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johnl
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« on: December 18, 2011, 04:26:02 am » |
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My longtime buddy Mike Johnston from DKP I times and even before showed up in my office a couple of weeks ago. Always happy to have a visit I asked what the occasion was? Mike replied he was on his way to FAT to hear his car run.
I was surprised to hear this as I knew he had a '61 sedan he had been working on for years and figured it would be a long time before it ever became road worthy. He told me he finally pulled the trigger and was completing the project.
Today I drove over to his house and had a viewing. It is a beautiful bright red with Porsche chromies, 4.5 and 5.5 rears with drop spindles being held up by 145 tires and 165 on the rear. All of the excess trim has been removed and holes filled. Lenny did the interior and it is beautiful.
The guys at FAT built him a 78.4x90.5, 44 IDF motor with a custom exhaust with a GLASS PACK done by Gregg Aronson. Mike showed me the dyno test numbers and the were very impressive for a street go anywhere car.
He was waiting for the insurance guy come over to get that part of the process completed. Soon this car will be out and about after not having one for around 40 years.
Congrats to Mike for a great job and I hope he has many miles of pleasure with his new ride. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera, so you'll just have to come to an event to see it for yourself.
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Volkswagens Limited, Der Kleiner Panzers Founder Member
Celebrating 61 years of Volkswagens in my life 1963-2024
Life is a learning experience and then you die but when you do you've lived a good life if you contributed to your fellow man.
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So.Cal.Life
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« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2011, 04:33:35 am » |
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 Fun times ahead.
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Troy Palmer
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« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2011, 05:08:19 am » |
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Nice looking car. I got a chance to see John Palmer (AKA Piddler) do the electrical, suspension, fit (doors/hood/Windows), Headliner and brakes. Can't wait to hear the FAT motor.
Troy Palmer
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« Last Edit: December 18, 2011, 05:15:57 am by Troy Palmer »
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Taylor
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« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2011, 07:05:56 am » |
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Pictures???
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« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2011, 16:56:52 pm » |
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Great news ! Can't wait to see pictures of it ! |
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John Palmer
Jr. Member
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« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2011, 19:17:22 pm » |
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It was fun working with Mike on his "long term" project. He knew exactly what he wanted and only the best parts available were selected. I guess we are all trying to relive the memories of yesterday. Another one hits the roads in Southern California.
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Fritter
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« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2011, 07:52:59 am » |
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Sounds great, can't wait to see it  |
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Mike F.
'64 Indigo Blue sunroof Bug
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johnl
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« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2012, 21:25:28 pm » |
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I can now provide some photos of Mike's new ride. This was the first official outing for the car. I met up with Mike at his home and we drove together to Bugs 4 Breakfast at Ruby's in Whittier. The weather was cool but the turn out wasn't bad. I'll also post these on that link. First shot is the owner with his reward for the long hours spent building the car. The second and third shots are the interior and dash done by Lenny.
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Volkswagens Limited, Der Kleiner Panzers Founder Member
Celebrating 61 years of Volkswagens in my life 1963-2024
Life is a learning experience and then you die but when you do you've lived a good life if you contributed to your fellow man.
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Bill Schwimmer
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« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2012, 21:29:57 pm » |
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Very nice car Mike, great to see another one back on the road.
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" don't buy upgrades ride up grades"
Eddy Merckx
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vwcab
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« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2012, 21:56:01 pm » |
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NICE ride,thx for the pics. (like that muffler and that COLOR)
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« Last Edit: January 14, 2012, 21:59:36 pm by vwcab »
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'72 standard käfer
'74 cal-look project
'78 1303 cabrio
'12 Triumph street triple
ESCARABAJO's CALIENTEs
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Brew 66
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« Reply #11 on: January 15, 2012, 00:45:35 am » |
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Very nice, can that muffler be bought or is it custom? I love how simple it all looks, yet how fun it would be |
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70slooker
Full Member
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hello
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« Reply #12 on: January 15, 2012, 00:47:01 am » |
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that car looks great! i really like the fact there is a fat engine in a cal looker!! so cool!
