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AirSpeed Feature Car - December 2008
Gerry Dyke's
1957 Ragtop
One of AirSpeed's
biggest supporters for years has been local guy
Gerry Dyke. Gerry is as a TEC guy for AkzoNobel, the
multinational corporation that produces Sikkens,
Lesonal and Utec automotive paints. Gerry got back
into VWs after a 3 year absence due to a mountain
biking injury where he compressed 3 discs in his
neck and broke 2 vertebrae in my back. Given that he
can't ride anymore he needed something to do with
his time and always wanted an oval-window Beetle.
This stunning
specimen is a 57 original sunroof car. The color is
Polar Silver and as also original to the car along
with all the correct fenders. Yes, those are NOS
headlight lenses, and NOS Albert post mount mirrors.
The current engine is a mild 2275cc that will be
swapped out over the winter for a killer 2332cc IDA
motor with K-ROC heads that's built and ready to
install in the car with a 50 hp shot of nitrous. The
car also has a digital8 MSD, line-loc and an
AirSpeed Porsche Fan kit. The tranny is a Rancho
3:88 Pro Swingaxle with 4.11 first gear, 2.46 2nd,
1.74 3rd, 1.31 4th. Gusseted case, gusseted hockey
stick, McKenzie Super Diff, Poor Man's Posi, welded
3rd & 4th plus short S.A.W. axles and Berg mid-mount
. Interior is all Wolfsburg West with squareweave
carpet and mohair headliner, scat shifter and black
banjo wheel.
This car wears one of two sets of wheels depending
on Gerry's mood. Flat-4 grey BRMs with DOT street
legals, and MSW 5-bolt Sprintstars. 4 wheel disc
brakes and 2 inch narrowed beam.
Gerry spent 3
years from start to finish and did as much of the
car as he could possibly do himself, including
sandblasting, body, paint, pan, and all of the
mechanicals with the exception of the actual
assembly of the engine, which was done by Hans
Krieger. Tuck 'n' Cover installed the interior and
Geoff Peterson took care of the electrical.
Well worth the
wait, Gerry!
Can we feature your
car? -
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