Radial Engine Dune Buggy: The Ultimate LA Daily Driver?

Radial Engine Dune Buggy: The Ultimate LA Daily Driver?

In the sprawling, traffic-choked landscape of Los Angeles, the dream of daily driving a fun, exotic car often clashes with reality. Steeped in urban grit and questionable road surfaces, city driving can turn cherished collector cars into high-maintenance headaches. Enter the Meyers Manx, a unique creation that aims to inject pure joy into everyday motoring, powered by an unlikely source: a radial airplane engine. This isn’t just a quirky build; it’s a statement on how to maximize driving pleasure, even for mundane tasks like grocery runs.

A Machine Built for Smiles

The Meyers Manx, based on a shortened 1971 Volkswagen Beetle floor pan, is a vehicle designed to elicit smiles. Its creator, automotive journalist and collector, sought a solution for enjoying the thrill of a special vehicle without the usual constraints of city driving. The result is a car that offers the visual drama and visceral experience of an exotic, but with a more accessible and, dare we say, joyful demeanor.

The inspiration struck at the prestigious Quail gathering, where a Meyers Manx equipped with a radial engine captured the owner’s imagination. Unlike other unique vehicles in his collection where the special engine is hidden, the Manx proudly displays its aviation heart. This visual celebration of its mechanical uniqueness is a key part of its appeal. Beyond the aesthetics, the Manx has undergone significant structural improvements by Freeman Thomas and his team, addressing the vulnerabilities of the original design and creating a more robust, complete package.

The Heart of the Matter: An Aviation Engine

At the core of this extraordinary machine lies a three-cylinder, 2-liter radial engine, originally designed for light aircraft. While unconventional for a car, its presence is transformative. The engine, internally utilizing GM LS3 components and managed by a Motech system, is water-cooled and produces approximately 150 horsepower and 170 lb-feet of torque. With a feather-light curb weight of just 1,530 pounds (wet), the power-to-weight ratio is exceptional, promising spirited performance.

The starting procedure itself is an event. Due to the engine’s configuration, oil can collect in the cylinders. This requires a specific sequence: key on, check the ‘oil not purged’ warning, engage the starter motor to purge the oil, wait for the warning to clear, pull the large red plunger knob, and then start the engine. It’s a ritual that adds to the car’s unique character.

Performance and Driving Dynamics

On the road, the Meyers Manx delivers an experience unlike any other. The radial engine provides torque akin to a Harley-Davidson, allowing for relaxed cruising. However, when wound out, it unleashes an aircraft-like symphony, evoking images of biplanes. The car is fitted with a motorsport-grade gearbox and an upgraded short shifter, making gear changes precise and satisfying. While the engine redlines at 6,800 RPM, the optimal cruising speed is around 65 mph, with the gearing topping out theoretically around 85 mph, though this is considered suboptimal for sustained high-speed driving.

The chassis benefits from Porsche 356 rack-and-pinion steering and King shocks with independent reservoirs, contributing to a surprisingly compliant ride and responsive handling. Despite its open-air, tub-on-pan construction, the Manx feels remarkably solid and engaging, offering a tangible connection to the road.

Interior and Everyday Usability

The interior is a deliberate celebration of happiness and positivity. The seats, described as saying ‘happy days,’ are heated for comfort. The shifter, adorned with a playful ‘bouquet of hot dogs’ motif, adds to the car’s whimsical charm. The dashboard features a sparkling finish, and the curvature of the soft top enhances the aggressive, late-60s/early-70s aesthetic. Practicality has also been considered. The owner added a dead pedal for the driver’s left foot, a trigger high-beam switch, and a clever solution for carrying groceries: a vintage vegetable crate secured with old belts to the car’s anchor points. A MagSafe phone mount with a USB-C charger discreetly integrated provides modern navigation convenience.

The owner has logged over 800 miles in the car within its first month, primarily for city errands and local drives, proving its viability as a daily driver. The car’s 1971 vintage exempts it from smog regulations in California, further simplifying ownership.

Addressing the Challenges

The unique cooling setup for the rear-mounted, water-cooled engine presents the primary engineering challenge. At highway speeds, airflow can become a limiting factor, causing temperatures to rise. Meyers Manx is actively developing a solution: a front-mounted radiator system utilizing OEM parts from a new 911 Carrera. This system will involve a series of radiators, with coolant flowing from the rear to a new unit in the nose, exposed to fresh air at speed, before returning to the rear fans. This innovative approach aims to ensure comfortable and sustainable highway cruising.

The owner also notes ongoing fine-tuning of the throttle mapping, a necessary step given the car’s experimental nature, but emphasizes that the vehicle is thoroughly drivable.

Value Proposition and Target Buyer

Priced at approximately $140,000, the Meyers Manx with the radial engine is undeniably a premium purchase. However, it positions itself against a backdrop of significantly more expensive exotic cars. The value lies not just in the performance or engineering, but in the unparalleled driving experience and the sheer emotional return. For someone who appreciates unique engineering, handcrafted quality, and a vehicle that injects unadulterated fun into every journey, the Manx represents a compelling, albeit unconventional, proposition.

The target buyer is someone who understands that the best sports car is often the one you can actually use. This is for the individual who wants a conversation starter, a unique piece of automotive art that doubles as a surprisingly capable city cruiser. It’s for the enthusiast who prioritizes joy and experience over outright speed or practicality in the traditional sense. While perhaps not a replacement for a primary family vehicle, it serves as the perfect companion for spirited errands, weekend jaunts, and simply making the mundane magical.

Verdict

The Meyers Manx, with its airplane-derived radial engine, is more than just a car; it’s a rolling piece of art and a happiness-generating machine. It masterfully blends vintage charm with avant-garde engineering, offering a driving experience that is both raw and refined. While the cooling system requires further development for extended highway use, the car’s current iteration is proving its mettle as a delightful and surprisingly practical urban explorer. For those seeking an antidote to boring commutes and a daily dose of automotive exhilaration, the Meyers Manx is a truly exceptional, albeit expensive, choice.

Source: PRO-MOVE: I Bought a $140k Airplane-Engined Dune Buggy to Daily Drive in LA – TheSmokingTire (YouTube)