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Zündfolge Car Club
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johnl
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« Reply #13 on: January 15, 2012, 02:40:08 am » |
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Very nice, can that muffler be bought or is it custom? I love how simple it all looks, yet how fun it would be |
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Volkswagens Limited, Der Kleiner Panzers Founder Member
Celebrating 61 years of Volkswagens in my life 1963-2024
Life is a learning experience and then you die but when you do you've lived a good life if you contributed to your fellow man.
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edcraig
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« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2012, 03:31:17 am » |
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Nice car. Great job on the seats. Really like that material.
...Ed.
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Fritter
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« Reply #15 on: January 15, 2012, 05:53:33 am » |
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Very nice car, bet it has a nice bark with that glasspack!
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Mike F.
'64 Indigo Blue sunroof Bug
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johnl
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« Reply #16 on: January 15, 2012, 05:56:58 am » |
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Volkswagens Limited, Der Kleiner Panzers Founder Member
Celebrating 61 years of Volkswagens in my life 1963-2024
Life is a learning experience and then you die but when you do you've lived a good life if you contributed to your fellow man.
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« Reply #17 on: January 15, 2012, 06:28:24 am » |
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Bryan67
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« Reply #18 on: January 15, 2012, 18:08:03 pm » |
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I really like that car but would like it even nore if I could see it with hubcaps.
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If you`re going to do something, do it right.
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Zach Gomulka
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« Reply #19 on: January 15, 2012, 19:14:29 pm » |
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Classic!
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Born in the '80s, stuck in the '70s.
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John Palmer
Jr. Member
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« Reply #20 on: January 15, 2012, 20:22:06 pm » |
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I really like that car but would like it even nore if I could see it with hubcaps.
Mike has "restored" original 356 nipple caps for the car. I'm sure they will show up at some point. |
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« Last Edit: January 15, 2012, 20:25:57 pm by John Palmer »
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johnl
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« Reply #21 on: January 15, 2012, 20:48:32 pm » |
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Since yesterday I've obtained more details of the actual build of the car. The name that was not mentioned, I wasn't aware at the time, but should have been is John Plamer. Beyond what I'd mentioned on the Lenny interior, FAT motor, Rancho gear box it was John Plamer who pulled the project together.
John had put long hours in the build with great attention to detail that I had no idea of as Mike Johnston hadn't shared the details with me. I'm a person who believes in giving credit where credit is due and this was an oversite on my part. My apologies to not listing John on the list of contributors.
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Volkswagens Limited, Der Kleiner Panzers Founder Member
Celebrating 61 years of Volkswagens in my life 1963-2024
Life is a learning experience and then you die but when you do you've lived a good life if you contributed to your fellow man.
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So.Cal.Life
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« Reply #22 on: January 15, 2012, 21:23:44 pm » |
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It sounds to me like John Palmer is a true car guy and "real friend" of Mikes , kind of the glue that put it all together....... Cheers to you John !!!
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« Reply #23 on: January 16, 2012, 18:19:18 pm » |
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John is very much a car guy and true craftsman ! |
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56BLITZ
DKK
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« Reply #24 on: January 16, 2012, 23:51:31 pm » |
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NICE CAR! Congrats to Mike and the gang for a job well done!
Thanks fer sharin' the photos, John!
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Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador!
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Cheesepanzer
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« Reply #25 on: January 17, 2012, 05:15:12 am » |
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62 Beetle (street/strip build)
63 Type 2 Single Cab
Cornpanzers
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #27 on: December 12, 2013, 21:56:24 pm » |
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I saw this car for the first time just a week or so ago @ Farmer Boys for the toy cruise. To me it was like seeing a car straight out of KS' first Cal Look book, from the circa 1972 DKP Featherly Park pics. The car was stunning in its simplicity and capturing what the scene was all about. Super cool car.
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Lee.C
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« Reply #28 on: December 13, 2013, 10:28:00 am » |
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Hmmm a Red Bug rollin on 356 rims...... I kinda like that |
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You either "Get It" or you don't......
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Fritter
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« Reply #29 on: December 13, 2013, 15:06:35 pm » |
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Yes Jim this one is one of my favorites too.
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Mike F.
'64 Indigo Blue sunroof Bug
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The Cal-look Lounge
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