Volkswagen Concept: Raspberry Maple Woodie for 2010

Simply Heaven. It starts off with the raspberry tang followed with a slight prickling of the tongue then a delicious warmth fills your mouth. I quickly noticed the maple syrup in it and having a major sweet tooth, I was a little overwhelmed, but not for long.

Our Raspberry Maple Woodride, created here by our Volkschef, is great to use with a salad topped with lobster or chicken. It can also be used for cooking and for dipping, perfect for a day at the beach. This termite delight contains red raspberry syrup, pure light maple wood, wide tires on 17″ Escara rims, 1600cc dual-port Type1 engine, cream leather upholstery, and parsley but with no added suger.

Volkswagen Concept: the DEUCE

Let's start this out right, by admitting that hardly anyone has any idea what a Deuce Coupe is. Sure it's a car, but what kind?

Nowadays, most people don't know what a Deuce Coupe looks like, but if you saw the movie American Graffiti, you saw the very definition of aDeuce Coupe. You know, the yellow hot rod that the cowboy drove? That was a Deuce Coupe.

A proper Deuce Coupe is a car produced by Ford in 1932 (the "2" in 1932 is the "deuce"). Most of them had big V8 engines and were popular for drag racing. Everyone wanted one because Deuce Coupes had great lines, and you could make street rods out of them that looked so dangerously sexy. But the 1932 Fords weren't just coupes - they also came as roadsters and sedans.

The Deuce Coupe would be immortalized in song by The Beach Boys and in the 1973 movie “American Graffiti,” in which a sulking John Milner, prowling the neon-lit streets of a small Southern California town in a yellow coupe, gave new meaning to the word “cool.”

"Little Deuce Coupe" written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian. The song first appeared as the b-side to The Beach Boys' 1963 single "Surfer Girl". It was released on the Surfer Girl album and then again as the title track of the album Little Deuce Coupe.

Inspired by the legendary Deuce Coupe, this VW Concept starts out with a 1962 VW Sedan. (the “2” in 62 is the “deuce”. Now fenderless, the VW Concept: DEUCE veers away from traditional Cal-Look expressions and breathes Volks-rod inspiration into it. Completely coated in chrome yellow polyurethane, it pays homage to the Milner Coupe from American Graffitti fame.

To give the DEUCE enough horsepower to back up its tough look, a 200HP Type 1 Volkswagen engine was built bulletproof. It has full-flow oiling with a Maxi30 pump. 94mm Mahle pistons with A Race Pro 84mm crankshaft with Chevy journals and forged 1.4:1 rockers bump the stocker to 2332cc. Other goodies include a lightened flywheel, wedge-port heads with 44×37 valves, Dual 48mm Weber IDA carbs and a 1 3/4? merged ceramic coated exhaust.

17 inch BRMs with 195/40X17 front and 225/45×17 rear Yokohama Advan AO48 provide fantastic grip. Time-honored methods of lowering the front end is used, the front end features Avis beam-adjusters, a CB Performance dropped spindles, koni shocks. While extending the wheelbase a little bit pushes the wheels outwards, this modification is the final piece in the Volksrod puzzle. The rear torsion bar was adjusted 2 notches to bring the ride height down to the pavement.

A close ratio Volkswagen Type 1 Pro Street IRS transmission, features a Super Diff, Aluminum side covers, Welded 3-4 hubs, and hardened keys.

Volkswagen Concept: Kamagong Ghia Surfwagen

What if Volkswagen produced a limited number of these sport wagens. Capitalizing on it’s popularity in the 60s California beach scene, and transforming a sleek sports car into a surf wagen, Volkwagen could’ve offered an alternative to the ultimate beach ride, the VW Bus.

Or you could do it yourself. Weld-in a rust-free Volkswagen Type3 Squareback top, side windows and rear hatch to fit a solid 60s Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. Kamagong is one of the hardest woods used in traditional Philippine furnitures.

Often mistaken for Mahogany, the Kamagong is actually a different tree altogether.Pinoy craftsmen used lots of kamagong veneer and strips to form a wooden frame for the area around the squareback windows. Expertly shaped and sanded into shape, the new phantom body is a welcome concept.

This Surfwagen is fitted with classy polished 17" BRM-replica rims with Michellin tires. Power comes from a 2-liter, dual Weber-fed, pancake motor that clear precious rear space.The roomier interior is blessed with cappucchino leather, with an eggshell colored headliner and brown carpeting.

The pearlescent orange paint accentuates the dark wood of Kamagong Ghia.

Volkswagen Concept: El Toro

In July 1958, DMG Incorporated, the exclusive assembler and distributor of Volkswagens in the Philippines started delivering VW Transporters, initially with the Kombi model. The following months saw the arrival of the other Type2 VW’s - the delivery vans and pick-ups. Soon, the famous Beetle made their appearance and were available through 17 dealerships.

