The first one! The Greg Aronson/Jim Holmes looker?

[Jon]

Keith Seume mentions that THE cal-looker of all is still around in his book.
I know it was converted to something Baja like... but I would still love to see a picture of it.
Maybe you guys from way back when can help me out?

 

[Bill Schwimmer]

The last time I saw the Aronson car was about '82.It came to one of our DKK meetings with owner Julie Martin (if I recall correctly..)It was in original cond.The last I heard of it was around 15 yrs ago & somebody I know had located it & the owner had "updated" it .It was not a baja but all of the original bits were gone.The owner was aware of some of its history but was unwilling to part with it.Back then original Cal Look cars were cool but they did not have the reverence they do today.Take a look @ the June 76 HVW,the Mark Hunsaker car is where I bought my 1st set of BRM's in '87.Set of 4 w/ perfect original caps & original lugs & hardware $900..I could have bought the whole car w/ Becker paint,Brads interior,FAT close ratio gear box ect. less motor for another $1000.Did'nt want it ,I had a 55 & that was more desirable @ the time.Things have changed a bit...Later Bill

[SOB/RFH]

I think Dean Kirsten tracked down that white Aronsson/Holmes sedan from back in the day. Just my 2 cents.

[speedwell]

Hot vw's may 75 the aronson / holmes is  for sale,  Here's the announcement 

[Bill Schwimmer]

$2700.....That might buy 2 of the wheels today...

[speedwell]

oh yes but at that time ,the car had no glory which it has today . How much could she cost today

[SOB/RFH]

I got hold of the 75 feb issue back in 1978.......I wanted to buy it at that time but living in Sweden did not make it easy!!.....I saw the ad from 75 then and imagined it had gone for ever........But did it sell then!!! I think I remember Holmes owning it in 78 (Bug In Aug 78 have a photo of the car in the DKP club display)........................So when did it loose it's soul........guessed it lived for quite a while?

I liked the Scott Bakken copy and had the oppertunity to visit Scott and the car back in 2002...........That car had it's soul too and lost it to the racing devil!!!

Happiness is a Hot VW!!

[Georg/DFL]

Wow Sven-Olof,

that's exactly what I think:

I liked the Scott Bakken copy and had the oppertunity to visit Scott and the car back in 2002...........That car had it's soul too and lost it to the racing devil!!!

Happiness is a Hot VW!!

I first saw the car in 2000, when it was debuted at the Classic week. On Saturday we decided to go to Fuddruckers after the Toy & Literature Show instead of heading for GBE for the rallye. We planed to relax a bit and wait for the end of the rallye. When we reached the parking lot we saw it: It was sitting there in the evening sun under the trees, no other cars in sight. We parked and stayed in the car, just looking at the white beetle. I new from Dean Kirsten that the original car was beyond rescue – but what was it? Slowly we went towards the car. I had goosebumbs in that very moment and still get them when I think of that moment. Was it the real one? Was it a replica? We weren't shure, because we had no clue that Scott Bakken had built that car.

Today it's....well...it lost it's spirit...in my eyes.

[Bill Schwimmer]

I get sad when we lose any nice street car to the race track....

[Jon]

"Beond rescue" what does this mean?? 

[Georg/DFL]

It means – as far as I know – all important parts are gone and the body is useless due to rust (?), damage (?), whatever...

[Fritte]

It means – as far as I know – all important parts are gone and the body is useless due to rust (?), damage (?), whatever...

As they say. A legend!

[speedwell]

I get sad when we lose any nice street car to the race track....

it's a beautiful car but damage that scott  don't have to leave in is original version .  bill how the car always maintaining with the ercos and all these ugly stickers???

[ESH]

I don't know what other concessions have been made to racing but some stickers and a change of wheels isn't too much of a big deal, still a sweet car. Other than that looks much the same to me. Hey, it isn't a Baja! Looks a world better clean and on BRMs though.

The race/street question is difficult, in the UK we have some tough rules to adhere to for racing which means that anyone racing a street car pretty much has to make it a race car if they're running any kind of time. That said you can keep trim, windscreen wipers, door cards and so on but you have to put in a cage. That said the street guys I know that race still run on the street. So I guess all is not lost.

[Bill Schwimmer]

What I am trying to say is not so much physical damage to the car ,is that we just see them @ races & not the streets anymore.They always seem to be in the garage with the motor & trans in a zillion pieces.Our DKP cruise nights used to be much larger before Renn Kafer came along & turned a bunch of street cars into shiney race cars to only be seen a few times a year.

[Jon]

Seems like something got a little mixed up here... The Scott Bakken car has taken a turn for the worse... like most US cars lately... curse the rennkaefer cup...  but hey, it's just a copy... nothing "holly" about that!

