BUG IN 25 1980 DKP Mike Billings 1967 VW Sedan Best of Show A History in Images

[delux67]

A nice shot of the undercarriage motor to transmission. Look closely, only a handful of guys that I am aware of did this back then, I put early bus swing axel snubbers to help reduce oversquat under hard out of the hole launches. I built the car with the intent of it being a daily driver so I  didn't want the car to ride too stiff with bigger torsion bars. The snubbers did what they were supposed to do most all the time.

[delux67]

Nice shot of the left 48IDA Weber. New Carberator on an original magnesium alloy EMPI manifold courtesy of Mr. Ron Fleming. The manifolds were a gift as well as his port and polish job on my heads. Found out from Roger Grago the other day that Ron asked Brad of Brads Interiors to do my interior work on my car despite the fact that Brad stopped working on cars in favor of boats.
Thanks Ron and Roger nad anyone else who helped me along the way.

[delux67]

Another shot of the car form an interesting angle.
How do you all like it?

[delux67]

Undercarriage Shot at BUG IN 25.
Shows some nice detail.

[delux67]

The best color shot of the engine compartment.
Notice the gold anodized firewall application. Looks easier than it was to fit it properly. It I think was worth the effort. I'd probably do it again given the right circumstances.

[delux67]

This is a shot form the cover of VW Trends magazine. Photo was taken by Jere Alhadeff Circa 1981.
I MISS THIS CAR as some of you can well imagine. I lived and breathed it for over 2 years and still can't believe I finished it so relatively quickly.
Working for my bosses Ron Fleming, Greg Aronson and Mark Thurber at FAT Performance who were my good supporters and then friends plus the help from DKP members, friends and associates like Roger Grago and Keith Goss to name a couple and then the support of many many others helped me make this dream become reality.
Thank you to everybody!

[delux67]

Two of my very, very close friends from DKPII.
On the left Mr. Roger Grago and on the right Mr. Bill Rogers.
Roger and Bill shared a very nice bungalow style duplex on the Balboa peninsula near the water in the Newport Beach area of Orange County.
To say they were in the middle of all the action would be a gross understatement.
They lived the dream for quite some time. And of course the unit had and adjoining 2 car garage that Roger made into a one Porsche garage.
Very typical for Roger, afterall a guy who paints his Porsche the color of an eggplant and calls it aubergine (the actual name for the color) deserves more garage space.
Its like gravity you know its there and therefore one behaves accordingly.

[Rick Meredith]

Great pics Mike!

[deano]

Mike, looking at these photos of your awesome car, like we talked about at the Bug-in, this would be a very expensive car to replace today, using those same parts and attention to detail. So, if you get the "Bug" be prepared to spend some serious $$$$. After all these years, expect some sticker shock.

[delux67]

Mike, looking at these photos of your awesome car, like we talked about at the Bug-in, this would be a very expensive car to replace today, using those same parts and attention to detail. So, if you get the "Bug" be prepared to spend some serious $$$$. After all these years, expect some sticker shock.

I do tend to get carried away.
If it ever happens again though, first rights are yours.   

[Frenchy Dehoux]

   Mike

   I am still looking into your car. Also if you build another Cal Looker what size engine are you looking to build. Let me know.

   Thanks
 Frenchy

[deano]

From first hand experience, it is very hard to go back to the old school, when there are sooo many cool parts now available. For example. You will pay $500 for a pair of Empi globe manifolds, but they are not good for porting and welding... But on the other hand, try and find a mint German case today, and those Porsche B brakes... And, and...

[delux67]

From first hand experience, it is very hard to go back to the old school, when there are sooo many cool parts now available. For example. You will pay $500 for a pair of Empi globe manifolds, but they are not good for porting and welding... But on the other hand, try and find a mint German case today, and those Porsche B brakes... And, and...

You're in my head. I'm thinking about just those things.

[deano]

More old school rants... Becker Paint in 1973 was $350 complete, inside and out, dechrome, etc. for urethane. Complete Brad's interior in 1974 was about $500 with trunk done. I had about $2500 in my '67 in the day, sold it with a stock engine for $1800 in February, 1975. Last week, I spent $250 for a small bag of 8mm stainless 12-point nuts. We are all crazy.

[delux67]

More old school rants... Becker Paint in 1973 was $350 complete, inside and out, dechrome, etc. for urethane. Complete Brad's interior in 1974 was about $500 with trunk done. I had about $2500 in my '67 in the day, sold it with a stock engine for $1800 in February, 1975. Last week, I spent $250 for a small bag of 8mm stainless 12-point nuts. We are all crazy.

Okay, you convinced me. 1967 Chevrolet Nova. No more 4 bangers!
What da ya think?? Its close to the right color.
Just Kidding. Who wants to trade one craziness for another?

[delux67]

Side View Shot in the back 40 acres of the parking lot at the Brea Mall n Brea, California.

[delux67]

A different rear shot

[delux67]

3/4 Front Shot with fisheye lens.
Becker's Bug House Really did do a fabulous job on the paint and bodywork.

[delux67]

Black and White Shot of Interior through the Fisheye Lens

[delux67]

Front and Rear Axel Assemblies

[delux67]

Best of Show Winner Bug In 25 October 26th, 1980
Presented to yours Truly by Mr. Rich Kimble
Future Owner of the Delux67

[Fastbrit]

Mike - read your personal messages NOW!!!!

Come on, quicker than that. Reference your message to me...

[delux67]

Mike - read your personal messages NOW!!!!

Come on, quicker than that. Reference your message to me...

Keith I got my smart phone in one hand and this computer in the other. Got the bid down and hope all goes well.
Thanks again for the tip.
Oh yea, do you know the name of the that mag Roger's car will be in and the release date.
PS Keep you eyes peeled, am going to be listing some runs from our racing friend. I'll advise when to search for them.
Mike

[Fastbrit]

It's in Classic Porsche, issue #11. Should be in Barnes & Noble now... 

[delux67]

It's in Classic Porsche, issue #11. Should be in Barnes & Noble now... 

And I thank you.

[Cornpanzer]

And I interviewed Roger for a small piece in Excellence Magazine - next months issue. 

[Cornpanzer]

More old school rants... Becker Paint in 1973 was $350 complete, inside and out, dechrome, etc. for urethane. Complete Brad's interior in 1974 was about $500 with trunk done. I had about $2500 in my '67 in the day, sold it with a stock engine for $1800 in February, 1975. Last week, I spent $250 for a small bag of 8mm stainless 12-point nuts. We are all crazy.

You also paid $4 per gallon of gas last week ye old geezer.   

What you need to do is restore an early 911 and then go back to VW's. It really puts costs in perspective..trust me! 

[banditina]

so nice-cool photos!!!

[Rennsurfer]

What you need to do is restore an early 911 and then go back to VW's. It really puts costs in perspective..trust me! 

SO much truth to that. Watching my friends restore/enjoy old Porsches in this day and age makes me dig my VW even more. But if I had the money, I'd have an early 911 or 914-6 sitting next to the Bug.

Really diggin' the pics of the red '67. Please keep 'em flowing. Thank you.

[Frenchy Dehoux]

   Mike

   Once you figure out what size engine you are looking to build let me know. You buy all the parts and take care of the machining and if you want I will build the engine for FREE unless you can find someone cheaper LOL!!!


   Frenchy