BY 1969, DMG introduced the Sakbayan, considered the first Filipino car. Next model introduced was the Trakbayan, a commercial vehicle. Both used the VW Type 1 engine and VW components.

With the popularity of the Volkswagen model line in the Philippines, DMG embarked on "Project Toro". The sporty Toro was intended to provide local car enthusiasts with a "sporty" model designed and built by DMG. Andy Ferreria was the chief project leader of the "Toro Project" back in the early 70's.

Information on these elusive VW models are courtesy of fellow VW enthusiast, Gilbert Chan. As far as he knows, and based on little bits of info Gilbert has been able to gather from other local enthusiasts, there were several versions of the Toro made. No one is sure of the actual production numbers but if Gilbert is not mistaken they were all based on the Type14 chassis. The more common ones had Ghia floorpans, Ghia windshields, door glass, and door hardware. There were subtle differences with the exterior trimmings. Some used Brasilia headlight and tail light assemblies while others used generic rear light assemblies that looked to have came off of the Sakbayan/Trakbayan parts bit. There were also 2 or 3 variations of the hood. Some were rounden while others had a sunken-in portion. The rear C-pillar (flying butress) also differed somewhat in that some had Empi-like scoops fitted to feed air into the engine bay, while others had grills on the decklid. The front seats also came off of the Type14 Ghia or Brasilia depending on the year model. The design of the Toro itself is commendable. In side view, it pays homage to the VW SP2, one of the most beautiful VW "specials".

Heavy-handed approach to the headlight and tailight design was dissapointing to say the least but still incorporated off the shelf VW parts. All in all, a handsome design.

Volkswagen Concept: El Toro aims to resurrect local VW passion by re-inventing the car imagined by the DMG engineers of decades past. An abandoned VW Toro was quickly located for the basis of this build. The VW sat in a backyard for over 30 years but the fiberglass shell was intact. Almost everything else was worthless but a good solid 70s Beetle donor car provided enough parts to make this Toro whole. Complete ball-joint front and IRS rear suspension assemblies were removed, cleaned, inspected for wear and parts replaced as necessary. A complete floorpan rebuild with fresh high grade metal pan halves provide a strong foundation while performance shocks and brakes complete the rejuvenation. A set of polished 15 inch original Porsche Fuchs wheels (4.5 inch front, 5.5 inch rears) were donated to the project along with Nankang performance radials (195/50x15 fronts, 205/70x15 rears). A High-speed transmission was sourced and installed along with urethane motor mounts and fresh linkages. An 1835 engine was built for moderate performance with Dual 44 Weber carburators providing enough grunt. An aircondition was installed as well as a 75 amp alternator. The elecronic distributor does away with the flimsy contact points and a merged header system completes the motor.

VW Concept: El Toro is covered by deep black urethane paint that highlights the expert body work done to the ageing fiberglass panels.Early Brazilia talights and Beetle H4 headlights complete the Vintage look.

The interior boasts seats and door panels covered in black ultraleather and black german wool carpet adds elegance. A Porsche 944 steering wheel was used, a complete set of Speedwell gauges were refurbished, and a Sony sound system installed.

VW Concept: Superspeed

Chopping the roof of a VW Beetle is no picnic, but as soon as the body massaging is done, the whole enchilada looks like something designed from the start as a slick speedster. The chopped windscreen and persplex side glass provides minimal protection from the elements. There is no provision for a top. None! Better bring a raincoat! A twin-hulled reardeck is designed to counter the aerodynamic turbulence left by cutting the roof off.

Volkswagen Concept: Superspeed was sprayed with a candy red epoxy paint, rubbed to perfection. A matching KAMEI-style front airdam looks menancingly cool.

Built for heavy-hitting circuit racing, Nuespeed adjustable coilovers replace tired VW McPherson struts and the Brembo brake upgrades are decades more advanced. Porsche 944 Turbo trailing Arms with koni adjustable shocks and same Brembo brake upgrades round out the rear. A blueprinted Eurorace 3.0 liter fuel-injected, Type4 engine, mated to a rare Berg 5-speed gearbox provide the juice.

Superspeed wears the latest Concept One 5 Spoke Rims with ADVAN rubbers. 19 inches front and 20 inches rear add teeth to this no-nonsense beast that manages to leave acrid white smoke while drifting.

Red-piped, black alcantara Recaro racing seats hug the driver, 3-point belts anchor him. Paint-matched carbon fiber deck combined with VDO gauges and custom carbon-fiber door panels and rollcage quickly clean up and lighten the interior. No radio is allowed as the sweet rumble of the massive flat four provides enough accompaniment.

