Manx Club

Extend the buggy season? (winterization questions) I know it?s still summer in many parts of the northern hemisphere, but the clouds and cooler weather are moving in here in Seattle, and it is starting to get a little chilly driving around in our topless Manx. I?m trying to extend my buggy driving season, thinking I can ?winterize? the buggy, and if I am hearty enough to rely on such a beast as my ?daily driver. There are a few motorcycle riders that ride year-round here. I?m not that hearty? I realize that a winterized Manx will not have the convenience of using the air conditioner to quickly defog the condensation on the interior windows. What I think I?m after is:

1. Functional windshield wipers, and maybe a regular application of RainX.
2. A weather top, convertible or Manx hardtop preferably with a removable back-window. I like the ?fastback? look like this: http://www.manxclub.com/botm-10-03/botm-10-03-1.htmDoes anybody have an old one they would consider letting me use as a pattern? Or know of a local (Seattle) shop that has built/sewn one?
3. A set of functioning side curtains. I?m thinking some sort of zipper setup that would permit quick operation from inside or outside during 40 degree down-pours, be able to leave them partially open for ventilation, and be removable/on-board storable for fair-weather days. What has worked well, or not so well for others with street driven buggies?
4. I will also need some form of heater. I know I?m getting a litter wimpy as I age. I think I have 2 realistic options here:

1. Connect the engine hot air (I?m running a Corvair) into a heat distribution duct through the rear bulkhead, above the shifter inspection cover, and then through a set of pancake ducts under the front seats. I think this could result in some toasty feet, and lots of dust flying about. A flapper air regulator door could be put on at the under-seat terminuses for driver/passenger dust/heat control comfort. Has anybody used engine air for passenger heat in their buggy? What worked well? What issues should I be aware of?
2. I have an old Stewart-Warner (?) gasoline heater that came from an old (6-volt) beetle. I don?t have any experience with this type heat. I remember seeing a picture of one installed under the passenger side dash in a Manx type buggy in a 1970 issue of one of the buggy magazines. Does anybody have any guidance/experience (or just opinions) on using this as my buggy heater?

I know I will also need to address the hood/body seam/ arroyo, and protect the distributor and alternator from the wet. I know it looks like a tall work-order. I just don?t want to put the buggy away for another season, or move to the sunny southwest yet.

Have you thought about getting a snowmobile suit? Or one of those electric door gunner suits? Just kidding. The gas heater would be the way to go I would think. Especially if you could make it removable with some sort of quick connects. You could even put it in the back seat that way. I have a rear heater from a 4 runner about where my feet are (water cooled) and it does very little heating without windows. It makes me feel better when I flip the switch though...Heated seats are an option I am looking at. The other option I am considering is getting a VW Thing for winter driving.

When I taught school up in Michigan, I drove my Manx everyday to school. For winter I too had a S/W 6 volt heater mounted to a plywood rear seat template. Drilled two small holes for gas in and gas out, in the spare tire well. Spliced the fuel line where it exited the frame horns. drilled an exhaust hole at the bottom of the spare tire well, ran some dryer ductwork up on the emergency brake handle, for my defroster. Cranking that baby up will work better then Rain-X. That front window will be dry all the time. Believe me you'll be unzipping those side curtains ASAP. I'll get real toasty real QUICK!!!!. Spring time, unhook the gas lines, pull out the plywood, and the Manx is back to a warm weather buggy. good luck