1970 Volkswagen Towd/Tow'd/Towdster Dune Buggy - B.F. Meyers of Manx fame

Description

This
Classic 1970 Towdster
's kit was made by Bruce Meyers, who also made the original Manx dune buggy kit. Towds are very rare, especially in this period-correct, unmolested state. Only about 1,000 were made, and most have been heavily modified or succumbed to neglect. I'm the
2nd owner
, I purchased it 8 years ago from the original builder, who at 75 years old had driven and refined it for 43 years. He made the unique custom wheel-hugging front fenders, lowered taillight mounts, tree for the headlights/blinkers/fog lights, steel dashboard, 75lb of lead weights at the front axle for balance, removable carpeting, and got it VIN assigned, title issued, registered for the street. He loved this little car, and it shows.
I originally intended to strip it down and do a complete new build with roll cage, but as I spent time with it, I came to appreciate the elegant tweaks and refinements the first owner had done over a lifetime. Instead, I decided to keep it original, acting as the steward for this piece of
vintage history
. I did a body-off cleanup/repair/restoration, removing decades of hard-packed dirt but careful to leave the original patina and engineering intact. The "Pepsi-Blue" paint (original 70's pepsi color, they switched to a lighter color in the '90s) still has
excellent gloss and presentation
, although it has the Patina of 51 years of assorted stone chips cracks scratches and wear, scuffing on the rim of the passenger side fenders. The fiberglass body underneath is the sought-after 'Tangerine Red'.
It is clean and functional,
starts instantly, runs/steers/drives/stops straight.
Contact me for a video of a cold start. It is truly unique, draws crowds at car shows and gas stations, gets smiles and thumbs-ups wherever it goes. At about 1,000lbs (900lb off-roading without the removable nose/rear fenders), a Towdster is the lightest street-eligible vehicle I could find, making the most out of its aircooled engine. I have enjoyed driving it to the beach for 8 years, but it's losing its garage space so it's up for sale.
I have it
registered for the street
in California until March 2022 and I
insured
it with AAA for my entire period of ownership. It is
cleanly titled
in California as a 1970 SPCNS ('Special Construction') vehicle and I have the title in hand. As a 1970 vehicle, it is exempt from California Smog tests.
Note
the picture that shows the SPCNS VIN tag #CA941145, the odometer (actual milage unknown since this was a kit car), the B.F. Meyer's tag that the builder chopped into a plaque located between the seats, and the faded B.F. Meyers inspection tag I found hidden under the brake/gearshift plate that runs the length of the center console.
I love this car and I'm happy to answer any questions!
The original builder used excellent hardware:
Disc Brakes on a Karmann Ghia ball-joint front end
IRS Rear suspension with drum brakes
1600 DP motor s/n: AE 308xxx
Dual-Port Heads
'Race-Trim' Valve covers with heat-sink channeling
094 Distributor (chrome 9230081)
12v Alternator
Zenith NDIX (P010) carb like used on
Porsche 356's
. The Zenith is hard to find these days, but offers a better float design that made it the preferred carb for off-roading. It also made more power, gave better gas milage, and required much less maintenance than the original Solex. It does not have a choke so it needs some throttle until it warms up.
Features
(all work)
Speedometer/Odometer
Tachometer
Horn button in steering wheel
Low Beams
High Beams
Fog Lights
Dimming dash lights
LED Turn signals
LED Taillights
LED Brake lights in taillights and on roll bar
Cigarette lighter
Parking brake
Bimini Top
- can be seen in the last picture, at a car show next to Jaguar XKE's
Locking Trunk
(3) anti-theft mechanisms (will be shared with buyer)
dash-mounted main circuit breaker
Open DIN slot for radio in dash
Some highlights:
Completely rewired with new fusebox
new hard start relay (gentler on the ignition switch)
new clutch disk, solid transaxle mounts, shocks, and CV Joint bolts
recent fuel pump replacement
New battery with warrantee purchased July 2021
K&N filter
Terms
include: 0 nonrefundable deposit due within 24 hours of the end of auction, full balance paid within 7 calendar days after end of auction, car picked up from my address within 14 calendar days after end of auction. If you have a unique situation I can be flexible if we agree to arrangements prior to the end of the auction. Full Balance payable only in cash at time of pickup, or via Bank wire transfer 2 business days before pickup, or a Cashier's Check from only Wells Fargo bank/Chase Bank that I am able to deposit at a physical branch prior to pickup. Sold FOB origin, arranging shipping is the responsibility and expense of the buyer.