The Cal-look Lounge

Here Are some Example's Of The Cal Looks Of My Time If you look at the Pictures no two car's are the same not like the Money Pit cars of today they were street Driven Daily Drivers From Roger Greco's  (DKP) Karrman Ghia to Mike Martinez's (DKP)Black ChopTop Notice the Difference's of the Cars Then and now Tee Bar Bumpers, Buggy Bumpers, Lucas Front Turn Siginals, Fully Dechromed Body, Wheels Of Choice BRM's,Big Wheels,Deano Super Lites, American Racing 5 Spokes (My Favorite) Empi 8 Spokes, Single or Dual Quiet Pack Muffer System, Formuling France Steering Wheels or Racemark, and Empi Steering Wheels were used, One Piece Dash's One Piece Windows Ect. Look at the Picture of Mike Martinez's Motor Clean But All Business no Porsche Fans here, It Seems Like All The Crap Out There Now Days its like Bolt on Heaven In the Old Days We Took all the Crap off the Car Now Days it Keeps getting added on. Roof Racks,stone Guards,Door Handle Guards,vent wing Visors, Sun Visors, and lets not forget those Rare old suitcase's and Coke Ice Chests for the roof racks Come On Guys Lets See A Cal Look that Resembles A Ture Old School Cal Look without all the Bells and Whistle's save tha Crap for a Resto Rod...  Even The New Hot VW's Magazine has Changed It Used to refer to the Cal Look as the CAL LOOK Issue now look at the Jan 2007 Issue it Refers to it as The Look?? What Look? As Far as I am Concerned There is Only One Way To Build A Cal Look And That Is The OLD SCHOOL WAY The way it Was Meant to BE!!!   To Me the Cars These Days Are more of a Resto Rod Restore Not A True Cal Look...

More OLD SCHOOL (DKP) Cars American 5 Spokes with 165x15  tires in the Rear Not 205 or 215 60's or the Old Rare Big Wheels and Buggy Bumpers

Here is a Picture of Mike Martinez's Engine Compartment Very Nice The Way It Should Look No Porsche Fans Here.

I couldnt agree more!!! And I wasnt even born until the '80's...

Here'a a Picture Of Ed Craigs  (DRA) 51 Split Window Parked Behind Auto Haus In Buena Park Calif. Notice the Rear Bumpers on this Car  I Worked with Ed At Auto Haus Back In The Day  Would Sure Like to see some OLD School Cal Look's Back In Calif Seems Like The Cal Look Has Changed To The LOOK??  WHAT LOOK are we LOOKING FOR??   its the OLD SCHOOL LOOK FOR ME

HERE a Club Picture of DRA Back In The Day Both Splits are Running BRM's this is a Picture From the Bug IN 12  at OCIR...

The Best Part About the Early Years is all the Cars Had there Individual Look But Kept The OLD SCHOOL LOOK Difference's Being Interior Style, Dash Layout with Gauges,Paint Color,Wheel Choice,Bumper Choice, Motor and Trans Combo, But Alway's  Stayed True to The Cal Look of the Early Years.  Here'a Picture of My  Oval (DSK) Back In the Day

Glad to see that I am not alone when it comes to the question "what is California Look?".............................I do not know what exactly make them fit in, but I know when they are wrong........maybe it is the period parts or the lack of the last part making it reachable, for us the public. The thing I think you have to have, is the thinking of the time, when buildig the car that is. I know it is obscure but look at how the V8's of the time was done, look at the street scene of the time....not just the cars that got ink in the mags...........The "giving ink to a trend part" is what I suspect made the development stop to a part (not underground anymore), but also the fact that the cars were outdated.....mini pick ups and pro street taking over....also, the demise of street racing due to comitments in life for the attenders!!!!!!!! Just rambling for what it is worth!

I agree cal-look cars were built to emulate the race cars, so they were lowered at the front, dechromed, fresh paint, aftermarket wheels, custom dash to accept gauges, new upholstery, and the most important feature a fast engine.  We had this discussion on a UK forum a while back, and interesting to see how many people disagree with this point of view.  Mainly because their cars didn't fit into this bracket. 

I agree-those cars represent "the look" the way it should be.
A reason for more "chrome" trim on todays´cars is maybe that the beetle itself changed from a simple "car to be used" to a vintage car. So if restored, before adding the specs, people maybe don´t "dare" to eliminate the trim and so on. This is not the first discussion on this topic here on the lounge...
Maybe it can be compared to tranfering a VW Golf Mk4 into something "custom" today. I wouldn´t mind to change everything on it because it´s possible to find a good car as basis very easy and cheap (same as with a beetle 30 years ago).
But you´re right in stating that all this Porsche and high tech stuff is something else than the basic intention of "cal look" (a street car: simple and fast).

