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greggearhead
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004
Posts: 579
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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 Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2024 1:54 pm Post subject: Angry, Almost Sleeper 1965 VW Beetle Hot Rod |
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This is such a bittersweet thing for me. My good friend, Richard Davies built this Beetle. It was his end-all, be-all Beetle. He spent his whole life in the VW industry, so that is saying something.
A little background. I moved from Iowa to Colorado in 1997 to work for Rocky Mountain Motorworks - a VW Mailorder parts company. At the time, one of the biggest in the industry. I think it was 1999 when Richard came over to work at the company. We became instant friends. He found out I had Irish heritage, so every morning he would come in and say,"Fook oof, Paddy" and I woudl say,"Fook oof, Taffy" (Taffy being the negative term for a Welshman). He had the best attitude of anyone I have EVER met, and very good, but very crass sense of humor. Only later did I hear about all of his health issues he had throughout his life.
Anyway, he left Motorworks and started his own company, because he didn't want to put up with the BS he felt he was being dealt, and Motorworks went into bankruptcy a few years after (unrelated). I left and worked for a water-methanol company and when that ended, I asked if he needed any help. He did, as he was going in for chemo for cancer treatment, so asked if I could run the business for him for a while. I did. He recovered (it was his 3rd bought with cancer IIRC) and I left to work elsewhere.
Anyway, long story, well, long - years later, he worked for VW Heritage out of the UK as the USA sales rep. He found this beetle at Jake Raby's shop (the Guru of Type 4 VW/Porsche engines) in mid-build state, and made a deal. He had it completed, everything to the Nth degree, as was his style. Jake Raby built a 2.3L engine that made 208hp, a Porsche 915 transaxle with a limited slip. Big Porsche brakes. Mendeola double A-arm front suspennsion. Mendeola tubular rear control arms. (It was Mendeola's test mule for a while). Etc etc. It was a blank check build.
Richard passed a few months ago after losing his last battle with cancer. He contacted me knowing he likely wasn't going to make it through this bought, and asking me to sell it for him and his family.
I've taken it on a few local VW club cruises, rejetted it, and now cleaning it. It is hard not to cry sometimes when I'm looking at it or touching it, but I know it is important to do. I'm cleaning it tomorrow to photograph it on Sunday morning, and have a friend shoot videos, and then probably list it on Bring a Trailer.
A few pics.
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E Hot Rod (3.4 Turbo)
1973 VW 412
1979 Audi Fox GTI
2002 Eurovan
Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale
https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead
http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html |
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Albiebac
Samba Member
Joined: June 26, 2009
Posts: 26
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2024 9:26 pm Post subject: Re: Angry, Almost Sleeper 1965 VW Beetle Hot Rod |
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Wow, incredible build!
I'll keep my eye out for it on BaT.
GLWTA |
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Schnitzelfuss
Samba Member
Joined: September 18, 2024
Posts: 233
Location: North Alabama
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| Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:27 am Post subject: Re: Angry, Almost Sleeper 1965 VW Beetle Hot Rod |
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| It’s a wonderful car. My condolences on the loss of your friend. |
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iowegian 
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9985
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 10:10 am Post subject: Re: Angry, Almost Sleeper 1965 VW Beetle Hot Rod |
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I am saddened to learn of Richard's passing. Although I did not know him personally, his VW knowledge was legendary. Richard's sense of humour was exemplified by the photo on the back of the 2009 OE Veedub catalog showing him in the Sahara Desert.
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greggearhead
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004
Posts: 579
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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| Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2025 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: Angry, Almost Sleeper 1965 VW Beetle Hot Rod |
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Well, have been trying to get a good morning (sunrise) to photo this week, but with some rain, snow, and sube 20 deg temps - it's been difficult.
Tried this morning with a buddy from the VW club who is great at videos (and a much better photographer than me) so hopefully those come out OK. But it was pretty foggy, and sub freezing temps. Sigh.
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E Hot Rod (3.4 Turbo)
1973 VW 412
1979 Audi Fox GTI
2002 Eurovan
Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale
https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead
http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html |
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greggearhead
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004
Posts: 579
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9985
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2025 1:11 pm Post subject: Re: Angry, Almost Sleeper 1965 VW Beetle Hot Rod |
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This one tells the tale.  |
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greggearhead
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004
Posts: 579
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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greggearhead
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004
Posts: 579
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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greggearhead
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004
Posts: 579
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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Root_Werks
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2007
Posts: 1081
Location: San Juan Islands
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| Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2025 11:09 am Post subject: Re: Angry, Almost Sleeper 1965 VW Beetle Hot Rod |
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That is one amazing Bug!
Gawd, if my wife found out I bought it, I'd be sleeping in it.
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When I set my timing, why do I flush, then take a pee? |
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Root_Werks
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2007
Posts: 1081
Location: San Juan Islands
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| Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2025 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: Angry, Almost Sleeper 1965 VW Beetle Hot Rod |
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Little surprised the bidding didn't go higher. I guess it's a reflection of the current market for toys. I bought a 914-5 five years ago and it wouldn't sell for what I paid for it currently.
If you can hold on to this gem of a Bug, maybe time will see a better market for collector/modified cars again?
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When I set my timing, why do I flush, then take a pee? |
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greggearhead
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004
Posts: 579
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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| Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:43 am Post subject: Re: Angry, Almost Sleeper 1965 VW Beetle Hot Rod |
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The high bidder and I made a deal and it is sold. I really did think it was going to go higher, but the number of people that want a bug this built and modified is a small population, and the market has bee nsoft last year, though it appears to be coming back a bit.
_________________
1972 Porsche 911E Hot Rod (3.4 Turbo)
1973 VW 412
1979 Audi Fox GTI
2002 Eurovan
Period Lights, VW & Porsche wheels and Recaro/Scheel Seats for sale
https://www.facebook.com/greggearhead
http://greggearhead.com/soco-swap---september-vw-swap-meet.html |
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