The bizarre-yet-cute looks make the Volkswagen Beetle instantly recognizable the world over, so tuners keep restoring older examples as more and more customers feel like driving one today. This particularly interesting example is a work of two men from the USA.
Buddy Hale got his hands on a rare 1951 Beetle that the Germans had nicknamed ‘Pretzel’ for its weird squiggly rear (watch the video to get an idea what the stock car looked like). He proceeded to tune the stock 1.4-liter flat-four engine originally rated at 40 PS (40 hp / 30 kW). A Solex carburetor, modern ignition components, new pistons, cylinder liners and a supercharger let the vintage ride produce much more thrust – too bad it was never actually measured. A four-speed manual transmission was entrusted with driving the rear wheels.
Scott Tredo bought the car three years ago and felt like giving it an aesthetic overhaul (we are told Buddy Hale assisted with that part of the project, too). He installed air-ride suspension, added cool-looking CIP1 BRM-style wheels, and had the body completely restored and finished in black.
The interior was re-trimmed with red leather with black accents, and some of the equipment inside was brought up to date. Highlights include a Porsche 356 steering wheel and a modern radio hidden beneath the vintage FM exterior. Unfortunately, the rear bench had to be sacrificed for the suspension compressor, so the car is now a two-seater with plenty of trunk space.
How do you like this Beetle?