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Meyers Manx receives electric powertrain and a big honor

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The Meyers Manx is one of the iconic vehicles of the 1960s and is partially responsible for popularizing the dune buggy. Now, the car has another accolade to add to its history. Company founder Bruce Meyers' original 1964 Manx prototype, nicknamed Old Red, is the second vehicle added to the National Historic Vehicle Register. The first one to make it onto the list was Shelby Daytona Coupe CSX2287.

Meyers' prototype Manx used a custom fiberglass monocoque that Volkswagen Beetle parts bolted to, but later models utilized the whole Beetle floorpan. The idea spawned a ton of copycats and became hugely popular. However, the original company went out of business in 1970. Meyers returned to the kit car world in the 2000s with Meyers Manx, Inc. offering a variety of kits to be built from VW components.

In addition to making it to the NHVR, the Manx is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new electric dune buggy in cooperation with REV-Tec from Las Vegas, NV. At the moment, it's only a prototype called the Manx V (pictured above with Old Red) and packs an electric motor with 83.6 peak horsepower or 40 hp continuous and a 10-kilowatt-hour, lithium-ion battery pack. The rear-wheel drive EV has a theoretical top speed of 62 miles per hour, but the company plans it as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, which limits it to 25 mph to 45 mph depending on the state. According to Autoweek, the business is aiming the V at tropical resorts and plans to release more details at the LA Auto Show in November.

John Dinkel a spokesperson for the project told Autoblog in an email that the price would be announced later but sales are planned for Q4 2014 or early 2015. Scroll down for a press release on the electric Manx and its specs.
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MANX V
Powered by Rev-TEC, it's the Manx for the 21st Century

Newport Beach, CA, May 8, 2014 – The Manx is one of the world's most iconic vehicles. Name another car that looks as contemporary today as it did 50 years ago.

It's a design that transcends time and borders. It's as beloved in Europe, Australia and the Middle East as it is in all of the Americas.

And it's ageless in its appeal. Five years old or 95, there is no generation gap with a Manx.

It's simple in its elegance and elegant in its simplicity.

A perfect blending of form and function.

And it sprang from the creative genius of one incredibly talented individual: Bruce Meyers.

The prototype electric Manx unveiled today is one of several energy-saving and environmentally friendly models Rev-TEC and Meyers Manx will introduce in the near future.

We call them the Manx Vs. All will be powered by Rev-TEC. They are the right vehicles for today . . . and tomorrow.

Every Manx V will exude typical Meyers Manx hug-me styling. Pure, simple, emotional, lovable, functional.

While some Manx V models will fit the definition of kit car, most will fit the category of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV).

In most states an NEV is defined as a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV). It can be legally driven at speeds up to 25 mph on public roads with speed limits no higher than 35 mph. In a few states those speed limits are 35 mph and 45 mph, respectively.

To qualify as an NEV, Manx V models will have to pass specific Federal and State regulations.

About Rev-TEC Corp
Rev-Tec Corp is a Business Development Company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada that is focused on the design, development and deployment of energy-efficient and environmentally conscious infrastructure support technologies. We design, develop, manufacture, market and distribute application specific battery/energy storage systems utilizing Rev-TEC's proprietary technologies and intellectual property in large lithium-ion cells and battery systems. Each system is specifically designed to out-perform the respective industry standard with regards to performance, safety and cost efficiency. Rev-TEC also manufactures task-oriented electric vehicles.

About Meyers Manx
B.F. Meyers & Co., first based in Newport Beach, CA, was established in 1964 with the completion of Old Red, the first-ever fiberglass dune buggy. After only 12 of these monocoques were produced, Bruce Meyers changed the format to use the Volkswagen Beetle floorpan for its sub-structure. The Meyers Tow'd, Manx SR and Manx 2 rounded out the menu of the companies offerings. Bruce Meyers left the company in 1970 and the company ceased operations in 1971.

In 1999, Bruce and Winnie Meyers reopened this fiberglass kit car company under the name of Meyers Manx Inc. Headquartered in Valley Center, CA, it opened with an offering of the Classic Manx, signature series of 100. Bruce & Winnie Meyers started the International "Manx Club" in 1994. Today, the club boasts over 4,300 members and was turned over to its members in 2008. Meyers Manx Inc. now offers the Manxter 2+2, Manxter DualSport, Kick-Out Traditional and Kick-Out S.S. for a widespread menu of kit cars to build.

On the weekend of May 3-4, 2014, Old Red was recognized by the HVA (Historic Vehicle Association), as the second automobile to be inducted into a permanent archive of significant historic vehicles within the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) and a separate, newly created National Historic Vehicle Register, through a collaboration with the US Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service, Heritage Documentation Programs and the Library of Congress. For more information, please
visit www.historicvehicle.org and YouTube.com: ThisCarMattersFilms.

Manx V96 Prototype New Red Car Specification Sheet

Frame Formed and tubular welded steel
Body Composite GPL
Standard Color (Chassis) Black powder coat

Dimensions
Overall Length 125" (3175mm)
Overall Width 67" (1701.8mm)
Overall Height 48" (1219.2mm)
Wheel Base 81" (2057.4mm)
Front Wheel Track 53" (1346.2mm)
Rear Wheel 56" (1422.4mm)
Track Ground Clearance 6" (152.4mm)

Power
Power Source Lithium based, 102.4V nominal
Motor Type Polyphase AC induction, 102V
Horsepower (kW) 83.6 peak HP, 40 HP continuous (30kw)
Electric System 102V drive, 13.8v accessory
Batteries (qty/ type) LifeMnPO4, 32 cell 10kwh
Battery Charger 1.5kw onboard power factor correct
Access Key, access options (digital security)
Speed Controller 650A digital programmable AC
Drivetrain Direct rear wheel drive, CV halfshafts
Transaxle Independent single speed, park feature
Gear Selection Dash mounted switch FNR
Speed Selection Econ Mode, Power Mode
Rear Axle Ratio 8.55:1
DC-DC Converter 30A (400w) 13.8VDC

Performance
Seating Capacity 2
Weight without Batteries 1415lbs (643.18kg)
Curb Weight 1714lbs (779.1kg) 56% Rear/ 44% Front
Vehicle Load Capacity 800lbs (363.6kg)
Gross Axle Weight Rating (F) 1500lbs (681.8kg)
Gross Axle Weight Rating (R) 2000lbs (909.1kg)
Outside Clearance Circle 30 (9.1m)
Ground Speed 62mph
Reverse Speed 20mph

Steering and Suspension
Steering Rack and pinion
Front Suspension Unequal length A-arm, coil over shock
Rear Suspension Unequal length A-arm, coil over shock
Service Brake 4 wheel hydraulic disc, vented front, regenerative rear (Wilwood)
Parking Brake Trans lock park
Tires Front: 205/45-17 Rear: 255/45-18


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