Whole hobby is a lot bigger now than back in 70's. What was at some point bunch of gearheads working on their cars in Southern California is now world wide. California Look has changed a lot over the years. Different eras can and should be identified, and given credit. All of those eras are equally good since they kept Cal Look alive. If I browse my 50's Hot Rod magazines Street Rods look very different than those built in 70's like California Kid or 80's Ferrari red billet monsters.

After DKP III published their rules it really got people start to built their cars to that spec (me included). Today Internet change things quite rapidly, you can see so many cars online and the really good looking cars and good ideas gets duplicated now faster than ever.

Hot VWs isn't doing very good job in separating the Looks, like Cal Look vs Resto Cal. The past two magazines I have received have both had a Coral Red car with BRMs, I loved Bill Schwimmer's car when I first saw pictures of it and still do since it was The Car that defined the Cal Look for me, but who would like to make a one more replica of it 15 years later when dozens of them are already existing. This is getting off-topic, but along with some of the features I am not too keen on the style/language it is written with these "Joe-Bob's mighty fine Super Sano Streeter" titles. I once started writing a Java Script that would generate those titles when you type in your name, location and model of your car  :D

   Has it?
             or did it just suit the magazines and owners of these cars to jump on the trend of Cal look?Its only my opinion but Cal look these days isnt the pure form it was,
DKP111 look is a much more accurate description of the current trend,people claim that the trim is there as volkswagens are to valuable to molest by welding trim holes up,fair enough,this is a valid reason but then they have to accept there car isnt True Cal look, and not just claim it is too suit them,surely its much more satisfying to build a car to the way you want it to look than try to pretend its something it isnt? just my thoughts,cheers richie,uk

 ;D

You forgot to mention 'Dorked' beams. Not a bolt on as much as a guaranteed way to absolutely totally screw up a car!  :o

Hell yes! I could`nt agree more. Unfortunately most of the people out there don`t. I love the "True" Cal Look.... no chrome, T bars, Lucas signals etc. I even owned a car like that. Its in my avatar. It was built back in the late 70`s and fit the bill exactly. But when it came time to sell it (And I should`nt have) I could`nd get anything for it because of these things I mentioned earlier. In fact the guy that bought it put the bumpers and chrome molding back on it. Another example is the bright green car in the first post. The owner had it in the trader for months with no luck. And the price was right. I`m not sure if he finally sold it or decided to keep it. The last Bug I had I built to sell and it was nice but just did`nt do it for me. It was basically all stock with BRM`s and T bars. And most people said I should put bumpers on it too. I think cars are built to be on the safe side with all the trim in place just so they can be sold easier down the road. Thats fine and all but I really want to build a clone on my green 64. The way I want it.

Ex Bernie/Carol Newbury,Mark James bug......

(http://i10.tinypic.com/3za2cci.jpg)

does it qualify ?  :)

your Car Looks Great and has the Old School Look You Dont See that Many Cars Running Centerlines anymore The Other thing you Dont See Much anymore is the Flat Plexiglass Headlight Len Covers on 66 and older cars They Ran Them Both Clear And Smoked back in The Day here's a Picture of them also this Cal Look Has NO Bumpers Nice Clean Look.  Just Remember  ( RESTO ROD SHINE CAN NEVER REPLACE OLD SCHOOL CAL LOOK ATTITUDE)

Wow, what a great thread!! Got to love the lounge!!! ;D

Soo many true words!  Some opinions are nostalgic and some are business minded, others are realistic... and Richie gives it right from the liver!

I agree with Shubee ( an old friend) on many points, and believe that many of today's cars are not true to the origins, but it is also important to recognize these new cars for what they are.  It takes a lot of $ and effort to build any car nowadays.    
For those who don't have that kind of money or time, many of the parts that make a Looker are getting very expensive and difficult to purchase, as evidenced by some of the other threads lately (steering wheels, BRM's, 48's, EMPI, etc).  It isn't easy.  

I think it's important to support any facet of the hobby, even if it's not my style.  Keeps it strong and positive for all of us.  Maybe those who don't know about Cal Look history will learn and appreciate what it was.  

Ironically, Grego's Ghia and Shubee's Oval have their side trim.  

Get those cars done Shubee, I can't wait to see them.  Good luck with the move.

resto rod shine etc........THIS IS THE TRUE ORIGINAL TRUTH!!!!!!
i'm 30......too young......but i can understand .....believe me!!!!
one question for ALL THE GOOD OLD GUYS: wich was the level of shining under the body?
were thwy daily driver or not? were some mud or grease on suspensions and frame?  
i did idea that the level was as for an everyday new car.....sure, you wash it but only outside and interior, am i wrong?

another question : how many cars with tinted glass? were them very dark? what glasses? all or only rear ones?

do you remember many cal-lookers with no profile and sprintstars?

