Time to Transform My Ride
As I am writing this column at the end of August, I am taking some time off to work on my beloved ‘58 Bug, getting ready to enter the 8th International So-Cal Vintage Treffen. This will be my fourth participation, and I wanted my ‘58 Bug to change its appearance, using a “back-to-stock” look. Six years ago, I pulled out the number-matching motor to preserve it and built a period-correct hot rod engine. Jon Chabot at Topline Parts assembled another (same year) 36hp-based power-plant with Wolfsburg West Okrasa-style dual-port heads, a 69.5mm stroker crank, a performance cam, AA Performance 80mm Porsche 356 Pre-A cylinders, Weber 40IDF carbs with Speedwell USA manifolds, etc. With 70hp, I almost doubled the horsepower. We can agree that it qualifies as a hot rod engine. While the…