Mods
Engine: Later-model 1600cc VW type 1 based engine with a forged counterweighted stock-stroke crankshaft and lightened flywheel, bored out case with 94mm pistons and cylinders for a final displacement of 1915cc, EMPI GTV-2 CNC ported big-valve heads flycut for 9:1 compression, dual 44mm Weber IDF carburetors with Gene Berg linkage and EMPI match-ported manifolds, Engle 298* duration and .534" lift cam with 1.4:1 CB Performance ratio rockers, CB Performance 1-1/2 inch merged header with 2.5 inch Magnaflow muffler, EMPI 1.5 quart external oil sump, blueprinted 30mm oil pump to full-flow oil system to external oil filter and auxiliary cooler with switched electric fan. Ignition is an original-style Bosch coil firing a Bosch 009 distributor with a shortened advance curve and Pertronix electronic ignition module.
Transaxle/chassis: Built transmission with stock gear ratios and early '60s model 4.37:1 final drive ratio, EMPI heavy-duty axles and Bugpack HD "SuperDiff" differential, EMPI stage 1 1700lb clutch plate, mid mount for transmission from Gene Berg Enterprises, rear engine hanger traction bar.
Suspension/Brakes: 2 inch narrowed, height-adjustable front beam, 2.5 inch drop spindles, EMPI 3/4 inch diameter front sway bar, KYB front shocks, all stock rear suspension parts with KYB stock replacement shocks, EMPI drop-spindle front disc brakes, stock rear drum brakes
Wheels/Tires: Flat4 BRM Replicas, 15" x 5" all around, 175/55R15 Kumho Solus in front, 185/65R15 Kumho Solus in rear.
Interior: Restored VDM Motorcoach steering wheel, FastFab CNC No-Cut gauge pod with VDO Cockpit series gauges, Autometer 10,000 RPM "Monster" tach with shift-light, Gene Berg 12 inch 60% throw reduction shifter, re-covered stock seats, door cards, and headliner all from TMI, original rubber floor mats over stock-style carpet, EMPI 3-point seatbelts.
Body: mostly original paint, stock bumpers replaced with lightweight chromed T-Bars front and rear from EMPI.
Transaxle/chassis: Built transmission with stock gear ratios and early '60s model 4.37:1 final drive ratio, EMPI heavy-duty axles and Bugpack HD "SuperDiff" differential, EMPI stage 1 1700lb clutch plate, mid mount for transmission from Gene Berg Enterprises, rear engine hanger traction bar.
Suspension/Brakes: 2 inch narrowed, height-adjustable front beam, 2.5 inch drop spindles, EMPI 3/4 inch diameter front sway bar, KYB front shocks, all stock rear suspension parts with KYB stock replacement shocks, EMPI drop-spindle front disc brakes, stock rear drum brakes
Wheels/Tires: Flat4 BRM Replicas, 15" x 5" all around, 175/55R15 Kumho Solus in front, 185/65R15 Kumho Solus in rear.
Interior: Restored VDM Motorcoach steering wheel, FastFab CNC No-Cut gauge pod with VDO Cockpit series gauges, Autometer 10,000 RPM "Monster" tach with shift-light, Gene Berg 12 inch 60% throw reduction shifter, re-covered stock seats, door cards, and headliner all from TMI, original rubber floor mats over stock-style carpet, EMPI 3-point seatbelts.
Body: mostly original paint, stock bumpers replaced with lightweight chromed T-Bars front and rear from EMPI.
Build story
This car has been in my family since 1989, and for most of that time it was stock while my parents just needed a good, reliable way to cart my brother and I through the '90s. Long story short, it ended up sitting for about 15 years until I got it back up and running in 2013, and I have been very slowly improving it ever since. It's gone through some iterations, including a couple of different engine configurations, and a few different ride heights, all keeping the nose down attitude of the classic "Cal Look" as intact as possible.
The current engine is a little screamer that I built based around the rotating assembly from my milder first big motor, a new crankcase, a new pair of heavily ported cylinder heads, and the excellently aggressive FK-8 cam grind from Engle. When I was drag racing it regularly, it was a consistent low 15-second car with the occasional break into the 14s, which in a classic VW feels like about a 12-second pass.
I have a hard time calling this a real "build" as for me it's been an ongoing long-term struggle to try and improve the car as much as possible without losing so much of its vintage character. Over the past 5 years or so, I've been very heavily inspired by the traditional Cal-Look scene, emphasized by clubs like Der Kleiner Panzers, with functional simplicity and performance being the two biggest emphases. To me, a classic VW that can perform at or above the level of its contemporaries, is something within reach and is a worthwhile pursuit. These cars have so much character beyond just gimmicky trinkets, road-art, or kit-car hell, and what I've tried to do with my car is keep as much of that character as possible while pursuing higher levels of performance and refinement.
And before you ask, yes, I will be painting it eventually.
As you can see above, I'm starting a YT channel of my own to not only showcase the car and what I've done to it so far, but also modifications and improvements going forward.
The current engine is a little screamer that I built based around the rotating assembly from my milder first big motor, a new crankcase, a new pair of heavily ported cylinder heads, and the excellently aggressive FK-8 cam grind from Engle. When I was drag racing it regularly, it was a consistent low 15-second car with the occasional break into the 14s, which in a classic VW feels like about a 12-second pass.
I have a hard time calling this a real "build" as for me it's been an ongoing long-term struggle to try and improve the car as much as possible without losing so much of its vintage character. Over the past 5 years or so, I've been very heavily inspired by the traditional Cal-Look scene, emphasized by clubs like Der Kleiner Panzers, with functional simplicity and performance being the two biggest emphases. To me, a classic VW that can perform at or above the level of its contemporaries, is something within reach and is a worthwhile pursuit. These cars have so much character beyond just gimmicky trinkets, road-art, or kit-car hell, and what I've tried to do with my car is keep as much of that character as possible while pursuing higher levels of performance and refinement.
And before you ask, yes, I will be painting it eventually.
As you can see above, I'm starting a YT channel of my own to not only showcase the car and what I've done to it so far, but also modifications and improvements going forward.