Flashback: Patina brothers in Bug Run '98

Two unrestored rides from Helsinki photographed in 1998 Bug Run. Cannot remember who they were but the Turkish Green '62 was owned by Heebah when I got to know him.

Flashback: West Coast Aircoolers in 1995 Bug Run

While I was home recovering from flu I browsed my magazine stash looking for Cabriolet features, I found the January 1996 issue of VW Trends covering the 1995 Bug Run. The photo above has Matti's Zwitter and Kai's Oval.


This must be the '50 Split Jussi Jyr�nk� imported to Finland from the event.

Flashback: West Coast Aircoolers at American Car Show '98

Shots from 10 years ago. My and Heebah '63 Beetles side by side in 1998 American Car Show.

Both of us started stroker engine projects after we got our cars sorted and neither of managed to collect all the parts and get the engine up and running before the cars were gone. I sold my '63 in 2000 and Heebah passed his '63 forward to Otso little later.

Both of our engines were based on 84mm Okrasa cranks but that's where similarities end, I opted for driveability and Tomi all out performance. I tried my engine two occasions at drag strip and got best et of 13.7 while Tomi has been a lot faster. Couldn't check out how much since Jyri's list wasn't available..

Heebah's '63 sported Judson supercharged 1200cc at that time, "Old Speed" before the Belgians even invented the term :)

Flashback: Kai's Custom

Kai Aulankoski's '57 Oval featured in November 1993 issue of Volksworld Magazine. Kai's Oval was one of the very first (if not first) hot rodded Volkswagen I've ever seen and is one of the cars that got me interested in Volkswagens. This issue was already sold out when I got to know Kaitsu at WCA meetings and learned about the feature, but luckily found the issue from ebay.co.uk finally last week :)

Flashback: Pair of Pritschenwagens

Pekka's stroker-equipped Pritschenwagen in American Car Show 1997. That Type II still looks as good in Rafa's posession.



Kaitsu's Pritschen that was picked up near Turku.

Aki's ex-Oval

Bit too new to be included with the Flashback-label, but Aki's Oval was one of the nicest DKP III styled Cal Lookers built in Finland. Long time project with total body off pan restoration.

This photo was taken few weeks before it was picked up by Kobus' buddy from Belgium. At that time it had passed hands 2-3 times in Finland already and been though couple of engine/gearbox/wheels/brake-swaps. Aki kept his 13-second stroker engine, Jussi had a 1600cc turbo engine in it and in the picture it has stock pea-shooters. If I remember correctly Jussi had some plans about this Oval being the base for his current race car..

Oh, and somehow Aki's old close-ratio gearbox (built by AlhoRacing) and Gas Burners found their way to my garage :-)

Flashback: Bug Run #7 and #8

More Bug Run #7 and #8 photos from Sebastian Vuorisalo's album dating to 1990-91. People seemed to be more innovative back then and weren't following Cal Look rule book so strictly..


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See the first nostalgia blast.

Flashback: Bug Run #7 and #8

Collection of photos from Sebastian Vuorisalo's album. These were taken in Bug Run #7 and #8. I guess the saying "this used to be whole lot more fun before someone invented the rules" applies quite well to these photos. Things certainly were more open back then and the cars didn't remind each other so much as today. Sadly today Bug Run, even though still worth a visit, is a shadow of what it used to be.

Flashback: Custom Beetle

Ovalized '63 from the 1997 American Car Show. If I remember correctly car came from Lappeenranta. Bit of mix of styles but built in standard that few can reach.

Flashback: Kotten's Dragster

Some pictures of Kotten's dragster from late 80's / early 90's. The photos have been on the wall of our garage as long as I remember. Ageless set of photos, the Bay Window is there and even Kotten hasn't changed much since. Only the Dragster looks today different after Henkka's lease over the last few seasons..













Photo credits: Kotten Tallgren

Jaska's Oval

Jaska's latest project after Oval Sunroof, 912, '63 Standard Sunroof and '63 stocker.

Flashback: West Coast Aircoolers in American Car Show 1997

West Coast Aircooler's department in 1997 American Car Show. Cars on display were Jussi Jyr�nk�'s Type IV powered 1950 Split and Hannu Hellman's turbocharged Oval.

Week 'til Bug Run

Bit of an inside joke, but I guess that this is as close as I get it this year :-)