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CENTER STAGE> Porsche Powered VW with Patina

 

It’s been a while since MotorMavens published some car features from Europe. Come join us as we dive deeper into the Euro car scene in the Netherlands! This is a 1960 Volkswagen Beetle, is there anything more classically Euro that you can think of? I think not… but don’t be fooled, this Beetle is not quite stock. It’s also a daily driven car. Let’s have a look at the details…

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

Let’s start with its presence. Michiel lowered the car by shortening the front axles by 4 inches and adding a lowering kit with adjustable ride height. The rear is lowered, with adjustable torsion plates added to realise this stance.

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

What you see here is the Beetle’s daily driven stance, needed to get onto the terrain where we did this photo shoot. For car meetings and events, Michiel lowers his car even more. This is no trailer queen, as Michiel drives it as a daily in his local town; he also drives this Beetle to several events around Europe. You might have seen him at previous editions of Wörthersee or MIVW with his club.

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

There’s more to tell about the appearance of this Volkswagen. Obviously, Michiel did not keep his paint in showroom condition. He likes it looking used, so to say.

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

The car sits on polished Empi wheels, which contrast nicely with the worn out exterior. They’re also wrapped in rubber which was originally meant for a Smart Car.

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

He also added popout windows at the rear.

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

Another mod that one might notice are the Porsche 356 headlight grills, which really look good if you ask me.

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

The Albertswan rearview mirrors are a very nice modification as well.

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

As for rat-rodding the interior to match the car’s exterior look, he actually had a couple of mice living in the back of this bug, and he was very thankful for the effort they put in destroying most of the interior.

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

Michiel does like his music though, so he added a nice sound system, which is kept invisible to the eye to deter thieves. Oh, and do you see that little guy hanging from the rearview mirror? He seems nice, doesn’t he?

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

Meet Mr. Shrunkenhead. He is some kind of exotic tradition that chases bad dreams away. Michiel thought it was the perfect addition to hang from his rearview mirror. I think it’s the perfect addition to make unwanted passengers crap their pants… because if the Porsche power behind the rear seats isn’t working, this will probably do the trick!

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

The engine is definitely something special. The regular powerplant wasn’t quite to Michiel’s liking, so he swapped it with a 1641cc Porsche 914 engine, which is being fed by double 34 er Solex double carburetors. The thing sounds awesome and has more speed in it than Michiel has dared to ride himself.

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

I was stunned by the incredible amount of details that Michiel added to his ride. I’m really looking forward to seeing the other Volkswagens he is now preparing!

Michiel Wörthersee 1960 Volkswagen vw Beetle Rat Rod Porsche 914 Empi Casper Heij

:: Casper Heij

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15 Responses

  1. Love all aircooled bugs. Is that a Type 4 914 motor? Need more pics of it. Didn’t know they made 1.6L 914 motors, thought they were all 1.8 and 2.0. Maybe they made a 1.6 Type 4 motor in Europe. Anyway, can’t go wrong with polished 5 spoke Empi’s. Classic look!

  2. Universal Magnetic

    this is your FIRST post on motormavens?! are you sure? your photos sure don’t look like a beginner level quality! awesome work man

  3. WELCOME, Casper!!! I really LOVED your photos… (and I can almost NEVER say that to photographers who have just started out with us!) Great pick on choosing this Beetle for a feature!

    I can’t wait to see what you have in store NEXT! MotorMavens EUROPE!!!!

  4. DUBteez: you’re right, after checking with Michiel he told me he didn’t have the engine in there at the time of the photoshoot. Sorry for the confusion :(

  5. NuggetG60YorkshireUK

    like what i see here! quality build on a debate-able theme! 10 points from me, i’d love to own this Bug..

  6. IhaveVW's

    that is definitely not a 914 motor. its upright type 1 aircooled. it is not a type 4 from a 914, late type2 or any vw/porsche. if its a 1641cc, its probably not even a porsche 356 block. from the looks of it, its a run of the mill vw motor (1500cc would be my guess since it doesnt even have a doghouse fan) with a 1641 big bore kit and cheap dual carb set up.

  7. awvw

    Well put IhaveVW’s, nothing but a cheap motor setup. I just bought a 62′ same color and patina that came out of a guys wood shed with better running gear. I wish i got written up for finding that…

  8. Jonathan Capen

    What kind of shocks were used? I’ve got a ’75 and would like to lower it to about the height of this one.

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