The Cal-look Lounge

Ever see a car at a show, never to see it again, yet it burns an unforgettable image in your brain? Happened to me all the time when I was younger (and always when I had forgotten my 35mm camera too). I can name off a few, from fairly vivid memories, but maybe what seemed so outstanding about these cars has merely been embellished by mental marinating in my head all these years...

One that comes to mind right now is a ochre-yellow Bug parked with DKPIII cars in 1991 that ran Porsche 911 "cookie cutter" wheels and a dual 42DCNF 2 liter motor. Only saw the car this one time, very nice owner, very unique car. Wonder where it is now.

Another is a black early square-window Bug, again parked with DKPIII cars in 1990 at Costa Mesa Jamboree, sporting BRMS, 2-liter or bigger 48IDA engine, looked very similar to Mason's car, except for a few key details.

For the longest time, Jim Kurlinski's green '67 (then stock height) was one of these elusive "one time wonder" cars, until years later when I saw it in Hot VW's article in late 90's about DQ.

How about you? Any cars that grabbed your attention at one time, only to vanish?

Backcracker Dr.Bondo P/S. Whatever happened to that car?

Not a mystery, but I do miss Scott Smiths' Empi'd out 67' from the 90's

i remember this one not very cal look , more resto cal , also there's a lot a rare stuff on that car  8)

One car I have always liked and I'm surprised we have no talk about it or pics is John Schuerger's blue drag sedan... a '66 I believe?
I think he is/was running a 90.5mm motor and IRS Bus trans....  down in the 11's
my knowledge is foggy

Not sure if's it's IRS, but it is a Berg bus 5 speed now. Very cool car leaves at 9000RPM

(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj274/OliverFrey/SacBugORama61059.jpg?t=1213209871)

It has Folts swing conversion.

That's what I thought as well. I have Folts U-joint Swing Conversion as well. Best money ever spent in VW Drag Racing. 3 seasons same R&P; best 60' 1.29. ;D

Jesus, dude. a 1.29 60ft must feel incredible. Anyway, back to cars that disappeared, sometime in '97 or '98, there was this attractive young lady that I saw around town a few times in a what I asasume was an EMPI GTV bug. She was about 5'4", brunette, nice figure.  ;D  The car, by the way, was a '71 or '72 superbeetle, slightly faded original green paint wth a C-stripe package. It also had chrome sprint stars, EMPI gauges, steering wheel, E-Z-R shifter, and all the wood interior knobs and handles.  It had all the other stuff such as gravel guards and bumper overriders as well.

THAT WAS ONE NICE CAR FOR SURE!!!!!!

WITH ORIGINALS BRMS NO???????

pretty sure everything on that car was the real deal. And the paint was like a mirror. He's got skills for sure.

Where did it get sold to?

Not sure where the car went, but I do still hear his name from time to time. Last I heard he helped a friend of mine tape off his alloys to paint. Maybe into V8's now days?

THE CAR WENT TO JAPAN. HE WAS INTO CHEVY RAT RODS FOR AWHILE, AND NOW I BELIEVE HE HAS SWITCH TO DOING THE BOAT THING

Hey John, so what is your story lately. I saw you wiping on the puple car last weekend. Is that yours? Are you building anything new?

what ever happen to that blue car that looks like Ratto's?

You've got it backwards. Ratto's car looks like the blue one.  :o ;D  It was classic when the guy walked up to Jim's car with his kid at the October Drag Day and said "This car is a piece of history, Gary Berg built this car in the 80s." ;D

(http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/131588.jpg)

(http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/450429.jpg)

PURPLE BUG BELONGS TO MIKE NAVARRO, CAR WAS BUILT IN 1989-1991 FEATURED IN HOT VW'S IN 1994. ITS BEEN AT MY HOUSE SINCE I SOLD MY CAR.  JUST BRINGING IT OUT FOR A FEW SHOWS THIS YEAR. I'M STILL LOOKING FOR A 54-55 3 FOLD FOR MY NEXT PROJECT

I heard cat piss eroded it into the salt of the earth.

true story, I'm afraid....   :-\

Bates couldn't stop laughing.

  I remember one as a kid going to shows with my dad in the mid 80's or so it was red with cream scallops I KNOW you guys remember that one.

?????????????????

Sounds like Aaron Kahans 67. He is a member of the Shifters hot rod club and works for Rod and Custom I believe.

I think it had cream 5 spokes that car was soooo cool I've no idea where I could find a photo of it but it was at most shows back in the day.

yes thanks john

I met Larry McKenzie because of that car. Sort of... 

no offense to that car or its owner, but I never ever liked that car. I don't care for cars with lots of items added to them like that. I know it is a certain look that many really enjoy, but it's not my cup of tea. I don't think any hard core "Cal Look" hot rod would ever run all that stuff on it.
In the same issue as that blak car was a real true, blue blooded Cal Look hot rod...  Mike Smith's red '67 nitrous car.

How about some pictures of it?   :)

hot vws published the report of scott smith and mike smith red bomb in the same issue special calook issue feb 94 if i remember well

You MUST have that issue huh fabs?  ;D

The "Black Magic" turbo sedan (featured on the Kawell site) I had alot of fun driving that car. After Michael passed away ,the family parted out all his belongings and I never found out what happened to the car. All steel sedan, BIG Kawell turbo motor, first class all the way.

for sure,  tomorrow jim   ;)