Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2019 i dune buggies and hotVWs

This month, we have to share some very sad news with you. A longtime, strong supporter of our VW industry, Arda Melikyan, the co-owner of German Motor Works (“The Thing Specialist”), was killed in a car accident on June 5th in Newport Beach, California. This was a totally unexpected accident and truly heartbreaking for us. Our deep thoughts are with Greg and his family. Arda’s “VW life” harks back to the 1970s. She bought her first VW, a 1966 Beetle, in 1976. This car always had some issues; she tried to sort things out and fix them with help from various mechanics, but never found the right guy. Three years after purchasing that Bug, she was referred to a VW shop owned by Greg Melikyan. After they met, her life…

I've decided I have held this inside for long enough and it is time to come clean with you all and let my true colors shine… So, here it goes… I love Super Beetles. I'm sure this comes as a shock to most of you, and if you don’t want to stand too close to me at the next event, I promise not to be offended. We all have our quirks about us, and hopefully, a few of you will cut me some slack. Maybe just maybe, my bold admission will empower others to step forward and live a more free existence in the world of VWs. If this means the end of our friendship… well so be it. I will just have to live with that… The truth just…

It was late afternoon and my favorite VW event was over. It was Bug-In #43 and thanks to Russell Richie, it was also the Gasser Reunion. I had just finished the awards ceremony and was thinking what a great event we had, when I heard someone call out my name. It was Tom Urbaniak of Kühltek Motorwerks, the major sponsor of the Bug-In. Tom was taking apart the Kühltek display but stopped to ask me if I had any thought to our conversation a few weeks ago. The discussion centered around thoughts on parts that could be developed to solve any needs in the VW performance industry, and as a matter of fact, I do. Let me explain. While it may seem minor, there’s a need for better sealing gaskets…

June 28, 2019, Chimay, Belgium – Philip Kane, CEO of EMPI Inc. made an official announcement at the European Bug-In #8 held June 28-30 in Chimay, Belgium: Jack Sacchette and his company, JayCee Enterprises, will become the newest member of the EMPI Group. This huge surprise announcement from EMPI Inc. and JayCee Enterprises took place during the “Cal Look Dinner” party at the European Bug-In. EMPI was the title sponsor of the European Bug-In, and both Philip Kane and Jack Sacchette (owner of JayCee Enterprises) were present. We still don’t have detailed plans nor timeframe yet on the merger of these two iconic brands in the Volkswagen aftermarket industry, but we will share with you some news that Philip announced. And of course, we will keep you informed as things…

LOOKING TOUGH, EH? RAISING THE GEARBOX ALLOWS LOWERING THE VEHICLE’S CENTER OF GRAVITY CHASSIS FRONT SUSPENSION/ 6” narrowed, adjustable beam by Kevin McCain; 2-1/2” lowered spindles; no front shocks REAR SUSPENSION/ post-1960 swing axle-style rear clip; clip raised 4”; KYB shocks WHEELS/ ERCO 15x4 & 15x6 TIRES/ Kumho 155/60R15 & 225/65R15 BRAKES/ Airkewld Stage 3 with Wilwood calipers (front & rear) OTHER MODIFICATIONS / Holley fuel pump; Holley fuel regulator ENGINE BUILDER/ Chico Performance, Arcadia, CA CASE/ Type 1 VW AS41 magnesium DISPLACEMENT/ 2332cc CRANK/ Scat 84mm Chromoly forged, counterweighted, Chevy journals RODS/ Scat 5.4” H-beam CYLINDERS/PISTONS/ JayCee 94mm; forged pistons CAM/ WebCam 86C, 310º duration; Bugpack straight-cut gears; WebCam lifters HEADS/ Chico 043; CNC “D” ports; dual springs; CB Performance Big Beef manifolds VALVE SIZES/ 44x37.5mm ROCKER ARMS/ Scat…

1961 ALAMEDA FDNY 911 TRIBUTE DUNE BUGGY What started out as a simple idea to build a fun little Dune Buggy to cruise around town morphed into a project that would span almost 14 months. I had mentioned to my good friend Richard Ratto that it would be fun to buy a Dune Buggy and have it as a play toy. We both knew that most Buggies you find today are trashed, or the sellers want big dollars. So, he said to me, I should locate one and we could build it together as a project. Who was I to say no. Rich is a master mechanic with over 30 years of being the best in our town (he owns Folsom Motorworks), as well as being an accomplished fabricator. The…

I woke up driving on the autobahn; it was like a dream. I was driving an early ’51 Panel Van following a late-’51 Deluxe Bus – the 3-tone type painted Chestnut Brown over Sealing Wax Red with a white roof. The song talking in my head was going: “Well… how did I get here?” It all started a few weeks prior, when I pulled my 1965 Double Cab out of its hibernation and it said to me: Rebuild my reduction box. (It doesn’t actually use words, but I can hear what it is saying.) I said to it: “I will rebuild your reduction box, but you must take me on a road trip to Los Angeles and up the coast”. (I do use words when talking to my Buses). So,…

