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@volksrods
Sorry that it has been a while since a new post! Adrian Bird wanted to create a very well crafted vehicle with “a late ’50’s Offenhauser Indy Car style (hence the car’s name, the “Gonzoline Special”) … as driven by Hunter S. Thompson. I’d say he succeeded!
Here is a highly modified 1952 'VW Tub' used in vintage racing. These are shots of it at a 2007 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Gotta love its simplicity!
I also added a 'vintage' 80s Johnny's Speed & Chrome aluminum dash, with a bevy of VDO gauges. I believe it adds to the warbird theme (mulitiple gauges). Plus, I have added a lot of 1980s hot rod billet trim in the interior.
…back shot with new decal (excuse the cell phone shot graininess).
I decided on a simpler, pre-1947, USAAF roundel. I also brought the headlights up and added some windows vent trims (an accessory from the 1950s, which nicely compliment the front visor).
Here is a vinyl decal that I created for my car's doors, with a WWII warbird 'bomber chick' style in mind ... the problem? A bunch of people said "I like your 'Ghostbusters' sticker" (or something to the like).
Survey said!? Bzzz! Though I might rock a smaller version on the back. Oh, "Populus Plaustrum" was my rough translation of "Volkswagen" in Latin.
I don't believe I've seen this 'rod floating around the internet before!
Top 10 Old VW Bug Accessories
1. Wheels Arguably, this is the easiest accessory that greatly improves a bug's outside appearance. Stock wheels, albeit functional, are not very “sexy.” EMPI 8 spokes or 5 spokes look nice. Reproduction vintage wheels, like Rader or BRMs, look good too. This also allows you to get wider wheels...which gives you a bigger footprint and helps you to stop (see number 7 why this is good). Of course, wanting to be different, I went with discontinued “interceptors.”
2. Custom Shifter One of the easiest accessories to install is a custom shifter. It’s just two stinking bolts. It instantly makes your cockpit look better. It feels a heck of a lot nicer too. I had a Scat Drag Fast, which wasn't bad at all; however, I am a fan of the Hurst (or "Hurst-style") reserve lockout shifter. Unfortunately, the EMPI knockoffs rust within a matter of months (especially here in humid Florida). If you have the cash, buy a real one. Seriously avoid cheap ones...rock the stock one (which is at least well built) until you have gathered the cash needed to buy a proper one. In a pinch, I heard that BUGPACK has a decent inexpensive aluminum T-handle unit. The ‘Black Mamba’ looks badass. 3. Progressive Carburetor (or preferably dual carbs) The VW bug was built purposely under-carbureted. Why? It kept gas consumption down and added longevity to the motor (and with modern gas prices, that doesn't seem too bad. Want more horsepower? Open that sucker up with a Weber progressive. Want to go 'old school?' Search for a Holley BUGSPRAY (arguably the only manufactured two barreled carb built specifically for a beetle). Feeling saucy? Get a set of KADRONS. Note: with dual carburetors, you do run into the problem of "dialing them in" (or synchronizing). However, what's a big difference between old bugs and old Porsches? Dual carbs...along with other items (keep reading).
4. Custom Exhaust The stock bug exhaust is like the stock carb...it stifles the engine's "breathing." Just changing the carb and exhaust can give you roughly an extra 25% horsepower. That's pretty impressive considering that this just involves some minor wrenching! You have a wide variety of choices too. I would recommend a ceramic coated merged exhaust with a modest muffler. Don't give a @#$% about noise? Put a stinger on it! Be careful about local laws though. 5. High-ratio Rockers Yet another minor engine modification. Since the stock rockers have a ratio of only 1.1:1, new bolt-on units lift the valve higher, allowing more air flow — just like a performance camshaft, but without the installation hassles. No engine removal is necessary.
6. Custom Distributor According to a Hot VWs article, this item, with an aftermarket exhaust, carburetor, and rockers, yielded great results. "Next (after high-ratio rockers) came a Bosch mechanical advance distributor, which was later timed at 32° at full advance. In order to time the distributor properly, we also used an EMPI full-size degreed pulley." What were the results (with custom exhaust and carb setup)? 54.71 horsepower and 73.92-ft.-lbs. of torque on an otherwise stock late model (1600cc) motor. That’s a 34% increase in horsepower (13.87) and 10.3% increase in torque (6.78) by simply bolting on performance items.
7. Front Disc Brake Conversion This is more of an upgrade that concerns safety. Personally, after having "eaten windshield" in a bug (while rear-ending a sheriff's vehicle in the rain to boot), I can personally attest that stopping these light little cars is really damn important. Not all aftermarket accessories have to be visually impressive. Seriously, you're pouring money into your "baby"...don't you want it to properly stop? 8. Raised Front Spindles Praise the lowered! A bug looks damn good slammed. Do this right or you'll fudge up your car. Enough said. 9. Rear Quarter Pop-out Windows I like original factory accessories. Rear quarter pop-out windows are a nice touch and are readily available (look on thesamba.com). They look good sticking out and help ventilate a beetle...which typically did not have air conditioning. Considering the car is as aerodynamic as a cinder block, what harm can it cause?
10. Roof Rack Want to dress up your ‘retro ride?’ Get a sweet roof rack. My buddy makes these and he's real reasonable too (customautoracks.com). I just love the look of these suckers. Plus, you can dress them up with vintage Coca-Cola coolers, luggage, and sometimes even old (not live, of course) bombs! Again, it’s not known for aerodynamics…
Here is a new picture of the KDF Mangler.
...new picture of the KDF Mangler #2.
...and now for something completely different: the Volksrodder. Here is a volksrod with a front mounted 700 horsepower 6.6 liter Chevy V8! Hacking up a 1952 split-window seems a bit like sacrilege; however, I am not sure what the condition of it was before this reincarnation.
Though I prefer a more traditional arrangement of the motor (in the back), I have to admit that the Tirochs (a father & son team) from the Hotrod Hangar did a really good job!
Here is the back of Volksrodder.
Unusual headlight configuration #1: Interesting Art Deco, or maybe more appropriately Streamlined Moderne, influenced headlights that came off of "who @#%& knows?" It seems that the older and weirder...the better!
Unusual headlight configuration #2: hood mounted & very reminiscent of the "bug eye" Baja bug kits. Though not everyone's cup of tea, it is unique!