For readers who remember our first V-Dubs Club event last year, this car was the first car in the line-up. 

Thomas’s Beetle is a true California Look car … lowered, with a big motor, smoothed body and striking yellow paint job.  The car has been modified in stages and next time you see it, it will have evolved yet again, as more enhancements are planned. 

How did Thomas get his “looker” like this?  By making a lot of subtle modifications.   The suspension has been dropped by fitting sway-aways up front and a one spline drop at the back.  More suspension travel is provided at the front since the bump stop bars were rotated upwards slightly.  There are gas shocks all round to compensate for the short suspension travel and provide a firm ride.

Under the back lurks the 1600cc twin port motor, which delivers plenty of power when the gas pedal is kicked into action.  This car was manufactured in 1959 but oddly, when Thomas bought the car, it had cable operated brakes!  I can only assume the original floor rotted through and somebody fitted a good, 1950 floor pan, complete with suspension & brakes in the past.  Suffice to say the brakes were changed to a modern hydraulic system.  Lightweight EMPI 5 wheels were then fitted all round.

The body had all the trim removed and the holes welded-up to give a smooth finish. The semaphore indicators were also welded-up and new indicators installed behind the horn grills instead.  At the back, the car has 1950’s pod lights and a pope’s nose deck lid.  Those of you who are Beetle experts will be wondering how an oval car was manufactured in 1959.  The answer is that the oval window and air vents were cut from a scrapped, pre-1958 Beetle by Thomas and welded into his car by a friend.   A very neat job.  Thomas will be changing the rear decklid for an earlier “W” model to complete the oval illusion.

Once new wings had been fitted, the car was re-sprayed in BMW darker yellow and a new interior be fitted.  Looking inside the car, you will notice that the dashboard has been smoothed out and  features a speedo that has been sprayed white with no speed figures on it.  There is a large rev counter which has figures on it.  The front seats were changed and the interior re-stiched in black material.  You may have noticed an unusual white and black spotted passenger in this car - “BJ”, Thomas’ Dalmatian dog. 

Readers who have seen Thomas’ car would never guess it was originally a tatty old Beetle, found abandoned in a quarry, where it had been left for three years!  Thomas  managed to rescue the car and transformed it into the nice Cal Looker you see today.

After our last event, the car was back at the garage, having the W Decklid fitted. The car will then be re-sprayed.  The headlights are being modified to incorporate turn indicators, US spec style.  It should be ready for the VRT test.

V-Dubs club would like to thank Thomas for coming to our events and look forward to seeing his updated car.

Kevin Widmann