Bobmanx"] They were not used on the Manx2, is what I was told. Bob[/QUOTE] I bow to your ability to find cool stuff. Your foil sticker and Lynxes are awesome. I agree, foil backed stickers were definitely not used on Manx 2s. However, I know of at least one Manx 2 that came with a small hood bump and a black plastic emblem. It had a Manx 2 serial number and no battery or spare tire well like a normal Manx 2. However, it had an ABS dash and a thick fiberglass body and reinforcing tubes. It was an oddity. There were also some "-2" Manx 2s. They were normal Manx 2s except they had reinforcing tubes and battery and spare tire wells. Their serial numbers end with a "-2". Throughout the years of production, Meyers would specially produce Manxes, with unusual features per customer request. BTW, The info you posted on RBC about the Truck-lite company taking over the Dietz assets helped me find matching replacement tail lights that Tiny Thompson originally used on the Burro dune buggy. Gracias.

manxdavid · Post by **manxdavid** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:42 am

To complicate things further I've seen at least two later Manx 2s with the cast type SR badges. I think they were made after Bruce left the company so maybe they were just using up old stock...

bobmanx · Post by **bobmanx** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:18 pm

Nelson, I try to help and pass "solid" info on when I have it, and try to follow the info or parts trail to a solid end. It helps to ave a solid idea of what was an "original and supplied part" to start the search. And as we have all learned not all of the "suplied" parts were used by the person that bought an original Manx, Manx2, Tow'd and SR's. Sometimes it is a long trail........ Thank you for your help also! Bob