Magazine-featured full-custom on shortened chassis. A hoot!
1971 Volkswagen “Custom Roadster” Beetle
Chassis Number – 1112025351
Engine Number – AE537883
Exterior Color – Mignonette Green
Interior Color – Grey and Dark Green
Engine Type – 1641 cc Air-cooled 4-cylinder
Gearbox –4-Speed manual transaxle
Current Mileage –28,410 (TMU)
Current Owner – purchased in 2015
Marque and Model History
The Volkswagen Beetle was a marvel of engineering and efficiency. Developed during the second world war, volume production began in earnest after allied forces had captured Germany and began rebuilding the German economy. Within the first five years of production hundreds of thousands of Beetles were delivered to Europeans eager to leave the war behind. With hundreds of thousands of Beetles sold in the US, custom car builders performed clever transformations particularly on the west coast where sunny climate and beach lifestyles favored roadster and dune buggy treatment.
History of this Car
Purchased from the original builder in 2015, this Beetle has been part of a northern California car collection with limited use over the past decade. Dubbed “Future Shock” in the February 1993 VW Trends magazine article that featured it, the multipage spread reveals the history of the build and equipment. The car is the work of Dennis Daft, Dallas, TX who originally purchased the 1971 Beetle as daily transportation in the 1980s. After driving the Beetle for a few years, Dennis contacted Jim Harden, Oklahoma Vee-Dub, Lawton, OK to perform the extensive reimagining into the roadster body. Badges, bumpers, and all remaining exterior trim was removed in keeping with the spirit of the lightweight roadster theme.
-14” shortened wheelbase (cut at center of pan)
-Removing the entire roof
-Windshield chopped 4”
-Welded doors with newly cut entries
-Reinforced 1” steel tubing under door cuts
-1” roll steel roll bar with welded ¼” steel blend plates
-2” added width early model fenders
-KYB adjustable shocks
-Rossi headlights
-Enkei 15” wheels painted matching body color
-Aqua Metallic Green paint with pink and yellow graphics
Interior features:
-Iroc Z-28 front seats with matching color graphics
-Matching dark grey carpet and side panels
-Custom smoothed dashboard
-Formuling steering wheel with GT Grant center
-VDO speedometer
-Sony CD stereo
-Dual Kenwood KAC-300 amplifiers
-10 Kicker drivers, Kenwood tweeters, and Linear crossovers
Engine and drivetrain:
-AE number 1971 engine rebuilt to 1641cc
-Dual-port heads with stainless-steel intake and exhaust valves
-8.0:1 compression
-69mm crankshaft
-Cima 87mm pistons and barrels
-Stock rods and Engle 110 cam
-Stock springs and rockers
-Bosch 009 distributor
-Single 44mm Weber carburetor
-CB Performance intake manifold
-1.5” header with single quiet pack
-Polished aluminum alternator pulleys
-Type 1 IRS transaxle with Super differential
-200mm lightened 10.5 lb. flywheel
-1,700 lb. Kennedy clutch assembly
General Overview
Today this VW Beetle presents with finishes and features consistent with the 1993 build. Though the car has been preserved and stored indoors, the driver level condition is ideal to enjoy as is for local shows and various VW events. The wheels are finished in matching body color wearing a set of Kumho Ecsta AST 205/50 R15 radial tires, and the overall stance is very well resolved with the shortened wheelbase, rollbar rake, door cuts, and widened fenders.
The interior features original materials from the completed build, a four-speed manual transmission, color matched foot pedals, painted steering wheel center, and color matched gear shift selector. The front storage area features a custom cover panel which can be easily removed to reveal the stock front storage and largely stock configuration including the stock fuel tank and 12V battery. The engine compartment is finished in matching body color with matching color engine components, polished features, and generally good cosmetic presentation.
Included with this Car
This VW Beetle comes with a copy of the 1993 VW trends magazine article. Though still displaying Texas license plates, this car is sold on a clean California title.
The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.
Fantasy Junction • 510-653-7555 • 1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608