keith goss chop top stories

[speedwell]

 

[speedwell]

 

[Lee.C]

Back on track...

When I took the chop-top to have its first MOT (tech) inspection prior to getting it UK registered, I booked it into our local VW agents – they'd been VW dealers since about 1955 – and hoped for the best. Well, the old guy who did the tech inspections was waiting for me in the workshop and waved me forward over the inspection pit and two-ramp lift. He quickly threw up his hand and yelled stop! He then knelt down and waved me forward as he'd noticed the car was lower than stock and was concerned about the beam hitting part of the ramp assembly. No problem, as it turned out, but it showed he cared (maybe only about the test equipment...). Anyway, he began by asking me to turn on the lights – all OK. Horn? OK, Wipers? OK, Washers? OK etc etc...

At this point, the service manager wandered in as he'd seen the car out of his window and wanted to have a closer look. Turns out he used to rally a Bug back in the 1960s and was interested to see what the chop-top was all about. The parts manager then showed up – he still drove a 1959 Bug as his hobby car – and he asked to take a look at the engine. Well, the sight of two 48IDAs blew them away – the service manager couldn't believe a 1600 ran so well with them. Weren't they a bit big? ER, actually it's a 2.1-litre motor, I explained, followed by a brief rundown of the engine spec.


As we chatted about the car, the tech inspector climbed down into the inspection pit beneath the car to continue his work. There was a brief silence followed by "Oh my God, what's going on here? Hey guys, come and take a look at this!". The parts and service managers climbed down to take a look. The gloss-black floorpan, braided hosing, chromed suspension components etc were not what they expected to see on an old Beetle. The tech guy then said to me "You might as well take it away now. If the underneath of the car looks as good as this, then I'm sure everything else is going to be just fine." I got the tech ticket (MOT certificate to us) without the brakes, suspension, wheel bearings or steering being checked at all. Keith Goss's building skills had won them over...

Its always good when the tester says that - he said something like that when I last tested the manx

keep the stories coming uncle keith - Some street racing stories maybe 

[Kobus]

Best chopped VW ever... so far
What was the wheel/tire set up on that car? Looks like late 6" & 7" Fuchs, with a 215/60 out back??
Keep the stories coming!

correct 73 RS spec fuchs

[Lee.C]

Best chopped VW ever... so far
What was the wheel/tire set up on that car? Looks like late 6" & 7" Fuchs, with a 215/60 out back??
Keep the stories coming!

correct 73 RS spec fuchs

Good to know for reference purposes

[bilboa2]

the pirelli cn 36 tires with the satin finish alloys made for a great look. Are they still on it?  gotta be hard to find.. bill

[Zach Gomulka]

So what were the front tires then?? Couldn't have been the 185/70's that the RS used...

[Fastbrit]

When I got the car, it still had the CN36s on it, but they were as hard as a rock – when I drove the car round the block (all of half a mile) the tread had started to fall off in chunks! The fronts were 175/70s at the time, with 215/60s on the rear. It proved impossible to get 175/70 tyres, so I used 155x15 Michelin ZXs at the front and 215/60 Fulda Y2000s on the back, as they had a good shape and proved to be a good all-round compromise between grip on the road and traction off the line. They never seemed to wear out, though, and are still on the car!

The photo of the rear wheel reminds me – I was struck by the fact that Keith had painted the 356B drum black, rather than leaving it au naturel, or polishing it, like so many people would have done. The biggest problem with those drums is that the studs were loose and would turn if you weren't careful while you were doing up the lugnuts.

Another driving memory: I know Robert Coucher very well. Robert is one of the editors of Octane magazine which, if you've never seen a copy, is simply the best classic car mag on the market. Robert is far from being a purist and used to first race a 356B until he rolled it, and then rallied a 912. One day he dropped by for a chat and I said I'd take him out in the chop-top as he had been asking me about it. Now bear in mind, this is someone who has driven 250GTO Ferraris, been at the wheel of blower Bentleys, knows his Bugattis inside out and been a passenger in some of the world's fastest, most exotic cars. First impression: 'God this is loud!'. Second impression: 'Oh my God, that's insane!'. The latter comment was when I broadsided away from a road junction. On a straight piece of road, I pulled the car to a halt, brought the rpm up to 5500 and side-stepped the clutch. The road was damp and the tyres went up in smoke as the car slewed 45 degrees across the road, first one way then the other. By the time we hit third, it had got pretty much straight and Robert was laughing like a fool, yelling 'Seume, you're a madman!'. Ten years later he still talks about his little joy ride. I called it 'education'.

[Diederick/DVK]

awesome car! and it's cool to read more about it! thanks keith.

something i noticed from the feature that fabs put up, how come the wiring of the gauges is so neat. it looks like the wires are shrunk together but then there's only about one wire per gauge coming out of the shrunk tube. can anyone explain?

[Zach Gomulka]

Thanks for the info and the stories, Keith
155 was what I was guessing.