Finally people are seeing that most of the cars built today don't represent Cal-look, they're all based on the cal-look spirit, but thats it.
I personally love the green car in the first post and would love to see many more of that style.
All the talk of keeping the side trims etc... is just playing safe, and I guess playing safe is just the opposite of what was Cal-look all about!

no playing safe at my homeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

it is a respect question:

U HAVE AN HISTORIC BUG AND U KEEP TRIM NOT TO DO A NO TURNING BACK THING ON AN IMPORTANT COLLECTOR ITEM:
WRONG......U DID SOMETHING DIFFERENT


NEIN NEIN NEIN:

I HAVE AN OLD CAR AND I HAVE TO TUNE IT AS THEY DID IN ITS DAYS: THT IS RESPECT FOR SAN HISTORIC CAR!!!!!!!!


IN ITS DAY COOLNESS WAS NO TRIMS!!!!!!

I have missed this thread so far but as I have discused before with a few of you guys - The cars today seem to be being built alittle too well if you get what I mean ??? while I respect and admier these cars and builders I feel that they are getting away from what a so called "True Cal Looker" is. 

I think Lids put it quite well with "cal-look cars were built to emulate the race cars" but for the STREET, They were built to Go Fast, Look Good, And whip the Arse of any Detriot Muscle that pulled up next to them at the Lights  ;)

Anyway back to the reason I used the quote above - I LOVE those T Bars - Proper home made ones, I have always thought the "modern" ones look a but weak, its little things like this that make a True Cal Looker - Just my two cents guys  :)

Heres the interior of the green car. And a couple of my old 64 after I put the chromies and Porsche caps back on. Ran chrome Sprints for awhile. But I don`t remember anybody actually running them back in the day.
(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k74/Bryan67photos/GreenBug3.jpg)
(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k74/Bryan67photos/GreenBug2.jpg)
(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k74/Bryan67photos/48s.jpg)
(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k74/Bryan67photos/64BugInterior.jpg)
(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k74/Bryan67photos/64BugFront.jpg)
(http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k74/Bryan67photos/64BugRear.jpg)

I like that Green Bug and your 64 dude - they both have some really cool touches  :)

Thanks, but I can`t really take the credit. My 64 was built back in the late 70`s long before I got it. I did`nt really do much to it.

Thanks to guys like Shubee for being here with the old pics.  I, personally, cannot get enough.  I constantly dream about building a clone of Bryan's old 70s car, but in metallic brown.  I don't have much in the way of philosophy on why/what/how with the cars of today, so I just go with what I like, and what I have really liked for years.

Also, question on the bright green car--isn't that the one that was in Hot VWs a couple years ago with polished 5-spokes?  My favorite car in that issue.

Thats the one. It was for sale for a long time at around $6000. Don`t know if it sold. It was a little rough around the edges by then but still cool. If I remember right it was originally owned by Sam Shacklefords son.

I Just Want To Thank You Guys For Your Input I am Not Against Any of The Cars Being Built Today It is Just Not What They Think it is Weather its a Resto Rod,Resto Mod, Or A REAL OLD SCHOOL CAL LOOK They Are all nice cars in there Own Way and Style JUST NOT O.G. CAL LOOK's Like Jim Said you cant Drop the Front slap on some Flat 4's and a Mundo Muffler And Call it a Cal Look...

Im tired of the Cal Look term being applied to ANY VW with a lowered suspension, or shaved chrome, or custom interior, some wild stupid paint job, or a QP bolted on the stock motor. Gimme a break.

Not cal look. Full trim, polished wheels, bumpers and a stock engine??? No way.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=385076

Not Cal Look (if you pulled the rack and the bumpers you may have a start)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=388386

I could go on, but everyone here already knows what Im talking about. I just wanted to bitch a little. There is only one true Cal Look to me, and it goes alot like this:

I Agree a 100% A Picture is worth a 1000 Words That was the Way it was Then And That should be the Way it is Now and to Answer Daves Question Roger Grecos Ghia And My Oval Both Had Chome Side Trim Ghias Dont Look Good Dechromed Some Cars Look Better With Trim But Without all the Other Crap Just like it Was Said Earlier in the Thread Old Street Rods like the 34 Ford Calif Kid Was A True Street Rod You Cant Even Compair them To A Street Rod Of Today thay also are Way Over Done None of those High Dollars Cars Ever Get Driven they are just Money Pits Custom Made Billet Parts and Chrome up the A** Dont Get Me Wrong They are Bitchen Cars Just Not Really A Street Rod How can A Car Be Called A Street Rod When It Has never Seen the Street they go from Trailer to Show And Back Same Goes For The LOOK as its now Called Just A Bunch of Money Spent On A Car That Dose Not Get Driven All Show Why Have If You Cant Drive It And Enjoy it..

