Meyers Manx + tuthill Porsche = LFG, a four-wheel drive, off-road machine. Time to go rally driving…
never has being physically assaulted from multiple angles felt like such fun. My eyeballs are caked in dirt and both eardrums are definitely perforated, but I’m whooping myself hoarse.
Richard Tuthill has the bit between his teeth now – that steely eyed look of all annoyingly talented drivers when they’re in the zone – and is making it dance. He wrestles the unassisted steering right-left-right then left again (too much rear brake bias apparently, not showboating) into a sweeping four wheel drift before slamming the brakes, pinging down the sequential box and executing a perfect handbrake turn into the path of of the dust cloud heS just created. “We’ve got some testing to do with dust ingress,” Richard says, polishing his glasses.
I have no idea where we are – somewhere in the carmel Valley, I think. ‘The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering’ (a high end car show, think Goodwood without the hillclimb, sillier trousers, more cash) was in this neck of the woods yesterday, and where this UFO made its world debut.Like all good plans, this one was hastily cobbled together and refined on the fly – nothing more than a long shot enquiry to Richard 24hrs ago as to whether his car actually moved, and what his plans were the next morning…it snowballed from there.
Photography: Mark Riccioni & Huck Mountain
We rendezvous early to shoot the car and ask any strangers that’ll listen if they know any quiet tracks nearby. Success – we’re now following a heavily moustachioed man in a pickup truck in the hope he’ll deliver us to a WRC worthy dirt road… and not dismember us. He dares, becuase we find ourselves with free rein on a strip that runs along a ridge, surrounded by cinematic views and baby blue skies. And all four limbs attached, for now.
The car in question isn’t really a car at all. It’s a tribute to the OG fibreglass dune buggy – that VW Beetle-based symbol of freedom and good times down the beach. It’s an extreme interpretation granted, but an official collaboration between Tuthill – a company with decades of experience building rally and race cars, mostly porsches – and Meyers Manx, the company founded in 1964 by Bruce Meyers that’s still alive and kicking today thanks to new boss Phillip Sarofim.
“This project started as a dream between my long time pal Richard and me. We came together to imagine the perfect Meyers Manx, and after we laid the foundation, we invited our friend Freeman Thomas to bring his design brilliance to Tuthill’s engineering. The result is raw, visceral, novel. We call it LFG for a reason…”
We call it the ultimate tool for cocking about in, but let’s talk about that name first. Over to Richard: “I was with my son and my daughter on the way to the airport, and we quite like acronyms – WTF, WRC, etc. I phone Phillip and tried WTF first, but after a bit of chat, we realised that was a bit aggressive, whereas LFG is actually quite a well known saying in the US. They say “Let’s Freaking Go!” – we might say it slightly differently – either way I reckon we all need to wake up in the morning with that attitude,let’s f go and do stuff.”
Parked up in a layby it’s a bonkers looking thing. Every car stops for a chat, everyone leaves with a grin. The layout couldn’t be simpler – two seats up front, an engine behind you, and the ability to remove the
Tuthill’s Manx LFG: A Rally-Ready Beach Buggy Reimagined
Tuthill Porsche, renowned for its remarkable 911 restorations and rally builds, has unveiled a radical reimagining of the classic Myers Manx dune buggy – the Manx LFG. This isn’t your typical beach cruiser; it’s a high-performance, all-terrain machine built for serious speed and endurance.
the LFG utilizes a substantial 75kg chassis component sourced from a Porsche two-seater roadster (likely a 911), incorporating elements like the air conditioning, steering column, and wiper mechanisms. This is then reinforced with an FIA cross-country roll cage constructed from carbon fiber.The result is a remarkably lightweight vehicle, tipping the scales at under 1,300kg despite its mid-engine, four-wheel-drive configuration and three differentials.
Currently, the LFG boasts around 300bhp from a 3.5-litre flat-six engine, paired with a straight exhaust system for an aggressive sound. However, Tuthill plans to offer a range of engine specifications, including a high-revving, four-valve engine derived from the 11,000rpm Tuthill 911K – a testament to their porsche expertise.
Initial road tests reveal a surprisingly refined driving experience. the sequential six-speed gearbox requires a firm but manageable touch, delivering instant response from the engine. the ride quality is described as “sublime,” with excellent wind suppression. Despite the lack of power steering, the LFG is remarkably usable as a daily driver, offering a joyful and engaging analogue experience.
Though, the LFG truly shines when pushed to its limits on dirt. Like any well-engineered performance car, it becomes sharper, more responsive, and smoother the harder it’s driven. A demonstration by Richard Tuthill himself showcases the car’s immense capabilities, with the engine emitting a “million angry hornets” as it effortlessly tackles challenging terrain.
the LFG represents a interesting contradiction: a vehicle rooted in the laid-back culture of beach cruising, yet capable of achieving speeds and conquering terrain previously unheard of for a dune buggy. tuthill porsche isn’t just building a fast buggy; they’re aiming to revive a piece of motorsport history.
Richard tuthill points to the 1967 inaugural 1000 Miles of Mexico (now the Baja 1000), which was won by a Myers Manx. He intends to compete in the baja 1000 with the LFG, but also plans a more luxurious experience for owners. Tuthill envisions a rally-style event following the original Baja route, but with comfortable accommodations and amenities – a far cry from the spartan conditions faced by the original racers. He plans to offer this experience to 20 LFG owners, providing a unique blend of adventure and comfort.
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