Volkswagen Concept: Pula Kahula Rear Quarter View

Volkswagen Concept: Pula Kahula Rear Quarter View

VW Concept: Pula Kahula Front Quarter View

This pula kahula was shreddin the gnarl. There were no men in grey suits for this totally tubular ride into the shore. This gidget was crushin it. Notice the righteous switchfoot maneuver and aggro kickout.

The frogs on toast were riding their fibro tiki style just watching the babanees babelini jazzing the glass.

VW Concept: Pula Kahula Revealed!

Here's a diagram of the Pula Kahula

Volkswagen Concept: Pula Kahula

This pula kahula was shreddin the gnarl. There were no men in grey suits for this totally tubular ride into the shore. This gidget was crushin it. Notice the righteous switchfoot maneuver and aggro kickout.

The frogs on toast were riding their fibro tiki style just watching the babanees babelini jazzing the glass.

translation c/o http://rippinh2o.com/dropzone/surflingo.shtml

pula kahula (hot mama)
shreddin (executing repeated turns)
gnarl (difficult waves)
men in grey suits (sharks)
tubular (awesome)
gidget (surf chick who can hang with the crew)
crushin (surfing hard)
righteous (honorable, awesome)
switchfoot (surfer who can surf with either foot forward)
aggro (aggressive)
kickout (controlled exit from a wave by riding up the face and over the top)
frogs on toast (boogie boarders)
fibro (surfboards)
tiki style (surf the white water standing still. . . like a tiki)
babanees (sexy)
babelini (girl)
jazzing the glass (surfing the waves)

The only identifiable VW sheetmetal left are the Brazilian front cut and an early VW hood. Flattened black paint was chosen that helps endure salty water sprays from the beach and reduces glare. HiD headlight and LED tail light conversions provide "modern" lighting at night while four-wheel disc brakes and Koni shocks firm up the handling. The off-white interior features Batangas-sourced embroidered linen for the seats and the door panels with Manila hemp carpeting are perfect complements to the wooden exterior.

Volkswagen Concept: Pula Kahula was built out of another abandoned Brazilian VW sedan and made into a Volkswagen “woodie”, again, with a Volksrod flavor. Handcrafted wood panels built around the extended Volkswagen pan echoes the extremely popular SoCal surf woodies. Fenderless, bumperless, with the wheelbase extended, It gives a hot rod flavor to the Volkswagen. Pula Kahula was designed to be more of a scooter than the feature-laden Lemonade Volksrod. The woodwork is much simplified, is shorter and lighter. Original VW Speedometer and gas gauge was used to keep the interior simple. No mega-buck sound system is needed. Instead, a simple iPod setup with Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty DSP pumps Punch subs, and the Audiobahn A12005DN amplifier keep the rock rollin’.

18 inch BRM-style alloys with 235/40X18 front and 255/45×18 rear Yokohama Advan AO48, single block with a race-ready compound provide fantastic grip. The front end features a CB Performance dropped spindle and the rear torsion bar was adjusted 2 notches to bring the ride height down to the pavement.

Pula Kahula's got horsepower to burn! A 200HP Type 1 Volkswagen engine features full-flow oiling with a Maxi30 pump. The 2332cc four-banger has 94mm Mahle pistons with A Race Pro 84mm crankshaft with Chevy journals and forged 1.4:1 rockers. A lightened flywheel, wedge-port heads with 44×37 valves, Dual 48mm Weber IDA carbs and a 1 3/4" merged ceramic coated exhaust complete the muscular powerplant. A close ratio Volkswagen Type 1 Pro Street IRS transmission brings the power to the pavement. The beefed-up tranny features a Super Diff, aluminum side covers, welded 3-4 hubs, and hardened keys.

Volkswagen Concept: Twisted

Opting to black out the previous two-tone, Volkswagen Concept: Twisted ups the ante for custom Karmann Ghias in this part of the world. Embracing German-Look principles, a stout 200HP Type 1 Volkswagen engine powers Twisted past the city speed limits. 94mm Mahle pistons with A Race Pro 84mm crankshaft with Chevy journals and forged 1.4:1 rockers bump the stocker to 2332cc. It features full-flow oiling with a Maxi30 pump. A lightened flywheel, wedge-port heads with 44×37 valves, Dual 48mm Weber IDA carbs and a dual 1 3/4" merged ceramic coated exhaust. the engine compartment, aside from the aluminum firewall and side panels are paint gloss black. The ebony treatment covers the engine shroud, alternator, pulley, aircondition compressor, and distributor.
The close ratio Volkswagen Type 1 Pro Street IRS transmission, featuring a Super Diff, aluminum side covers, Welded 3-4 hubs, and hardened keys, all connect to 17 inch Porsche Twists with 195/50X17 front and 255/55×17 rear Yokohama Advan AO48, single block with a race-ready compound. Suspension tuning relies on Koni shocks and a 1 3/4 ” front rollbar, the front end features a CB Performance dropped spindle and the rear torsion bar were adjusted 2 notches to bring the ride height down to street - tough levels.

