By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Throw this one in the category of cars you don’t expect to run into at a NASCAR race–this bizarre vee-dub was randomly parked off to the side in the garage area at Fontana on Sunday, probably one of the pre-race parade vehicles. It had a dual-carbed V8 fitted into the not-very-functional pickup bed. Interesting choice for a ute conversion. More pics below the jump!

Continue reading "Did This Used To Be a Squareback?" »

By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

The things I see in Florida never stop to amaze me.  Someone in my county blended the back of a Volkswagen Beetle with the front of a motorcycle to create a VW cycle. I was so astounded by this vehicle, I had to capture it and show it to you! Is this wild or what?  Read more about the VW motorcycle at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.

Volkswagen Beetle Motorcycle

By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

For anyone who says that the VW scene is boring and predictable, how does this grab you? It’s a MKIII Golf which is now running an aircooled engine which can be found where the groceries used to sit. Now, I’m no expert but I can’t imagine too many scenes where somebody would move the engine from front to rear and even fewer where someone would replace an arguably faster, more reliable engine with an older, slower one. See more views at Speedhunters.

-by Paddy McGrath

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Nestor seems pretty much determined to take literally every hinged panel on his “Crazy Jetta” and make it so it opens all cattywampus. I can’t wait to see what he does with the gas filler door! Check out his ride page.

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Yesterday I had a chance to sit down and talk to Jill Bratina, VP of Communications for Volkswagen America. She was on her way to San Francisco for a big event they are staging for the new Jetta. I’ve heard complaints that the new design looks bland, but I think it looks very nice, with many design cues from the beautiful NCC they showed off at NAIAS. And with a starting price of $16k, it’s obviously a lot of car for the money. I asked Jill how they could even turn a profit on the Jetta. She said the fact that it’s built in their Puebla, Mexico facility and has 85% NAFTA content really helps them keep the cost down. Makes sense.

So I asked her all the obvious enthusiasts questions. We’re not going to see the Scirocco over here. Sorry. And the bus isn’t gonna happen either, though we may see some old bus styling cues on a new project they are working on called the “new small family” series, which will be alternative fuel vehicles. It sounds like VW has not entirely ruled out bringing over the Polo. Still, nothing definite there. Jill emphasized that VW will always have products for the enthusiast, like the current GTI and GLI. And they realize that there are concerns around the quality and durability of their vehicles and are making it a top priority to improve things there.

In addition to the new Jetta, Jill is very excited about the next version of the Beetle, which she said will “get back it its roots.” Maybe we’ll see it unveiled early next year?

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

I loved the incongruity of this tuner Golf with color-change paint sitting out in the sticks in front of an old barn. See more wacky juxtaposition, and more views of that pretty paint, on Pascal’s ride page!

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

According to the company origin story, this Volkswagen-branded condiment was originally formulated to compliment the exclusive “curry sausages” served at the VW assembly plants in the 70′s. They sold over 425,000 bottles of the stuff last year–and as a gal who begins each day with a pair of tater tatties floating in a lake of Heinz, I have a definite appreciation for that kind of volume when it comes to ketchup. VW ketchup is back in the news at the moment because they just unveiled a new flavor–”VW Classic,” as opposed to the spiced ketchup they’ve been selling since the 90′s. I think I’ll stick with my Heinz–I’d probably be more into it if I was one of those Beetle fanatics, but I’m also a sucker for packaging and just may have to pick up a bottle for the novelty factor. Read more at WorldCarFans.

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Up front, it’s running a built 350 that puts the power to the wheels through a 4-speed from a C4 and a posi rear end from a C3 ‘Vette. I’m sure it goes like crazy, though I’m on the fence about some of the exterior styling changes: the fender flares are cool enough, but I feel the Squareback’s smooth nose deserves a more carefully thought-out treatment than the grille slats and slapped-on front license plate. Very cool project, though! See the ad on Craigslist, via BringaTrailer.

By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

Getting 1,000 horsepower out of a vehicle this small is a major accomplishment. This classic Volkswagen Polo has some major power! Read more about the VW at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.

By Michael Berenis

Tampa Sports Car Examiner

Watch as this VW Golf takes a big healthy bite of curb. Read more at Tampa Sports Car Examiner.