Tag Archives: formula vee
One fast Orange: Custom 1970 Formula Vee Bug
Found here on The Samba is a radically customized 1970 VW Beetle.
This Formula Vee inspired Bug was originally built in Louisiana in the mid-2000’s with virtually no expense spared. The list of upgrades and add-ons is impressive to say the least. The build was so good it garnered it a write up in Hot VW’s Magazine in December, 2007. From the late 60’s through the mid 70’s the Formula Vee catalog offered an array of options and parts that your friendly Volkswagen dealer could add on t0 your new Beetle. Many of the options were cosmetic including the side decals, shift knobs, steering wheel and the like. In addition, performance upgrades were offered including stiffer suspension, free flow exhausts and magnesium wheels.
The builder of this 1970 Formula Vee Bug took that concept of clever bits and pieces and turned the volume up to 11. Long gone is the original 1500cc type 1 motor. In its place is a tricked out 2276 that has been built to the 9’s. This beast features an 82mm SCAT Volksrace II crankshaft, CB Performance 5.5 H beam rods mated to Mahle 94mm forged pistons with lightened wrist pins. The CB Performance 044 SuperMag heads have been CNC ported and feature 42mm intake and 37.5mm exhaust valves. An Engle FK8 hot camshaft runs the valves with a lift of .534 and a .258 duration. A lightened 12.5 lb chromoly flywheel was installed along with a Kennedy stage 1 pressure plate and a Daikin solid hub disc. To keep everything cool a 28mm full flow oil pump moves the oil through a CB Performance 2qt Wide Glide oil sump with both an internal sump filter and a remote screw on type filter. Dual Weber 44mm IDF carburateurs let this beast inhale through CB Performance match ported intake manifolds. A custom built 1.5″ A1 Sidewinder ceramic coated exhaust with a stainless steel Magna Flow muffler lets it breath out. A Raby Aircooled Technology DTM fan shroud houses the Type 4 oil cooler. To add spark to the mix an MSD distributor and CDI ignition box have been added along with MSD wires.
A Maxi Flyer transmission was installed complete with “Super Differential” and polyurethane mount. Shifting duties are handled by an original Hurst shifter. The front suspension features a 2″ narrowed beam with 2.5″ dropped spindles and KYB GR-2 shocks and a 5/8″ narrowed sway bar. In the back the stock rear suspension was lowered one click and KYB Gas Adjust shocks and a torque bar chassis stiffener were added. Four wheel disc brakes were installed along with stainless brake lines.
The body features Creative Car Craft fiberglass rear fenders that are 1.5″ wider than stock and new stock front fenders. These house brand new 205/40 R17 Yokohama tires on BBS RGR dark anodized wheels. A Euro rear apron, Beehive taillights, rear pop-out windows and vent delete side windows were installed. Inside new charcoal cut-pile carpets, a new headliner and custom dashboard compliment a pair of Scat Procar Rally seats. Finally to help this bug make the long haul a 16 gallon fuel tank was installed.
Since its completion in 2006 this bug has been driven 14,730 miles. There are a few small paint chips on the nose and front fenders (pictured) but the paint still shines like new. Underneath the floorboards and heater channels are completely rust free. This bug is in Athens, GA and has a clear Georgia title. Feel free to email with questions or to set up a time to check it out.
The Formula Vee is being sold with the BBS RGR 17″ wheels for $14,ooo or $11,500 with the 5-Star 16″ wheels pictured in the Hot VW’s article. Offers will be considered.