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Sun Jul 20, 2014 7:11 am

James Garner was a TV and movie star, combat veteran, avid race car driver/race team manager and a great person. He drove John and Donna Crean's race Manx in the 68 Stardust 7-11.

Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:17 am

I always admired that guy.
Any man that races Volkswagens and abuses Firebirds is OK in my book!

Sun Jul 20, 2014 3:50 pm

The body style is a Minibug. I am saddened at the loss of a great personality and a pioneer to our hobby

Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:38 pm

Its a Meyers Manx, the same one John Crean set the 29 hr driving time record(they stopped and slept) in Baja for a buggy in Jan 67, before Bruce Meyers and Ted Mangels did it non-stop in 31hrs in Old Red in April 67. It was given a full rebuild by Mameco of Newport Beach for the Nov 67 Baja 1000. For the 7-11 which was run in Las Vegas mid-Summer, the roof was removed, the windscreen changed and the front fenders cut off. The first part of an an article about it is in the Summer 2014 Manx Mania. There will be a follow up in the fall issue.

Notice in the second pic at the top of the thread, Bob Majors race Tow'd right behind James Garner and the Volvo support truck for their race Burro.

Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:44 am

A very special and talented gentleman... RIP Mr. Garner.

Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:23 pm

I live in the UK and have fond memories of the "Rockford Files" when I was a kid. He always seemed such a cool guy living in his mobile home on the seafront! (Please feel free to translate this!) Much different to how we were living in England. I was sad to hear of the death of Mr. Garner.

I am interested to hear more of his association with buggy racing of which I was unaware. If anyone has any more information or pictures please post them up, particularly of the hardtop buggy as I have never before seen the like. Wouldn't it be great to get these in production again for all of us who live where where it rains a lot. Perhaps we could call it the "Garner Bug" or "Rockford Bug" perhaps!

Wed Jul 23, 2014 3:18 pm

R.I.P Jimbo :(

Wed Jul 23, 2014 6:08 pm

I believe he's sitting in the Baja Boot in this shot. You can see the NORRA patch on his shoulder. I think the Stardust 7-11 may have been his first off-road race. Subsequently he raced off-road in Bronco's, Oldsmobiles and even Ramblers. Just google him and the word off-road and you'll see a lot more.

This is his Off-Road Hall of Fame page, he was inducted in the first year.
http://www.ormhof.com/inductees.fx?id=15

This film of the 67 Mexican 1000(Baja) shows the Crean race Manx at 0:25, 5:50, 8:26, and at 19:22 at the finish line. As I mentioned previously, John and Donna Crean drove it in the 67 Baja 1000.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpNlLzwxY4U[/img]

Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:04 pm

Hi there, came across your pictures today and I believe I have this Manx in my possession. It is quite beat up, but I have heard that it is the one that James Garner and Scooter Patrick raced once. I would love to get more information on this vehicle...history, etc. if you have any. A restoration may be in my future for this vehicle.

Thu Aug 07, 2014 1:05 pm

Pictures please.

Thu Aug 07, 2014 1:10 pm

Ginny, that's definitely it. I've written two articles about its history and can send you copies. I've sent you a message

Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:14 pm

This is best story I've read all week. How absolutely cool.

Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:24 pm

I think it would take a few pictures for me to believe such an awesome story

Thu Aug 07, 2014 4:53 pm

Thank you Nelson for your time today and for all of the interesting information on this vehicle. I will certainly get many, many more pictures and get them posted. I'm almost embarrassed to post pics as the condition is so terrible. I pulled the vehicle to start looking in to restoring it as a gift to my husband who has had this vehicle for almost 30 years and we've moved it from place to place, home to home. He has always talked about the car once being driven by James Garner and how he has always wanted to restore it but he has never done it so I thought it would be a great gift to him. Can't wait to get the pictures and any suggestions on trustworthy people to assist with the project as I will not be able to do any of the work myself. This is a neat piece of history, that's why he's kept it. I will get more information on how he acquired it and it's current state, etc. Not even sure of the engine...I think the original engine was taken out when they sold it to him and a VW one put in (if my memory is correct.) but I will confirm all of that. I will be going to take pictures of it personally next week.

Thanks again for sharing.

Ginny

Thu Aug 07, 2014 5:09 pm

What great piece of off-road racing and Manx history to be saved.

Thu Aug 07, 2014 5:34 pm

Ginny, you're welcome and it was fun talking to you. I've already sent you an email with another photo you haven't seen. The copy of the magazine with part 1 of the article about the history of your Manx will be in the mail tomorrow. Part 2 in about a week when it gets printed.

Here is a link to a video on youtube about the 67 Baja. Your Manx is visible at 0:25, 5:50, 8:26, and at 19:22 at the finish line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpNlLzwxY4U

Thu Aug 07, 2014 6:51 pm

It would be great to see this one restored back and running the roads. I got to drive with another piece of racing history when we traveled from Bruce and Winnie's house to Big Bear last month, very cool to run with it.

Thu Aug 21, 2014 10:38 pm

I heard from Ginny that Bruce Meyers came and checked out the Crean Race Manx today and that he will personally be restoring it. Very exciting!

Here's another shot of it I came across, its at the 7-11 and James Garner is in the passenger seat, Scooter Patrick is driving. Johnnie Crean corfirmed his mother is in the foreground holding the open bottle and can of Windex. She either did a fantastic job with the Windex or they removed the windscreen. John Crean is leaning over James Garner.

Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:05 am

A cool story just got better still.

Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:11 am

I just heard from Marty Fiolka, the editor/publisher of Dirt Sports Magazine and while Bruce is restoring the body, Marty will be doing the mechanical restoration of the Crean/Garner/Patrick Manx. It should be pretty fabulous!