My 70 Drag Bug

What is it helping with?

I don't know.

It counteracts the drag effect created by the deck lid stand off...

I don't know if it really does that, but it sounds good.

I guess it is like any other wing and it is to keep downward force on the rear wheels right.

I think you should get a big old Porsche whale tale!!! YEA YEA YEA!!!

I think hot VW's mentioned it in a article. Anyway I remember something about increased cooling and/or mileage increase.

The original Herrod Helper was used for what Low Class mentioned, increasing fuel mileage and provide better cooling. Now I'm not positive, but I believe the air cutting over the Helper would create a scoop effect and force cool air into the engine compartment providing better cooling, meanwhile the air would flow across the Helper instead of down the back of the car causing tubulance, which in turn increased fuel efficiency. Did it work? Hot VWs tried it and said it does.

For my application it will be used as a wing, providing more downforce on the rear of the car at high speeds. Will it work for me? time will tell. Plus I think it looks cool. One of the NASA racers made them using an original as a template and gave me one.

Mateo wrote:

I think you should get a big old Porsche whale tale!!! YEA YEA YEA!!!

I had an opportunity to buy one of those when I got my rear fenders. I passed.

Picked up my latest upgade today. A real roll bar.

I also talked to my engine/transmission builder.

We're looking at a new cam, heads, carbs. Some good stuff.

Transmission wise, there are a couple possibilities being tossed around, either upgrading to Bus-type CVs or maybe converting the car to swing axle.

I spent most of today working on the Street Bug, but I was able to get the main hoop of the roll bar installed, along with it's mounting plates.

Here's the main hoop fitted in place. Nice and tight against the roof.

When are we gonna test it out?

I got some interesting texts from my sponsor/engine/transmission builder today.

-"I have a brand new rotating assembly built for you at the house........it"s nice!!"

-"I got you a brand new cam and lifters too."

-"Looks like Kevin [another sponsor] got me some weber 44s for it also."


He then sent me to Bugformance for some parts, and I walked away with a CB Performance straight-cut gear timing set, and a 3.5qt deep sump. I don't remember the brand of the sump. Maybe Empi.

So pretty much I blew my race car build budget for the next couple weeks. Time to lay low for a while and maybe finally finish the roll cage.

What size are you building?

I don't know. It's a mystery motor...

It's a five litre Matt.

Front engine and blown?

It's a possibility.

David, what class are you going to run at BOR in May???

You know it.

I'll be running in the stock Expedition class. They have one of those right?

Depending on how fast the car is I would like to do one of the index classes, I don't think I'll be fast enough for 11.60 but you never know. If not, it depends how fast the car is whether I do Pro Eliminator or Sportsman Eliminator. Or if money is tight, or I'm still doing test passes, I'll do trophy.

Way to complicated. Just drive it as fast as you can.

RuddzRodz wrote:

Depending on how fast the car is I would like to do one of the index classes, I don't think I'll be fast enough for 11.60 but you never know. If not, it depends how fast the car is whether I do Pro Eliminator or Sportsman Eliminator. Or if money is tight, or I'm still doing test passes, I'll do trophy.

Cool...

Finally got the roll bar all fitted and tacked in place. I will pull the glass before I fully weld it up.

Today, at Bug-O-Rama 71, I made a purchase for this car. I got a set of clean doors, with aluminum door panels and lexan windows already installed. They are in pretty good shape, but need a little bodywork, nothing major. I wont use the doorpanels because I have other ones (better) already.

Got home and installed the doors on the car.

Amazing how just getting some doors can motivate you...

Here's what I did today. Started by bending the door bars for the roll bar and getting that mocked in place.



Then I stripped down the car, doors, front end, fenders, glass.





Then I stripped the doors, did some bodywork to get the doors nice, smoothed the dash of the car, pulled the remaining trim off the car and filled the holes, did some other bodywork, sprayed a little primer. (Not pictured)

Then I put the car in the garage and welded the roll cage together.