Myself I really can't understand why people build replicas of old cars... and especially car's that are still around?!
Just my $02

[Georg/DFL]

Hi Jon,

I do like replicas, if they are well made – and if the original car is no longer around. And the Aronson/Holmes car might be still in existence, but as said: It's beyond the point where you can bring it back to it's former glory. Ok, with enough money you can build a new car around an old chassis number, but that's not the same.

For me Scotts car does it. It's a very well made replica. Or was, now it's more or less just another white Looker. 

[ESH]

...we just see them @ races & not the streets anymore...

That's a pity, it's great seeing a clean looker running hard on the street. The car that came out of the racing thing worse for me was I think Troy Palmer's. Still a great car but it was awesome. It's lost something.

Seems like something got a little mixed up here... The Scott Bakken car has taken a turn for the worse...

That's the one I was referring to, look on the bright side though, it's still pretty much there, just needs a couple of changes.

now it's more or less just another white Looker. 

The worst kind! 

[Svwerker]

That car had it's soul too and lost it to the racing devil!!!

Isn't that terrible when it happens? 

[SplitMan]

Seems like something got a little mixed up here... The Scott Bakken car has taken a turn for the worse... like most US cars lately... curse the rennkaefer cup...  but hey, it's just a copy... nothing "holly" about that!

Myself I really can't understand why people build replicas of old cars... and especially car's that are still around?!
Just my $02

Seems quite a few things got mixed up here... the real question is - WHERE is the REAL Aronson car today?...and who posts a picture of it.. no matter its condition..

[Jon]

I still want to see THE ONE!!! 
If I just knew were it was I would jump on a plane and hesd out... same with the Inch pincher 1 or 2...

Any pics clues or rumors?   

[Zach Gomulka]

Ive heard that it is still around. Even Greg Aronson knows its whereabouts. But all of the desireable pieces are long gone, and the current owner knows enough about the cars history that he wants BIG bucks for it. Ive heard that Greg wants the car back to restore it in its former glory, but the current owner just wants too much for what is left...

[Frank LUX]

Ive heard that it is still around. Even Greg Aronson knows its whereabouts. But all of the desireable pieces are long gone, and the current owner knows enough about the cars history that he wants BIG bucks for it. Ive heard that Greg wants the car back to restore it in its former glory, but the current owner just wants too much for what is left...

How Much is Too Much then...?

Frank

[Martin Greaves]

Here two more of scott's car.

[Rick Meredith]

The last time I saw the Aronson car was about '82.It came to one of our DKK meetings with owner Julie Martin (if I recall correctly..)It was in original cond.The last I heard of it was around 15 yrs ago & somebody I know had located it & the owner had "updated" it .It was not a baja but all of the original bits were gone.The owner was aware of some of its history but was unwilling to part with it.Back then original Cal Look cars were cool but they did not have the reverence they do today.Take a look @ the June 76 HVW,the Mark Hunsaker car is where I bought my 1st set of BRM's in '87.Set of 4 w/ perfect original caps & original lugs & hardware $900..I could have bought the whole car w/ Becker paint,Brads interior,FAT close ratio gear box ect. less motor for another $1000.Did'nt want it ,I had a 55 & that was more desirable @ the time.Things have changed a bit...Later Bill

Yep... I remember when that car showed up at the DKK meeting. That was the only time I've seen it.

[Rick Meredith]

What I am trying to say is not so much physical damage to the car ,is that we just see them @ races & not the streets anymore.They always seem to be in the garage with the motor & trans in a zillion pieces.Our DKP cruise nights used to be much larger before Renn Kafer came along & turned a bunch of street cars into shiney race cars to only be seen a few times a year.

I agree with you there. Renn Kafer was a good idea but it has morphed away from a street car class to a purpose built class. Maybe if they went to a bracket style set-up, street cars could be competative.

[Zach Gomulka]

]

I agree with you there. Renn Kafer was a good idea but it has morphed away from a street car class to a purpose built class. Maybe if they went to a bracket style set-up, street cars could be competative.

And ran on a spec "pump" fuel!!!

[Rick Meredith]

Ya.. that too!

[Russell]

Guys

We all need original cars, replicas and new ideas to keep the movement going, we all like things slightly different even if it is based on the same floorpan...

If the Aronson/Holmes Looker is out there it should be saved, we spend $$$$$$ to restore cars with no history, an original old careven if it has had a few changes can be brought back to life im sure (we can put a man on the moon and we can beat the V8s) If in the 60's people gave up there would be no Empi, No DDS, No Race Shop and No cal look (heavan forbid) In the 2000's its too easy to buy new, look at the world museumns they are full of restore thinks Planes, cars, Houses and even Dinosoars !

Put it this way if some one has a tel number for the guy that owns it let me know ill buy it take to a show and we can all dream about what might be..............

Russell

Loving Life, Loving VW's

[Lids]

Russell, how can a replica be a new idea, surely that's a contradiction?  I prefer cars to be used as inspiration to produce a modern twist on an old theme, this is the only way the scene can move forward.  unfortuately it sometimes goes wrong, for example the 80's!!