Inside, black leather adorns the '71 Karmann Ghia seats, door panels and black German wool carpet dominates the seating area. A restored 71 black Ghia steering wheel with half moon ring coupled with VDO white-face Speedometer with fuel gauge dominates the dash. The stock fuel gauge location was replaced with VDO white-faced temperature oil gauge and the stock clock location was replaced with a VDO white-face oil pressure gauge. A VDO white-face tachometer fit on an external mount sits under the steering Wheel.

Finally, a Streetbeat custom black fabric ragtop designed for a Ghia, is expertly grafted on for open-air motoring.

VW Fun Day and "Pendong" Movie Launch

VW Fun Day and "Pendong" Movie Launch at the Venice Piazza, the Fort, June 20, 2010

More Pictures Here

Volkswagen Concept: Lemonade

Volkswagen Concept: Lemonade was built out of another abandoned Brazilian VW sedan and made into a Volkswagen "woodie", with a Volksrod flavor. Fenderless,bumperless, with the Wheelbase extended, It gives a hot rod flavor to the Volkswagen. Extremely popular among the Hot Rod crowd is the ultimate surfer ride, the Woodie.

Handcrafted wood panels built around a Volkswagen pan mimics the 1920s to 1940s Ford Wooden station wagons. Hard Maple gives Lemonade a lighter disposition to go along with it's bright yellow hue. Classic VDO gauges and updated with a contemporary sound system. A Pioneer AVIC-D1 In-Dash Mobile Nav head unit, makes sure that Lemonade doesn’t get lost on the way to the beach. Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty DSP pumps Punch subs, and the Audiobahn A12005DN amplifier keep the beat thumpin’.

18 inch Porsche Fuchs-style alloys with 235/40X18 front and 255/45×18 rear Yokohama Advan AO48, single block with a race-ready compound provide fantastic grip. The front end features a CB Performance dropped spindle and the rear torsion bar was adjusted 2 notches to bring the ride height down to the pavement.

Giving Lemonade horsepower, a 200HP Type 1 Volkswagen engine was built bulletproof. It has full-flow oiling with a Maxi30 pump. 94mm Mahle pistons with A Race Pro 84mm crankshaft with Chevy journals and forged 1.4:1 rockers bump the displacement to 2332cc. Other engine go-fast goodies include a lightened flywheel, wedge-port heads with 44×37 valves, Dual 48mm Weber IDA carbs and a 1 3/4? merged ceramic coated exhaust. A close ratio Volkswagen Type 1 Pro Street IRS transmission, features a Super Diff, Aluminum side covers, Welded 3-4 hubs, and hardened keys.

Chrome Yellow paint covers what is left of the original Volkswagen sheet metal, new HiD headlight and LED tail light conversions brighten the way, and four-wheel disc brakes and Koni shocks firm up the handling. Black leather door panels and ebony German wool carpeting are perfect complements to the wooden exterior.

Volkswagen Concept: Jake

Volkswagen Concept: Jake was built out of an abandoned Brazilian VW sedan and patterned after the 4-door Rometsch Taxi, with a Volksrod flavor that is totally "gangster". Fenderless,bumperless, with the Wheelbase extended, It gives a menancing profile to go along with the rear split window, and the classic VW "W" decklid.

To give Jake enough horsepower to back up its tough look, a 200HP Type 1 Volkswagen engine was built bulletproof. It has full-flow oiling with a Maxi30 pump. 94mm Mahle pistons with A Race Pro 84mm crankshaft with Chevy journals and forged 1.4:1 rockers bump the stocker to 2332cc. Other goodies include a lightened flywheel, wedge-port heads with 44×37 valves, Dual 48mm Weber IDA carbs and a 1 3/4? merged ceramic coated exhaust.


18 inch BRMs with 235/40X18 front and 255/45×18 rear Yokohama Advan AO48, single block with a race-ready compound provide fantastic grip. The front end features a CB Performance dropped spindle and the rear torsion bar was adjusted 2 notches to bring the ride height down to the pavement.

A close ratio Volkswagen Type 1 Pro Street IRS transmission, features a Super Diff, Aluminum side covers, Welded 3-4 hubs, and hardened keys.


Driving through the city, the deep House of color, Ultra black paint glistens from the fresh detailing, new HiD headlight and LED tail light conversions brighten the way, and four-wheel disc brakes and Koni shocks firm up the handling.

The shorter front and additional rear doors open butterfly style, revealing the jet-black leather Volkswagen interior. Black leather door panels and ebony German wool carpeting are perfect complements to the black exterior.

