Bruce Meyers, the quintessential west coast artist whose invention of the Meyers Manx dune stroller in the early 1960s shaped both car and motor sports culture, died Friday at the age of 94 in his home in Valley Center, California.
Widely known for his creative work that still offers countless enthusiasts around the world “smiles for miles”, Meyers was also a surfer, sailor, guitarist / ukulele, artist, engineer and founding father of the entire off-road lifestyle. and industry. Born on March 12, 1926, he was inducted into the Off-Road Motorcycle Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) in 1978.
Working in 1964 in his old garage in Newport Beach, California, Meyers initially created a flowing fiberglass body to fit on an old Volkswagen tray. Using much of the VW undercarriage, suspension and other parts, the first car was eventually named the Meyers Manx. In mid-1967, Meyers and his friend Ted Mangels drove the car – nicknamed “Old Red” – from La Paz to Tijuana in five full hours faster than previous trans-Baja motorcycle races. Not only did it attract worldwide attention, but it also led to the formation of the National Association of Off-Road Racing (NORRA), an entity that created and promoted the first Mexican 1000 later that year.
Considered the first true professional race in the desert, the first initial NORRA Mexican 1000 was won by Mangels and Vic Wilson in a factory-backed Meyers Manx.
Meyers Manx launched a huge automotive and lifestyle fashion in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the company eventually producing over 7,000 cars, but also succumbing to a massive industry that overthrew Bruce’s idea of building 350,000 copies from about 300 companies worldwide.
“When Bruce turned the first VW into a Manx, the world fell in love with the cheap practicality of the platform,” said current Mint 400 CEO Matt Martelli. “But above all, it was the ‘cool’ factor that sold Meyers Manx. The idea was that you would be magically transformed into a beautiful-looking movie star, exploring the Baja surf breaks, climbing up and tying your surfboards up. Bruce didn’t just invent a vehicle; he invented the off-road lifestyle. ”
It was a way of life enjoyed by the legendary off-road pioneer until recently, when medical challenges and the pandemic kept him largely at home. Bruce and his wife, Winnie, were still overseeing the Meyer Manx business, which sold various kits – both old and new – as well as factory-authorized accessories, parts and merchandise. The company was sold to Troutsdale Ventures in November 2020.