Words & Photos: Tommy Parry
The classic Volkswagen Beetle still gets around in all parts of the world. Stylish, simple and fairly sturdy for something so old, the iconic Bug is universally recognized, and has probably been involved in every aspect of car culture around the world at one point or another. Making one into a rat rod is seen a little less frequently, though, so it this man had to give it a shot to help balance out the thousands of dragster Beetles out there.
This white-and-red, ‘64 Beetle had simply acted as a daily driver for three years before Johnny decided to chop the top and turn it into something special, and it didn’t take long for a marked transformation to take place. Just after removing the rounded fenders and tacking the severed top back onto the frame, it was completely unrecognizable. It just makes you realize how iconic that roofline has become over years and years of exposure to the little German car.
Unfortunately, that little Volkswagen’s start would be cut short by a tricky divorce. Stuck beside a shed for the next year, the Beetle collected moss and was left unloved until the storm settled and Johnny could rent a space at the local community college. After two years’ absence, the Volksrod project was back underway!
After all that sitting and exposure to the elements, the Volksrod needed a good touch-up. Years of rust and debris had accumulated, and with minimal tools and some help from a few generous students at the college, Johnny began restoring the car to some of its original beauty.
With the body cleaned and the suspension readjusted with a 4” transaxle lift kit, Johnny stuck a set of fatter, 235/75/15 tires on the rear axle to give the little Beetle an aggressive stance. The innocent appeal of the original Beetle was long gone; this looked more like a dune buggy with some punchy, hot rod flavor.
With some of the aesthetics dealt with, Johnny turned his attention to the steering system. He used an extension from a Super Beetle shaf to extend out a little further, then welded it up. With a new set of drop spindles, all new brake parts, a universal buggy harness, headlights from a ‘30s Chevy and a coat of flat black paint, the little bruiser was beginning to take real shape. After painting the wheels orange to contrast the flat-black exterior of the Beetle, there’s no denying a Halloween influence here, but he might just be a fan of the San Francisco Giants. Or the Orioles.
To continue in the holiday style, Johnny began by crafting a spider web out of wire to sit in the roof’s opening. This little piece of arachnid-themed artistry would continue down into the cabin, with the stock VW seatbacks covered in some spidery fabric. Using the same sewing machine which crafted the seat covers, Johnny made a button-down canvas cover for the roof. Seems like his time spent with the needle was paying off.
Johnny kept the original, air-cooled VW motor and has it fed by a five-gallon air tank converted into a gas tank. He even managed to make the original VW fuel filler fit. Of course, the tank has been painted the same shade of blaze orange to give the back end a little pizazz, but most of the attention is drawn by the twin exhausts hanging off the back. Giving the rear end of the Beetle a warship-style look with two massive cannons protruding, this aggressive exhaust setup keeps any from seeing this terrifying little rat rod as just a Volkswagen anymore.