SCOTT BAKKEN'S 1963 RAGTOP
SCOTT BAKKEN HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE PLAYER OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BUG- INS. AT BUG-IN 17 (1976), HE WON TOP ELIMINATOR AND OVERALL ELIMINATOR TITTLES WITH A '64 SEDAN. IN 1979, SCOTT DEBUTED A BLUE NOTCHBACK, FOLLOWED BY A '67 RACE BUG NAMED "SCOTT'S MEDFLY" A YEAR LATER. AS OF TODAY, HE OWNS TWO BEAUTIFUL CAL LOOKERS, A RUBY RED '67 RUNNING AN IDA EQUIPPED 2-LITER MOTOR, AND THIS '63 BUG. THE LATTER IS A RE-CREATION OF THE "ARONSON/HOLMES" RAGTOP, THE ORIGINAL CALIFORNIA LOOK VW. THAT CAR HAD A LASTING INFLUENCE ON THE VOLKSWAGEN SCENE, AND SCOTT MADE SURE TO BE VERY ACCURATE WHEN BUILDING HIS REPLICA. IT RUNS LOW 11s ALSO!
MAGAZINE FEATURES : HOT VWs, VOLKSWORLD (GB), SUPER VW (FRANCE), STREET VWs (JAPAN), VW SPEED (GERMANY)
TECH SHEET :
HERE IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERY DAY : A '52 CALIFORNIA LOOK SEDAN. STEVE BEECHER HAS OWNED THIS RARE OVAL-DASH SPLIT SINCE 1974. TO IMPROVE HANDLING, PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT THIS BUG COMBINES A PORSCHE 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH A 1971 IRS FLOORPAN. THE STOCK 1131cc 25 bhp ENGINE MADE WAY FOR A 2275cc LUMP, A POPULAR CHOICE FOR DKP MEMBERS. NOTE THE RARE CONVERTIBLE DECKLID AND THE STOCK LOOKING INTERIOR, WITH ORIGINAL BAT-WING TYPE STEERING WHEEL AND LACK OF EXTRA GAUGES.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : HOT VWs, VOLKSWORLD (GB), SUPER VW (FRANCE), LET’S PLAY VWs (JAPAN) BOOKS : KEITH SEUME'S "(THE NEW) CUSTOM HANDBOOK"
TECH SHEET :
DARRELL BOMGAARS IS ONE OF THE HAPPY FEW WHO WENT TO BUG- IN 1, IN 1968. BACK THEN, HE OWNED A '65 SEDAN WITH 1350cc POWER. AROUND 1969, IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CAL LOOK BUGS TO BE LOWERED IN HIS CLUB, THE WELL-KNOWN DER GUTEENEINE. HIS CURRENT RIDE IS THIS SEA SAND '66, WHICH HE PURCHASED IN 1991. DARRELL DID MOST OF THE WORK ON THE CAR HIMSELF. RESTORATION, PAINT, INTERIOR, ENGINE, YOU NAME IT… THE 2175cc MOTOR WAS BUILT WITH OFF-THE-SHELF PARTS, RESULTING IN 180 HP AT THE WHEELS (ON PUMP GAS) DURING THE 3rd VW TRENDS DYNO DAY. USING STOCK GEARS AND STREET LEGAL DRAG SLICKS, THE '66 WENT 7.90 AT 86 MPH AT IRWINDALE. WITH ITS DECHROMED BODY, T-BARS, AND ONE-PIECE-WINDOWS, THE CAR APPEARS TO BE OUT OF A MID- TO LATE-1970s HOT VWs MAGAZINE.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : ULTRA VW (GB), VW SPEED (GERMANY), STREET VWs (JAPAN)
TECH SHEET :
LONG TIME VW ENTHUSIAST HECTOR BONILLA HAS OWNED THIS SEDAN SINCE 1978. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A TYPICAL CALIFORNIA LOOK BUG FROM THE MID-SEVENTIES TO EARLY-EIGHTIES ERA, THIS IS IT. HECTOR'S CAR FEATURES POPULAR CAL LOOK MODS : DECHROMING, ONE PIECE WINDOWS AND EVEN AN EIGHT-TRACK TAPE PLAYER. THE LATE SIXTIES MERCEDES BURGUNDY PAINT JOB WAS APPLIED IN 1978. AS FAR AS WHEELS ARE CONCERNED, THE '67 FIRST RAN ON A SET OF PORSCHE 356 "CHROMIES", REPLACED LATER WITH REAL EMPI 5 SPOKES. TODAY HOWEVER, GENUINE BRMS COMPLETE THE TRADITIONAL CALIFORNIA LOOK.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : HOT VWs, VW TRENDS,
VOLKSWORLD (GB), SUPER VW
(FRANCE), VW SCENE (GERMANY).
