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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:06 pm Post subject: The Bug From HELL! |
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Yes that's correct a 427 cubic inch 1958 Volkswagen Beetle!! But that's how it started, read on . . . . .
We have had this car in the Family since 1973. My Uncle Carmen bought the car from the Guy who constructed it. It had a 454 in it then and it was competition blue with one offset gold stripe and bizzarre rims.
I do not have any shots of the car in that state. I have since contacted the original owner who built it and 1 he is still alive and 2 his son who is my age now still has shots of it when it was his Dad's. Ill get those soon.
Heres the only 2 original shots we have left. This was right after Uncle Carmen had it done in heavy metal flake imron black with tri-color flames. The flames ran down the hood/trunk/fenders and roof!! He also added unknown slotted wheels at this time.
He was a bit "spooked" by the short wheelbase and tremendeous torque and sold the Bug From Hell in 1976 after almost killing himself. He ended up selling it to a 18 year old GIRL as her "first car"!!! We never saw the car again, or at least that's what we thought!
My Cousin Steven was working in late 1990 in South Jersey and was sitting at a traffic light and he sees this old rotted bug sinking into the ground in this dirty azz hill billy looking house and noticed the unique hood and remembered it instantly!!
It had been sitting for a decade and a half! We got it from the Guy for a song and brought her back home and started gutting her back in late 1990ish. The only thing left paint wise was the ONE flared fender which still had the Imron paint with the flames!!, the car was a rat trap, all wiring was gone, everything was rusted out and butchered. It still had the 57 Old rear with the 4.11 gears, no interrior, it was a mess but it didn't matter the BUG WAS HOME!
Heres one shot during the "gutting" and body/frame work showing the ONE original flared fender.
We kept the olds rear for now and had rebuilt it with new rearched leafs and hardware, shocks, etc.....
Heres the engine bay as it was found in 1990, you can still see the old rotted Sun gauges! What a shame.
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John M. Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2005 Posts: 3833 Location: Boulder, CO
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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Neat.
Here is a little better picture.
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks John.
Heres an interrior shot, what a MESS!!!!!
Heres some more old shots from the 2nd beginning.
We then finally got it into primer and did some updates like a new dog house engine cover, interrior and fuel system. Then came the 1969 427 cubic inch big block Chevy engine making BIG power with square port heads all hogged out, stud girdle, 12.5:1 pistons, steel crank....etc...etc, We also added a set of Chevy S-10 Blazer wheels in the back because of the strange offset with the olds rear this was a nice cheap lightweight option. We also added the VW cutouts into the hood for more airflow.
Then she became street 100% legal !!
Checkout these goofy rims!! We burned these to the cords while "testing"
Heres some more primer shots.
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:43 pm Post subject: |
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Then it was off to the paint shop, what color could it be? YELLOW what else? Check it out. This was in 1990.
It's so cool driving from the back seat with a big block in the front seat! The looks on peoples faces at traffic lights is priceless!!!
Heres some engine shots from 2003.
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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Heres some more shots from 2003. Not many changes since the 90's. Just a narrowed 12 bolt chevy rear with 4:88 gears, silver rims in the front, updated brakes, new air cleaner, and some wiring.
She has a turbo 400 with a reverse manual valve body and an ATI 8 inch 4500 converter. YES she does wheelies!!
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Mr. T Samba Member

Joined: April 28, 2004 Posts: 119
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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He did a good job but I can't feel front engine VW's. I'm sorry it needs to be in the rear, otherwise it just looses its qualities. _________________ If it is not watercooled then it should hover with fan power |
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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Then in 2004 we ditched the VERY old small tube headers and "Cherry Bomb" mufflers Remeber those?
We then added a set of Jet Hot Coated Hookers and Flowmaster 1 chamber earthshakers.
And a MUCH NEEDED set of BFG Drag Radials.
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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Mr. T wrote: |
He did a good job but I can't feel front engine VW's. I'm sorry it needs to be in the rear, otherwise it just looses its qualities. |
Sorry thats' the way it was bought back in 73' Not much choice or say in the matter. At least it was SAVED and is still a VW!! |
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Mr. T Samba Member

Joined: April 28, 2004 Posts: 119
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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BigBlockBug wrote: |
Mr. T wrote: |
He did a good job but I can't feel front engine VW's. I'm sorry it needs to be in the rear, otherwise it just looses its qualities. |
Sorry thats' the way it was bought back in 73' Not much choice or say in the matter. At least it was SAVED and is still a VW!! |
True, saved is better then scrap. It looks great, good work, very clean and I'm betting balls out fast. I've always been a pureist, flat aircooled rearmounted. Still thumbs up on the work. _________________ If it is not watercooled then it should hover with fan power |
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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2006 then came Satan!!! Check it out!!
This is the last outing for the Bug with the 427 engine that we put in back in 1990.
Here's the new BEAST that will reside in the Bug very shortly.
Its a 4 bolt main .030 over 427 (431 cubic inches) with Arias 12.8:1 pistons, Oliver rod's, Eagle steel crank, MONSTER Lunati 700 plus lift mechanical roller cam, 7/16 push rods, Jomar 4 bar stud girdle, Liquid filled Dampner, Brodix "Big Brodie" aluminum heads all hogged out...etc..etc.
This bitch is gonna be FOR REAL scary this time around!
Don't get me wrong the old 427 was no joke but this engine will CRUSH IT!
Right now were going to try a Weiand Team G and a WORKED to the balls Holley HP 950 shown on the engine.
We are mildly reworking (in progress) the innards of the Weiand including knife edging the plenum dividers (see pic).
If that doesn't work out then were going to the World Products 2500 rpm to 8500 rpm Merlin intake and a Holley 1050 Dominator!! This set up will suck your shirt right off you if you get too close! It will have serious fitment issues though so I hope the 950 will work.
Heres some more shots. Enjoy.
This engine did NOT want to come out. Fought every step of the way. Cut this, trim that? When this went in back in 92' it want like a dream, no issues at all? Very strange. Anyway heres some shots.
Getting her up in the air.
The Bug's 427 will now live in the 68 CheHELL! It's for sale too, turn key, tubbed ad caged running low 11's!!
Here it is all pretty and installed.
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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Mr. T wrote: |
BigBlockBug wrote: |
Mr. T wrote: |
He did a good job but I can't feel front engine VW's. I'm sorry it needs to be in the rear, otherwise it just looses its qualities. |
Sorry thats' the way it was bought back in 73' Not much choice or say in the matter. At least it was SAVED and is still a VW!! |
True, saved is better then scrap. It looks great, good work, very clean and I'm betting balls out fast. I've always been a pureist, flat aircooled rearmounted. Still thumbs up on the work. |
Very cool and thanks for the kind words. I understand totally. |
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KantDriveFast Samba Member

