Colin Platt's '54 Oval Beetle

The car

When Colin first bought his car, we initially lowered it and fitted CB Performance king and link pin disc brake drop spindles. We fitted dual circuit master cylinder, new brake calipers and Machine 7 supplied Porsche 5-stud pattern discs which we had cross-drilled. A BugPack uprated anti-roll bar was fitted.

When Tom Silsbury (Black '56 Oval Sunroof) was upgrading his engine to the current 2276cc unit, Colin purchased the 1914cc John Mayer Racing built unit that Tom had previously fitted to his car. The engine had only seen 1200 miles, and was in perfect condition. Tom wanted to keep the Street Eliminator heads that were fitted to this engine so we fitted new CB Performance Street Eliminator heads with additional porting work carried out by ourselves.

We removed the original split casing gearbox and replaced the early style front gearbox mount with a later one cut from a scrap car. A later 1300 gearbox was fitted. We used VW Heritage "grey" heavy duty mounts and a VW SpeedShop intermediate gearbox mount fitted with rubber blocks. A Gene Berg traction bar was also fitted.

Colin fitted an Autogauge 5" tacho and 2 5/8" Autometer Sport-Comp oil temperature and pressure gauges. We modified the rear spring plate stops to prevent postive camber under deceleration and fitted Bus rubber-snubbers.

Colin's plans for this year are to purchase a Rancho Pro-Comp close ratio gearbox as the stock 1300 unit is making some very distressing noises but has lasted well considering the stick that Colin gives the car. He wants us to fit the gearbox. He also wants a 3.5" narrowed front beam as the 6x15 Fuchs wheels at the front rub the wing edges a little. Colin would also like to upgrade to a 2332cc engine but this may wait until next year.

Engine specification (1914cc)

Gearbox specifications (Stock 1300)

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