[rick m]

This is still one of my altime favorite chop tops.  It was my #1 choice in the day.  Mike Martinez chop was nice too. Both were great runners.

Rick M

[bilboa2]

Great news, we have a new lurker.. kieth goss himself. Kieth has a laptop now, donated by friend, and is working of the neigbors wireless connection. he is still working on getting on line to voice his opinions. I talk to him quite often and he is  limited on the  internet/techy stuff, but he has some opinions that's for sure. He is using my sign in, i told him he could write and voice his thoughts. A couple of things brought up by him ... schley brothers built that car and now own it, how lucky we are, they could paint it pink, it's their car. Kieth suemes pic of the dual muffler shot of his chop, .. If that was so cool why did you take them off ? where are they ? the flange set up at flat angle, built by fabricator chas morris . Come, on goss, chime in.. bill

[Fastbrit]

Oh-oh! Here comes trouble! 

As for the mufflers, they had rotted out real bad, cracked at each end and too thin to weld... Final straw was when one muffler fell off in the street outside my home!

I must say, it felt kinda cool that the very first person to ride with me in my first drive in my own car in SoCal was Keith... His first trip in a hot VW for a gazillion years, too.

Bring it on, Keith!

 

[Cheesepanzer]

So..... where's the car today?

[ugly duckling]

the car was and is still a natural beauty. just like Keith G is a pure natural at anything he touches. .UD .

[Fastbrit]

So..... where's the car today?

After I imported it in around 1995, I eventually sold it to Russell Ritchie around 2001 or 2002 and it became the first car in his collection. So, it's now in Scotland.

[Jeff68]

I remember well when I saw Keith S list the Chop Top on the "other Forum". I couldn't beleive it was for sale!  I remember the price was also very reasonable for this historical and gorgeous car.  I even remember the ad, the pictures and what was written in the ad.  I was married at the time and was going to take a shot at buying it, but it just wasn't in the cards for me.  Awesome car and i'm glad it's still around in such great shape.

[Lee.C]

Yeah I remember seeing a little thing in VoWo Magazine saying Keith (S) was putting it up for sale - Again at a VERY reasonable price 

Just wish I'd had some cash (like that is ever gonna happen!)

[rick m]

When I first saw this car at the early bug-ins, I decided I would have one for the street too.  That has finally happened.  Keith really created a look that has lasted!

Rick M

[.]

Keith Goss is really a nice guy.
I spent a few hours talking with him at the last Bug-In and hope to do the same in a few weeks.
:-)

[So.Cal.Life]

   IT was 1974 I was 17 ,coming home from Fullerton courthouse ,another ticket taken care of 2nd signal ,south of court ,black vette,dualquad tunnelram, cragers,jacked up so big fat tires dont rub, the driver tan mustle bound prettyboy ,wifebeater t shirt,you all know the type His girl  ,a platinum blonde porno type. My car,the choptop before I did it ,a s--tbox sleeper ,gearbox all crown bullitproof stuff & 1.48-1.04 3&4  69+88 Oku @ the DYNOSOAR 40+stock heads 48s etc. Car , no front shocks FUN !! We start racin light to light ,I smoke him every time , bad!!  After 5 or 6 lights he is PISSED ego damaged , his girl is really entertained by what she is seeing , My car hooking hard  G78-15s bias recaps  HIS nothing but up in smoke. So sitting at the light @ Harbor and 91 frwy. he pulls up close to me ,leans over his girl and spits a massive loogie on my car , I  say to myself no F-----G WAY  , I open my door and slam it with all Im worth into the side of his plastic fantastic vette, I pugged it in 1st gear hit the 91 westbound never saw him again..    A good time was had by all..          KEITH GOSS

[rick m]

Keith....that is a great story. Makes me reflect upon many unsuspecting V8 drivers in the day.  Great stuff!

Rick M

[Lee.C]

   IT was 1974 I was 17 ,coming home from Fullerton courthouse ,another ticket taken care of 2nd signal ,south of court ,black vette,dualquad tunnelram, cragers,jacked up so big fat tires dont rub, the driver tan mustle bound prettyboy ,wifebeater t shirt,you all know the type His girl  ,a platinum blonde porno type. My car,the choptop before I did it ,a s--tbox sleeper ,gearbox all crown bullitproof stuff & 1.48-1.04 3&4  69+88 Oku @ the DYNOSOAR 40+stock heads 48s etc. Car , no front shocks FUN !! We start racin light to light ,I smoke him every time , bad!!  After 5 or 6 lights he is PISSED ego damaged , his girl is really entertained by what she is seeing , My car hooking hard  G78-15s bias recaps  HIS nothing but up in smoke. So sitting at the light @ Harbor and 91 frwy. he pulls up close to me ,leans over his girl and spits a massive loogie on my car , I  say to myself no F-----G WAY  , I open my door and slam it with all Im worth into the side of his plastic fantastic vette, I pugged it in 1st gear hit the 91 westbound never saw him again..    A good time was had by all..          KEITH GOSS

