owner: Dominique Adler, AG
engine: 1915 cc, AS21 case w/ full flow, 69 mm genuine VW crank, modified flywheel, 94 mm Mahle c&p, WebCam 110/163 cam, CB chromoly push rods, 40 x 35.5 pocket port heads by AJ Sims, CR 10.1:1, Scat 1:1.25 lifters, dual Dellorto 40DRLAs, single Thunderbird muffler, gearbox: stock.
Dominique is one of the swiss cal look pioneers! He bought his 1966 sedan in 1986 at the tender age of 19 and immediately started to restore it. After having rebuilt the mechanical side, there was no money left for a decent paintjob. So, Dominique had to drive around in one of the world's first rat lookers. Fortunately, his understanding parents had pity on him and offered him a new paintjob as a present for his 20th birthday! While the paint is still the same after all those years, Dominique keeps improving the performance of his first car...
owner: Christoph Schiffer, AG
engine: 2110 cc, 82 mm Scat crank, lightened flywheel w/ 8 dowels, 90.5 mm Mahle c&p, Pauter cam, heads by Udo Becker w/ 40 x 35.5 valves, CR 9,7:1, dual Weber 48IDFs, 123-ignition, 1-5/8" header, muffler by Udo Becker, gearbox: Rancho pro-street.
Christoph "Chrigel" Schiffer used to drive around in an old Volvo until the luftkraft posse crossed his path. He was so amazed by the looks of those tiny german cars that he needed to have one for himself. And as you really can go fast with them, he wanted one with a big engine, too. After a while he found this nicely restored oval ragtop. He immediately put in a 1835cc screamer which was recently replaced with a stout 2,1 litre. Now he likes to go real fast with his little oval and did a very respectable 13.8 at the latest DAS Drag Day. Way to go, Chrigel!
owner: Julien Kern, VD
engine: 1955 cc, 76 mm CB crank, lightened flywheel w/ 8 dowels, 90.5 mm Mahle c&p, Webcam 86b cam, 1.4:1 CB rockers, 043 heads by "1200RS" w/ 40 x 35.5 valves, dual Weber 40IDFs w/ CB update kit, 009 ignition, 1-5/8" A1 header & muffler, ceramic coated, gearbox: Rancho pro-street.
The cal look keeps spreading all over the world and even in Switzerland some guys won't stop building their cars along the lines of this traditional style. Julien Kern's 1960 Sedan is a typical example of the Old School cal look that had its comeback during the early 90s: It's lowered in the front, with big n'littles and a healthy 2 litre engine in the back. The car was found by a buddy of Julien and it only needed a respray in ruby red. Well done!
owners: Christoph Mertz, SO / Marcel Hofstetter, BE
engine: 2276 cc, 82 mm Scat crank, lightened Scat flywheel, 94 mm Mahle c&p, Total Seal piston rings, Engle FK87 cam, 041 heads by Udo Becker w/ 44 x 37.5 valves, dual Weber 48IDAs on short GB manifolds, MSD6AL ignition, 1-5/8" header merged, stainless steel muffler, close-ratio gearbox.
Blood, sweat and tears and many extraordinary ideas were necessary to build one of Switzerland's most beautiful and fastest cal lookers. The whole idea behind this project was to build a car inspired by the Millionth Beetle that was presented by Volkswagen in 1955, but with the performance at the height of a 21st century cal looker. The outstanding result is the DGO - Der Goldene Ovali.
owner: Paolo Tonella, TI
engine: 1966 cc, 76 mm WBX crank, 90.5 mm Mahle c&p, Pauter cam, 044 heads by Udo Becker w/ 40 x 35.5 valves, CR 10.5:1, dual Weber 48IDFs on short GB manifolds, Compu-Fire ignition, GB header 1-5/8", A1 muffler, gearbox: Rancho Pro-Street.
