How many Manxters have been sold?

Siggymanx33 · Post by **Siggymanx33** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 4:31 am

Right on Mike..........right on. Just for the record, I paid almost as much for my 5 year old NOS siggy kit as a Manxter kit would have cost........not quite but almost. Fun isn't cheap. (someone remind me to put that on my tombstone)

manxter26 · Post by **manxter26** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 9:30 pm

Mark, As much as I want to, I'm not sure Lone Pine is in the cards. I had my right hip replaced right after Big Bear and am trying to schedule my left in the next month or two. I'm still trying to make it work but I don't think that I can afford to tow my toy hauler all that way, so if I come I would be moteling it. Are you camping or motel? Did you get the regear done and the carb fiddling handled? E-mail me a phone # and a good time to call and I'll get with you before Lone Pine. My e-mail is allotto@fone.net.

Olli · Post by **Olli** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 2:44 pm

Well, a lot of interesting posts here. I guess that a reasonable sumation would be that Manxters aren't selling like hot cakes due to $$$. I guess that it is all in perception as $7K is bargain basement for a "kit car" yet too high for a fiberglass dune buggy, and $75-100K plus is O.K. for a super cool sand rail (read toy), and it is O.K to build a $25-35K Cal Look street Bug. I know that when mine is done I most likely will not be taking it to the regular VW based shows. I will be going to "all makes" and "Ford Powered only" shows. It may just help Bruce reach a whole different audience. What I have been finding through my affiliation with replica Cobras is that there are a lot of ex-VW people that really dig fiberglass dune buggies but now have nothing (so therefore know nothing about) the current VW scene. These folks will also not think twice about spending $30-50K on building a "kit" Ironically, I discoverd the Manxter via a posting on a replica Cobra forum. Kathleen, what ever happend to the Hot VW feature that was done on your car? It hasn't made print yet. That feature of such an outstanding Manxter certainly could have helped sales for Meyers. It is not outside the realm of possibilties that it was not/hasn't run simply because Meyers does not advertise in the magazine. Don't kid yourself. Magazines take care of their advertisers. About 14 months ago I had a photo shoot done by Kit Car on my Cobra. It has yet to go to print. I have been in touch with the editor on numerous occasions to get the feature to print. It should make print in the next issue or two but trust me, advertisers go first. And yes, that is just my opinion. I am however pictured in the current issue of Kit Car Builder (Oct. 05 pages 18,19). I am pictured burning up $4,000 worth of promotional Kumho color smoking drift tires. Yep, $2K each. That is what I was told. No, I didn't pay for them I was asked to do it. Olli

Tom-Kathleen · Post by **Tom-Kathleen** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 6:13 pm

Olli - we are still waiting for the feature. The 2004 pictures (of both cars) were taken by Dean Kirsten. This year, R. K. Smith took some other pictures but didn't run them in the Litchfield (CT) show coverage. But he promised to look at the 2004 pictures and try to run them "some time". I've been told by many people that you don't "hold your breath" waiting for these things to happen, so we are not doing that. Maybe some day. Tom

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:06 pm

[QUOTE="Olli"]Well, a lot of interesting posts here. I guess that a reasonable sumation would be that Manxters aren't selling like hot cakes due to $$$. I guess that it is all in perception as $7K is bargain basement for a "kit car" yet too high for a fiberglass dune buggy, and $75-100K plus is O.K. for a super cool sand rail (read toy), and it is O.K to build a $25-35K Cal Look street Bug. Olli[/QUOTE] Well I guess I have egg on my face. For some unknown reason I thought the Manxter kit was in the high teen$. I just looked again and didn't realize they started at 7k (not the painted version). Still maybe a little expensive for most, but, with the roll cage, bumpers, roof and all standard I quess it's not really out of line. Maybe they should offer a body only option. Maybe worried about liability issues. My apologies.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:00 pm

Mike Manxter, It's not just you. I have the same thing happen to me way over here on the west coast. I posted a rant about it some time ago, and I still get some good natured ribbing from the local Orange County gang for it. "How much did it cost?" is among the top three questions I get asked, right along with "Is it street legal?" and "Where can I get one?". I am thinking about printing up some business cards with links to all the buggy manufacturers and classified ad boards to help people get started on their quest for their own buggy. I have no problem rattling off the number of things that make my buggy street legal, but so far no one has let me get past "windshield, windshield wipers, fenders, turn signals, brake lights, horn...". It's the money thing that gets to me, but I try to tell myself they are just testing the water to see if they can even think about building their own buggy. I still agree with Kathleen, it IS like asking a woman her age! It's a slightly different story when the money question comes after a long list of other questions. In that case, the person really is interested in building his own car, and these are the people we can help!

