VW Kit Cars

Rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 0 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

VW kit cars are kits that are based on the ever popular VW beetle. And there's no shortage of donor cars...with a production span of over 50 years, the humble VW Beetle is still being mass produced in Mexico!

VW kit cars can range from an 60's style Dune Buggy right up to stunning Porsche 356 replicas.

Books For Fans Of VW Kit Cars 

VW Beetle - a Collector's Guide (A Collector's Guide)

Detailed model-by-model descriptions, competition achievements, technical and restoration information, and invaluable reference data chronicle this remarkably durable cars recent history. (52 years after its launch, it is still being manufactured in Mexico at the rate of 140,000 cars per year.) This second edition takes a look at the 1998 retro-look car which will take this enduring concept into the new millenium.

Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 05/12/2008)

Building a Dune Buggy: The Essential Manual

There has been a huge resurgence of interest in Dune Buggies (Beach Buggies) - kit cars based on the chassis and running gear of fatally corroded VW Beetles. Here is the complete step-by-step practical guide to the equipment and building techniques needed to build a Dune Buggy, as well as sound guidance on the choice of donor car and new components. With this manual in your workshop, you can build any VW-based Dune Buggy avoiding all the common pitfalls and money-sapping mistakes, and end up with a superb, roadworthy multi-purpose vehicle.

Amazon Price: $25.97 (as of 05/12/2008)

Vw Beetle: A Comprehensive Illustrated History of the World's Most Popular Car

This book has the best studio type photography that I have ever seen in a VW history. I also found the Technical Appendix is among the best for a quick review of the major changes in the VW Type I through the years. The historical photos are reprinted in a crisp format, and are less grainy than I have seen, so these often seen photos seem somehow new.

Amazon Price: (as of 05/12/2008)

Aircooled VW Engine Interchange Manual: The User's Guide to Original and Aftermarket Parts... (Motorbooks Workshop)

Find out which parts will fit your VW engine and what theyll do for it with this valuable guide to all engine, ignition and carburetion parts for your classic VW engine. Tuning recommendations on equipping engines for economy performance, mild performance increases, fast road or full race performance. Includes stock part interchange specs and parts numbers, and describes the wide range of aftermarket parts available.

Amazon Price: $17.13 (as of 05/12/2008)

Porsche 356 

The classic Porsche 356 has been the focus of many kit car manufacturers due to its timeless curves. Top quality kits are available from Chesil Motors, based in the UK. Check out the video!

Porsche 356 Further Reading 

356 Porsche: A Restorer's Guide to Authenticity

Get a detailed look at the year-to-year changes in body, chassis, trim, and interior components. Virtually every part is described and photographed allowing owner and restorer to determine originality.

Amazon Price: $21.24 (as of 05/12/2008)

Porsche 356: Driving in Its Purest Form

This is a superb history of the 356 - from wartime tinkering with VWs to the Type 64 - through all years of 356 production. Excellent early photos, production shots, design studies, competition cars, exploded views, line drawings, specs, production figures, developmental history and much, much more. Hundreds of photos capture all the details through the years.

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 05/12/2008)

Original Porsche 356

With the aid of factory records and the accumulated knowledge of Porsche 356 experts, Motorbooks presents this essential Porsche 356 restoration guide. Filled with factory specifications and details for all Coup, Cabriolet, Roadster, and Speedster models from 1950 to 1965. This is a must-have car book for serious 356 enthusiasts.

Amazon Price: (as of 05/12/2008)

The Nova Kit Car 

The nova was a futuristic looking kit car that used the humble VW Beetle as a donor.

Yes, I know that the Beetle wasn't the most sporty car around, but the Nova was light and aerodynamic I suppose the underpowered air-cooled Beetle engine was adequate.

More powerful engines such as Rover V8's, Ford or Porsche powerplants could be used if performance was important.

Look who made this lens!

MarkHeywood

MarkHeywood VW kit cars appear in many different forms, from the futuristic Nova to the fun Beach Buggy.