I'm not much for rules, I would never build something because I was trying to meet somebody else's expectations. So really, to me there are no rules, but above all it should just be functional and tidy. Detailing the appearance, and having an efficient combo makes the difference.
Jim, with all due respect, aren't you a new member of one of the best VW clubs around? DKP's success is a result of their non-wavering rules. Every one of the cars in that club are awesome due to "Quality over quantity." I'm pretty sure from knowing you informally over the years from the cal-look.com forum that your car already met the rules and regs of DKP before you even thought of joining. So I know you didn't build it just to "fit in." You built it the way that you liked it! That style just happens to be the same as DKP's. (By the way... Congradulations!!!

) I'm friends with a few of the guys myself and I'm sure you'll be a welcomed addition to the club!
I don't think that there are any hard and fast rules of a Cal-look motor either such as you must have "this size engine" or "this brand and model of camshaft" or "this type of carburetors." But you can't take a fully detailed and EXTREMELY, gaudy, flashy, neon, chrome, engine from the 80's and call that cal-look.
So I guess I'm saying that there are some general "guidelines", maybe not rules, but they're not hard & fast or set in stone. Otherwise any one with some cheap Tiawanese accessories in their engine compartment would have a Cal-Look engine.
See what I'm getting at? Am I wrong?
Scott Faivre