Haven't read it any better about the laid back cool with which Gary Berg drove that car. It was iconic even back then. I always got a little excited when I saw it.
I remember behind Nabisco one night Gary was staging to go against a trailered buggy. Gene was in the passenger seat ready to hop out and the cops showed up. Gene stayed in the car. Cop came up told Gary to get out of here fast! With a sort of wink and a lot of curiosity it was obvious the guy wanted to see it run. Gene nodded to Gary and revved it up and dropped the clutch pulling the front wheels. He broke the tires loose in three gears and the cops jaw dropped when he heard it shift into fifth. The cop looked at me shocked and I said plainly....yep it's a 5 speed. He was blown away. And then asked us all to leave SLOWLY.... Slowly!!!!! Hah
Worm, I remember you telling that story somewhere before and loving it then too! Can you imagine the look on Gene's face if he could hear Peter Shattock's SIXspeed Beetle?!