GREG BRINTON HAS BEEN DRAG RACING FOR YEARS IN PRA'S PRO STOCK AND SUPER STREET CLASSES. HIS LAST RIDE WAS ROGER CRAWFORD'S PRO STOCK BUG, THAT HE DROVE IN 1997 TO A CLASS RECORD OF 9.65 SECOND. HE HAS ALSO BEEN A MEMBER OF DKP SINCE THE LATE EIGHTIES. IN 1988, GREG PURCHASED THIS '67 BUILT BY BY GARY GRAUMAN AROUND 1981. FOUR YEARS LATER, HE INSTALLED THE 217 HP 2175cc MOTOR, BOLTED TO A 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION. YES, THE CAR IS STREET DRIVEN, AND AS PROOF, GREG HAS PARTICIPATED IN MANY ANNUAL BERG RALLY WITH THIS BUG. NOTE THAT THE CAR RETAINS ITS ORIGINAL 1981 PAINT JOB.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : VW TRENDS (1985); VOLKSWORLD (GB); STREET VWs (JAPAN); VW SPEED, VW SCENE (GERMANY) BOOK : MIKE KEY'S "CUSTOM BEETLE".
TECH SHEET :
CARLOS DE ALBA OWNS A COOL '64 NOTCHBACK, ALONG WITH THIS RUBY RED BUG THAT HE PURCHASED IN 2005 FROM DKP MEMBER SCOTT BAKKEN. SCOTT, A LONG-TIME VW PLAYER WHO RACED AT VARIOUS '70s BUG-INS, BASED HIS PROJECT CAR AROUND A VERY SOLID '67 SUNROOF MODEL. LIKE MANY CONTEMPORARY CALIFOR- NIA LOOK VWS, THE BODY REMAINS STOCK, INCLUDING BUMPERS AND MOLDINGS. ENGINE IS A RELIABLE BAKKEN-BUILT 2-LITER, EQUIPPED WITH A FEW TRADITIONAL CAL LOOK PARTS: BOSCH 010 DISTRIBUTOR, WEBER 48IDAs, DUAL QUIET PACKS… THE INTERIOR FEATURES A HURST SHIFTER, AUTOMETER TACH AND VDO GAUGES. WHEN NOT RUNNING ON FLAT-4 BRMS, THE CAR SITS ON GENUINE MAGNESIUM AMERICAN RACING RIMS, WHICH CARLOS ACQUIRED IN 2007.
TECH SHEET :
ALONG WITH HIS THREE BROTHERS, PAUL DEBELLING HAS OWNED A TOTAL OF ABOUT 30 VWS. HE HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE CALIFOR- NIA LOOK SCENE SINCE THE EARLY '80s, CRUISING POPULAR PLACES LIKE ANGELOS AND WHITTIER BOULEVARD. PAUL BOUGHT THIS '58 RAGTOP IN 1993 FOR 800 DOLLARS. THE RESTORATION PROVED RATHER EASY, AND THE COLOR OF CHOICE IS VW DIAMOND GREEN METALLIC. THE INTERIOR, UPHOLSTERED BY WEST COAST CLASSICS, FEATURES A STOCK STEERING WHEEL WITH A NOS EMPI HORN BUTTON. DASH IS STOCK, TOO. A COLLECTOR OF LICENSE PLATES, PAUL INSTALLED A PAIR OF ORIGINAL '58 CALIFORNIA YELLOW PLATES. CONVERTIBLE DECKLID BRINGS FRESH AIR TO THE STOUT 2332cc ENGINE.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : VW TRENDS, VOLKSWORLD (GB), VW SPEED (GERMANY), STREET VWs (JAPAN)
TECH SHEET :
JIM EDMISTON IS AN ORIGINAL DKP MEMBER FROM THE SIXTIES. HE HAS OWNED A NUMBER OF VWS, AND EVEN A SANDRAIL WHICH WAS FEATURED IN HOT VWs MAGAZINE. THE '67 SUNROOF WAS PURCHASED IN 1984 FROM THE USED CAR LOT AT COTTON GOFF VW, A LOCAL VW DEALER. IT WAS RESTORED IN 1989 AND WAS A DAILY DRIVER FOR THE NEXT ELEVEN YEARS. THE PAINT AND BODYWORK WERE DONE BY THE LEGENDARY BECKERS BUG HOUSE IN ORANGE COUNTY, WHILE THE INTERIOR WAS SEWN BY QUALITY UPHOLSTERY IN BLOOMINGTON. THE 2017cc ENGINE, BUILT WITH RELIABILITY IN MIND, FEATURES AMONG ELSE 48IDAs AND A SET OF FUMIO FUKAYA HEADS. THE CAR DRIVES STRAIGHT AS A ARROW, THANKS TO A CB NARROWED BEAM, LOWERED SPINDLES (WITH CSP DISC BRAKES).
