Time-line and Variety of Meyers Manx Nose Badges
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 5:43 pm
Edited - 20 Aug 18 (with Nelson's help)- I'm going to update this thread as I learn new information or get additional pictures;
I thought I'd take a stab at creating a timeline (looking for others to fill in the accurate dates and/or gaps) of the various nose badges that appear or appeared on the Meyers Manx kits. I'll start with what I have personal pictures of plus some "borrowed" photos. Please contribute. You may PM me if you like with information and/or pictures.
Original/early small box (tail) and Manx I kits (1965-67?): Foil sticker: The first foil backed sticker would have gone on the first Manx with a raised bump on the hood. That would have been the first floorpan Manx, November 1965
Manx I kits. Large plastic badge with the "circle R": The plastic emblem replaced the foil back sticker sometime in 1967, probably late summer to fall time frame. The earliest picture of a plastic emblem are seen on George Haddock's Manx at the start of the first NORRA Mexican (Baja) 1000, in November 1967. Picture of George Haddock's Manx before the start of the 67 Mexican(Baja) 1000 clearly shows the plastic emblem. George was the Manx dealer in Santa Ana, the closest Manx dealer to the B.F. Meyers & Co. factory on Birch St in Newport Beach. He also built turn key Manxes, so he probably was one of the very first to get a Manx body with the new nose badge. Bruce Meyers gold metalfllake car, that he raced in the 67 Baja with the #1, is behind Haddock's buggy.
The last plastic emblem (of this vintage) that came new on a Meyers Manx was put on the Utility Manx. Period photos show it on the Lifeguard Manx even though they all have Manx 2 hoods. The Utility Manxes all have 4 digit tags and were probably made very late in 1970 or in early 1971.
Manx II kits vinyl sticker: The Manx 2 sticker eventually replaced the plastic sticker, however the very first Manx 2s actually had the Manx 1 style hood with the plastic emblem. The first Manx 2 sticker may have been sold March or April 1969. However the Manx 1 continued to be made and sold concurrently until June 70.
Variants of the Manx II original nose stickers
Reproduction Manx II stickers currently available from Meyers Manx
Meyers Manx SR Kits: Cast in a stainless steel alloy of some kind.
First generation reproduction badges (Introduced ~1998/9): Large plastic badge with three pins on the back. No trademark symbol or Bruce's Signature These badges were only available to authenticated Manx buggies and the Signature Series kits:
(bottom pin missing/broken off in the picture below)
Second generation reproduction badges (~2012 - present day): Billet aluminum or large plastic badge without pins on the back. Has a "circle C". These badges are only available to authenticated Manx buggies:
Manxter and Kickout kits (dates?)
I thought I'd take a stab at creating a timeline (looking for others to fill in the accurate dates and/or gaps) of the various nose badges that appear or appeared on the Meyers Manx kits. I'll start with what I have personal pictures of plus some "borrowed" photos. Please contribute. You may PM me if you like with information and/or pictures.
Original/early small box (tail) and Manx I kits (1965-67?): Foil sticker: The first foil backed sticker would have gone on the first Manx with a raised bump on the hood. That would have been the first floorpan Manx, November 1965
Manx I kits. Large plastic badge with the "circle R": The plastic emblem replaced the foil back sticker sometime in 1967, probably late summer to fall time frame. The earliest picture of a plastic emblem are seen on George Haddock's Manx at the start of the first NORRA Mexican (Baja) 1000, in November 1967. Picture of George Haddock's Manx before the start of the 67 Mexican(Baja) 1000 clearly shows the plastic emblem. George was the Manx dealer in Santa Ana, the closest Manx dealer to the B.F. Meyers & Co. factory on Birch St in Newport Beach. He also built turn key Manxes, so he probably was one of the very first to get a Manx body with the new nose badge. Bruce Meyers gold metalfllake car, that he raced in the 67 Baja with the #1, is behind Haddock's buggy.
The last plastic emblem (of this vintage) that came new on a Meyers Manx was put on the Utility Manx. Period photos show it on the Lifeguard Manx even though they all have Manx 2 hoods. The Utility Manxes all have 4 digit tags and were probably made very late in 1970 or in early 1971.
Manx II kits vinyl sticker: The Manx 2 sticker eventually replaced the plastic sticker, however the very first Manx 2s actually had the Manx 1 style hood with the plastic emblem. The first Manx 2 sticker may have been sold March or April 1969. However the Manx 1 continued to be made and sold concurrently until June 70.
Variants of the Manx II original nose stickers
Reproduction Manx II stickers currently available from Meyers Manx
Meyers Manx SR Kits: Cast in a stainless steel alloy of some kind.
First generation reproduction badges (Introduced ~1998/9): Large plastic badge with three pins on the back. No trademark symbol or Bruce's Signature These badges were only available to authenticated Manx buggies and the Signature Series kits:
(bottom pin missing/broken off in the picture below)
Second generation reproduction badges (~2012 - present day): Billet aluminum or large plastic badge without pins on the back. Has a "circle C". These badges are only available to authenticated Manx buggies:
Manxter and Kickout kits (dates?)