The split dashboard is home to classic white-face VDO gauges and updated with a contemporary sound system. A Pioneer AVIC-D1 In-Dash Mobile Nav head unit, makes sure that Jake doesn’t get lost on the way to the clubs. Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty DSP pumps Punch subs, and the Audiobahn A12005DN amplifier keep the beat thumpin’.

The early split-window roll-up 3-fold ragtop is restored and opens to spectacular views of the moon and stars.

Volkswagen Concepts HardHeb and the Widowmaker

The fastest autocross cars are purpose-built "specials" ("A Modified" in SCCA Solo) with small lightweight bodies, sticky tires, powerful engines, and short gears.

Here are 2 sides to the same coin. Both concepts are extreme lightweights, featuring intense lightening, chopped roof, windshield, and doors, no fenders, and hebmeuller style rear ends. Same idea, different execution. While their top speeds are typically limited by the VW gearing, their transient cornering capabilities far exceed those of other vehicles not expressly designed for this.

Autocross, also known as "Solo," or by simply "Slalom", are races around a closed track that features numerous turns. These VW Concepts were designed to compete in extreme Autocross races, specifically, in the gymkhanas. Gymkhanas are an even tighter slalom track than autocross, with numerous turns around cones. It loops back upon itself and looks like a mix between autocross and drifting. Fast times require a lot of sliding and the lightweight racers intend to dominate.
For the slaloms, the Widowmaker uses the age old Beetle platform although trained by years of track racing experience. It comes complete with beam adjusters and lowered spindles for the front end and re-tweaked rear torsion bars, koni shocks all around. Widowmaker has Large-diameter (205/40X18 front and 235/40x18 rear) BRM rims with Pirelli P-Zero "Trofeo" rubber.

HardHeb uses modified 5th-generation Volkswagen Golf Mcpherson strut suspension, front and rear. A custom-engineered space-frame tube chassis and rollbar ties them together. HardHeb wears Large-diameter (235/40X18 front and 255/35×20 rear) Porsche "Gas Burner" style rims with Yokohama Advan AO48 tires.


Both racers feature identical full-flow 2332cc Type 1 engines with dual CB Performance 48mm Fuel injectors. HardHeb displays a custom aluminum twin free-flow headers and exhaust systems while the Widowmaker uses a bright red tuned freeflow exaust and a stinger.

In each racer, a close ratio Volkswagen Type 1 Pro Street IRS transmission is rebuilt. The HardHeb mid-mounted design neccessitated that the ring and pinion be flipped.

Volkswagen Concept: Black Widow

Volkswagen Concept Black Widow is based on an early Hebmeuller found in the proverbial barn. Features large diameter BRM style rims, narrowed and lowered front torsion suspension, disc brakes front and rear, and a fully-massaged 2180cc Type1 engine. The interior remains largely stock

Volkswagen Concept: SpeedMeuller Quarter View

Quarter View of Volkswagen Concept: SpeedMeuller

Read here for the original SpeedMeuller post

Volkswagen Concept: SpeedMeuller

Like a green tree frog, Volkswagen Concept: SpeedMeuller, has long and powerful hind legs and shorter but still strong front legs. Courtesy of 17 inch Escara rims, SpeedMeuller’s fenders fill out nicely mimicing the strength of the frog legs.

At the ends of their fingers and toes, tree frogs have pads that help in climbing because they are rough and are covered with a sticky secretion. SpeedMeuller has Dunlop Direzza DZ101 ultra high-performance tires that offer extra bite for added grip like those sticky fingers.

The Mexican leaf-frog can rapidly change colors from brown to intense green with gold spots, has cream-colored underparts, and has golden eyes reticulated with black. Painted the same eye-searing green hue, Volkswagen Concept: SpeedMeuller does it’s best imitation. Streamlined with a matching fender skirt, it looks like SpeedMeuller is adept at slicing through the water like the best amphibians.

For Volkswagen, speed was never a consideration above normal traffic and cruising. The Beetle was built to transport its occupants from A to B reliably and efficiently and for many years Volkswagen felt it unnecessary to increase the power of the flat four.

Naturally some people can’t help themselves.

Volkswagen Concept: Speedmeuller is powered by the holy grail of Volkswagen vintage speed. The heart of this concept is probably the best engineered engine conversion available for the Volkswagen in the 50s. Okrasa (the name is devired from Oettinger KRAftfahrtechnische SpezialAnstalt), specialised in turning the reliable, if somewhat underpowered, 25bhp Volkswagen engine into something that would allow the owner to hold his head up high on the Autobahn.