MAGAZINE FEATURES : HOT VWs, ULTRA VW (GB), STREET VWs (JAPAN), VW SPEED (GER), VW DEPO (HUNGARY)
TECH SHEET :
JASON FOSTER HAS BEEN A V.W. ENTHUSIAST SINCE CHILDHOOD. GROWING UP HIS DAD AND UNCLES HAD A WEEKEND SHOP IN BELLFLOWER CALLED DIVERSIFIED V.W. HE SPENT MANY A WEEKEND THERE LOOKING OVER THEIR SHOULDERS. JASON HAS OWNED A '63 RAGTOP AND MY CURRENT '65. HE GOT THIS CAR IN 2001 FROM A COWORKER IN A TRADE FOR A REFRIGERATOR. THE CAR HAD SAT FOR 11 YEARS BEFORE HE GOT IT. THE CAR WAS BUILT BY JASON IN HIS GARAGE IN AN ON AGAIN OFF AGAIN 5 YEAR PERIOD THIS WAS A PAN OFF AFFAIR. ALL WORK WAS DONE BY JASON EXCEPT SPRAYING OF PAINT, TRANS. ASSEMBLY AND ENGINE BUILD. THE CURRENT ENGINE IS A 2387CC 11:1 THUMPER BUILT BY BILL TATTI.
TECH SHEET :
NAO FUJITA'S 1956 SEDAN
WHEN NAO FUJITA PURCHASED THIS OVAL WINDOW, HIS PLANS WERE TO RESTORE THE CAR TO ITS ORIGINAL SPECS AND USE IT AS A DAILY DRIVER. THE BODY WAS TREATED TO A FRESH COAT OF HORIZON BLUE PAINT, THE CAR'S ORIGINAL COLOR. INTERIORWISE, NAO USED HIGH QUALITY HONEY BROWN GERMAN CARPETING AND BLUE SEAT COVERS. RIGHT ABOUT THE TIME HE STARTED TO REBUILD THE STOCK 36 HP ENGINE, NAO WAS INVITED TO RIDE ALONG IN BILL SCHWIMMER'S 215 HP CORAL RED RAGTOP... AND FROM THAT MOMENT ON, NAO'S PLANS STARTED CHANGING. THE 36 HORSE WAS SET ASIDE AND REPLACED WITH A 2110 cc MOTOR. THE SEDAN NOW RUNS A STOUT 2276 cc ENGINE BOLTED TO A BERG 5-SPEED GEARBOX. NAO CURRENTLY LIVES IN JAPAN.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : VOLKSWORLD (GB), LET'S PLAY VWs (JAP), STREET VWs (JAP)
TECH SHEET :
GLENN BOUGHT HIS FIRST VW (69’ GHIA) IN 1980 PAINTED IT PORSCHE RASPBERRY, BUILT A 2074CC 48 IDA MOTOR, KILLED V8’S AND WAS HOOKED. IN THE EARLY 80’S HE DROVE GREG BRINTON’S ‘63 BUG (PRIOR TO IT BEING A SUPER STREET CAR) IN MANY QUICK 16 EVENTS, MANAGING A RUNNER UP TO MIKE SMITH IN HIS ‘67. GLENN WORKED FOR DAVE GREINER AT AUTO HAUS ORANGE FOR A FEW YEARS WHERE HE SOLD PARTS, GAINED MUCH VW KNOWLEDGE AND BUILT MANY ENGINES. GLENN PURCHASED HIS CURRENT ‘64 IN 2003. SINCE THEN HE BUILT THE 48 IDA MOTOR, INSTALLED THE RANCHO GEARBOX AND THE NOS NITROUS SYSTEM. THE CAR ROLLS ON 6”X 15” LATE PORSCHE ALIOYS. IN 2006 HE CUT IN THE RAGTOP, (HE NEEDED MORE AIR). GLENN DRIVES THE CAR ALL OVER TOWN AND TO MANY DIFFERENT CAR GATHERINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, USUALLY EVERY SATURDAY SOMEWHERE.
