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1954 Volksrod Custom

July 31, 2020 By 10Web Leave a Comment

1954 Volksrod owned by Jerry Dunbar

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Issue
August 2020
Owner
Jerry Dunbar
Ride
Velvet Cherry
(1954 Volkswagen Beetle)
Meaning Behind the Name
It is a nod to the color
Photographer
Ron Mckinnis

Ride Details

Original Cost
Original msrp 1,495
Build Cost
10-15 k ?
What was the inspiration?
Growing up II was surrounded by A mix of vehicles from mini trucks , low riders , hot rods and Volkswagens each have their own distinct style . And let’s not forget every car guys gateway drug ! Hot wheels cars ! How does one combine all of these elements into one platform ? You build your own life sized hot wheels car . After a few years being involved with with an amazing group of people , Kahiko Kula old school VW club , our club president Leroy Tagavilla asked if I wanted to go to the elite and just clean show in Las Vegas .i agreed .and was suggested to bring my “rat rod” at the time it was basically a pile of parts and an idea .Not knowing the the true meaning of this acceptance at the time . A few weeks later I asked the Question of was I building for the “show” or the “build off” . Well at that point I was asked to enter the build off . After a moment of internal stress, can I do this ? Will it represent the quality of people this club represents ? The time line is super short . Can I truely make this happen . ? We will see ... Leroy then made a simple comment that fueled the fire . Do what you do only better ! Game on ! Rules of the build off were pretty loose , 1 year to build - less than 20k in parts , must have left the factory as an air cooled Volkswagen and drive into the show
How long did it take you to build?
Long story short - the build off is a 1 year time limit . I was asked to participate 3 months into the time line ! Leaving 9 months to the day to the show ! Time to rally the troops !
How long have you been building?
building started early in child hood with models , then bikes then cars . Basically the desire of of having a unique ride started as soon I had the ability to customize any thing with wheels !
Club Affiliations
Kahiko Kula Old school vw club
Your future plans?
Live life ! Inspire those around me ! And be the best person I can be on a daily basis ! The biggest goal is to see the smile on a young persons face and maybe inspire the next generation of builders !
Vehicle history
Original chassis build started in my one car garage in Tacoma wa at the time , And a defunct chopped body , deadline being as short as it was it was time to rally the troops . Calling on close friends and club members in order to have any chance of making this show ! It takes a village ! I took the body out to Derek Hess of tricitys wa for help with the fab work and bringing ideas to life .. Calling on friends And cub members for assistance in the tacoma area for suspension and chassis work running Back and forth from tricitys and tacoma every chance I could . Putting in late hours trying to make this happen in between two city’s 4 hrs apart .
Thanks to
The list of people to thank goes on and on .to those that have been a part of the insanity of making this happen from the inspiration and guidance . To fund raising , to Acutual hands on , donation of parts ! I thank you Kahiko Kula and the Ohana ! Leroy Tagavilla for the opportunity and bringing so many together in the form of a family we call Kahiko Kula ! Don west of west cost wipers Lawrence Sandborn - fabshop 104 Derek Hess Spencer Mathis Mike Alexander - flo air ride Chad chris Smittys smoothies Tim Hancock Tim’s acvw Byron’s interiors Avery’s air cooled Dougie heck
Previous Rides
1967 suicide door bug 1979 bay window bus 1959 vw type 2 single cab pick up 1969 vw Fastback And many more

Engine Details

Cylinders
4
Displacement
1835cc
Engine Mods
Engle 110 cam 9.5 to 1 compression Full flowed Reworked heads
Engine Add Ons
Bergman fan shroud Dual 40mm Webber carbs Remote oil cooler
Chrome or polish
Color matched block . Shroud matched to body

Driveline Details

Transfer Case
66 swing axle
Axle
Long axle conversion

Chassis Details

Mods to Frame
2 in trans lift 10 in extension /frame braced Raptor lined in and out
Frame Builder
Self
Drop or lift inches
2.5 in drop frame extension 2 in trans lift
Spindles
2.5 in dropped
Springs
Air
Four Link
Custom rear link with ride tec r joints
Compressor Info
Flo air compressors
Valve Info
Accuair vu4
Airbag Info
2500 in front 2600 in the rear flo airride tanks and compressors
Other Mods
Fabshop 104 independent front beam , custom rear air rid setup
Chrome, Paint, or Polish
Powder coated components

Wheels Details

Front Wheel Type
Smitty's smoothies
Rear Wheel Type
Smittys smoothies
Front Wheel Size
17x7
Rear Wheel Size
20x8
Front Tire Size
225 35 zr 17
Rear Tire Size
225 35 Zr 20

Paint Details

Color
Velvet cherry candy pearl
Paint Type
Basf
Painted By
Spencer Mathis
Graphics By

Body Details

Hood
Notched and reinforced
Addon Accessories
39 Chevy tail lights
Body Mods
Chopped , shaved , smoothed , cut and re stitched back together to be what you see ! Not a square foot has not been modified or repaired back to original appearance . The key to a successful modification is to make it look like you a.haven't been there . Every thing needs to look like it belongs ! The overall feel needs to be seamless like it could have left the factory that way . While turning every thing else on its head !
Body Mods by
Derek Hess ,spencer Mathis and Jay Utterbruck

Interior Details

Dashboard
Custom hand turned monkey pod dash knobs
Gauges
Speed hut GPS speedometer
Steering Wheel
Original 1954 wheel rebuilt and color matched
Head Unit
Fosgate blue tooth head unit
Amps
Dual Fosgate digital amps
Speakers
10 in fosgate sub
Stereo Installed by
Self
Shifter
Cool Rydes customs crc shifter and pedal assembly
Seats
Low back seats Heated and recovered in garment leather
Tint Percent
35%
Upholstery Description
Raptor lined floor pans with coco mats , seats and panels recovered in garment leather .
Upholstery Description
Feel free to shoot me a call 253 973 9743 if there is any more info needed
Upholstery By
Byron’s interiors

1954 Volksrod

1954 Volksrod owned by Jerry Dunbar

Owned by: Jerry Dunbar

Photos by:  Ron McKinnis


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Filed Under: August 2020, Features Tagged With: 1954, August 2020, Classic, custom, Feature Vehicle, rat rod, volksrod, Volkswagen


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