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!

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