TECH SHEET :
ART GUTIERREZ'S 1967
SEDAN
ART GUTIERREZ ORIGINALLY PAID ONLY $150 FOR THIS SEDAN, IN 1984. AFTER 18 MONTHS, HIS CAL LOOKER WAS HITTING THE STREETS OF L.A./ORANGE COUNTY, NOT ONLY TO CRUISE BUT ALSO TO RACE. INSTALLED AT THE TIME WAS THE LICENSE PLATE READING "ST DRAGN" (STREET DRAGGING). THE CAR HASN'T CHANGED MUCH SINCE THEN. THE PAINT WAS COMPLETED IN 1984. FOR MANY YEARS, THE '67 RAN A 1956cc ENGINE BUILT BY RAY MEDRANO AND ART. TODAY, THE SEDAN IS EQUIPPED WITH A 2276cc MOTOR. TO COMPLETE THE STREET RACER LOOK, THE SEDAN SITS ON A SET OF REAL BRMs OR ERCO WHEELS. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED IN 2001.
MAGAZINE FEATURE : HOT VWs, VOLKSWORLD (GB), VW TECH (FRANCE), VW SPEED (GERMANY), STREET VWs (JAPAN)
TECH SHEET :
JIM KAFORSKI'S 1963 SEDAN
JIM KAFORSKI OWNS AND OPERATES DER TRANSAXLE, A SPECIALTY TRANS SHOP IN ANAHEIM, CA. HE PURCHASED THIS SEDAN IN 1978. THE CAR HAS HAD A ROUGH LIFE SINCE THEN, BEING INVOLVED IN A SEVERE FRONT END COLLISION, AND WAS EVEN STOLEN ONCE. IT IS NOW BACK ON THE STREET, WITH A FULLY RESTORED BODY. HOWEVER, THE 204 HP 2276cc ENGINE IS FAR FROM STOCK. ITS' BUILD-UP WAS FEATURED IN HOT VWs' "ALL ABOUT PERFORMANCE VW ENGINES - II" ISSUE. THE '63 RUNS ON A SET OF MAHLE "GAS BURNER" WHEELS (A RARE PORSCHE OPTION), WITH RECAPPED FIRESTONE SLICKS IN THE BACK. THE FRONT END HAS BEEN NARROWED DOWN 2". JIM BUILDS MOST OF THE TRANS FOR THE CLUB MEMBERS.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : HOT VWs, HOT VWs' "ALL ABOUT PERFOR- MANCE...", VOLKSWORLD (GB), LET'S PLAY VWs (J), VW SPEED (GER)
TECH SHEET :
DAVE KANASE ACQUIRED HIS SEDAN IN 1971. HE QUICKLY LOWERED THE FRONT AND REWORKED THE 1200cc MOTOR, TO DISPLACE 1350cc. A FEW YEARS LATER, THE CAR WAS DECHROMED AND PAINTED WHITE. IN 1981, THE CAR WAS STRIPPED OUT, THE DASH WAS FILLED, THE DECKLID WAS PUNCHED FULL OF LOUVRES AND THE BODY WAS PAINTED BLACK. THE ENGINE IS CURRENTLY A 1776cc FITTED WITH BERG'S 48 IDA WEBERS. THIS PACKAGE IS HOOKED UP TO A CLOSE-RATIO TRANSMISSION. ROLLING ON A SET OF HIGHLY DETAILED BRM WHEELS, DAVE'S BUG IS DEFINITELY A TRUE PIECE OF CAL LOOK HISTORY.
