’67 Beetle “Grey Ghost”—Cross-Country Trip to SoCal+Baja Mitad

[krahulec]

I'm starting a thread for my 1967 Beetle, the “Grey Ghost,” and a major cross-country trip I’m planning for March 2026.

I’ll be towing the car from Virginia to Southern California behind my Bronco Raptor on a 2025 Futura RT500 trailer, hitting multiple VW shows, visiting the vendors who helped build key components of the car, enjoying the SoCal VW scene, and then making the long drive home via the Bourbon Trail.

The trip has a theme: The Memento Mori Run.
• 1967 VW Beetle — “Grey Ghost”
• 2025 Futura RT500 trailer — “Reaper’s Chariot”
• Tow vehicle: 2024 Bronco Raptor — “Grim One”

Trip Overview (March 2026)
Virginia to Georgia for the Southern Air-Cooled VW Chill Out
West toward Texas
Into Yuma, AZ for VW on the River
Continue to Southern California
Park the trailer and run the Baja Mitad off-road event in the Bronco
(The Grey Ghost and trailer will stay parked safely during Baja — only the Bronco will run the off-road portion.)
Return to SoCal for the Silverado VW Show
Visit the California vendors involved in the Grey Ghost build:
• CoolRydes Customs
• PowerHaus VW
• Schott Wheels
• Cruise the LA beaches in the Bug
• Head home via the Bourbon Trail

The Car — “Grey Ghost”

This Beetle has been a long-term project with a mix of classic and modern touches:
• PowerHaus 2387cc
• CoolRydes front & rear suspension
• Schott RAIL Cover-Loc wheels
• Sewfine interior
• Vintage Speed shifter & handbrake
• Additional detail work throughout the chassis, engine, and interior

The Grey Ghost will appear in Volksmania Issue #25 (Silver Anniversary), in a 4-page, full-color spread, set to drop right around the time of this trip.


The Bronco Raptor
just posting a pic without much detail since this is a VW site

Where Updates Will Be

I’ve started this thread here, but most of the pre-trip planning and real-time trip updates will be on Instagram and Facebook:
• VW Beetle: @67greyghost
• Bronco / Tow Rig: @grim_one_bronco
• Everything (cars, shows, trip): my Facebook page

I’ll try to post some major updates here as the trip comes together.


Looking for VW Clubs & Local Suggestions

If you’ve done long-distance VW trips, cross-country hauls, know great VW spots in Southern California, or belong to VW clubs along my route, I’d love recommendations — and I’d especially like to arrange a few quick meetups along the way.

If you'll be at any of those car shows, track me down. I'd love to meet.

More updates soon as planning continues.

Thanks for following...
John