Manx Style Mid Travel Build Questions

crickifur

SO..... It has been a long while since I have been on here. I moved from AZ a couple of years ago and sold off all my toys. I have since gotten married and it took 2 years to talk the wife into a new project (had to agree to help with hers as well). The questions I have seem to have been answered in the forums (but most postings have links that do not work). All help with this will be greatly appreciated as I have to jump on this opportunity before the wife decides its a bad idea. I want to make this a car that I will keep for years to come and get it right the first time. There is a strong chance we will be moving back to the Phoenix, AZ area in a couple years so I want to ensure this is a car that will run well with the old club friends I had there.

Who makes a good/affordable Mid Travel (possible independent front end) tube chasis in the Northeast?

Is it worth going Subaru engine with the build, or more economical to go with the an Ecotec or the old VW aircooled?

What is a good source for fiberglass bodies in the Northeast?

With all this in mind, I am not a novice by any means. I can't stand welding though, hence the need for a fabbed chasis. My daily job is a diesel tech at a local Freightliner dealership. assembling the engine and the set up/wiring will not be an issue and I am eager to get back into the buggy world. All help will be greatly appreciated.

Chris

BL3Manx · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:14 am Post subject:

I think the only tube chassis made in the east is by Acme formerly Berrien.

http://acmecarco.com/

You'd have to obtain and install the front end you choose. Here is another recent similar thread to read.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=600824

crickifur · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 10:17 am Post subject:

Thanks BL3. Sadly, that was a reply I have already read. I was hoping that someone was aware of something other that the berrien frames. I want a tube chasis and I haven't heard great reviews about their products. I have also seen in postings that a few companies have dropped their line due to craftsmanship concerns. A few years ago, I was researching this build and found a guy based out of central Cali who built them in his garage (custom) to suit the buyers' needs. he delivered west coast at certain times of the year, I just wish I could remember his name. I may have to opt for having one built west coast and then paying an ungodly amount for shipping. With that said, I am still on the lookout for something over here as I would rather support a company more local to me, it would also be fun to take a trip to the shop as the frame was being built. As for the front end, I haven't decided if I really need the front end, I may just go with a mid travel torsion set up. I was more curious of the difference in price, if it were similar, I would pay the extra for the better suspension.

prctowd

www.manxchassis.com

One of the best in the nation.

BL3Manx · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 10:35 am Post subject:

crickifur · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 12:11 pm Post subject:

thanks again. I opened those links. I was just looking for a smaller , rather than a berrien dealer. Also i was trying to get multiple quotes, rather than having to deal with just one.

Lo Cash John · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 12:37 pm Post subject:

You're looking to find a shop in the northeast that builds mid-travel desert cars? You're not going to find them because there's no demand for that product there. You'll spend you're money more wisely by contacting a shop that builds this kind of thing all the time. You'll get a better product too.

When you pay a chassis builder, you're not just paying for someone that can cut, bend and weld tubing. Anyone can do that. You're paying for design skill, experience, past experience and lessons from mistakes. Search for a shop in the southwest or better yet, find something used and change it to suit your desires. This is usually WAY cheaper in the end.
_________________
www.LoCashRacing.org
More brains than bucks...Believe it or not!!

If you actually drive your VW, you need www.AirMapp.com

My boss told me I need to work on my mutli-tasking. So now when I use the bathroom at work I surf The Samba on my iPhone.

manxvair · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 2:09 pm Post subject:

Well put Lo Cash John, This is where manxchassis.com has experience.

crickifur · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:20 pm Post subject:

Yeah,.Honestly, i was leaning towards them anyway. I was just hoping i was wrong to think there was no one here

crickifur · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 6:25 pm Post subject: Update

So, out of curiousity, I did email acme/berrien buggy. I informed them of what I was looking for. The ONLY chasis they build are the flat pans, with the only options being what torsions you are using, according to the response email, extended torsions aren't even an option. Not to mention, the email was short, blunt, unprofessional and even a little rude. I then contacted Dave Barrett at manxchassis. I informed him of the emails and then had a nice conversation regarding the chassis I want and experiences with the aforementioned company. It was a RIOT. The man is awesome, TRUELY loves what he does and he sent me pictures of his 2 latest chassis builds. His prices are good and I am always down to support a privateer over a company. So, A Barrett chassis it is.

MANXXMAN · Samba Member Joined: July 26, 2004 Posts: 207

crickifur · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 8:43 am Post subject:

Manxxman, you guys must work together often. I never mentioned you, but he immediately named you're company for the body. I must say, i love the idea if the frp top ring. The chassis looks real nice too. Does anyone have an idea of what shipping would cost from Anaheim to Rochester, ny???

GS guy · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 12:11 pm Post subject:

Dave B used to make annual treks East and occasionally up to Carlisle PA in the Spring (Kit car/Import show). I believe he routinely pulled a big trailer with chassis' to deliver to clients. Carlisle is a whole lot closer than CA to go pick up a car! Not sure if Dave still does this? Be worth checking into though. Typical car shipping costs seem to hover around $1K+ for coast to coast, and I'd expect a bare chassis to run about the same? I guess the only other option would be to fly out, rent a U-haul and drive/haul it back.
Jeff
_________________
70's vintage Deserter GS buggy - undergoing transformation to Super GS!

crickifur · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 5:07 pm Post subject:

Sadly i asked him. He doesn't go any more...

Roys_Big_Toys · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 5:37 pm Post subject:

What do you think your time frame is? I go back and forth regularly. I am leaving in the morning, heading to Nebraska. Then on to California to pick up some parts at Meyers Manx and a chassis at Turn Key Manx. I know Dave Barrett and MGM. I am sure I will be going back out again. And yes, I know where Rochester is. I was at MGM a few weeks ago and at Big Bear and talked to Dave.
_________________
I'd rather be an hour early than 5 minutes late. (Mine)
"It's not a hobby, it's an addiction" (My wife)
"Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it." -Ronald Reagan
Original Meyers Manx
Berrien LKD Warrior Ecotec 2.2 w/ Bus 091 Trans
Original 2 sided Meyers Manx Dealership sign
Meyers Manx Surf Board #1 0f #100
Custom Meyers Manx Cornhole game

crickifur · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 2:26 am Post subject:

Oh wow! That's some driving!! I an looking at ordering the frame mid to late winter. I am still in the design phase. What would you be looking to Get for the delivery?


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

Forum Index -> Kit Car/Fiberglass Buggy/356 Replica		Share:
		Print View

	Forum Index -> Kit Car/Fiberglass Buggy/356 Replica	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1