The Okrasa kits, initially offered in 1951, gained in popularity thoughout the ’50s, where VW-based exotics, like Rometsch and Dannenhauser & Stauss chose these engines for installation on their brand new cars, giving their sportly-looking vehicles some sports car-like performance.

The ultimate Okrasa kit, and the one used in SpeedMeuller is the Okrasa TSV-1300/30. Consisting of a beautiful chrome-moly stroker crank of 69.5mm (1295cc), special cylinder heads (34.5mm inlets and the Okrasa script cast in between the rocker studs, the compression ratio was set at 7.8:1), a Fram oil filter, Okrasa’s oil cooler, new inlet manifolds (like the later dual-port Volkswagen engines), a pair of Solex 32mm carbs (as used on early Porsche 356s), with filtering courtesy of a couple of chromed Knecht air-filters, and a simple chromed linkage will bellcrank operation.

So, after shelling out hard-earned wages, what could the SpeedMeuller owner expect? Well, quite a lot really. While the stock 30-horse VW just about struggled to 70mph on a good day, Okrasa claimed a top speed of 83mph with a 0-62mph time of 18.5secs for a Beetle. Punching out a whopping 48bhp at 4200rpm, the Okrasa-cranked TSV-1300/30 motor could rev quite safely to 5200rpm, while maximum torque was produced at around 2200rpm.

Driving the SpeedMeuller on today’s roads is no problem as it can easily keep up with the traffic flow. It is quite possible to cruise at a steady 70mph and still record over 34mpg, proving that you can have your cake and eat it too.

Volkswagen Concept: Manx SR

What about me? Where's my dune buggy? That's the question my wife, Emmy, asked when I posted my Volkswagen Concept MadManx. Seems like she wants to join in on the fun.

So successful was the Meyers Manx that the design was copied, literally overnight. Bruce Meyers fought vainly to protect his design from copycats who wanted to cash in on the craze. Ultimately, Bruce lost the legal battle and an avalanche of similarly designed dune buggies flooded the market. Only a handful of legitimate, original Meyers Manx buggies are left and they command premium prices in the collector car market.

In the meantime, Bruce offered a sports model that would be harder to copy. He re-engineered the buggy concept that not only had a more sophisticated design, but also offered all weather protection for its occupants, and a pair of gull-wing doors ala Mercedes 300SLs. (This was pre-Lambo days) The sleek design of the Manx SR not only made it more difficult to copy but it also made it more expensive, thus, even fewer Manx SRs survive. A rabid cult following of the few remaining SRs prove the desirability of the model.


Based on a similarly shortened Volkswagen Type1 chassis, the SR also exhibited lightning quickness and agility. A true classic, The Volkswagen Concept: Manx SR only needs large diameter rims and tires to make it more dramatic.

Instead of an all-out slalom racer, Emmy's SR relies on a bullet-proof 1776cc, dual Weber40-fed engine. Instead of massive horsepower, daily driver reliability and smooth power delivery was the priority. A custom designed air-conditioning system was mandatory for pleasurable cruising in and out of town.

A freeway flyer geared tranny with 18-inch replica Porsche Fuchs and Bridgestone Potenza rubber adds the 1-2 punch.(ala Pacquiao)

Now Emmy has her ManxSR. Any questions?

Pendong - The Movie Photos

Some Pictures from the shooting of Pendong the Movie, taken at the Quezon City Hall, April 18, 2010

More Pictures Here

Volkswagen Concept: MadManx

I always wanted a dune buggy. Ever since the 1st issue of Dune Buggies and Hot VW, the Fun Car Journal came out, I imagined building one. Sure seems like a ton of fun, for not a lot of money.


Designed by the legendary Bruce Meyers, the iconic Meyers Manx dune buggy set a worldwide whirlwind for small, inexpensive, fun cars. An engineer by profession, Bruce was also an artist and surfer and he used his experience in boat building, fueled by his passion for the Californian lifestyle to produce the Manx and other Volkswagen-based fiberglass cars between 1964 and 1971.

A small car, the Manx leveraged on the use of the Volkswagen Beetle frame and engine. The car featured a fiberglass bodyshell coupled with a shortened (14 1/4 inches or 36.2 cm) wheelbase for lightness and better maneuverability. Even a stock VW-engined Manx is capable of very quick acceleration and good off-road performance.

This particular buggy, the Volkswagen Concept: MadManx, was found near an old warehouse along an old railroad. The faded and cracked orange fiberglass gel-coat has seen better times but the buggy was fairly complete. Unused since the mid 70s because of a leaky oil pump, the discovery that this dune buggy was indeed an original Meyers Manx set off plans for a serious slalom race buggy project.

With a solid, proven platform, MadManx adds big tires and an even bigger engine to challenge slalom racers.

