In the summer of 2022, while hanging out at our shop, the Beachman team dreamed up an idea. What would happen if we took an old Meyers Manx Dune Buggy, restored it to new, and gave it an electric powertrain?
Well, Bumblebee happened. We did it just because we could, because that's the kind of life we want to live here at Beachman. It took us a few months and a couple late nights, but by August we were riding around in our very own bright yellow beauty.
Bumblebee is a 1965 Meyers Manx VW conversion. It has a simple 72v electric system wired to a brushed motor that is mated with the Beatle transmission via a custom transmission plate, making this a very rare manual-transmission EV. It drives like the ultimate go-kart with an 8-Ball shifter and makes you feel like a kid again. Capable of 62 mph and 124 miles of range, Bumblebee is the perfect summer cruiser.
While she's a company vehicle for now, we may let her go to the right home if it means we can build something else new and exciting.