I'm telling you I think that there is a secret conspiracy here in the US to kill the traditional Cal-look sceen >:(
Becouse we all know real Cal-look cars don't sell magazines ;)

Dan... I think that is a very valid comment.

Since most of the Heavy Hitters on the Lounge have weighed in, I think that it's only fair that I get to spout my drivel as well!  ;)

I think that current Cal-Look ethos as pounded a stake in the ground @ February 1975 and is judging every thing according to that yardstick. The reality is that the style has changed and morphed over the years. Some of those changes have withstood the passage of time and others have not. 

I was always trying different looks with my '67. As an example, look at my bumpers. That car in the 6 years I was showing it, it was configured with t-bars, full US bumpers, just blades, blades with Euro guards, blades with EMPI guards and blades with Euro Guards and EMPI guards. Was it less or more Cal-Look with any of those configurations? I don't think so.

People make too much about the trim. I LIKE the side trim on my car... on a beige car, the side view needs a little more character to bring it out. On a lot of other cars, the color doesn't need that character. Does it make it Cal-Look or not? NO.

That page Zach posted out of the '75 HVW... I bet a couple of guys spent an hour or two in the HVW office knocking that out before the deadline and now, 30 years later people treat it like it's a decree from on high.

On the other hand... a cal look car is not determined by how many accessories you can bolt on to it regardless of if it's EMPI, DDS vintage stuff or if its luggage racks and vintage Coca-Cola ice chests.

Great thread, I so agree with you Shubee

Hmmm, I get the point and understand what guys like Shubee want to express but I don´t think that those "rules" which were defined in HVW´s Feb. '75 issue are not to be seen too strict.
Otherwise I think that my oval could not be considered a "true" cal looker as it neither has tinted windows, engine hanger etc... ;)

Tobi

That '75 vibe? Way I see it yours is about as true as it gets. 8)

You don't ever have to worry Tobi... that is a Cal-looker in a big way...
(http://blogsimages.skynet.be/images/002/994/857_8879ba078655190d3db6a6e9e964a67e.jpg)

Well put Shubee.

Hmmm,

I'll have to leave the Cal-Look Lounge as both of my Cars still have the Chrome on them, so they are not to be considered a Cal-Look... :'( ;) ;D ;D ;D

Frank

indeed frank -- me too -- let's make a new forum:  cal-with trim-look.no/lounge

I'll have to ask Heeba to make me new logo after living in lie for many years..  ;D
(http://www.terovirta.com/_icons/CalLookSite2.gif) (http://www.terovirta.com)

Hey Turtle, can we join...the majority of the JG54 club cars still run chrome trim, most have narrowed beams and some even have bumpers!!!  :o   :D

Im not saying that every cal look car has to be a cookie cutter image of that one. It is a guide. Lowered front, staggered tires, big motor out back, simple paint, no bumpers and no trim are the only way to go for true Cal Look, IMO. The rest is open to interpritation. Cal Look has always been the "less is more" approach to customization, and chrome definitely doesnt fit in with "less". But what do I know, I wasnt even born until 6 years after that issue was off the stands ::) ;)

And BTW, I think Savannah Beige cars look bitchin without chrome!!! But since your car has a history, I too would leave the chrome intact on that one.

Guys, that's why we have the offtopic thread  :D

  :D :D :D

Hey Zach... I never meant to put those words in you mouth and if you took it as such, I apologize. The limitations of the internet are sometimes what we type doesn't match with the point we would like to put across.

WOW, another great thread on the Lounge!  Shubee, that pic of Ed Craig's car behind the Buena Park Auto Haus sure brought back a flood of old memories...can't begin to tell you guys how many IDA's, Okrasa cranks, NPR 92's, and S&S Headers went through that door!  I like Bullit's thoughts on the under-carriages of cars back in the old days...back then, I can remember taking off the wheels occasionaly and touching up inside the fender-wells with a flat black spray can; something that would probably be out of place today!  Back in the old days, most of us spent our hard-earned bucks on making our cars as fast as possible...paint jobs, floor pan renovation, and interiors came after the fact.  I had clear Lexan headlight lenses, too...as well as Hainline engine turned inner headlight trims (we sold all of Ernie Hainline's stuff at Auto Haus back then).  I'm a huge fan of "Simple-is-Better"!  ;D

Hey Sarge did you work for Auto Haus To??