18 inch Porsche Twists with 235/40X18 front and 255/45×18 rear Yokohama Advan AO48, single block with a race-ready compound provide enormous grip. coupled with Bilstein shocks and a 1 3/4 ” front rollbar, the front end features a CB Performance dropped spindle. The rear torsion bar was adjusted 2 notches to bring the ride height down to race-ready levels.

A close ratio Volkswagen Type 1 Pro Street IRS transmission, features a Super Diff, Aluminum side covers, Welded 3-4 hubs, and hardened keys.

A 200HP monster Type 1 Volkswagen engine built by Pat Downs of CB Performance pushes this lightweight cat to the maximum. It has full-flow oiling with a Maxi30 pump. 94mm Mahle pistons with A Race Pro 84mm crankshaft with Chevy journals and forged 1.4:1 rockers bump the stocker to 2332cc.
Other goodies include a lightened flywheel, wedge-port heads with 44×37 valves, Dual 48mm Weber IDA carbs and a 1 3/4″ merged ceramic coated exhaust.

To complete the transformation, aerodynamic side pods and gullwing-style doors were designed, reminiscent of the Manx SR. The body was sprayed with Porsche L-Y7Y Zermatt Silver and the lightweight Speedster bucket seats and door panels were covered in red Alcantara fabric. A ghost-style Manx-logo grace the gullwing doors.

MadManx is dead serious.

PENDONG - MOVIE IN THE MAKING

Earlier this year, the Club promised that it would organize many activities that would make the VW community be more united and feel more proud of their cars.

True to that promise, another major activity will be held on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at the Quezon City Hall parking area starting at 7:00 am sharp ‘till 11:00 am.

An Independent film producer approached the Club to seek help in the making of their film project entitled “PENDONG”. I have a copy of the film’s synopsis but I guess it would be much better if I only tell snippets of it to whet your veedub appetite.

Synopsis
Bingo Cruz thinks he’s had the perfect and complete life – and ultimately deserves the VW Beetle car as his college graduation gift. This is after being the goody-goody son who remorsefully follows the strict codes of his parents for years. But when his mother reveals that his deceased father wasn’t his real dad – and that his biological father lives and owns a business in a far-flung province up north, he will gather his childhood friends, Dennis Lopez – a movie star, and Jay Salvacion – a college dropout, to go on in a masked road trip finding his dad.
Along the way, the Beetle – although has remained to be a road novelty and a subject of that classic Pendong game where a man hits someone who is standing next when he sees a Beetle [popularly called as Kotseng Kuba] – will be the cause of numerous mishaps along the way………
They will pick up a sexy, vixen lady MAYA – who becomes the subject of their trip’s desire. Maya will instead give them not just hard-ons but will put them between a rock and a hard place eventually.
As their situation escalates into worse times – funny but bumpy episodes will prove to be a relief in their long, arduous journey………..

The filming of the movie would entail the presence of 100 VW vehicles of all shapes and sizes. There would be one scene in the film that would be shot showing a gathering/car show of all VW vehicles. Since the producer is an independent one, (whatever that means) and their budget is limited (independent nga eh), they will give one (1) free breakfast meal each to the driver and one companion per VW vehicle participating. The drivers and companions should not expect any talent fee because they have no talents anyway(joke3). It’s the VW cars that’s needed (kaya nga Pendong ang title eh ).

The producer promised that the gathering/carshow scene would be extensive and would be given longer exposure in the final cut of the film

So, if you want to be part of this very first Philippine film involving lots and lots of VWs, sign-up and don’t be left out of this event. The first 100 VW owners to sign-up will be given the meals as mentioned. We will give priority to the guys who have signed up and will actually join in the bugrun/outreach to Tagaytay this coming Friday and to those who will join the mini-run on Saturday from Burger King to Fort Bonifacio.

Concessionaires who wish to sell anything may contact Club Secretary Oscar Dizon (09173977931) for arrangements.

Volkswagen Hebmeuller Superbe, a reprise for 2010

Throw away the book. Guaranteed to turn heads is this Heb-style Super Beetle. A look at what could have been if Hebmeuller Coachcraft survived the war and continued to produce it’s 2-seat Convertible into the Super Beetle era.

Most assuredly, Hebmeuller would be at the forefront of VW advancements. As the VW Convertible evolved into the 1303 model, Hebmeuller also followed suit.

The Hebmeuller Superbé is a Volkswagen Concept based on a late model 1303S Convertible. The Superbé features the distinctive curved 03 windshield, the re-engineered VW top, and at the rear, the smoothened hood that echoes the sexy Heb shape.

