James May’s latest car is one you may recognize if you’ve watched his other program, The Grand Tour. Rescued from his trip across Namibia, the beach buggy is the only classic car May owns.
“I don’t really like classic cars, to be honest, but this isn’t one, really,” says May. “It’s more of a deeply personal affect that flowered unexpectedly and beautifully in the dustbin of automotive rubbish.”
According to him, the beach buggy is better than other classics in two ways. First, it means that a Beetle that might otherwise have been restored into what May claims is one of the worst vehicles of all time, is taken off the road. Second, it’s a beach buggy!
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This one is a replica of the original Meyers Manx that makes 100 hp (101 PS/74 kW), according to May. Although it’s modified, he concedes that some of the car’s changes actually amplify the Beetle’s weaknesses. Shortened and even more rear-heavy, it can be tricky even around normal bends.
What makes the beach buggy good, though, is the joy it brings to all and sundry. Everyone who sees it is pleased by it and even James May looks cool in it.
“It’s impossible to be miserable when you’re driving a beach buggy,” he explains. “It’s a testimony to the triumph that good will ultimately achieve over evil. A wonderful coda, really, to the most incredible car story in history […] What other car has achieved this transformation, from icon of oppression to everlasting party on wheels?”
Just don’t ask him to take it to a beach party.
“I never actually take it on the beach,” he says. “I mean, have you seen all the shiny bits that would be corroded by salt? Can you imagine what salt would do to those exposed throttle linkages at the back? I mean, come on! Take my beach buggy on the beach? Are you mad?”