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1973 Volkswagen Bug

May 28, 2021 By Gauge Magazine

1973 Volkswagen Bug

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Issue
June 2021
Owner
Eric Smith
Ride
Nasty Habit
(1973 volkswagen bug)
Meaning Behind the Name
i've always been into building awesome cars
Photographer
Chris Gosda

Ride Details

Original Cost
6000
Build Cost
$32,000
What was the inspiration?
i've always had a dream of having a cool looking vw, but love the mini trucks too. . so i told myself i'll put the 2 together and have the best of both worlds
How long did it take you to build?
1 year 2 months, but you're never really done
How long have you been building?
i started when i was 16
Club Affiliations
deviant creations
Your future plans?
rag top, wheels, upgrade the 'trunk' area, i'll always want to do something different
Vehicle history
1973 vw bug i got from a guy in raleigh, nc. he got it for him and his son to build but his son lost interest in it. clean car when i got it
Thanks to
my wife kathryn smith, my brother steve, mike spitz, good friend dan barden, nathan rankin, adam dapo, my club and lots more that helped along the way
Previous Rides
several vw bugs, 12 totall; body dropped 87 b2200, body dropped 91 s10 blazer, too many to really list

Engine Details

Make
volkswagen 1970
Cylinders
4
Displacement
1641
Engine Mods
1641 6042 cam 97mm pistons not a whole lot to do to it. i wanted to drive this one more
Engine Add Ons
webber 40 carburator, and intake, chrome alternator, billet distributor, pullies, oil fill neck and accessories. painted block, smooth
Chrome or polish
wheels, steering wheel, air tank and compressors

Driveline Details

Clutch flywheel
stock
Torque Converter
stock
Transfer Case
stock
Axle
stock
Gears
stock
Builder Shop
myself

Chassis Details

Chassis
1973 vw pan full air ride, with 6" narrow front beam, with irs rear suspension
Mods to Frame
full air ride, 6" narrow front, front disk brakes, 2" drop spindles, notched trailing arms
Frame Builder
myself and dan barden at barden metal fabrication
Drop or lift inches
on the ground, not sure how much of a drop
Spindles
2" spindles
Springs
air bags
Four Link
na
Compressor Info
2480 viair compressors
Valve Info
vixen vale block
Airbag Info
2600 slam specialo n back, airkewld air shocks
Other Mods
shaved doors, shaved vents on rood, side and rear

Wheels Details

Front Wheel Type
ridler
Rear Wheel Type
ridler
Front Wheel Size
17
Rear Wheel Size
17
Front Tire Size
205 40 17
Rear Tire Size
205 40 17

Paint Details

Color
sunset pearl orange with graphics
Paint Type
urethan base clear
Graphics Description
mini truck theme graphics up the hood and down the sides and in the door jambs
Painted By
myself
Graphics By
adam dapo and myself

Body Details

Addon Accessories
sport mirrors, tail lights, head lights
Body Mods
shave door, led taillights, halo headlights shaved hood, side and rear vents, hood vents 3" wider rear fenders running boards, shaved tail pipe holes
Body Mods by
myself and mike spitz

Interior Details

Dashboard
shave dash
Gauges
custom air gauges, oil temp, voltage and battery
Steering Wheel
billet
Console
custom made by myself
Head Unit
kenwood
Amps
skar
Speakers
skar
Stereo Installed by
myself
Shifter
empi
Seats
custom bench seat made by myself and dan
Trunk or Bed
custom designed by myself
Upholstery Description
tan with custom bench seat, stereo, console, door panels, carpet
Upholstery Description
fibeglass speakerbox
Upholstery By
myself and richard from city upholstery

“Nasty Habit”

1973 Volkswagen Bug

Owned by: Eric Smith

Photos by: Chris Gosda


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Filed Under: Features, June 2021 Tagged With: beetle, bug, custom, Feature, Volkswagen, VW


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