In the 1960s, Bruce Meyers didn’t just build a car; he built a vibe. The original Meyers Manx—that fiberglass, stubby-nosed, Volkswagen-based buggy—became the ultimate symbol of California’s sun-drenched, rule-breaking freedom. But if the original Manx was a playful golden retriever, the new Meyers Manx LFG is a wolf with a jetpack.
Unveiled as a collaboration between the revived Meyers Manx and the legendary Porsche surgeons at Tuthill Porsche, the LFG is a high-performance, six-figure reimagining of the world’s most famous dune buggy. And yes, the name stands for exactly what you think it does.
Where Porsche DNA Meets Desert Dust
The LFG is the result of what happens when you take the DNA of a 1967 Baja 1000 winner and infuse it with modern rally-spec engineering. While the silhouette is unmistakably “Manx,” everything underneath is pure motorsport.
Instead of the classic fiberglass shell, the LFG features a full carbon-fiber body sculpted by Freeman Thomas (the design mind behind the Audi TT and the VW New Beetle). This isn’t just for show—the body panels can be quickly unbolted for repairs after a particularly “enthusiastic” day in the dunes.
The Heart of the Beast
Forget the modest VW flat-four. The LFG is powered by a Tuthill-developed air-cooled flat-six, with some versions utilizing the high-revving four-valve engine derived from the wild 911K. We’re talking about an engine that doesn’t just rumble; it screams toward an 11,000 RPM redline.
This power is managed by:
- Six-speed sequential gearbox: For lightning-fast, tactile shifts.
- Advanced All-Wheel Drive: A first for the Manx, featuring front, center, and rear limited-slip differentials to ensure that no matter how deep the silt, the LFG keeps moving.
- WRC-Spec Suspension: Twin five-way adjustable dampers with hydraulic bump stops at every corner. This thing is designed to land jumps that would snap a standard SUV in half.
Interior: A High-Tech Glass House
Despite its rugged exterior, the LFG’s cabin is a far cry from the bare-bones buggies of the sixties. It features a bespoke, climate-controlled interior—meaning you can blast across the Mojave in 100°F heat without breaking a sweat.
The dash layout is a masterclass in functional modernism:
- Triple Screen Setup: A digital gauge cluster for the driver and two auxiliary screens for GPS and CarPlay.
- Quick-Change roof: You can go from a fully enclosed, air-conditioned cabin to a wide-open “safari” experience in under two minutes.
- Premium Materials: Light-toned leathers and high-quality switchgear that feel more “supercar” than “sand rail.”
The $100,000+ Lifestyle
You won’t find the LFG at your local Ford or Chevy dealer. Production is strictly limited to 100 units, and while official pricing is “if you have to ask,” it’s safely in the hypercar-adjacent bracket.
However, buying an LFG isn’t just about the hardware; it’s about the entry into an elite “Expedition” club. Starting in 2027—to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Manx’s historic Baja victory—Meyers Manx and Tuthill will host exclusive owner tours. These aren’t just parades; they are curated, high-support rallies through:
- Baja, Mexico (2027)
- The Dakar Experience (2028)
- The Arctic Circle (2029)
- The Safari Rally (2030)
Why the LFG Matters
In an era of increasingly sanitized, autonomous-leaning electric vehicles, the LFG is a glorious, loud, air-cooled middle finger to the mundane. It represents the “Raw and Visceral” philosophy of Phillip Sarofim and Richard Tuthill.
It’s a vehicle that respects the history of the 1967 Mexican 1000 while utilizing the same technology that makes modern WRC cars so terrifyingly fast. It proves that the “dune buggy” isn’t a relic of the hippie era—it’s a platform for the ultimate expression of driving freedom.
Whether you’re carving through a canyon or skipping across a dry lake bed at triple-digit speeds, the LFG is built for one thing: having as much fun as humanly possible before the fuel runs out.