The science of going faster in the original People’s Car

The humble Beetle started life as a simple means of getting a nation on wheels but ended production some 65 years later after nearly 22 million examples. Along the way it became one of the most personalised cars of all time and gained itself a massive following among the drag racing fraternity.

Ironically, Volkswagen itself never developed the Beetle into a performance car, preferring to stick with Dr Porsche’s original concept which used a relatively low-powered and understressed air-cooled motor which could be driven flat-out all day down the autobahn on indifferent fuel and skimpy maintenance without expiring.

That’s why, despite the success of the car in the USA, the most powerful Beetle ever to leave the factory sported nothing bigger than a 1584cc air-cooled flat four with a single Solex carb and a modest 50 bhp.

Thanks to the massive aftermarket industry (thank the Bug’s success Stateside for that) it’s possible to double the horsepower of your standard motor with what are essentially bolt-on mods. As the guys at air-cooled VW specialist Cool Air point out, most customers wanting a mild upgrade on a road car will start by improving the standard engine’s deliberately restrictive breathing: a four-into-one exhaust and a set of twin carbs is a good first step, with systems starting at £150 and a pair of Solex 35s at around £400.

PRODUCED: 1938-2003
ENGINES: 1584cc air-cooled flat 4
PRICES: £500 (tatty) to £15,000
UPSIDE: Can’t boil, can’t freeze
DOWNSIDE: Need to know what you’re doing
WHY YOU WANT ONE: It’s the original Porsche
CLUBS: VW Owner’s Club: www.vwocgb.com
SPECIALIST:
Cool Air - www.coolairvw.co.uk
PARTS PRICES:
Adjustable front beam;    £510
Drop spindle set:    £480
4-into-one exhaust (from):    £160
Twin Solex carbs:    £450
Disc brake kit:    £312

 Read the full article in the September 2011 issue of Classic Car Mart - available to buy here.