Texas Manx Dune Buggy Club
Members Rides
WildThang and Misfit... a story from mom.
Once upon a time..... (just joking)
But seriously, it all started many, many years ago when Ray Tuthill, Sr. started building VWs in the garage with Ray Tuthill, Jr. peeking in and watching. As Ray Jr. grew older he began buying VWs and dismantling them and selling the parts,( making a decent profit for a teenager), but now there was no turning back. There always seemed to be an old VW behind the garage or in the backyard. Then Raymond Tuthill, III came along to carry on the VW legacy. From the time he could hold a wrench, he was by his Dad’s side. So it just stands to reason that they ended up building their buggies side by side, literally. This wasn’t their first project by no means. They customized Raymond’s first car, ’87 Camaro, before he could even drive. Then came his ’90 Chevy truck, lowered, shaved everything and an awesome custom paint job. But let’s not forget the ‘75 Baja, too.
It all started off slow with several restarts and teardowns when things just weren’t matching up, but between the two of them, they always came up with a solution and fixed the problem. Even though they were building the buggies together their tastes in designs and color schemes are very different, as you can very well see in the color choices each made, but distinct to their personalities. of course, the attention they pay to detail and their insistence of quality are two traits they share.
It ended up taking 2 years to complete the 2 dune buggies. They were done just in time for the Texas Manx Club's Buggy Blast IV in Salado, TX, June 2006, and we haven’t stopped driving them since. We have put 5600 miles on them as of 11/12/2006.(*they got the buggies on the road 4/2006, admin) We’ve driven in the extremes of the seasons and have had the time of our lives doing it. Ray hopes to have 10,000 miles on them by this Salado Buggy Blast in May 2007. Raymond and I aren’t real sure about that, but we sure are willing to give it our best shot.
ALL work on both the buggies was performed by Ray and Raymond. This was Raymond’s first attempt at designing and taping flames, and Ray said he did an awesome freehand design and tape up of all the flames , (several rolls of tape gave their life for this) , and Ray applied all the paints. Raymond helped with all the elbow work on ALL the coats of clear to cover the heavy flake and flames on both buggies.
Life isn’t measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
One of those moments was the day my husband and my son drove their dune buggies out of the shop for the very first time. Although I’m quite sure this isn’t the last build for the two of them.
From the admin: Now before we get to the specs and pics, you have to see the shots Sandy just sent in. They are of Ray's dad building their first buggy in 1967. Pretty cool 3 generations of buggy builders...must be in the blood.
ENGINE - 1600 cc dual port with 88mm pistons & jugs, 40mm single carb setup. All chrome tins & exhaust
CHASSIS - Painted tube chassis, CNC hydraulic pedals, 4 wheel disc brakes w/emergency brake, Custom shift tunnel w/shifter in reverse position, Morse throttle cable, all new hardware and suspension, Zinc coated bolts & teflon nuts throughout body and suspension
INTERIOR - Custom Ghia gauges, Black/Grey racing seats highlighted w/purple 4 pt. harness, powder coated aluminum floor
EXTERIOR - 5” Crystal headlamps, Custom LED S.T.T. lamps
TIRES/WHEELS - Front: 15” x 7” Pacers wrapped with 215/60/15s Rear: 15” x 10” Pacers wrapped with 295/50/15s
BODY/PAINT - Hawkeye body reworked with a custom hood, Base coat clear Black PPG, Heavy Mira flake - “Old School” Flames – candy over silver base, Rollcage is painted black w/purple & mira pearls, Shocks & tranny painted purple w/flake
ENGINE - 1914cc, single 44 EMPI carb, 110 cam, lightened flywheel, Rancho Super Street transmission with Kennedy clutch setup.
CHASSIS - Painted tube chassis, CNC hydraulic pedals, new EMPI axles, 4 wheel disc brakes from AC Industries, Morse throttle, cable diamond plate shift tunnel, EMPI short throw shifter
INTERIOR - AutoMeter Ultralight gauges, Green/Black Bombz racing seats with 4 point harness, painted aluminum floor, Panasonic CD player with 2 4x6" and 2 4" speakers mounted in custom speaker enclosure, Speaker faces match color scheme of body
EXTERIOR - 4x6 Crystal headlamps w/green city lights, Custom LED S.T.T lamps, streetglow neon tubes under chassis
TIRES/WHEELS - Front 15x5 Weld wrapped with Hoosier 26x750x15, REAR 15x12 Weld wheels wrapped with Hoosier 290x15.5x15 drag radials, Rear Spoiler
BODY/PAINT - Modified Hawkeye Buggies Body, Base ClearCoat Lime PPG w/Flamboyance gold flake, Double Flames-purple and candy orange over silver base, Chassis painted gun metal grey w/gold flake, Shocks painted Lime Twist, Rollcage and custom chassis built to have lowered stance
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