The Cal-look Lounge

Only 103 of these specially modified VW's were built by Autohaus of Pompano (Volkswagen dealer in S.E. Florida.)

V.T.O. stood for "Volkswagen Touring Optimum
I have a promotion sheet from 1965 depicting the details on this vehicle.

Features included a lowered and fortified suspension, disc brakes, performance mods to the engine, stabilizer bars front and rear, and a special paint stripe on each side.

Wondered if anyone here may have heard of, seen one, or may even own one.

Thanks,
Paul.

(This is not related to the Volkswagen Transport Organization.)

Here's a article about VTO from 1967 issue of Road & Track, if it refreshes anyone's memory ;)

Very interesting. I wouldn't mind finding one of those in someones backyard.

I wonder where they got the idea to build those?

cool we are all teenagers (except for as i drive a type3)

I scored a contact sheet of early shots of the first one of these VTO's being made ready for display at the dealership.

Still no luck finding one, anywhere (backyard or no.)

Don't know if it matters much now-- so many years later.
They're all gone the way of the ghost I suppose.

Parted out and converted for other purposes.

Fact is, back in the day I saw one being offered at our local (FL) dealership and -of course- lusted for ownership.
(Instead, getting back on my Schwinn and headed home!)

Thanks for input you guys.
Shiny side up.

another dealer does the same thing here: http://www.michaelliddle.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Super%20Vee%20Article/Super%20Vee.htm

My friend owned Autohaus Pompano and was the progenitor of the VTO design and implementation.
The Mk IV version had a Porsche industrial engine (single carb), disc brakes, mag wheels, camber compensator, special graphics and interior accessories.

He also had a VW camper modified in a similar fashion.
Here's a snapshot of it (taken at the Daytona 24 hrs.):

[attachment=1]

It's a wonder how, out of 103 of the VTO's, there seems to be none left.
I guess I'd have better luck shooting craps in Vegas, eh?

(thnx for sharing your knowledge and links- I'm passing it all on to my buddy.)

i've this about the vto

let me know and i can send you those in higher res
 ;)
fabs

Great! I've grabbed them from here- but do send in hi-res:

paulschiemer (at) mac (dot) com

Really appreciated (and I'll pass them onward to my friend who was responsible for them.)
*In fact, I found (quite by accident) an original sales brochure for the VTO on eBay, grabbed it, then sent it to him as a surprise.
Knocked him outta his chair!! (cool)

Here's that contact sheet I scored (mentioned above):
[attachment=1]

sent  ;)

Got it. Thanks.

In the photo sheet- that's Sonny Vogel- Sales Manager for Autohaus.
Don't know who the other fellow was though.

Sonny went on to a great sports car racing career.
He passed away a few years ago, sadly.

That dealership still resides on that plot of land- still selling VW's too.
Different name now though.

I autocrossed against the VTO's in South Florida in my 1959 VW with a 1500cc 2 piece case Porsche engine from an early 50's Porsche. Later I bought a 1967 VW and autocrossed that against the VTO's . The 67 had the 1500 cc engine it came with but .110 off the barrels and big valve heads, oo9 distributor,rejeted carb and headers. Big sway bars, koni schoks, quick steering, short shifter. Porsche wheels and Goodyear Bluestreaks. ,lowered and decambered and realigned.

I still have the 67. It is now a vintage race car. If I could figure out how to post pix I have some of the car autocrossing in the 60's and early 70's and pix of the car now.
It was a daily driver for 20 years and went all over the US and Canada, coast to coast and south to north. I parked it fo 20 years and made it a vintage race car in 2007 for it 40th birthday.

WE put the VTO side stripe on it in 67 and again in 2007.

go here to see how to post picture (http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,3632.0.html)  ;)