Yes, I did!  First, at the Beach Blvd store with Ed Craig and then at the warehouse on Dale St...would have been 1971-1972.

Hey "Old Guys"  ;),

Some of us Youngsters are still using Okrasa Cranks and IDA's... ;) ;D ;D ;D

Frank

yes im using a 82mm Okrasa Crank as a paper weight :P

Well,

I'll give you 5 Bucks for your Paper Weight Crank... ;)

Frank

BTW Martin,

I've got one in my Motor, Boum Boum...

Frank

Ok-new member here ;D

Hey Sarge I Worked at the POMONA store in 71 and 72 I also worked at the Warehouse,Buena Park Store,Van Nuys Store, Do You Remember Jon Sandavol? Mark and Larry Rosevear?Geno?Jon Lazinbee?  My Blue 56 Oval was Mark Rosevears old White Oval street car

Couldn't agree more dude - I love those Centerlines  8)

Jim...right on the target....I agree with all of it.....I don not want to get this topic in the wrong direction, but.....no offense or intetnion to stir things up....I just can't hold it back: No molding on a Cal-look car!!.......................................................................Did I say something wrong? ;D

To be honest. 100% spot on. Happiness is a Hot VW!!

No everyone should be driving tube-chassis pro-turbo sedan on the street. ;D

You said it Jim R, that is the true magic of the lounge... firm opinions, and STILL respect!! Amazing!

what about fuel injection? :)

As always jim, Amen!  ;)

Mechanical=Yes
Electronic=No 

 ;D

I used to talk to Mark when I had my sandrail.  He works for McKenzie's Off-Road in Anaheim.  Larry has a suspension shop in Anaheim but I can't remember the name of it.  John Lazenby ownes the Royze Company (remember those carb kits from years ago?) in Garden Grove.  You and I must have missed each other by a day or two!

LOL Sarge I Still feel 18 but with 34 years experience LOL Damm what has Happened To Time It Flys By It Feels like Just A Few Weeks Ago I Was Street Racing Behind Pacific Stereo In Anaheim

Its all good- hence the smiley faces ;)

Excellent read from the veterans here.

With that said...less talk more old pictures!!!   ;D

The only problem I have with all the high dollar cal bugs of today are they all look pretty much the same. Perfect paint, BRMs, GTV steering wheel, Berg shifter, Auto Meter Tac and big beautiful 48 IDA engines all way too clean. Wait that's what I like about them. I guess it is harder to stand out from the crowd with a cool cal bug today.   

Great views.  :) I quite like the quote I read recently on here..

"It is just a representation of a slice of time"

Cal look seems to have changed with time. The internet helps people gain more information and enable us to beter understand and view those changes. 20 years ago I could only form opinions on what I read in a magazine or people brought to shows, now I can draw learnings from farther afield both in terms of source, geography and time.

One way to view the debate is to ask when was true cal look defined? Was it in the early days when modifying began or when it was recognised?. The next question is, have the cars been improved on from the early days? I say yes! Many would say late 70'2 cars are more appealing to them than the earlier incarnations.

If you like it you like it. I like it clean, quick in a straight line, mildly tough looking.

Alex and I have 2 almost identical cars (black 67's ) but the changes, subtle as they are show our prferences ( turbo v dual pack, interiors and wheels ), I like that slightly tough look, he likes the more purist approach.Both are cal look.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/Heydon/callookporn2.jpg)

Cal look for me is:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/Heydon/DSCF0027.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/Heydon/front.jpg)

excellent thread. Most of us on here like EMPI bits, what is everyones view on where this sits in cal look world. I always consider they are slightly to show-offy to be real old school cal look (apart from Berms), but original EMPI defines that period. Having said that my car has original empi bits, and I intend to keep them on there! Is an original GTV a cal looker? I would say no! is it cool, hell yes!

What other makes and parts correctly define the period?

Mag 5's!




ps. thanx Anders ;-)

Hi Guys I Must Say The Ones of you that Have Posted a Picture of Your Cal Look on this Thread Are Keeping The True Cal Look Alive I Wish Hot VW's Would Put more of Your Cars In The Mag, After all It is Hot VW's so lets see Some Hot VW's In Stead Of Trailer Queens, Do we need Buy The Guys At Hot VW's A Plane Ticket To THe U.K. England or Japan To See Real Old School Cal Looks Because they are sure Slacking These Days here.

the car that really turned me on to the original Cal Look thing was Hector Bonilla's 67 when it was featured in Volksworld, thats the one that opened my eye's to how cool a looker could be (with your car sneeking into the back ground of the shots Shubee). after that I started to look at the old magazines a little closer and found pictures of cars like Geno combs 69 now that car is cool (see below) ;D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/streetvw/112309.jpg)

My Red Oval Was Also Going to Be In Volksworld But They Let Hector Turn in his own Pictures LOL The Ones in the Mag Are All taken By Hector He Left My Car Out When He Sent his Pictures in It was going to Be two Cal Looks But I Took The Back Seat On That One Thanks Hector Where ever you Are Now LOL...