MAGAZINE FEATURES: VOLKSWORLD (GB), SUPER VW (FRANCE)
TECH SHEET :
JIM KURLINSKI HAS OWNED THIS '67 SINCE 1986. THIS VERY RELIABLE "WEEK-END PROJECT" HAS BEEN RACED ON A REGULAR BASIS, WITH VARIOUS ENGINE COMBOS. WITH A STOUT 84 x 90.5 MOTOR, THE SEDAN RAN A 12.85 AT CARLSBAD RACEWAY. THE CURRENT 2213cc ENGINE ALLOWS JIM TO DRIVE ROUND TRIP TO CARLSBAD, POMONA RACEWAY AND L.A. COUNTY RACEWAY (PALMDALE), THANKS TO A FIVE SPEED TRANSMISSION, AND RUNS LOW 13 SECONDS ALL DAY LONG. A REAL SLEEPER, JIM'S CAR RETAINS ITS CHROME AND TRIM, AND CAN SOMETIMES BE SEEN RUNNING ON STOCK VW WHEELS. ONCE IN A WHILE, JIM BOLTS ON A SET OF REAL BRMS, DDS RIMS, OR FLAT-4 REPRO BRMS.
TECH SHEET :
DAMON LEIATAUA'S FIRST CAR WAS A '69 BUG THAT HE DROVE IN HIGH SCHOOL. HE SOON STARTED TO COLLECT VARIOUS HI-PERFORMANCE PARTS, INCLUDING HIS FIRST SET OF STREET HEADS PURCHASED FROM DKP CLUB MEMBER ART GUTIERREZ IN 1988. BUT DAMON'S MAJOR PROJECT CAR IS THIS '57 SEDAN, STARTED IN 1993 AND COMPLETED SIX YEARS LATER.THE 2276cc POWERED BUG IS ONE OF THE FASTEST IN DKP, AS IT RUNS HIGH-11s. BUT IT IS ALSO A TOUGH CAR SHOW CONTENDER, WINNING THE COVETED "BEST EQUIPPED MOTOR WITH IDAs" AT THE VW CLASSIC 2000. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, DAMON HAS PLACED FIRST SEVERAL TIMES IN THE POPULAR RENN KAFER CUP SERIE. THIS OVAL WINDOW IS HARD TO BEAT.
TECH SHEET :
DAVE MASON'S 1962 SEDAN
DAVE MASON BOUGHT HIS FIRST BUG IN 1978. HE FOUND HIS PRESENT RIDE, A ONE-OWNER '62, IN 1981. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS BEEN REDONE INSIDE AND OUT. DAVE ASSEMBLED A STOUT 2.2-LITER ENGINE, THAT PUSHES OUT 184 HP NORMALLY ASPIRATED, OR AN ESTIMATED 310 HP WITH NITROUS. THE BLACK BOMBER TRIPPED THE LIGHTS IN 11.48 SECOND AT 121 MPH, THE ENGINE TURNING AT 8,400 RPM. AND YES, THE CAR IS STILL STREET DRIVEN. THIS SERIOUS BUG RUNS ON REAL BRMS, LIKE A FEW OTHER CARS IN DKP. NOTE RECAPPED 6" WIDE FIRESTONE TIRES IN THE BACK.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : VOLKSWORLD (GB) BOOKS : KEITH SEUME'S "CALIFORNIA LOOK VW", MIKE KEY'S "CUSTOM BEETLE"
TECH SHEET :
- 2165cc (DEMELLO 78 mm x CIMA 94 mm)
- 184 HP (ESTIMATED 310 HP W/ NITROUS OXYDE)
- RIMCO VW SUPER RODS
- NORRIS 437S CAMSHAFT (SPEC SIMILAR TO THE ENGLE FK-89)
- VW HEADS, 44 x 37.5, BY PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGY
- 9.3:1 CR ; 91 OCTANE
- 48 IDA WEBERS ; SKAT TRAK MANIFOLDS ; NITROUS OXYDE SYSTEM
"PRO
FOGGER" KIT ; MALLORY FUEL PUMP
- VERTEX MAGNETO
- S&S 1 3/4" HEADER ; S&S DUAL MUFFLERS OR DYNOMAX MUFFLER
- 4 SPEED TRANS BY JIM KAFORSKI - DER TRANSAXLE
- 4.12 R&P
- 3.78 (1st), 2.26 (2nd), 1.56 (3rd), 1.21 (4th)
- FULL GUSSETED CASE
HENRY OELKERS' 1966 SEDAN