Amazing story dude  And welcome to the lounge 

[So.Cal.Life]

   I bought the car in 1973 from the OG owner , a cute young woman with 3 little kids and 1 on the way, it was her high school grad. gift from her parents. Her husband said it had to go to make room for a stationwagon , growing family and all. She did not want to sell it to me if I was going to cut it up and make a dune buggy out of it or something . I told her "NO DUNE BUGGY" I promise you , she did not want to sell it , she loved it , but the family thing forced her hand , $150.00 and it was mine. Her hubby happy,but she was crying when I left , I never forgot that , so after its time with me as the crapppy looking sleeper with a 1700 48ida ,close ratio gearbox fun toy I turned it into ,I decided to spend some of the money I had been saving and alot of time and build the car into the car I had been fantasizing about for so long . About a year after the Bug In 16 thing and several magazines had done articles , I was driving around west Anaheim one saturday just loving driving it and suddenly I realized Im just around the corner from Her house ,so I drove down their street and as luck would have it she and two kids were out in the yard , I hauled ass back to my house , grabbed my two trophys and the magazines , pictures during the building prosess , her old registration,plates etc. put it all in the trunk and hauled ass back to her house, they were all in the yard this time. I drove right up into their driveway , got out and asked her if she remembered me ,she said maybe and her husband said yes but he let her try to figure it out , I handed her the old registration , while she was looking at it I told her that I cut it a little ,but I promise its not a dune buggy,her husband and kids were looking all over the car and she was just in a trance saying this is really my old volkswagen? I took the trophys out and she said this is a beautiful car, I told her to read what it says on the big trophy. Seeing and hearing her say to her husband ,look honey, Americas Most Beautiful Volkswagen , my old VW is Americas Most Beautiful Volkswagen, with happy tears and her voice excited, was and always will be a "Great memory". I took her for a 15 minute drive of insanity ,2nd gear burnouts,a 115mph freeway pass etc.and so her hubby wouldnt feel left out he got a ride too. We spent about 2hrs talking about our memories , fun and close calls with the car ,it turns out they felt the same way I feel about that car,and it has nothing to do with anything I did to it , Its lucky         Keith Goss

[speedwell]

very cool story keith , , that'ss truth about People who had a volkswagen in these days, and who sold her, there is some who wouldmake  a funny head/face by seeing what  became their car,  as you with 62 


fabs

[.]

That really made me smile !
 

   I bought the car in 1973 from the OG owner , a cute young woman with 3 little kids and 1 on the way, it was her high school grad. gift from her parents. Her husband said it had to go to make room for a stationwagon , growing family and all. She did not want to sell it to me if I was going to cut it up and make a dune buggy out of it or something . I told her "NO DUNE BUGGY" I promise you , she did not want to sell it , she loved it , but the family thing forced her hand , $150.00 and it was mine. Her hubby happy,but she was crying when I left , I never forgot that , so after its time with me as the crapppy looking sleeper with a 1700 48ida ,close ratio gearbox fun toy I turned it into ,I decided to spend some of the money I had been saving and alot of time and build the car into the car I had been fantasizing about for so long . About a year after the Bug In 16 thing and several magazines had done articles , I was driving around west Anaheim one saturday just loving driving it and suddenly I realized Im just around the corner from Her house ,so I drove down their street and as luck would have it she and two kids were out in the yard , I hauled ass back to my house , grabbed my two trophys and the magazines , pictures during the building prosess , her old registration,plates etc. put it all in the trunk and hauled ass back to her house, they were all in the yard this time. I drove right up into their driveway , got out and asked her if she remembered me ,she said maybe and her husband said yes but he let her try to figure it out , I handed her the old registration , while she was looking at it I told her that I cut it a little ,but I promise its not a dune buggy,her husband and kids were looking all over the car and she was just in a trance saying this is really my old volkswagen? I took the trophys out and she said this is a beautiful car, I told her to read what it says on the big trophy. Seeing and hearing her say to her husband ,look honey, Americas Most Beautiful Volkswagen , my old VW is Americas Most Beautiful Volkswagen, with happy tears and her voice excited, was and always will be a "Great memory". I took her for a 15 minute drive of insanity ,2nd gear burnouts,a 115mph freeway pass etc.and so her hubby wouldnt feel left out he got a ride too. We spent about 2hrs talking about our memories , fun and close calls with the car ,it turns out they felt the same way I feel about that car,and it has nothing to do with anything I did to it , Its lucky         Keith Goss

[Fastbrit]

Too cool – it is indeed a 'lucky car', creating happy memories wherever it goes.

[j-f]

That's the kind of stories we all like to hear/read. 
Thanks to share it with us 

[Nico86]

That's the kind of stories we all like to hear/read. 
Thanks to share it with us 

x2!!