The Cal-look Lounge

Any pics out there? There was a feature on the car in 1974 Hot VWs (I think).

How about some talk about this old sedan?

The Sonic Muffin was always a favorite with the crowd. It always seemed to be the underdog, when at NHRA events. And Don Ruckman must have known wuat he was doing, because the back end of the Sonic Muffin was covered with NHRA record holder stickers. A lot of stickers! You can see the Sonic Muffin in it's heyday in the older Gene Berg Ent. catalogs.

IIRC Doug Berg bought the mid 1980's, and raced it for a while, until he got Wayne Corser's (sp?) green race car. Doug put a five speed in the Sonic Muffin, and continued using it as a test bed for all the various engines he built, while he was doing business in the Seattle area. I had the opportunity to go for several "test rides", and I would always return to the shop with a big smile. I also remember Doug trying to pick races, but people knew the car, and would not accept the challenge.

The last time I saw the Sonic Muffin (2004 I think), Sonic Muffin was in storage, and looked very sad.

Heres a Small Black and White Picture Notice how Both The SonicMuffin and Bergs Street Car Leave Both Almost Identical Leaving the Line.

Doug drove that car on the street quite a bit with varied engines, little 1800's etc.I remember it in the parking lot at Puyallup years ago. Cam, is it in the Renton field? Hopefully it's inside!

if i rember right it was late of 82or early 83 when doug pick the car up that was the early days i worked for the bergs. doug was very proud of that car forsure. i actualy got the original 4speed box out of the car. it ended up in my 66 sleeper i broke the RP one wed night down at ocir and i limped it all the way home to santa ana i can still hear that RACKET going on in that tranny case. i took numerus rides in the SONIC car on taft street at night very late night as i rember a very tight box. he panited the sheet metal white also very cool gasser car indeed.  UD.

Only knowing it from the pictures I've always liked this car, anyone know it's story from the start when it was a daily and a racer? I heard it could use a tidy up but the car has to be worth it?

As far as i know, it had an Engine fire...and is sitting outside... :'(

Frank

Thats a real shame. I've always liked that car. Got a feeling it's featured in an issue of Hot VWs with another well known car - Maybe the Bad Company cover, or even the DKP2 cover issue.

So it's in a better state than a lot of the split screen vans that are on the roads here in the UK then?

 8)

The Feature of the Sonic Muffin can be found in the October 1975 Issue of Hot VW's... ;)

Frank

here's some pictures   ;)

watch later sonic muffin had some bumpers and baby tornado mirror

Not true.  The car was stored outside for a short while but is now tucked away in a dry building.

The paint has suffered over the years, but is still 100% original.

Good to hear... ;D

Frank

WOW! Thanks for the outpouring of stories and pictures to all!

I have read that Hot VWs article before....I have it buried somewhere. Thanks for posting it Frank!

Jim

No Problem Jim,

You should check this out: http://old-vdub-mags.skynetblogs.be (http://old-vdub-mags.skynetblogs.be)

Sorry, have not a chance to "update" it for some time but will do in the futur... ;)

Frank

There are some nice action photos of the Sonic Muffin.

Can anybody guess what race tracks they were taken at?

is that Bremerton?

without seeing the car i KNOW that is an understatement Mat!!!

The bottom shot from Shubees post is at Seattle. The black and white Speedwell pix are at the old Mission Raceway here in BC.