dune buggies and hotVWs October 2022

In the August issue of Semaphore, I shared the story about my transmission project which was finally moving forward. After Mike Herbert of Rancho Performance Transaxle and I discovered broken ring and pinion gears in the original split case transmission, I decided to move on and go with a late model tunnel case instead of using the original split case. With the number-matching, original 36hp motor I saved (and stored) seven years ago, the original gearbox will be preserved until I put the original drivetrain back in. So, after deciding to go with a tunnel case gearbox, Mike Herbert at Rancho Performance Transaxle did a beautiful job putting together my new transaxle last June (a detailed transmission build article will be coming soon). The fresh transaxle is now ready to install,…

In a recent column, I shared the news of my finding one of the elusive Brubaker Box VW based kit cars. This failed dream car of Curtis Brubaker in the early '70s has apparently become a bit of a cult classic. The more I dig into the car and all the lore about it, the more I am surprised and pleased that I am not the only one that saw it as something cool. The design was groundbreaking for the era for sure. Very modern in appearance in a way that still seems to carry the vibe of the “future” even today, 50 years after its release. They say that the true test of good design is that it never looks dated. I think the Brubaker captured that somehow, and…

Every VW nut has it! It doesn’t matter if you are a vintage freak or a Cal Look fan - you have stuff. Even if you're a patina dude or a custom guy, all of us have stuff. It can be any number of things for whatever reason you have collected over the years that is related to your car passion! These “collectibles" can range from event items like dash plaques or T-shirts or even trophies. Or spare parts, if you’re restoring that passion (car), including future plans to improve it. I have a double shot of stuff because, as many of you know, I have a Cal Look street car known as “Sunny” - my 1960 sunroof Bug. And because of my passion, I was always looking for applicable items…

It Won't Stay In Gear Hi Jon, I own a 1959 Bug for over 30 years. It still has its original 36hp motor and a split case tranny. It’s not show car, but the exterior and interior are well preserved and in good original condition. However, just recently, the tranny quit working (second and reverse gears popped out). I appreciate if you could give me some advice! Not sure if I should rebuild the tranny or upgrade to a late-model tunnel case gearbox. What do I need to do if I convert to a tunnel case trans? Any pros and cons? Also, I am wondering about rebuilding the 36hp motor and add an Okrasa kit. Any advice appreciated. Thanks! Tom Anderson Los Angeles, CA Tom, if you want the minimum of modifications and hassles,…

Continuing with our journey through the models of Volkswagen Buses, we have now arrived at the Deluxe Bus without the fancy windows or sunroof. This model showed up sometime in the post Barndoor era (March 1955). It is also more commonly known as a “15 window". Later, it would become a “13 window” when German models got the larger rear hatch and lost the corner windows for the 1964 model year. Although the body is different, the “hardtop" Deluxe is still model number 241 at this point. The difference is in the form of an M-code: M-130, which specifies Deluxe without sunroof or roof windows. This is one of the rare M-codes that takes something away rather than adding something to the Bus. 1955-1957 model year 15-windows are very rare. 1958…

Thirty years ago, there was almost only “black or white", so to speak at least in Germany. People were either interested in stock Volkswagens or in modified Beetles, Ghias and co. While some were looking for parts for their air-cooled VWs in swap meets, due to the lack of proper reproductions, the other group grabbed the needed parts off the shelves of the aftermarket industry. There were mainly simple reproductions of sheet metal parts available, as well as a lot of dress up products and high-performance components, which were used to modify engines and suspensions. One could observe a similar situation in the shows. At a regular German Beetle meeting, you could see Type 3s, Ghias and Buses as well, but only a few untouched Beetles. If so, the majority of…