This may be another example similar to my recent previous post concerning having a thought rolling around in the back of one’s head long enough to attract other similar themed ideas. This process always reminds of an insurance commercial I saw once of a guy tripping at the top of a steep hill. As he catapults arse-over-teakettle he develops a kind of velcro attraction to just about anything in his path, morphing into a massive ball of everything. Ultimately the flailing sphere reaches the bottom of the hill and explodes upon impact with a building (to Youtube it just type in key search words including Ball Rolling Funny Commercial). I get such a better mental image from that rolling orb than the infinitely more banal comparison to a snowball rolling downhill.
The idea metamorphosis connection is that I’ve wanted another early Beetle since I sold my last one; 14 years ago. Up until very recently my goal has been an oval window model, those produced between mid-'53 and the end of '57. It's now transitioning towards a 70's Super Beetle.
My Early Oval-versus-Macpherson strut internal debate may have germinated (pun definitely intended) in the recent news that Shauna’s friend and former work colleague is returning to Vancouver for a visit in order to participate in the SunRun. She’s going to stay at our place. Years ago, just prior to their move East, her husband Nick asked to store his Beetle in our garage. It is a ’74 I think, right in the middle of the 1973-75 North American production run of Macpherson-strutted Super Beetle sedans. (Surprisingly, I just checked my photo library, and lo and behold, Nick’s Beetle is not as I remembered a Super Beetle at all!)
The idea metamorphosis connection is that I’ve wanted another early Beetle since I sold my last one; 14 years ago. Up until very recently my goal has been an oval window model, those produced between mid-'53 and the end of '57. It's now transitioning towards a 70's Super Beetle.
My Early Oval-versus-Macpherson strut internal debate may have germinated (pun definitely intended) in the recent news that Shauna’s friend and former work colleague is returning to Vancouver for a visit in order to participate in the SunRun. She’s going to stay at our place. Years ago, just prior to their move East, her husband Nick asked to store his Beetle in our garage. It is a ’74 I think, right in the middle of the 1973-75 North American production run of Macpherson-strutted Super Beetle sedans. (Surprisingly, I just checked my photo library, and lo and behold, Nick’s Beetle is not as I remembered a Super Beetle at all!)
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| Nick's Bug. |
There are two distinct camps of modified-air-cooled VW nuts; those that modify 50s and 60s Beetles into Cal-lookers, and those that modify kafers to exemplify the German-look. They’re similar in that both use a lowered suspension as a base platform, but that’s about it for modification similarities.
The Oval that I have my eye on (and have had since last August) is a 1957 Agave green sedan, lowered with Porsche rims, high performance engine and a fully restored body and interior. It’s perfect in every way possible, except that it’s in North Carolina. And it’s eighteen-five, just reduced from nineteen yesterday.
The other style, favoured across the pond, focuses on the enhanced chassis design of the Super Beetle. The Macpherson strut front end greatly enhances the handling of a Beetle, bringing it ever so much closer to a modern production car. The engine-modded old ones were fine for straight-line performance, but cornering wasn’t stellar. European tuners can have the best of both worlds with a SB, acceleration and cornering. And nowadays there are even more super-cool parts to add to the Super Beetle platform with the introduction of the Boxster/ Cayman models, in addition to the tried and true 911. Lowered Mac struts, accessory anti-sways bars and strut tower brace, high performance Type 4 engine, deep-dish wheels and leather seats from a Boxster/ Cayman/ 911...where is my cheque book anyway?
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| 1957 Agave green sedan |
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| Modified '73-75 era Super Beetle with 911 rims. |
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| Another late model favourite, although not a SB. |
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