Paolo's original intention was to keep this car bone stock. But the first idea isn't always the best. Luckily he attended the DAS Drag Day and under the influence of his fellow GEZUVOR VW Club members, the right decision was made. This unrestored oval with only 20'000 kms on the odometer had to become a slick cal looker. The drivetrain was upgraded with a Rancho gearbox, fitted to a 2 litre engine, the front end was narrowed and lowered and the beautiful ET Mag wheels look far better than the original rims. Doesn't seem like it's gonna run on bias plys again, does it?
owner: Roger Meienberger, AG
engine: 2276 cc, 82mm Scat crank, Scat rods, 94mm Mahle c&p, Engle FK87 cam, CNC heads w/ 42 x 37.5 valves, Pauter 1.4:1 rockers, CR 9.6:1, dual Weber 48IDFs on short GB manifolds, MSD6AL ignition, Ahnendorp exhaust, gearbox: yes.
Even if it may look like it's finished, Roger doesn't want to stop working on his 59 ragtop. The car was completely restored before he fitted a narrowed frontbeam, lowered spindles and CSP disc brakes. The engine was built by Marcel Hofstetter. Thanks to him this car hauls ass, so don't be fooled by its Resto Look appearance.
owner: Marcel Hofstetter, BE
engine: stock 1300cc, gearbox: stock.
Besides being the wife of engine builder Marcel, Jenny loves to drive her gorgeous '66 beetle. They found the car as it is in original condition, with a perfect interior and without any rust. Amazingly it still wears its original java-green paint! The stock 40hp powerplant purrs like a kitten but is said to be replaced in the near future by a 1641cc with some period hop-up items.
owner: Didi Wildhaber, SG
engine: stock 1192ccm, two Solex 28pci carbs on Riechert manifolds, modified 48IDA velocity stacks, modified 25hp-engine-style 009 distributor, gearbox: stock.
Waterpumpers were his first love, but as he came across this Oval, Didi Wildhaber found the right path. During 2.5 years, he restored the car on his own, except for the paintjob. Being an electronic specialist by profession, he found lots of opportunities to improve the antique 6 Volts system. Now the car has a key-less entry system, flashing semaphores with Porsche Cayenne-like comfort function and emergency light. The awesome detailing and the lowered stance turn this beetle into one of Switzerland's most beautiful Resto Lookers.
owner: Urs Beyeler, AG
engine: 2276cc, AS41 case, 82mm crank, heads by Udo Becker, dual Weber 48IDFs, exhaust: Kerscher Super Competition, gearbox: stock.
Four years of hard work had been necessary to restore this '73 beetle. Enough time to replace the late bumpers with earlier blades along with pre-66 wings, front hood, decklid and the matching front and rear apron. The engine was built by Hofstetter Motorenbau and is fed by a pair of 48 IDF Weber carbs. Note that all of the work had been carried out by Urs himself, except for some welding and the paintjob. The restored Porsche 914 2 litre Pedrini wheels are the perfect finishing touch to this neat looker.
owner: Patrick Panchaud, VD
engine: 1835ccm, AS41 case, stock crank, 92mm Mahle c&p, Engle W110 cam, 040 heads, dual Weber 40IDFs, header: Bugpack 1-3/8", Bugpack muffler. Gearbox: stock.
When this oval came up for sale, Patrick couldn't resist purchasing this great car. All of the restoration work had already been done more than a decade ago, so Patrick could start right away with the technical improvements. He replaced the stock 30hp powerplant with a 1835 type 1, lowered the front end, fitted some Neal disc brakes and added a set of BRM repros. There's even a Hurst line-lock to help with those smoky burnouts... Let's just hope the stock tranny likes them as much as Patrick does.
owner: Manuel Brügger, FR
engine: 1600ccm, stock crank, Pauter cam, dual Weber 40IDFs, header: Bugpack 1-3/8", genuine EMPI muffler. Gearbox: Rancho Pro-Street.
Sitting in a dry corner of a VW garage for more than 20 years, this awesome split window just needed a good cleaning. The body still wears its original paint, while the years added a wonderful patina. Thanks to a set of period seat covers, the interior is almost like new. Manuel fitted a lowered front beam, the Rancho Pro-Street trans and a set of rare original Mahle Gasburner magnesium wheels. Definitely one of Switzerland's most amazing beetles and another car of the GEZUVOR VW Club.
owner: Ramon Schweingruber, FR
engine: 1776ccm, AS21 case w/ full flow, stock crank, 90.5mm Mahle c&p, Engle W120 cam, ported 040 heads w/ 39 x 35.5 valves, CR 10,5:1, dual Weber 48IDAs, header: Bugpack 1-1/2" merged ceramic coated, A1 muffler ceramic coated. Gearbox: Rancho Pro-Street.