What upsets me about the current Cal-Look trend is the abundance of reproduction parts.
I know that alot of the parts are extremely difficult to find and most of the time very expensive.
Remember, they were rare and expensive in 1975 also !
But that's what makes them special !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's REAL history.
Would you enjoy museums if all the displays were "copies" of the real article ?
I am so tired of reading articles about cars claimed to be best Cal-Look car on the planet and read on about the Flat-4 BRM's, Flat-4 GTV steering wheels, Java decklid, Randars,etc...
Kind of like trying to convince your wife that her Cubic Zirconium wedding ring is just as good as the genuine article.
Just my $.02

VERY well put Richard  :)

amen!

Like I Have Always Said About Real EMPI Parts Often Imitated never Duplicated EMPI  Riverside Calif Not Empi Anaheim Ca.?? Made in China Repops. all the stuff now Days is Mr Bug China Crap Packaged as Empi

I must admit that I love the Cal-look style, but being a owner of a Karmann Ghia, I find it difficult to go for the dechromed and no bumper style etc. So basicly I drive a stock looking Ghia exterior wise, with an original interior. But with a little stance, a HD gearbox, a 48IDA powered engine, and some 70s add-ons inside the car, my goal has been to make it a true Cal-looker, or as close to one as possible. I must admit that I wanted to keep it easily reversible to original condition, even if I doubt I will ever do so ;-)

(http://blogsimages.skynet.be/images/000/608/503_fac5eb84e4da7b8b448236ebdb0ef152.jpg)

(http://blogsimages.skynet.be/images/000/608/521_f4fc3500661e56748010b42329352c25.jpg)   

   

Your Ghia Looks Nice I Dont Like Ghia's Dechromed and you already Have The Euro Bumpers Look At The First Picture Of DKP's Roger Greco's Ghia He Also Left The Chrome On.

Even though theres nothing wrong with chrome, I like them better without. That goes for Ghias and T 3`s also.

In regards to rare, expensive parts...I've been building a late 70s-style car in my head for a while.  And of course, while all the old EMPI, DDS, etc., stuff is cool, why not think about building an old-style car with parts easily attainable today?

I'm thinking chromies/no caps.  Motolita or Mountney steering wheel.  GTS old-style sport seats.  VDO cockpit gagues.  Or, Autometer performance series gagues (chrome bezels).  All the style stuff to build a cool car, available through mail order.

Or is this not expensive enough to be cool???

theres nothing wrong with that its the Look that needs to be Kept as long as you dont Hang all the Bullshit on it A True Cal Look Was not a COOKIE CUTTER Image Of someone else's Cal Look Everyone Used a Little Different Part but Kept the Original Cal Look It Goes like this you dont Build a Nice Cal Look and Put Cal Custom Pedal Pads On It That Looks Tackie

Great input form you Shubee2! Especially this: "A True Cal Look Was not a COOKIE CUTTER Image Of someone else's Cal Look Everyone Used a Little Different Part but Kept the Original Cal Look"
About real vs copies I think it boils down to what you aim for; the look, or a car that could have been built back them.
Myself I'm a "original-parts" kind of guy, I would rather own a real Formula France steering wheel than a fake Empi wheel.

Right, understand about extra "accessories" and stuff that doesn't need to be there.  I'm talking about building a clean, performance-based late 70s style car using pieces that are being made today, but not reproductions.  This doesn't mean the car is going to look modern, either.  All the items I mentioned previously are still available new, because its stuff that never stopped being produced.  The key to it is, like Shubee said, is you need to think for yourself on some of it.  Its ok to get parts that suit the car elsewhere than a VW supplier.

Then, of course, comes the proper style of bodywork, stance, and mechanicals.  Which ultimately make or break the rest of the pieces.

