El Dub's Nostalgia corner.
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| 1- Audley Campbell Stutt Bee | 2- The top chopped Stutt Bee (later...) | |
THE STUTT BEE GASSER!!!
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After the last update devoted to Mouse Trap, compiling some pages about the STUTT BEE owned by Audley CAMPBELL, a VW specialist who owned Stuttgart Motors in Chatsworth, is very cool because those gassers followed the same trend : take a classic oval window bug, add some power and a cool nickname, put some fiberglass parts there and there, and some years later, just chop the roof in the neverending quest of speed! Adding that the remaining gasser just hit the european floor last winter and you get the idea : that section has to be made to understand and show full respect that gasser deserve. We already all knows of the Stutt BEE, but who had already heard of the Stutt BUG? To be honest, I noticed that the bug on the picture below was the Stutt Bug not so long ago... As it was sooo evident it was the Stutt Bee... 
Very cool early in the morning picture of the Stutt Bug by Mike DITTY. That picture needs a little detailing... First, the word Bug is evident... No doubt about the spelling... I read a while back from Deano that VW of America was not happy at all that a race car sports the nickname "Bug". This explain that... Except the rear wings, all parts seems to remain german steel, even the bonnet and the chrome trims. Headlights are original ones too. Rear wings seems to be already round shaped and both doors feature one piece window... A one of a kind shape that remains on car's entire life. Note also the rims spin off knuckes. The car was already Stuttgart and German car parts sponsored. I wonder what the decklid is... Judging from the emboss, it looks like an ugly fiberglass one you found on custom bugs. Dating such a picture is not easy but I guess it's back from 1968 or early 1969. If you ask me, I would probably say 1968. 
What about this for a cool & never seen before picture? The scene took place at a Washington state NHRA race probably in 1970. From what Lonnie recall, there was an issue with the Magneto timing... From left to right : Creature (Richard BAYS mechanic) looking into the Stutt Bee Dodge tow truck, Lee LEIGHTON, Audley in blue shirt magneto in hand and Richard BAYS in orange shirt looking at the scene! 
Same wrenching scene from a different angle! From left to right : Lee, Audley and Creature helping! 
Typical pit scene showing a proud Audley moving the Stutt Bee. I'm in love with this picture from Ron JOHNSON. I wonder if the scene took place at the same NHRA race? I would esily say yes judging by Audley clothes... Now let's compare the pictures... Very interesting, right? The car now sports a fiberglass EMPI bonnet without handle. And ... if you look closely (ok, very closely...), the bee now gets wings... From the Bug to the Bee... I guess the picture is from 1970. Note the helping guy pushing the rear buggy bar please and that the bug kept his stock headlights at first. 
An "ohhh my god" picture used with permission by Jim Sarge Edminston. Awesome!!! And the helping guy with he STP hat is still there, joking the photographer. 
Another Nostalgia corner exclusive. That picture from Barian BARSUMIAN at the 1970 Winternational. Audley and the now famous STP hat guy are working on the trailer truck. The buggy pushing bar is evident from this rear shot, as well as the EMPI eyebrows decklid! Note the "Sorry 'bout that" and the "VW Powered - Injected with Bug juice" letterings. 
Another earlier (1969) picture provided by Jim. Seems that one was took at the old Irwindale Raceway, because of the now famous Snack Bar sign in the background! Seems another gasser is on the background : the Dune Buggy Supply fiberglass pearl violet oval window! Awesome! 
Another Irwindale picture... Mike PATRICK was the driver at that time... I didn't found any details about him before reading his name on the front door... |
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E-mail : eldub@cal-look.com
TO THE PIONNEERS OF VW DRAG RACING
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THE STUTT BEE BUG...Just some cool pictures for reference in no particular order...
Stutt Bee at speed at Irwindale... Not sure about the driver... Image is a thumbnail... Enjoy...
Very nice picture on the return lane... Image is also a thumbnail... Enjoy again...
Proud Mike PATRICK? holding Stutt Bee decklid.
Hard lauch... That picture appeared in an Hot Rod Pictorial book from what I remember...
This is another awesome picture! Note the Schley bros early chicken coop with Lightning Bug in the background...
August 1970 picture...
Unknown location, unknown photographer, unknown race but for sure, it's the Stutt Bee gasser ;-)
Close up view of the driver door!
And the passenger door...
Drag racing bugs have a tendency to put wheelies, a jargon term for lifting the front wheel during hard acceleration. Possibly Audley cn show you why they do that... They're that light in the front end...
Above picture reminds me the one with the Schley or Clarkson doing the same with their own bugs.
This is the Stutt stinger... Fiberglass descklid had been ducted to provide plenty of fresh, cool air and is held in place by hood pins.
Seems the picture was took inside Audley showroom ust after lifting the front end. Very very cool!
Campbell's relatively lavish interior uses the normal amount of insrumentation and controls. AutoMeter tach, partial upholstery, linelock are standart; Hydra-link throttle is somewhat unusual.
I would add to note the complete lack of stock dashboard (an common thing in the days).