Joined: January 08, 2005 Posts: 4293 Location: Caldwell, Id.
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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BigBlockBug wrote: |
Mr. T wrote: |
He did a good job but I can't feel front engine VW's. I'm sorry it needs to be in the rear, otherwise it just looses its qualities. |
Sorry thats' the way it was bought back in 73' Not much choice or say in the matter. At least it was SAVED and is still a VW!! |
Sorry dude, but that car has not been "saved". However, when you get bored with it, and the next guy finds it rotting away in someones yard, then he puts a stock front clip, pan, dash, etc. back in it....then, it will be saved. |
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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Heres a cool video I made in 2003 when we just finished the new headers and exhaust.
Click here and turn up your speakers!!
http://www.lincolnmotorsport.com/bug1.wmv
Heres a good launch shot from 03'
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:10 pm Post subject: |
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KantDriveFast wrote: |
BigBlockBug wrote: |
Mr. T wrote: |
He did a good job but I can't feel front engine VW's. I'm sorry it needs to be in the rear, otherwise it just looses its qualities. |
Sorry thats' the way it was bought back in 73' Not much choice or say in the matter. At least it was SAVED and is still a VW!! |
Sorry dude, but that car has not been "saved". However, when you get bored with it, and the next guy finds it rotting away in someones yard, then he puts a stock front clip, pan, dash, etc. back in it....then, it will be saved. |
Sorry Dude, it was already a V8 full frame conversion when we got it, and YES we did SAVE it, you know what it would take to make it stock again? Cmon man gimme a friggin break here.
YOU fund the entire project and I will glady revert 100% original.
You have to remember this was built in 1970 when freaky shit was the norm and expected, it's a very cool car. If you do not have anythng nice to say then don't say it at all. |
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Asunder Samba Member

Joined: April 16, 2006 Posts: 612 Location: The other Orange County..N.Y. State
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:12 am Post subject: |
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An amazing amount of time, research, effort, custom modification, and of course love of VWs is what this is made of. Plus all this must have cost a pretty penny.
This is no different than when I used to see the real "hot rods" some time back...cruising down main street on a Saturday night showing off. People used to do this to Fords and Chevys..VWs are no different..less space to work with though.
This car is an extreme custom car. God knows how you drive this thing from the back seat..would take some practice.
Good job on all your efforts and since I am in the lower Hudson Valley in NY state I might see your car sometime since your in Jersey somewhere. |
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toddyvol Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2004 Posts: 433
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:44 am Post subject: |
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2006 then came Satan!!! Check it out!! |
A good ending to this story would be......
"Then in 2006 came the complete resto, putting her back the way a volkswagen should be. All those years of bastardization were reversed. At last she would be accepted by her own. A truly good ending to a sad story"
BigBlockBug don't take it personal, It's all in fun.  _________________ www.advopal.com
www.myadvoforum.com |
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jhicken Samba Member

Joined: October 24, 2003 Posts: 9479 Location: Fallbrook, CA
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:58 am Post subject: |
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Hey BigBlock, nice job! Bring that bad boy down to PunchBuggy at Atco this weekend. There will be money prizes at the races. Up to $1000 in the gamblers race.
http://www.punchbuggyvwshow.com/
If ya don't feel like racing, enter it in the show, we'll find a class for ya.
-jeffrey _________________ Der Kleiner Kampfwagens |
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UncleBob Grease Midget

Joined: August 21, 2002 Posts: 2862 Location: Northeast Florida
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 7:46 am Post subject: |
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I like it. It's just a beetle, and was done over 30 years ago. I hate V8 conversions and throw up in my mouth a little when I see one, but remember, this was 30 years ago. And I don't care who you are, the sound of that V8 gives me a chubby.
I'd love to take a ride in it. _________________ OG JHC
don't worry, the ciggaret is fake. |
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 9:39 am Post subject: |
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jhicken wrote: |
Hey BigBlock, nice job! Bring that bad boy down to PunchBuggy at Atco this weekend. There will be money prizes at the races. Up to $1000 in the gamblers race.
http://www.punchbuggyvwshow.com/
If ya don't feel like racing, enter it in the show, we'll find a class for ya.
-jeffrey |
Hello jeff. Thanks for the invite. Were there every year. Were at Atco weekly and we will be there this Thursday the 22nd for test & tune.
The car lives 6 minutes from the track. |
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BigBlockBug Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 9:41 am Post subject: |
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UncleBob wrote: |
I'd love to take a ride in it. |
Anytime your in the NJ area, look us up. |
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