OWNED BY HENRY OELKERS SINCE 1988, THIS EUROPEAN '66 HAS BEEN IMPROVING EVER SINCE. IT WAS WRECKED IN 1990. BY 1992, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY RESTORED, INSIDE AND OUT. AS FAR AS THE ENGINE IS CONCERNED, HENRY RELIED FIRST ON A 1776cc, REPLACED LATER ON WITH A 2110cc. THE MOTOR DISPLACES 2276cc TODAY, AND WAS TESTED AT ONE POINT WITH SUPERFLO RACING HEADS AND 52 mm WEBERS. THE SEDAN WAS DAILY DRIVEN UNTIL 1995; IT IS NOW THE PERFECT WEEKEND CRUISER. IT SITS ON A SET OF PORSCHE ALLOYS, BUT THEY ARE SOMETIMES REPLACED WITH MAHLE "GAS BURNER" WHEELS, A RARE PORSCHE OPTION.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : VW TRENDS, VW SPEED (GERMANY), STREET VWs (JAPAN)
TECH SHEET :
DUSTIN PETRASEKS' 1969 SEDAN
DUSTIN ORIGINALLY HELPED RESTORE THIS SAVANNA BEIGE LATE MODEL TO ORIGINAL STOCK CONDITION WITH A GOOD FRIEND IN 5 WEEKS, FINISHING DAYS BEFORE VW CLASSIC 2007. 2 MONTHS LATER THE CAR WAS IN DUSTIN'S POSESSION, RECIEVING THE CAL LOOK TREATMENT IT DESERVED. CB DROPPED DISC BRAKE SPINDLES WITH FLAT-4 FUCH REPLICA 4.5" & 5.5" WHEELS REPLACED THE DRUMS AND CHROMIES. NEXT, THE FRESHLY REBUILT 1600cc SP MOTOR WAS REPLACED WITH A 2054cc RUNNING 42 DCNF'S JUST IN TIME FOR VW CLASSIC 2008. 2009 UPGRADES INCLUDE 48 IDA'S, CHROMOLY TRACTION BAR BY BRINTECH AND POP-OUT WINDOWS FROM THE LATE MARK HERBERT.
TECH SHEET :
JIM RATTO'S 1967 SEDAN
JIM RATTO RECEIVED THIS '67 SEDAN AS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT WHEN HE TURNED 16, IN 1986. THIS BUG WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN GERMANY AS A US-SPEC MODEL, AND JIM IS THE THIRD OWNER. CAR STILL FEATURES ITS ORIGINAL VW LOCKING STEERING COLUMN AND STOCK SHOULDER HARNESSES. THE COLOR OF CHOICE, PORSCHE ADRIATIC BLUE, WAS APPLIED IN 1989. JIM HAS COVERED 50,000 MILES WITH HIS '67 SINCE 1990, ALWAYS RELYING ON A 48IDA- EQUIPPED MOTOR. HE HAS RACED IT ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND WITH A PUMP GAS 2276cc MANAGED TO RUN A BEST OF 12.66 @ CARLSBAD RACEWAY DURING A DKP DRAG DAY BACK IN THE LATE '90s. OTHER DETAILS INCLUDE AN ORIGINAL EMPI STEERING WHEEL AND A BERG SHIFTER FROM THE EARLY '80s. JIM STILL DRIVES THE CAR 3 OR 4 DAYS A WEEK TO WORK, ETC.
TECH SHEET :
JOHN RAYBURN'S 1964 SEDAN
JOHN RAYBURN'S INTEREST IN VWS CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE EARLY SEVENTIES, WHEN HIS BROTHER PURCHASED AN "EMPI MARK IV" VW DEALER DEMO BUG, FROM TIMMONS VOLKSWAGEN. IT WAS DELIVERED WITH A 10.0:1 COMPRESSION MOTOR AND 44 MXs, AND RAN 14.0 AT THE TRACK. AROUND 1980, JOHN BECAME THE OWNER OF A SEDAN, THAT HIS FATHER BOUGHT NEW IN 1964. THIS VEHICLE WAS LATER EQUIPPED WITH A VARIETY OF RARE "EMPI MARK IV" ACCESSORIES (WHEELS, GAUGES, STEERING WHEEL, ...) AND A 2.3L ENGINE BUILT BY DAVE RHOADS, THAT ALLOWS LOW 13 SECOND E.Ts ON RADIALS. AS THE BUG IS USED ON A DAILY BASIS, JOHN RELIES ON PORSCHE 356 FRONT BRAKES AND A 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION, IDEAL WHEN YOU DRIVE 12,000 MILES, AS JOHN DID UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO.
