| Whether you know it as a Beetle or a Bug, and | | | | the stock bumpers are retained and either |
| whether your image of it is the classic | | | | polished, painted, or chromed. |
| version or the New Beetle introduced in the | | | | |
| late 1990's, chances are that this is the car | | | | Taking the "Cal Look" a bit farther, there is |
| that you associate with the Volkswagen brand | | | | the "Resto Cal" look, which includes the |
| more than any other. Why shouldn't you? The | | | | addition of a roof rack, and possibly wing |
| cute, compact car is inexpensive, easy to | | | | mirrors, stone guards, and mud flaps. Front |
| maintain, and pretty versatile for such a | | | | indicator lenses, and tail lights are often |
| small vehicle. | | | | changed as well. Even more personalized looks |
| | | | can be achieved by changing or removing door |
| It is because of this combination of easy of | | | | handles, or changing the hinging of the hood |
| maintenance and iconic styling that the | | | | and trunk. While lowering the Beetle is a |
| classic VW Beetle has becoming one of the | | | | common modification, however, another equally |
| most popular cars to be customized. After | | | | common element of non-VW customizations, the |
| all, it seems designed to accept | | | | use of tunneling (Frenching) head lights is |
| personalizations, and everyone recognizes the | | | | not. |
| basic lines of the car. | | | | |
| | | | Aside from cosmetic changes, popular ways to |
| Most Beetle owners don't change much about | | | | modify a classic Beetle include engine mods. |
| the interior of the car. Some might add a | | | | The standard engine is a flat-4, air-cooled |
| sound system, generally a subwoofer and a few | | | | engine in sizes from 1200-1600cc, but because |
| speakers, and after-market steering wheels | | | | most of the parts are merely bolted on, |
| are popular as well. In addition, racing | | | | replacing them with larger or |
| enthusiasts, or race car drivers - Herbie | | | | higher-performance pieces is relatively |
| isn't the only Bug ever to take a turn on a | | | | simple. The standard engine has been |
| speedway, after all - go so far as to strip | | | | customized into configurations much larger |
| the interior and install bucket seats, race | | | | than 2400 cc by adding piston/cylinder kits |
| harnesses, and a roll cage. | | | | and turbochargers, Other enthusiasts have |
| | | | completely replaced the power plant, using a |
| The bulk of Beetle modifications, however, | | | | VW Type 4 2-liter flat-4 engine, a |
| are cosmetic, and feature styles like the | | | | turbocharged Subaru flat 4, or even flat 6s |
| "Cal Look," a set of customizations that has | | | | as found in Chevy Corvairs or Porsche 911s. |
| existed for more than 30 years, albeit with | | | | Other power upgrades include the use of dual |
| some evolution over time. Generally, the | | | | carb systems, and stronger transmissions. |
| first alteration is to lower the car's | | | | |
| suspension and change the wheels. While | | | | From cosmetic customizations to motor |
| period style EMPI 5- or 8-spoke rims are the | | | | modifications, it's clear that even though |
| most popular choices, other people favor | | | | the New Beetle is sporty, stylish, and |
| Speedwell BRMs. Another change involves | | | | popular, it's the classic Bug that is still |
| stripping the bumpers and trim, or replacing | | | | in the hearts of auto enthusiasts everywhere. |
| the bumpers with push bars, though sometimes | | | | |