Giving Superbé the visual jolt is the bright Aquamarine body. A nice retro touch is a complete shaving of all chrome, giving the impression of the 80s style euro-look. Bilstein adjustable coilovers replace tired VW McPherson struts and the Brembo brake upgrades are decades more advanced. Polished Porsche 18-inch Fuch Wheels with Fulda rubber fill-in the reworked and widened fiberglass fenders quite nicely. Porsche 944 Turbo trailing Arms with Bilstein adjustable shocks and same Brembo brake upgrades round out the rear. A blueprinted 3.0 liter Type4 engine, mated to a rare Gene Berg 5-speed gearbox pushes Superbé flat out at the ‘Bahn.

Black leather interior is luscious, it hides the audio/video gear from prying eyes. Smooth dash features VDO white faced gauges. Twin Recaros in matching black leather regularly gather crowds at the local Mickey D’s.

Lovemachine pictures

More Pictures Here

LoveMachines: Car Lovers Unite!

We would like to invite all car lovers, especially Volksbuddies to participate and support the upcoming inter-club gathering dubbed, "LoveMachines: Car Lovers Unite!". The event promises to be a huge gathering of other car clubs filled with fun and exciting auto racing events. A great opportunity to take photos too! Best time to meet other car afficionados from other car clubs.

Part of the proceeds will also go to help one of the racing icons of the country, Kookie Ramirez in his battle against the big C. Kookie's been a friend and has been an instructor for many of us in driving clinics in the past. It's time we show our support in these trying times for him.

So, don't miss this event!

* What: Race Expo and Car Club Meet

* When: March 7, 2010. Sunday, 6am-6pm

* Where: McKinley Open Grounds, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

* What: Fun-filled day. No entry fee! Although the Volkswagen Club of the Philippines has been allotted 25 preferred parking slots for those who signed up in the forum (http://www.vwcp.org)

* Who: All Car Afficionados. All models of all eras are encouraged to join. The older, the more exotic, the more mods done, the more super kinis finish the better!







*
6:00 am - Gates open
*
7:00 am - Car Clubs Assembly
*
8:00 am - Registration
*
9:00 am - Practice runs; Start of Time Attack;

Start of Drifting (every other hour)

*
10:00 am - Club Games
*
11:00 am - Sponsors’ Segment
*
12:00 pm - Lunch Break
*
12:30 pm - Opening Remarks & Briefing (Slalom)
*
1:00 pm - Slalom Race Proper; Sponsors’ Segment
*
1:30 pm - Sound Check
*
2:00 pm - Concert; Raffle
*
5:00 pm - Awarding



Participating car clubs:

*
Altis Club
*
Beetle Club
*
Bimmer Club Philippines
*
BMW Car Club of the Philippines
*
Club Mazda
*
E30 Car Club Philippines
*
Euro Car Club of the Philippines
*
Grupo Toyota
*
GR1 Race Project
*
Jazz Club
*
Manila Sports Car Club
*
Mazda Tech
*
Miata Car Club
*
Mitsu Lancer Club
*
Old School Pilipinas
*
Club Silvia
*
Team Flatout
*
Team K / Club Nissan Sentra
*
Trackho’s
*
Volkswagen Car Club of the Philippines
*
Yaris Club


Bring your cameras guys. This is bound to be a photo op for all of us!


Club Games:


- Beer Drinking Contest - Vintage Car - Most number of participants in a club


Castrol has also made a donation of a gallon of "secret oil" (to be revealed to those who sign up), a Castrol polo shirt and Castrol jacket and all will be sold at a giveaway price. Proceeds of the sale will go to the Kookie fund. Thank you Castrol! Remember, only those who show up will be entitled to buy these items.

Herbie is Alive!!

Herbie is Alive!!

New Flavors.me Portal

Just signed up in Flavors.me, check it out :)

Herbie is ALIVE!!

After Ondoy, ( http://manilaghia.i.ph/blogs/herbieinmanila/2009/10/02/herbie-not-spared-by-typhoon-ondoy/ ) Herbie is finally roaming Manilas streets.

While mechanically, Herbie is back, there are still a lot of small details that need to be ironed out. I lost my sounds, need new carpets, need to align the headlights, need to grease minor squeaks and rattles, and I need to get some more hubcap clips.

This was taken the day we got Herbie out of the APC basement parking



Taken this afternoon



Let the goodtimes roll!

Dennis and Herbie Photo Mosaic Experiment

The rendered image is made up of Herbie pictures from the web and from our personal photos

Volkswagen Concept: New Woodie

An interesting variation to the New beetle platform

Herbie Revival

Herbie is in the final stages of repair. Jon is doing the final quality work so that Herbie can roam the streets of Manila once again.

Just the electrical gremlins for now :)

Volkswagen Concept: New Hebmeuller RSI (Front Quarter View)

Here's another angle for our New Hebmeuller RSI

Volkswagen Concept: New Hebmeuller RSI

What if Volkswagen resurrected the venerable Hebmeuller?