El Dub's Nostalgia corner. Meetings, cars... Treasures from the past. Memories, people, meets. H/Gas, I/Gas... EMPI, Auto-Haus, R/S...

Back to menu...      1- Howard Muse Mouse Trap  |    2- The top chopped Mouse Trap  |    ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING TOP CHOPPED BUG GASSER EVER!!! Believe it or not... I have simply NO details about the top chopped Mouse Trap... Can you believe I was unable to find any article on that gasser in my old books? Did I miss one issue or that car was not featured in details? Can you help? I only remember seeing it on two different covers (read right column). Above picture by Bob HOFFELD is very very interesting, because of its date : October 1971. This is a very early one. Maybe one of the very first outing of the Top chop. If you ask me, I would say its dated from Bug-in 7 (17th october 1971). Note that the front rims were painted gold at that early time. In fact, exact history of the Mouse seems to be uncertain from what I've heard. For sure, and this photo is the proof, the top chopped version was built prior to october 1971. I think the work took place in summer of 1971. Another picture sure helps to trace the Mouse history. If you look closely at the picture below, you can spot the car waiting in the staging lanes at Bug-in 8 held at OCIR on 23th April 1972.Note the (Dodge?) tow truck... The "stand out from the crowd look" is evident here!!! The car looks like a big toy... This gasser isn't just like any other for sure... Another awesome picture by Bob HOFFELD! Note the MOUSE HOUSE matching double cab trailer bus! If you're lucky, bigger sized picture will random appears on homepage... ;) The front rims are now painted black... The car was running in the H/Gas Class. This picture is from the own personal collection of Frenchy DEHOUX and is very cool because it shows the car from the back... I think the picture date from the same year as the above one because of the quarter windows stickers and the rear tires. The top chopped Mouse Trap have seen 2 major revamps... This is not very known... How many were thinking that the actual car was the original one? I thought this also... But when I came accross some old pictures, it was evident... See more below... The racer looks strictly the same (even the rims), except for the paintjob of course. FROM A TEMPORARY BEIGE VERSION... The CREAM de SCREAM version is the most unknown... I guess this picture from Mark SCHMIDT was taken at Bug-in 16 in ... This is the only one picture I have ever seen of it... The car was sponsored (built/owned?) by a VW shop called QUICK BUG REPAIR that was located at Costa Mesa. On my original picture, you can read on the back 'Heads by Simpson'. I have no more detail about the car... ... TO A FLASHY 80's PAINTSCHEME... The above car was later replaced by another paintscheme & nickname : WHIP-IT!. The above picture by Jeff HANSON date from Bug-in 28 in ... The car now sports a very eighties bright paintjob! ... TO THE ORIGINAL PAINTSCHEME AGAIN. I remember seeing the new Mouse Trap in 2001 at the VW Classic. It was already for sale under the Chris MORLEY ownership. The car was not finished and the front fenders were not yet bolted early in the morning. So much memories in the picture (thumbnail) below, my very first US trip ... The car looks just like the original one, except for the side red pinstriping and the back fenders. But who cares, it now looks better than ever!!! The car resides now in France under lucky Xavier CROS ownership! Xavier took delivery of his new car 3 years ago while attending DDD3! How time flies... The picture below was taken earlier this year at EBI #2. This is one of the best angle to shoot the car! Now, I dream of seeing the car on in action again!!! Go go go Xavier! Copyright © 2008 El Dub - All rights reserved. E-mail : eldub@cal-look.com

A FRENCH TRIBUTE TO THE PIONNEERS OF VW DRAG RACING --- THE MOUSE TRAP ON COVER... Just like the original one, the Top Chopped Mouse Trap made it on 2 different covers back in the days, in 1972 & in 1973. First one is on Volkswagen Greats mag dated Spring 1973. Picture of the Mouse was shooted at Lions Drag Strip. Note the VW chromed rear rims. The second one appeared on the Dragscoop and performance parts guide dated from June 1972. This time, the mouse is performing an impressive wheelie on cover... THE MOUSE TRAP IN ACTION... Well, when was the last time you see action pictures of the Mouse Trap? They are not common to say the least... First one is again by Bob HOFFELD... I especially love this one because it shows the Race Shop Darrell VITTONE Fiat 850 in foreground. Second one is from Jere ALHADEFF and date from an old Hot VWs Drag Day! This picture appeared in the "oh soooo cool" Volkswagen Drag Racing Legends 1999 calendar. The bug was driven by Dean LOWRY, and raced against the little Cicerone Fiat.