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calebmelvin
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006
Posts: 3140
Location: Seattle, WA
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 Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:40 pm Post subject: June '68 Manx Period Restoration |
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Wow, where do I start.
Two years ago I built this New Classic kit. It was incredible journey. If you haven't built a new kit, I would highly recommend it. There is something so satisfying when you drill into a pure, uncut body, that is hard to explain. It is a blank canvas.
After it was finished, I had a flurry of interest, and then life happened and I decided to sell. I was offered quite a bit more than I thought it was worth and away it went. Well come to find out, the buyer who talked a big game about keeping it forever, had other plans. He saw dollar signs. Most of you probably saw this: 1966 Meyers Manx Re-Creation. Within a short period he had it on BaT looking for big money. He did a great job with the photos but the listing was very confusing, and in the end it only went for about what he bought it for. Not sure where it ended up.
Anyway, fast forward to now. I want another Manx to build. I had planned on buying a member’s square tail but with the COVID shutdowns this winter, my funds dried up. Ugh. Then this this beauty landed in my lap. It was in the backwoods of Florida, one owner and for a really really great price! Soon it was on its way here. Now I have bought dozens of VWs from afar, and you never really know exactly what they need until they arrive. With the price so low, my expectations were very low as well. But this one surprised me. The body is great. Really no issues, aside from one crack on the front. The pan is great. It runs, drives, etc.
So what are my plans? I am going for a period correct restoration on this one. I want to do it right. Without further ado, here is my June ’68 tagged Manx project!
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Caleb
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Last edited by calebmelvin on Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:43 am; edited 4 times in total |
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jsturtlebuggy
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2005
Posts: 4496
Location: Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: '68 Golden Orange Manx Restoration |
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Great find, how many layers of paint is the metalflake under?
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Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960 |
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Busted Knuckle Garage
Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2019
Posts: 71
Location: Northlawrence Ohio
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| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: '68 Golden Orange Manx Restoration |
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Very cool. Good luck with you're build.
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Frank |
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calebmelvin
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006
Posts: 3140
Location: Seattle, WA
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manxbuggy
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006
Posts: 131
Location: Seattle, Wa
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:55 pm Post subject: Re: '68 Golden Orange Manx Restoration |
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Sweet! Are you planning to remove the 'helper' springs in front?
What year pan is it on?
Rob |
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calebmelvin
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006
Posts: 3140
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: '68 Golden Orange Manx Restoration |
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| manxbuggy wrote: |
Sweet! Are you planning to remove the 'helper' springs in front?
What year pan is it on?
Rob |
It is sitting on the original '65 pan from constuction in ‘68. I am going to do it correct when it was built, so 40hp to match the pan. Might spice it up a bit though. 
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Caleb
'68 Tagged Manx | My Wanted Ads
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Last edited by calebmelvin on Tue Feb 02, 2021 2:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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stevemariott
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2003
Posts: 1051
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: '68 Golden Orange Manx Restoration |
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Looks like a heck of a start, Caleb! If your previous Manx was any indicator, I'm sure this will turn out excellent!
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1963 Manx copy
1968 Bus |
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calebmelvin
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006
Posts: 3140
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2021 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: '68 Golden Orange Manx Restoration |
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Started taking it down this week. Removed the windshield, roll bar, etc. Found out the hood was held on with zero screws!  Hoping to get it stripped down soon!
Interestingly I found that the dash is actually an original dash frame that had been skinned in sheet metal. It was pretty well done!
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Caleb
'68 Tagged Manx | My Wanted Ads
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dustymojave
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 5802
Location: Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
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| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2021 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: '68 Golden Orange Manx Restoration |
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| calebmelvin wrote: |
Found out the hood was held on with zero screws!
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No screws to hold the hood on except the ones into the side of the dash frame? Nothing in front? I can see there were none into the fender flange. Just the weight/inertia of the windshield would tend to break the fiberglass at the dash after a short while.
Those dash frame bolt through the side of the body sure look dangerous! I would be inclined to replace them with carriage bolts or button head Allen bolts turned around to point outward instead of inward to tear your leg.
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Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
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Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet. |
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manxvair
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Joined: January 11, 2011
Posts: 231
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 8:49 am Post subject: Re: '68 Golden Orange Manx Restoration |
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It looks like one layer. Not too bad!
Wow, why would someone cover that up, can't wait to see what's revealed under that paint! |
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calebmelvin
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006
Posts: 3140
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 10:44 am Post subject: Re: '68 Golden Orange Manx Restoration |
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| manxvair wrote: |
Wow, why would someone cover that up, can't wait to see what's revealed under that paint! |
From the areas I can see it looks pretty shot under there unfortunately. I am debating on the color. I may do Tangerine Red. I am not a huge fan of Golden Orange and if I am going to be spending big money on the paint or gel coat, I might as well be what I like.
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Caleb
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surfnc
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Location: OBX, NC
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calebmelvin
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matthewl
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Joined: October 28, 2014
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| Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 1:40 am Post subject: Re: June '68 Manx Period Restoration |
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I was wondering where that buggy went. Glad you got it, it will definitely get a new lease on life. Would be interesting to see if the og gel coat Is savable even with the damage. You might fall in love with that old school golden orange, BaT sure does. The new brilliant golden orange is cool but the og golden orange is awesome and period correct.
I love my brilliant golden orange New classic manx #94 ( got it last year when bruce turned 94, how cool is that.) But wish they had the og golden orange color. I have read that meadowbrook doesn't even make that style of flake any more 
Anyways its your buggy and your vision, make it happen. I know it will be a knockout, just like your last one.
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calebmelvin
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Location: Seattle, WA
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calebmelvin
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DeathBySnuSnu
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Joined: August 25, 2012
Posts: 1182
Location: MS
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| Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 5:28 am Post subject: Re: June '68 Manx Period Restoration |
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Cool.
And wow that is an old trans.....pre 61 split case.
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calebmelvin
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Location: Seattle, WA
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calebmelvin
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eddie.would.go
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Joined: September 02, 2005
Posts: 87
Location: in the garage
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| Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 6:19 pm Post subject: Re: '68 Golden Orange Manx Restoration |
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| calebmelvin wrote: |
| manxvair wrote: |
Wow, why would someone cover that up, can't wait to see what's revealed under that paint! |
From the areas I can see it looks pretty shot under there unfortunately. I am debating on the color. I may do Tangerine Red. I am not a huge fan of Golden Orange and if I am going to be spending big money on the paint or gel coat, I might as well be what I like. |
I always feel it distracts from the originality when a vehicle is restored to anything but the color specified on the VIN. Especially when the VIN tag is as easy to decode as a Meyers Manx buggy. |
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Maybe because my very first buggy was red I am drawn to it.