In this article, I would like to talk about VW show cars. Please keep in mind that I am not a car show guy anymore. Been there done that, got lots of shirts (and I mean a lot of shirts). Do I like car shows? Sure, I do. Why don’t I build show cars? I have helped with a lot, but last time I built a show car was in the early ’90s. The way I was treated and the way the car was judged left a sour taste in my mouth. With that said, that’s why I’m writing this article. I would like to start with how I have seen it done in the past and present, then maybe offer some suggestions. So, now it seems that we drive…

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As you likely guessed from its name, Buses by the Bridge (BBB) is a VW Bus-only campout/car show/get-together, held near the famous London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. You might wonder why the London Bridge is in Arizona… It actually spanned the River Thames in London, England 180 years ago. It was built in the 1830s; then, dismantled in 1967 and relocated to Lake Havasu City. We can certainly say that BBB is a pretty unique Bus event. Unlike other Type 2 meets that usually focus solely on 1967 or earlier split window models, BBB welcomes all generations, including Bay windows (T2), Vanagons/Caravelles (T3), and even the front engine Eurovans (T4) and later models. BBB was created by one of the Lake Havasu City VW Bus clubs, London Bridge…

This section allows Volkswagen enthusiasts to make special VW tools. Volkswagen used to publish this fascinating information using blueprints, in case you couldn’t source a VW special tool locally – you could therefore make your own. The inner hubcaps on all VW vehicles can be removed with this tool. The puller is placed so that the long lever is supported against the face of the drum hub. The angled hook grips behind the rim of the hubcap. When using the puller, it is advisable to turn the tool around once during the operation, thus enabling the hubcap to be pulled off evenly. Construction Detail for VW 637 1. Cut out parts 1 and 3 have cylindrical pin, ready to hand. 2. Finish part 1 to 22 mm width. 3. Mark…

As we mentioned earlier, this is a very special year for Herbie! “ The Love Bug” was released in theaters nationwide on March 13, 1969! So, naturally, we were excited to attend his 50th birthday celebration in Orlando this past March. And what a weekend it was! Organizers Gail, Charlotte and Stephen Love did an amazing job promoting several events for everyone to enjoy. First up was a meet-and-greet at the fabulous Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum in Ocala, though most wanted to linger with the Herbies in the parking lot rather than go inside the museum. Those that did, however, were treated to a personal tour by Charlie Estepp, veteran stunt driver with over 100 credits to his name, including “Herbie Fully Loaded”. Over 30 Herbies came from across…

You might have been there… During the beginning of the year, you wait anxiously for the dates of your favorite shows to draw up holiday plans. Some prefer the small, rather cozy events; others can’t live without visiting the big ones. One way or the other, you can envision what’s ahead of you regarding VW events, which is nice, especially when you have visited a show more than once. Then you know the supermarket close by, you know the best spots on the campground and you are familiar with the surroundings. And most of the time you are going with the same friends; the gearheads you’ve known for so long. Or, maybe you meet friends there, having appointed camping together beforehand. Ancient practices, which you don’t want to miss, sure……

If you don't have it, you must do it… When I get a chance to speak with proud classic Volkswagen owners, I always recommend obtaining the “Birth Certificate” of their beloved car. In case you didn't know such a service existed, yes, you can get an “official” certificate from Volkswagen that states the information pertaining to your VW’s origin as it rolled out from the factory. They include: The production date of the car, date it shipped out from the factory, list of original equipment/options, original body color, original interior color combination, original destination city/country to be shipped, and original specifications. This is a perfect way to find out more about your ride’s origin. This information is a great resource if you are looking to execute a precise restoration of…

BUILT IN COLORADO AND NOW RESIDING IN HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA, THIS VERY EARLY OVAL CLEARLY TAKES ITS INSPIRATION FROM THE PRO STREET TREND. BACK IN 1972, NHRA PRO STOCK RACER Bill Jenkins unveiled a Chevrolet Vega that shook the drag racing world. Until then, most competitors entered the field with cars fitted with either narrow rear tires nicely tucked under the wheel wells, or wider rubber sticking out of the fenders. But Jenkins managed to squeeze huge slicks under the Vega’s body, thanks to an innovative tube frame and a narrowed rear end. The crowd loved the look and soon folks began emulating it on their muscle cars. So was born the Pro Street trend, which took the street machine world by storm in the ’80s. Volkswagen drag racers also…

A couple of weeks ago, I got a call at the shop asking: “What size drill bit do I use to install 14mm press in wheel studs?” My answer was: “I’ll give you the answer, but there’s a little more to it than that!” The most common press-in stud used for off-road and street applications is 14mm. They generally come in two styles. Off-roaders usually prefer the ones with the “NASCAR nipple” tip, which has a plain extended and unthreaded outermost portion. This can prevent damage to the threads when slamming a rim onto the hub when you’re in a hurry. However, thesewon’t work with any kind of covered lug nut like you’ll find in street applications. Porsche lug nuts are a prime example. Use a NASCAR style stud with…