Corvair Manx

BL3Manx · Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:02 am Post subject: Corvair Manx

I picked this up Saturday a couple hours south of here. It didn't have a tag but has all the right stuff. The builder fabricated a custom subframe to support the Corvair engine and trans, and spliced the Corvair and VW swingaxles so it has a wide 5 bolt pattern rear brakes. The Corvair bits intruded into the rear seat and wells a bit but the Scotch tape impression in the bottom of the spare well is there. It has black and yellow plates, a Hurst shifter, SW gauges, a Moon gas pedal and very cool home made steering brake handles.

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monomanx · Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 11:38 am Post subject:

Great find.

BL3Manx · Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 12:18 pm Post subject:

You can see the gold metalflake has a protective coat of moss, lichen and dirt and the pine needles were several inches thick on the floor.

parmaynu · Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 1:30 pm Post subject:

That's cool!

surfnc · Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 5:49 pm Post subject:

Nelson

Nice find! Very Happy

Are those oil bath air cleaners on that Corvair engine? I have not seen that setup before. (not that versed in Corvair)

Vince
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LOOKING FOR VINTAGE MEYERS MANX STUFF!!!
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BL3Manx · Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 6:13 pm Post subject:

Those are 61-63 air cleaners, they're just a dry paper element type, but Corvair did have a Desert Air accessory package which is rare now days that did have an oilbath pre-filter. The 61-63 cleaners fit under the rear of the body well but the twin snorkel air cleaner on the 4 carb, 140hp Corsa engine that Steve McQueen used is the one with the great Detroit look.

frizzardking · Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 1:37 pm Post subject: Corvair Manx

Nice find Nelson !, here are a few pictures of a early Manx 2 Corvair with abs dash and Manx 1 hood I sold about a year ago

Good Luck with it

BL3Manx · Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 8:11 pm Post subject:

I've got a Manx 2 with the same hood and abs dash. All that space under the back seat would definitely make putting a Corvair back there easier

manxvair · Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:12 pm Post subject:

So it look like it is running the Hadley Transvair setup.

BL3Manx · Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:24 pm Post subject:

Its a similar design but narrower vertically and I can see it was made to fit around and support the body so I think it was a custom design. This is the one I have

and this is a Hadley Transvair.

wythac · Samba Member Joined: August 02, 2004 Posts: 2791

That thing is quite a time capsule. Looks like a keeper. For some strange reason I now feel compelled to put in an offer on the Corvair van/pickup for sale nearby.

Love the extra overhang on the back, and the crazy belt paths on the motor....super cool.

Manx102 · Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 11:20 pm Post subject:

RedBaronofRedBud · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 7:21 am Post subject:

Very cool find! What are your plans for it?
_________________
Or you can call me………Tim

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I’m not a complete idiot, there are parts missing

BL3Manx · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 8:55 am Post subject:

Its a neat creation, but I don't like the way the mount and transmission intrudes into the Manx back seat. There are eight good size holes cut back there and only one has been glassed over, badly. I'm thinking of using the subframe and drivetrain(upgraded to 110 hp) in my Tow'd where there wouldn't be any space issues and I could upgrade it to an IRS mid-travel suspension. I've already ordered a set of the adapters from Clark's to put bus CV joints on the inboard Corvair axle stubs.

I'll repair the Manx body and put the chassis back to a standard VW swingaxle, keeping the tunnel intact so the original license plates stay with it.

Ruska B1 · Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 12:39 pm Post subject:

Congratulations BL3Manx Exclamation

Great find
_________________
Gert

'68 Meyers Manx
'71 US Opel GT

colorado_aircooled · Samba Member Joined: September 26, 2005 Posts: 400

That would make a great candidate for a Pikes Peak hill climb recreation . First two dune buggies entered in 1966, both Manx bodies with corvair power. One was turbo , other other not.

colorado_aircooled · Samba Member Joined: September 26, 2005 Posts: 400

colorado_aircooled · Samba Member Joined: September 26, 2005 Posts: 400

Funny thing. They wouldn't allow two seat cars in the class that year. So they took out all but the drivers seat and made the vinyl covers

BL3Manx · Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 10:25 pm Post subject:

I've enjoyed reading and looking at your thread on Pikes Peak in the Off Road Forum. One of the Corvair powered Meyers Manx racers was built/driven Bud Whitfield. I believe he may also have helped build the Purple Potato Chip Meyers Manx drag race car and was also possibly the first to flip a Corvair cam end for end which enabled its use in a reverse rotation engine. He passed away several years ago in Sacramento. Do you know if someone has his papers/files if any?


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