Siggymanx33 · Post by **Siggymanx33** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:28 pm

Personally, I never realized that about VW people (except for this thread and in reference to the Manxter) One possible explanation could be summed up by the VW's origins, "The Peoples Car". Vw's offer a way for an average person to enjoy participating in auto restorations and car shows. That is how I got involved. I knew I wanted to begin a project car that I could work on in my garage and be able to have fun driving around in. I thought a VW buggy would be a great start because of it's simplicity, ease of obtaining parts, and the fun factor. I would probably rather have a Cobra Replica but I don't think my skills nor bankroll are up to the task. It's funny how you can put a $2000 buggy next to a $20k buggy and the only thing that the average person would notice is it is shinier or has more chrome? I am not sure if a $2000 1969 mustang would be welcome at a car show. And it has only been in the last few years that I noticed that classic VW's have really gone through the roof in price. For the most part VW people that I come in contact with are down to earth. With all do respect, consider the demographics of this board as opposed to a Shelby or Mustang Chatroom. We have a much wider range of people here, people that are attempting to make a fun vehicle for under $1k to people that need a $45k Manxter. Also with respect,I would venture a quess that the average VW/Buggy fan does not have a Manxter, a land rover, a STI and a classic Buick in the garage. Perhaps you are on the other end of the bell curve with regards to average affordability. (please don't take that the wrong way) I don't think it would suprise anyone to state that I think VW/buggy enthusiasts are (generally speaking) cut from a different pattern. By that I mean maybe the average VW guy has to save to get their restorations parts while the average Mustang guy could probably just write a check. (I know that is a huge generalization, but one I think is true to a point) I am not sure if I even answered your question because as I write, I can't see your post. Just some observations.

Siggymanx33 · Post by **Siggymanx33** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:32 pm

Mike, I think you are on to something with your car being so new and looking so good that people just have to ask. When they get there answer, it is probaly not what they were expecting. I would attribute that to your no holds barred approach to buggy building, how good the car looks and all the trick components. I think someone will come in and pay a premiun for #1. I'll put my over under in at 42K. Just watch Barrett Jackson, the bidding process gets personal and I can see someone really wanting the car. With regards to my buggy, it is exactly what I have wanted when I started. I built a buggy first and realized that I was commited. From there I set out to do it right with the best I could afford. It's not for sale as I consider it owned by my 3 year old son. If he had to let it go, it's going to hurt someones pocketbook. FYI: If I had won the 304 million dollar powerball lottery last night, I had planned on giving you a call this morning. Needless to say, you won't be hearing from me...yet.

manxter26 · Post by **manxter26** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:51 am

Mike, I for one appreciate all the effort you put into your site. The ebay auction just ended and it did not make reserve. That surprised me as I thought the reserve was $30,000 and the high bid was $30,600. I think the auction will lead to a sale though, it generated lots of interest. I think the average buggy enthusiast is alot like the average VW enthusiast. He is thrifty(a cheap-skate). They drive the cars because the are relatively cheap and easy to fix. I had a salvage yard for many years and although I have always had and loved volkswagens, I finally reached a point where I told people that the VW parts were for my own use and were not for sale. I just couldn't deal with the average VW owner. Now that I've gone to several Manx Club events, there is a broad range of buggy owners. There are guys there with there $200,000+ motorhomes towing some of the trickest buggys you have ever seen and in the same campground the guy that flat towed his and is sleeping in a tent. And its our love for the buggys that brings us all together. When you're on the trail and someone breaks, everyone jumps in and helps fix the problem. It doesn't matter where they are sleeping that night, we are all equals when we're out there enjoying Bruce Meyers creations. I'm not sure where I'm going here other that I don't think the Manxter will ever be the financial success that we had all hoped for. It's going to take an entry level type of buggy and with fiberglass costs the way they are, I'm not sure that is possible. If they opened up the Classic/Signature Manx style of buggy, I'm sure the demand would be much greater but it would have to be available for $3500-$4000 to be a saleable item and that is still higher than all the clones that are out there. As one of the buyers of the Siggy Manx's, and one that was told that there would only be 100 of these ever built, I'm a little torn on the issue. I think it would hurt the value of my car but if it would keep the Meyers going, I'm all for it. I think the only thing that I would want would be the option of buying the #26 of the next series of buggies. I hope that opportunity comes up and I am able. Keep up the good work on the site and keep enjoying that Manxter. As your son gets older it gets even better. My boys are 8 and 13 and our times in the buggy are some of the most memorable.