One of Switzerland's first cal look VWs, now in the caring hands of a new owner. Take care, dude! :-)
built by: Daniel Bertschy, FR (sold in 2003)
engine: 1300
What was meant to become his low budget daily transport turned out as a very nice (low budget) cal looker. Daniel Bertschy who surprised the swiss aircooled VW crowd with his stunning baltic-blue squareback restored this 1970 beetle during the winter 2002/2003. For the photo session he installed a set of 4-lug Sprintstars which he currently replaced with detailed swiss Hegglin alloys. In the end of 2003 Daniel put this car back to stock condition and sold it.
owner: Roland Gentner, GR
engine: 1914 (69mm x 94mm)
Roland's superclean "cairns coral" '66 sedan represents the typical late 80s / early 90s Cal Look as it's been built from 1992 to 1994. All the chrome trim except for the bumpers had been removed to get that smooth appearance. Wheels are 3.5" Centerlines with 135s in the front and 6" rims with 195-65s in the rear. Engine is a 1914 type 1 with 041 heads and a pair of 40mm Dellorto carbs. Click here to take a look at the engine bay. Roland is also a member of the Vee Dub Club Frauenfeld.
owner: CAGERO Vee Dub Parts, AG
engine: 1914 (69mm x 94mm)
The swiss VW parts business Cagero purchased this stunning Old School looker. The car was completely restored by the previous owner. He did some good work as the chassis was powder coated and the body got a flawless paintjob. The clean interior with a pair of bucket seats and harnesses means business. An Autometer tach replaces the original Speedo.
owner: Sascha Grolimund, SO
engine: 2110 (82mm x 90.5mm) with dual Weber 44IDF
Sascha's ultra-clean bug was built in late 1967, so it's a 1968 model with all the new specs like the panels, the large bumpers and the bigger taillights. The engine is a 1835 with a mild cam and an external CAGERO oil cooler. To get this better-than-new finish, the car was resprayed in its original colour. Wheels are detailed 5.5x15 Fuchs alloys from a Porsche 914.
built by: Christophe Knopf, FR (sold to So-Cal in 2003)
engine: 1200 with MAG supercharger
transmission: Porsche 356A
This wonderful split window bug was restored by Christophe a few years ago. He drove it in its original condition but already with the supercharged engine and the 356A transmission. In 2001, he lowered the front with a set of dropped spindles and installed Porsche 356A brakes with Lemmerz Sprintstar wheels. In 2003, this awesome car found a new home in California.
owner: Philip Egger, TG
engine: Porsche 356B
This Oval was one of the very first Resto Cal beetles in Switzerland when its restoration had been finished in 1994. After all these years it's still a subtle and great looking car with a fantastic interior. For more information about this car visit the website of the Vee Dub Club Frauenfeld.
owner: Steve Anotta, JU
The first time I saw this Oval was at the concentr' _ Sion 2000. Why aren't there more cars like this in Switzerland...? By the way, Steve is a member of the Jurassic Cox Club.
owner: Roby Varesco, VS
engine: 1995ccm, 78,4mm Oettinger/Okrasa crank, 90mm Oettinger/Okrasa cylinders and pistons, GB 316 cam w/ 1.5:1 ratio rockers, CB 044 heads by Steve's Racing Heads, 40 x 37.5 valves, compression ratio 10,5:1, MSD 6AL, dual Weber 48IDAs, header: Gene Berg street 1-5/8, Dynomax 2-1/2 muffler, 175hp without fanbelt. Transmission: Berg 5, built by Jim Kaforski.
This bug was the first "true" Cal Looker in Switzerland. As I remember it was also the first swiss Volkswagen with (repro) BRMs. During the summer months you can be sure to meet Roby at many of Europe's drag strips.