TECH SHEET :
DAVE RHOADS' 1964 SEDAN
DAVE RHOADS FIRST CAUGHT THE 'BUG' WHEN HE ATTENDED BUG-IN #3, AT ORANGE COUNTY INT'L RACEWAY, IN 1969. HE ACQUIRED THIS '64, HIS SECOND BUG, IN 1971. IT WAS SOON EQUIPPED WITH A 1700cc MOTOR, FED BY A PAIR OF 48 IDA WEBERS, AND RAN A 14.20 IN 1975. THE CAR WAS STOLEN IN 1979, BUT DAVE GOT IT BACK TOTALLY STRIPPED. HE PAINTED IT THE CURRENT COLOR IN IN 1981. THE SEDAN RUNS CURRENTLY A 180 HP 2-LITER ENGINE, ALLOWING MID- 12 SECOND 1/4 MILE PASSES. NOTE "DER RENWAGEN FUHRERS" (DAVE'S CLUB IN THE SEVENTIES) STICKERS ON THE WINDOWS, AND THE ORIGINAL 1981 PAINT. DAVE AND HIS BUG WERE INVITED AND ATTENDED THE 1996 "BUG BASH", AT AVON PARK RACEWAY, ENGLAND.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : VW TRENDS, VOLKSWORLD (GB), SUPER VW (FRANCE), STREET VWs (JAPAN), EUROPEAN CAR (USA) BOOK : KEITH SEUME'S "CALIFORNIA LOOK VW"
TECH SHEET :
RUSSELL SAKATANI BECAME THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS '67 IN 1975. HE COMPLETED HIS CAL LOOK PROJECT IN 1978. THE CAR WAS PAINTED WHITE, FULLY DECHROMED AND SAT ON CENTERLINE WHEELS. RUSSELL PARTICIPATED IN A FEW BUG-INS AND DRAG DAYS, FINISHING SECOND WITH HIS 1835cc POWERED SEDAN AT DRAG DAY 7 IN 1980 (CLASS 5). DUE TO THE STRINGENT SMOG LAWS, HE THEN DECIDED TO PARK THE '67 FOR A WHILE. TWELVE YEARS LATER, HE DECIDED TO PUT THE CAR BACK ON THE ROAD. THE BUG HAD TO BE REDONE FROM A-TO-Z, AND WAS COMPLETED THE SECOND TIME AROUND IN 1998. IT IS NOW POWERED BY A 2.2-LITER ENGINE, RUNS FRONT DISC BRAKES, AS WELL AS A 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION.
TECH SHEET :
BEN SALAZAR'S 1967 SEDAN
LIKE MANY CLUB MEMBERS, BEN SALAZAR USED TO DRIVE A BUG IN HIGH SCHOOL. HIS WAS A'70, EQUIPPED WITH A 1776 cc ENGINE. HIS NEXT PROJECT WAS A'67, A POPULAR CHOICE AMONG DKP MEMBERS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 1992 AND BEN DROVE IT AS A "STOCKER" FOR A WHILE, BEFORE STARTING TO REBUILD IT. HE DID MOST OF THE WORK HIMSELF, EXCEPT FOR THE PAINT AND THE ENGINE/TRANS COMBO, ASSEMBLED BY RAY MEDRANO. NOTE THE NAVY BLUE VINYL & TWEED UPHOLSTERY, BY SEWWHAT. BEN DID HIS FIRST QUARTER MILE PASS AT THE END OF 1997. SINCE THEN, THE 180 HP 2-LITER ENGINE-POWERED SEDAN HAS CLICKED A BEST E.T. OF 13.52 ON RADIALS AT CARLSBAD RACEWAY.
MAGAZINE FEATURE: VOLKSWORLD (GB) HOT VWs
TECH SHEET :
BILL SCHWIMMER'S 1959 RAGTOP
BILL SCHWIMMER HAS OWNED VARIOUS CAL LOOK VWS SINCE THE EARLY EIGHTIES, INCLUDING AN 11.90 SECOND OVAL WINDOW. HIS CURRENT RIDE IS THIS EUROPEAN 1959 RAGTOP (NOTE SEMAPHORES), THAT HE PURCHASED IN 1989. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN QUITE EXTENSIVELY, INCLUDING A TRIP TO SEATTLE AND BACK IN 1991, WITH A 1776cc MOTOR. TODAY THE CAR HAS A 215 HP 2276cc, BUT THIS HAS NOT CHANGED BILL'S STREET DRIVING HABITS (THE '59 IS EQUIPPED WITH A BERG 5 SPEED TRANS SINCE 1999). NOTE ALSO THAT THE CLASSIC RAGTOP STILL WEARS ITS PRISTINE 1988 PAINT JOB. BILL AND HIS BUG WERE INVITED AND ATTENDED THE 1996 "BUG BASH", AT AVON PARK RACEWAY (GB).
