I've finally learnt how to attach pics, well sort of anyway. Here some showing my Manx. The pics with the mags are scanned photos from the Manx Aust Frazer Island trip last November. The roof is made from steel and it is painted with a ripple black paint which makes it look like vinyl, it acts as a good roof storage space as well as shelter.

Steven

This one's on Frazer.

The next two are my new off roading wheels. The were stock 15 inch Beetle wheels. The rear centers were pulled out and put into 6 inch rims. The wheels were then powder coated in ripple black to match the roof.

These wheels give the car a Dr Jeckle and Mr Hyde complex.

[Edited on 12-5-2003 by manxed69]

[Edited on 12-5-2003 by manxed69]

The front tyres are Yokohama 165R15 light truck tyres and the rear are 225/75 R15 Bridgestone All terrain tyres. I could have gone larger in the rear but I was worried that my engine wouldn't be able to turn anything much larger.

Here Stockton beach last Easter.

Last one.

The wheels worked out O.K.

Nice Ride
Can u tell what type of rim's (mag's) you have on it? and where u buy or order some & price if not to personal ?and do you have any pic's of your roof set up as I am starting from scratch with my manx project
cheer's CBK

Good to see more buggies up here

When the new club site uploads we will be seeing many many more

CBK

The wheels are called dragways. Unfortunatly I didn't buy them as they came on the car. I have seen them advertised though around the $450.00 mark each. I didn't really like them at first, but now they have really grown on me. They are all 6 inches wide, with the front being R14 and the rear R15. I am not really happy with the off set as the tyres stick out a bit from the guards a touch, but I have been told that I will "get away with it" as the guards do just cover the tyre treads.

The roof was custom made by me. It took about 10 hours labour with the occasional "can you give me a hand" to a mate, but I could've done it quicker if I had gotten the whip out. If you want to duplicate it you will need access to a sheet metal shop as you need to cut, bend and weld the sheet steel. I think I used 2mm. Since the sheet metal shop was run by a mate of mine he only made me pay for the powder coating which was $88 with GST. In addition to this there is a masonite lining and some extra screws etc. Give me a few weeks and I will get the buggy out and take some close up detailed pictures.
The first mistake that I made was assuming that the buggy was even and square. A Manx is not even and it is definatly not square. After making my initial measurements I folded the windscreen section. I then measured back from here and made the rest of the roof. I folded the sides, (don't forget the guttering). I then estimated the two folds across the roof and removed a V section off the sides. I folded these two folds and welded up the sides and ground them smooth. I did some more folding and welding across the back and then I was ready to try it. This is when I learnt that the manx was not square as when the roof was put into the wind screen it skewered to the side as it went back. There was too much error to fix so I cut the front fold off. I made a new small fold and put it into position. I put the roof on, and then just welded them together. I did this by marking them and welding them off the car. I fitted the locking piece which fits between the sun visors. I though that this was important as I didn't want it coming off if the buggy started flexing. I then bolted it down to the roll bar. Behind the roll bar there is a cross support which is simply a V welded across the roof. I then welded in the roof lining supports and some single chain link loops on the top. The roof was cleaned up and sent to the painters.
The roof was fitted and then the lining was made to suit. I drilled and tapped into the U and L brackets. I used caps on the screws to give a good looking result. I cheatted with the front corners between the roof and the windscreen as I used black salastic to bridge the gap.

I realise that this discription is brief, but there are no rules, just make it up as you go along. The only two regrets that I have is first that I wish that I had tappered in the back better, and second that I had brought the sides down lower. The rear corners of my roof are trappering out while the body is going in (when looking from above), and I think that slightly lower sides (20mm more) would have given me more meat to put side curtains on with. The pictures should give more details and clear up some of my instructions.

Good luck


The front is to the right!!!

[Edited on 12-5-2003 by manxed69]

And a cross section

If you get rel keen you can do a write up and take some photos and I ill post it on teh club website for you.

OK Brad,

I'll have a go at doing a write up for you with diagrams and photos for the website.

What formate would I do it in, would a word document be OK?

Steven

Cool buggy, will we have the pleasure of seeing it at Valla??
I'm presuming you won't be making it to the Manx Club AGM??? :P

love the ride man

Thank's for taking the time to reply and answer my question's in so much detail, Steven:thumb
Good to see people who take pride in their VW'S and still help other's to learn from the work they would like to change or have done differently
I don't know which way i will go with the manx project, (standerd or the custum look) but every little bit of advice help's to save time and $$ but the roof look's good and would help with storage.
thank's again and if our path's ever cross i'll shout you a few :beer 's

C.B.K