(Photos by Charles Wickam) – While the VW Beetle may have had some nefarious beginnings, it was (and continues to be) a worldwide icon of fun, freedom, and a blank canvass for anyone with tools and a dream. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Beetle’s drivetrain and floor pan were the basic required element in hundreds and hundreds of kit cars with looks that ranged from strange-ish looking sports cars to miniature Camaros that really stretched the imagination. The simplicity of the car is what made it so brilliant and also what made it so popular with hot rodders and people who wanted to customize them. There are Volksrods, California Look cars, and dozens of other variants as well.
Charles Wickam was our guy on the scene as the Bay Area VW Club held their yearly porker run outside of Houston, Texas. I was just down in the same area a few weeks ago for the NHRA race and it is a really nice part of the world. Wickam left with a poker chip and some great memories. He’s a closet VW guy and a wide open mini-truck guy so he was loving every minute of this.
We want a ride in the turbocharged Beetle above!
I really love the fenderless look that is becoming more common on Beetles.
The best thing about it is that in one fell swoop you remove nearly all the rust traps on the body and save money as well!
I think the ultimate fenderfree Bug would be a convertible with a chopped screen and a totally exposed – that is no fan housing – chrome engine.
Well – Iv’e got a garage…..
Replace that VW motor with one of the POLO Porsche flat fours [ based on the 911’s flat 6 ] … and you’d really have something . Damned expensive but worth every goram penny 😉
Or, do a subaru swap, make tons more HP, for far less money.