MAGAZINE FEATURES : HOT VWs; VW TRENDS; VOLKSWORLD (GB); SUPER VW (FR); LET'S PLAY VWS, STREET VWs (JAP); VW SPEED, VW SCENE (GER) BOOKS : KEITH SEUME'S "CALIFORNIA LOOK VW", MIKE KEY'S "CUSTOM BEETLE"
TECH SHEET :
STEPHAN SZANTAI'S 1957 RAGTOP
THIS OVAL WINDOW WAS BUILT IN 1982 BY JIM LOWE, WHO JOINED DKP IN THE LATE EIGHTIES. BACK THEN, THE CAR RAN WITH A 2-LITER MOTOR. STEPHAN SZANTAI PURCHASED THE '57 IN 1993. IT WAS REPAINTED IN 1995. IT CURRENTLY RUNS ON POLISHED FLAT-4 REPRO BRMS, BOLTED TO POLISHED PORSCHE 356 DRUM BRAKES. THE RELIABLE 200 HP 2276cc WAS BUILT BY CLUB MEMBER JIM KURLINSKI & TOPLINE. IT ALLOWS THE RAGTOP TO BE DRIVEN ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS IN THE SOUTH BAY AND ORANGE COUNTY. THE CAR WAS FEATURED ON THE COVER OF KEITH SEUME'S "CALIFORNIA LOOK VW" BOOK.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : HOT VWs; VW TRENDS; VOLKSWORLD (GB); SUPER VW (FRANCE); VW SPEED, VW SCENE (GERMANY); STREET VWs (JAPAN) BOOK : KEITH SEUME'S "CALIFORNIA LOOK VW"
TECH SHEET :
MANUEL VASQUEZ'S 1960 RAGTOP
VOLKSWAGEN ENTHUSIASTS INVOLVED WITH THE SOCAL CALIFOR- NIA LOOK SCENE DURING THE EARLY '80s WILL LIKELY REMEMBER THE NAME MANUEL "TIGER" VASQUEZ, AS HE DROVE ONE OF THE FASTEST STREET-DRIVEN BUGS OF THE ERA - A 2180cc-POWERED '67. TIGER NOW OWNS A SHOP NAMED A-1 MUFFLER, KNOWN BY VW FANS THE WORLD OVER. IN FACT, HE CAN BE LARGELY CREDITED FOR STARTING THE TREND OF INSTALLING LARGE V8-STYLE MUFFLERS ON VWS. AFTER A RIDE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF DKP- MEMBER BILL SCHWIMMER'S RAGTOP, TIGER DECIDED TO BUILD ANOTHER CAL LOOK BUG. HE CHOSE TO WRENCH ON A '60 RAGTOP, NOW RESTORED AND PAINTED INDIGO BLUE. ALSO, TAKE A LOOK AT THE FAT REAR DOT-APPROVED SLICKS AND, AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, THE GREAT EXHAUST SYSTEM.
MAGAZINE FEATURES : HOT VWs, VOLKSWORLD (GB), VW SPEED (GERMANY), STREET VWs (JAPAN), VW TECH (FR)
TECH SHEET :
ALLEN WIESS HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH VOLKSWAGENS SINCE HIGH SCHOOL, AND HAS OWNED A VARIETY OF MODELS : TYPE 2 PANEL VAN, BAJA BUG, CAL LOOKERS, ETC. HIS WHITE '67 WAS PURCHASED IN 2000 WITH THE INTENTION OF SEEING A LOT OF DRAG STRIP TIME, INCLUDING THE NOW FAMOUS RENN KAFER CUP AND SOME IMPORT RACES. ALLEN'S BUG WAS THE FIRST CLUB CAR TO RUN FUEL INJECTION. THE FORMER ENGINE COMBO (9.0:1 CR) ALLOWED THE '67 TO RUN 12.46 @ 105MPH, WHILE THE CURRENT MOTOR (13.0:1 CR) PUSHED THE SEDAN TO A 10.42 @ 125MPH. ALLEN ALSO OWNS A BEAUTIFUL 1969 CONVERTIBLE BUG, WHICH RUNS A FUEL INJECTED 2.0L AND WAS FEATURED IN HOT VWs MAGAZINE.
TECH SHEET :