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("Rotkäppchen" is "Little Red Riding Hood" in German) This altered '69 VW bug's nickname comes
from its bright red 'hood' and flowing upper
body 'cape' |
- - - - - CHASSIS
and BODY MODS - - - - -
This volksrod began as a humble 1969 VW standard bug sedan with
reasonably straight, reasonably rust-free exterior body panels
and most structural rust repaired (left).
Under the
body, we're substituting a primitive but substantial rectangular tubing frame
(built by FiberFab/CMC
for a Gazelle kitcar,
right), and the torquey 2.8 liter V6
engine, automatic transmission, fuel tank, steering, and
suspension from a 1976
Ford Mustang II. The FiberFab/CMC
chassis increases the
wheelbase from 94.5" to 99.0"
and moves
the rear wheels about 12" forward of their
normal location (relative to the VW 's door openings) for the distinctive
"Altered/Gasser" stance.
The
fenders, windows, door tops, running boards, and trim have been removed,
and the roof will be restyled
as a chopped coupe
similar in profile to this beautiful Hebmüller-style roadster
(left) built by Airspeedparts in Canada. A fully-enclosed trunk will
take the place of the VW 's rear seat area, luggage shelf, and engine
compartment.
The one-piece hood from a 1956
MG Magnette ZA sedan (right) will be hinged
at the bottom so the whole thing can tilt forward for
engine access. A custom replacement grille will be
fabricated, probably from vertical
runs
of
conduit or rebar.
Slightly rusty Dietz headlight
nacelles were purchased at a local swap meet - they will be painted flat
black to match the lower body color.
Front
turn
signals haven't been chosen yet, but I have a pair of 1969 VW bug taillights I'll probably use in the rear (not shown in rendering above).
- - - - - OTHER
- - - - -
Vintage-style gauges (left) will be fit into a
custom flat dash panel, all electrical controls will be
replaced with new aftermarket
switches, and the entire wiring system will be
simplified.
A pair of black 1973 VW Sports Bug seats with removable headrests will be installed. A set of custom Motorsport Technology
billet aluminum adapters
allows fitment of smallish 165R15
tires on 5" wide spoked steel wheels in the front and
meaty 225/70R15 tires on
7" wide spoked steel wheels in
the rear (all have VW's 4-on-130mm bolt circle). 
And here
is its 1969 license plate (right) - Rotkäppchen is registered as a Collector Vehicle (no annual
fees, smog checks, or front license plate). [Note: Cars forty years old or older can legally
"run fenderless" in Washington state, but only on dry
pavement.]
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For more information about volksrods, click on the medallions below.