(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/67SCREAMER/2004_Spa_111.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/67SCREAMER/2004_Spa_101.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/67SCREAMER/blk_chop41.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/67SCREAMER/2832631.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/67SCREAMER/index4.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/67SCREAMER/67-Heaven-221.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/67SCREAMER/index23.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/67SCREAMER/index24.jpg)

Surley back in the day when these "genuine" cal look cars were being built, the main emphasis was on performance. To that end I would imagine they used the most upto date parts they could get or afford to get. The wide use of 48IDA'S must have been because that was the best method of acheiving big bhp. So can we not now have the style of a "genuine" cal look car but with more modern technology , i.e throttle bodies, fuel injection , turbo..... It's just a different method (modern) to gain the same end. The style and essence is still there.   

Just a thought.

Heres a Picture of My Blue 56 Oval Another DSK Car Picture Taken in 1975 notice the 356A Brakes all around They Were Cheap back then..

Heres another Picture of the car and the Motor 78x88 with 42 mm Weber Berg Specials and Deano linkage Car Also Featured The Second 36 horse Dog House Fan Housing ever made this was Hand Made By Steve Walker of Glendora Ca. He Has The First one Made these were made by combinding two German Fan housings  The China and Jap one's were not made till the late 80's and early 90's

I was just  going threw this Thread again and Reading everyones Imput It was a great thread with lots of great Pictures and Imput on the Cal Look of then and Now 

Wow, this is a great thread. Not sure how I missed it before. It is good to see more people think like I do when it comes to Cal-look. While the craftsmanship of the current Cal-Look feature cars may be outstanding, I find them boring. I want a bug with attitude. Here is what I want to do with my '67:

(http://www.cs.fsu.edu/~lbrooks/67vw/black67.jpg)

I am thinking black plaid for the interior. It will be a couple of years before I can get all the right parts together, but I can't wait. Until then I can hang out here and check out the cool cars.

--louis

thats cool Louis I have a Red 67 and I have a Black grey and white Plaid Material for the seats but have not had them done yet

me too

here are a couple of pics of my car.
somehow it got painted before the mouldings holes were filled.

this is my go at cal-look
one piece windows
no trim
lucas lamps
2332 ida motor
rancho box


(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/mad66bug/DSC00214.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/mad66bug/DSC00215.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/mad66bug/DSC00213.jpg)

should be ready for EBI at the end of the month

Here is a few pictures of an Early Cal Look Split and the Super Clean De Coppen Bros Oval Race Car from Big In 13, And an Early DKP Car with a Rare set of Big Wheels

I put my car together almost 30 years ago. Some things never change. Even the 009 with points.   Dave Rhoads

built in 1975

built in 1976

rebuilt in 1980

bought new in 1973 or 4

waouww very cool car  :o have some other picture from that car , i've torq trust wheels and your look like what i'm looking for mine , are they sand balsted or natural color  ??? here's mine after sandblasting and painting then with a mat vernish
rgd
fabian

I Remember that Orange Ghia with the Carson Top

I have a September 1977 issue of DB&HVW with a feature of this Karrman Ghia - its a 61 body on a 74 floorpan and was owned by John Asburn from Oregon

I helped build that car and ended up buying it.

The new engine for the Ghia 1984

here's some other pict of the carson top ghia

pictures from the hot vws ;)

Wow, I have never seen this car.  Who owned it and where is it now?

Dont know what ever happened to them both the Ghia And the Yellow bug with the Carson Tops were from Oregon I saw them Both at Bug In

The black car and the ghia are Oregon.

More detail perhaps?  Do you own the cars?
I really like that black car and would like to know more about it.

I could get you a picture or two. I have owned it since 1972. It is down in the barn with a 82x88 okrasa empi slipper skirt engine. Thanks Brian

Would Love to See some real cool Barn Pictures

do it brian
rgd
fabian

Do you Have a 46 Split? if so Did you get it from Mike Hornbecker?

What, the green one in the foreground? :o

And your point is?

If this is the car I think it is it had Real BRM's First then Americans they were both Sold And Now is Running Flat 4 BRM's??? 

It has had sprint stars bought new, Empi 5 spokes also bought new, americans mag bought new, BRM used off Dyno's notch, then flat 4 BRM (no more polishing mag wheels), and now new UK americans. I have a set of empi 8 spokes but they never make it on the car. Barn picture soon. Brian

Hey Brian do you have  a 46 VW that use to Belong to Mike HornBecker?

At this time in the barn there is a 1943,1944, 2- 1946s, and the old cal-look car. the dragster up at the shop waiting for the new 1680. brian 

 :o an 43 & 44  :o woauuuww the germans invade the usa in the second wwII  ;D

Yeah right, a 43, a 44, 2 -46s and a low 9 second NA 1679cc powered car, sounds like somebody is dreaming again.......oh wait, that's me  ;D

Down on farm.

Still on the farm

Still on the farm.

Enough of the farm.

(http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=766.0;attach=6857;image)

Those tailights are......uh........ different.

