MANXTER #2
Manxter #2 arrived from CA recently. This buggy was nearly completed when the original owner needed to sell it, so we have purchased it for a customer and we'll be finishing up the details, and making some changes so that is exactly what the new owner wants.
It is a pretty nice rig from the start, but we can make it even better.
As Manxter #2 was purchased in an unfinished state we are going through and making everything 100 percent. This includes fixing some wiring problems, changing the seats to a new color and so on. One addition to the Manxter is that we needed to install the hard top. In the image above you can see we have installed the hard top and its pivot brackets at the windshields front corners.
To keep rain from coming up over the windscreen frame and onto your lap, we installed a gasket that is attached to the roof that seals the top lip tightly when the roof is closed. We know you'll get wet if you drive a Manxter in the rain anyway, but at least this will keep you from having to wipe down the inside of the windshield.
On the roof side pivots we installed slightly modified versions of the brackets supplied with the kit using all stainless steel hardware and a bonding agent to make sure there will be no fiberglass cracks in the future. We also installed a stainless steel cross bolt that will be drilled for a quick release pin. In doing it this way the owner will be able to remove his roof in less than a minute with no tools. This will mean that going topless will be quick and easy. The rear lifting gas strut system is also quick release. More on that later.
At the back of the Manxter we also need to make some changes. The type I Bergman motor is set up with a high rise 4 barrel carb manifold with an Edelbrock carb. The good news is that once we re-jetted the carb it works pretty well. The bad news is that an over-complicated approach was taken on the throttle linkage. The linkage had the wrong geometry and just didn't work, so we removed it and are going with a very simple approach that utilizes a long cable and grabs the carb. linkage on the RH side for a dead simple pull and full operation of the carb's linkage. The operation is smoother and full throttle can now be had with full range on the throttle pedal.
On the bottom of Manxter #2 we also need to make a few changes. The buggy has a very nice skid plate, but it was installed so that the motor sits on it. This transmits a lot of noise into the car so the new owner wants it changed. We'll be making some new mounts and spacing the nicely made skid plate away from the bottom of the running gear.
The only drastic thing that needs to change on Manxter #2 is the shift linkage. The buggy has a Stuff T2 transaxle for added strength and it is shifted by a Skat shifter. However, the T1 shifter is mated to the T2 box via this billet coupler and it just doesn't work like it should. Shifts are hard, way too notchy and sometimes it is nearly impossible to locate a gear when you need it.
The underside of the rear seat also was modified for this ill fated T1 to T2 set up. You can see the seat base was notched to allow for the shift coupler. To fix this and make the buggy fun to drive again we will pull the motor and the transaxle and convert the front of the T2 transaxle to T1. This will give us a direct shot to the shift coupler making shifts smoother, but we will retain the beefy T2 transaxle for strength.
Here you can see the T2 transaxle ready to go back into the buggy. The tough T2 transaxle has been mated to the T1 shifter snout by way of a custom Gene Berg part, and the entire package will now drive and shift better, but retain the strength of the T2 box.
This image shows the buggy with its top lift system in place. The simple gas strut system makes for easy entry and exit with the hardtop in place and will help keep the sun and maybe a few rain drops off your head.
Here you can see the simple install of a longer throttle cable allows for ease use for the 4 bbl carb. The cable simply pulls on the standard carb linkage and offers smooth operation without a lot of linkage. We had to adjust the geometry in the foot pedal to match the carb. better, but as we are a full fabrication shop these sort of changes to make something work better are all done in house. We don't need to go looking for a part that someone else makes.
Previously the skid plate for this buggy was pressured up against the bottom of the motor case. To give a little "bash room" we welded on an alloy spacer at the front and installed some simple spacers at the back to give a little space between the skid plate and the motor case. That way if the customer does hit a rock the shock will be sent into the skid plate only and not directly into the motor case potentially breaking something.
In the front of the buggy we had to correctly install the fuel tank vent system. The system in it was not functional so when the tank was full it would siphon onto the ground... not good at today's gas prices. We installed a correct vent system, repaired the leaking fuel tank sender and got the fuel system up to snuff. Also in the front of the buggy we replaced the steering box. The buggy had used unit in it that must have had a ton of miles on it, so a new box tightened up the steering and made the buggy much sweeter to drive.
Now that the T2 transaxle is installed with a T1 snout, we have installed a standard shift coupler and installed the factory cover. We also fabricated an alloy cover plate for the cut fiberglass area to give it a clean finished look. The buggy now shifts like it should and all the gears are easy to find whenever you need them.
To give the buggy a different look the new owner will be installing some seats that are more to his taste. These Beard Street L seats covered in their EBS system in Yellow and Black will be a nice weather resistant option for the buggy. The old PRP cloth seats may have worked in sunny So. Cal, but not here in New England... here we actually drive buggies in the rain, fog and cold.
Nearly ready.
Here you can see that we have installed the new Beard EBS seats with a set of Crow 3" racing belts for the driver and passenger. We also altered the seat tracks so that they slide correctly and do not rattle.
For the rear seat we have installed a new Beard EBS seat cover and added a layer of foam directly to the seat frame for more comfort. We have also installed lap belts in the rear in the way of standard VW belts.
Here you can see Manxter #2, now sorted out and ready for fun in the sun. It will soon be delivered to Nantucket where it will be the ultimate beach cruiser. If you have dune buggy needs, contact ECR. We will be happy to help in any way we can, from some repairs to a full buggy build up, we are your eastern USA buggy source.
In 2005 Manxter #2 got another round of upgrades. Go Here for details!
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ECR
21 Tolman Road
Warren, ME 04864
ph: 207-594-8086
fax 207-594-8120
email: ecrover@midcoast.com