Info on vintage Offroad Race bug wanted

[bonecollector]

I just picked up this 1960 Semaphore Ragtop Bug that in it's day was a looker. Any info on where it came from and who built it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

90% of the graphics are hand painted. Numbers and a couple stickers are vinyl but everything else is hand painted. Hours of fab work that was done by someone with skills. This car had to have been a contender in its day.

[airborndad]

A Looooong time ago it was a 5 unlimited car

this is all from bad memory so I MAY very well be wrong
I THINK that german auto works changed their name to german auto parts (racing)
they were out of either Norwalk or Santa Fe Springs ( somewhere close to the border of both towns)
they made the SACO rack and pinion steering which I have on my prerunner I bought it from them in 1986ish
I think they closed and sold the manufacturing rights to some chinese or japanese company

I believe the wild willy MIGHT have been Willy Higman
AGAIN I very well could be TOTALLY WRONG and I'm sure someone will point that out if I am
no worrys though feel free to correct me if anyone knows otherwise

thats all I can pull out of the rusty brain
hope this gives you some leads to chase down

[vwracin2win]

dont know anything about the car but cool find! are you going to try to basically restore it to original with the graphics and paint?

[aircooled356]

Sweet find.
If it has a history the game changes.
I'd personally like to see it restored to it's original condition.
Obviously a serious race car at the time.
What are the plans? Keep us updated! Congrats.

[bonecollector]

In all reality I will probably try to find someone who can do this car justice. I have several type 2 projects that need my immediate attention. I have had one person very interested but was talking about plans to strip the paint and rhino-line the whole body yada yada and I think that pretty much ruins the nastalgia of this old race car. Once it's sold obviously the new owner can have his way with it but for now I am trying to be somewhat picky about potential buyers. Trying to do some research to get a little more info before I sell it. Thanks to everyone that has chimed in so far.

[Jim.Fernish]