SHOWOFF! I nominate Brian Hyerstay's barn the official cal-look Wolfsburg shrine. Anyone second that? ;D

KS does your new blue car have trim ? :P

Oh yeah, baby! And wheels, and an engine, and, and....  ;D

BRMs ? :o

:o I do have certain standards... ;D

I may take some heat for this, but Oh well....

I am new to this forum, but I have been around for a few years and my taste has changed a lot.  It had nothing to do with the original cal-look issue of Hot VWs.  It had everything to do with the cars I saw on the road and at the shows.  Did anyone mention one piece windows?  I have one piece windows in my car and like the look.  All of this is about LOOK.  Fine, my flat-4 BRMS and GT steering wheel has the look.  Are they original? No, but I personally beileve they are of better quality than the originals.  I had a close friend with about eleven genuine BRMs and I was able to get him to admit they were crap.  They cracked easily and some were so porous you had to run tubes.  They didn't have the safety bead etc.  Okay I know that the originals are worth a lot of money, but I used to driver my '66 about 20k miles a year and I wouldn't feel as safe on the mag wheels.  Regarding the Empi GT steering wheel, I like the Flat-4 better.  In my opinion it is made to a higher quality standard.  I know it isn't worth as much, but I wouldn't trade mine for an original.  That is just my opinion.   I also have all the trim on my car because that is the way I like it.  For a while I had the trim off and was going to weld up the holes.  I'm sure glad I didn't do that.  Everyone seems to get hung up on ORIGINAL.  If that is what you like, Great!  To me it was about the look I liked and I got that.  Since I finished the car in '95 I have driven it over 100k miles.  I don't drive it near as much these days, but I used to.  In '97 between May 12th and September 1st I had driven it over 10k miles.  How many people still do that.  My car was never up to the current DKP standards.  For a short while I even showed it with a roof rack.  Shame on me.  Like I said my taste changed.  How many remember the middle 80s with the molded sun visors and tornado or turbo mirrors?  They called them cal-look back then.  They being the magazines.  The look is the look.  Sure hope I didn't alienate anyone.  I like it here.

Sounds like a reasonable take on things to me. Not sure about reproduction parts being 'better' than the originals but there are plus points to both the reproduction stuff and the original stuff. You can turn out a good car going down either route as far as I can tell. I like a car that is totally period and I know of a few people that will only cut it that way but I also know people that have great cars that aren't loaded with the old stuff (and they're usually the faster people too! ;D). As for trim, my girlfriend and I have to make a decision on which way to go with a shell and right now it could go either way, we'll probably toss a coin as it changes daily.

 :)

i think a lot of people think like this on this forum. we all like callook and we all share or opinions, with respect for one another. so there is really no right or wrong, repro or original here as long as you are happy with it. hang around long enough and figure it out




BUT roofracks are a big NO NO  ;D

Aye, I think a lot of folks think like that here. I like to rib folks about this and that, but it is all meant in fun. As long as you are happy with your car I really don't care. To me driving them and having fun with them is what is important. The diversity is what is great about this hobby. The fact that there is room for everyone's tastes. Now if you were to throw a set of gold plated Daytons on there, that might be different.  ;D

--louis

i think a lot of people think like this on this forum. we all like callook and we all share or opinions, with respect for one another. so there is really no right or wrong, repro or original here as long as you are happy with it. hang around long enough and figure it out




BUT roofracks are a big NO NO  ;D
[/quote]




i agree

What About My Roof Rack Guys  ??? ??? ??? but I think you made some very good points dude  :)

Also I think Mat is right about us "period correct" being a little slower  ;) :) we'll have to se what my lil 1700cc will do  ;) :)

Sure is refreshing not to get slammed!  I like the original stuff, but....   My friend with the original BRMs and numerous issues with cracks.  Be careful to not hit any curbs, not that I would want to do that with any wheel.  By the way my roof rack is very special.   I got it with my wife's '61.  It is a 9 slat Bernhard Korner; a nice period piece from the '50s before VW started making their own.

I have allways loved primered cars, lowered fornt ends and a lot of horsepower, way too mouch if I might say, or better yet, the more the better.........I think timeslips in the glovebox are mandatory but street racing reputation and lot's of good stories from the parking lots or industrial suburbs are a must...............................the rest, guess it is up to each and every one!!! My favorite car being Mike Martinez chop top does not make it any clearer!!! well I guess it all boils down to having fun!!!

Hey Steve,I am glad you spelled Brians last name as I had no idea how too :(   Figured there was on;y one 1946vw around and had to be the same :)  cheers richie,uk

the original sidewinder, they shoud have marketed it back in 84