This VW Beetle is a Sleeper 

As this seems to be inching close to 500k views, I thought I’d make a brief appearance and answer some of the questions and comments that you’ve all been posting. Firstly, I’d like to say a big thank you to Niall from Take to the road who actually spotted the car parked up in London and asked to film it - he’s done a sterling job in terms of making this and also answering everyone’s comments. To answer some of the questions that people have been asking… I hate to break it to you, but I didn’t actually know he was going to refer to the car as a “sleeper” - so it’s amused me to read all of the comments below. Is it a sleeper, isn’t it a sleeper, I guess I’ll just leave that for you to decide. To all those who have posted nice comments, it’s much appreciated. To all the sofa mechanics who felt the need to criticise, maybe you should get off your couch and actually build a car. Just saying. The steering wheel is an early Speedwell. They do come up for sale occasionally on The Samba if you keep an eye out. A few people expressed concern about the position of the oil cooler under the rear wing. It’s actually been there for the best part of ten years and endured the worst of London’s speed bumps and pot holes without injury. So experience says, don’t worry. Regarding the suspension set up, it’s about a 2” drop on the front and a stock rear suspension. It’s running 145 tyres on the front and 205’s on the back - but I’ll probably swap these out for 155’s and 195’s in the near future. Disks brakes were a standard fitment on the bigger 1500 models sold in the UK from 1968 onwards. Exhaust set up is an all stainless 4 into 1 header with turbo muffler from VW Speed Shop. There’s been some people asking where to get parts. I’d say get yourself on to The Samba or VZI - there’s a wealth of knowledge and experts out there selling things. “He never mention how many times that POS engine needed to be rebuilt.” …True I didn’t. None. But then it was probably built slightly better than yours. “nice car, shame about the owner”. Thanks Luke and good luck with that whole ‘learning not to be a douche’ thing, I’m sure it will work out for your eventually. “fucking hipster”. Good for you. “I never need to wear gloves, and you won't get much warmth from fingerless lether gloves”. Yeah, ok I deserve that one. The reason is those skinny wood rims are slippery buggers but thanks for the concern. For all those that suggested it needs a Subaru STI engine or a turbo. Sure, if that’s your thing. Like wearing a dress, it doesn’t do it for me. But you go for it. Ok that’s it - feel free to keep amusing me with your comments and happy to try and answer anyone who has a genuine question. And Luke, I’m here for you bro if you have any further anger management issues :P David

The bug will always have a place in my heart

I think some commenters are misinterpreting the term, "Sleeper". A sleeper doesn't have to be the fastest car on the street. It just has to be deceptively fast for it's particular class, model or type of vehicle. For example: Let's say that a little mo-ped (motorized bicycle) lost in drag race to a bone stock Miata, but it put up a good fight. I would still consider the mo-ped as a sleeper, because it competed far beyond it's original class and it was much faster than it appeared to be. This car looks like a stock, 53 horsepower, 1968 Bug, because that's what it originally was. But, now it's actually a 130-ish hp Bug, that weighed only 1745 lbs in stock form. This means, it might just surprise the hell out someone, who recognized the car as a stock, 1968 Bug and tried to race against it, with their 170-180 hp, 3,000 lb compact import car. Win or lose, they would still be surprised at how quick this little car could go, when compared to a stock 68 Bug, with only 53 ponies. There are millions of sub-200 hp, compact car owners out there, with cars that weigh around 3,000 or more lbs, who would love to challenge another lower hp compact car to a race. I'm saying, this car might surprise them and that's what makes it a sleeper.

I know I'm fashionably late to the party, but DAMN that Beetle is beautiful!

it's my dream to have this car..

This is EXACTLY what a sleeper is. It's a car that LOOKS stock, but has often hidden modifications. It LOOKS like a nicely restored Beetle. One would never suspect that you tripled the horsepower unless you opened the back. Nicely done.

As an owner of a 1958 VW Beetle, this is one of my favorite videos. What a beautiful machine. Great video production. I keep watching this. Must have watched it 10+ times already. Thanks! Beautiful bug.

Love how this bug has been restored - beautiful touches in the rims, steering wheel, and of course the engine. Very well done!

I love the vw beetle and my dad had a couple of them when I was growing up.

The classic VW Beetle is my favorite car. Yours is a delight to see. As someone who can never legally drive, videos like this are a great treat. Thank you.

Wow a Vw Bug expert I'm a huge fan of VW Bugs

Beautiful bug, great colour. The swage line flows perfectly from quarters to door and the bottoms of the doors and rear quarter panels align perfectly, a true quality restoration.

I've had 2 Beetles so far. A 74 and a 69. Can't wait to get another. Once you pop you can't stop. This time, fully restored. Bugs are just so close to my heart.

It is one the most beautiful Beetles that I have ever see. Cool.

who the hell could dislike this awesome video?!

I like what you said about 'just one more thing and it will be done'. I also like the comment about selling it, then falling in love with it all over again. Can't wait to get my hands on one. Thank you for sharing. It's a beautiful car.

Lovely Beetle. I like the Porsche cooling fan addition. Also a very Nice sounding exhaust system. I have a 1916cc Stan Pobjoy race motor in my 1971 model. I did all the body, paintwork and rebuild myself. I changed out my tail lights to 1960s and widened the rear metal guards for 17" Porsche Fuchs replica wheels. Not so much a sleeper as your beauty. There is something special about driving these old Volkswagens.

gorgeous......simply gorgeous..in it's simplicity....

Man, that little Bug sounded fantastic!

I see the Gene Berg shifter! Thanks for buying American, Berg was one of the pioneers in VW power modification, and lord knows I bought enough engine parts from him to keep me broke for a long time. But at least I got free candies!

great job modified your beetle like the way you want it. stock outside and great engine sound! watched your video a several times and i keep on watching it.

This is the style that what I want, still looks classic with cool rim. The red color isn't too bright, i like it. Congrats bro !

I love the car, the best looking 68 I've ever seen. But I'm partial to the earlier 50s and 60s models I built an 1855cc (78x87mm) hot rod engine when I was 18 or so. Ported and polished the heads myself, trimmed the valve guides to keep them out of the ports, Stainless exhaust valves, big cam, deep sump, 2x48 IDA webers and a per lux igniter points eliminator in a 009 distributor with a Bosch red coil, stock transaxle out of a 67 type III with long axles and 5 lug wide brake drums, should have lowered the gear ratio for drag racing but it had lots of torque so it wasn't too bad. I used to stay right up with big block Trans Ams and Camaros and ran in the 9s in an 1/8 mile. I never dyno'd it but I figure about the same, 120-130 hp. My car was a true sleeper, the body didn't look nice and shiny like your's although I wish it did. It surprised a lot of people, even a cop that caught me street racing a camaro that had numbers on his windshield where he'd just come from the drag strip. The cop said to me, "What do you have in that thing? You weren't doing too bad." I loved to just light the rear tires up when someone pulled up next to me at a stop light. It ran like a bat out of hell until they lowered pump gas from 104 octane to 95 then to 93. I want to build another, just have too many projects. I get my thrills on a 2000 Hayabusa now. Anyway, your car fits my definition of a sleeper. Most people wouldn't think it is that fast. I like the original looking tach. The Smiths gauges match the VDO speedo almost perfectly. I think the 68 over here state side was a 1600 from the factory too but no disc brakes. I used to work on them and built lots of engines, you'd think I'd remember for sure but that was 40 yrs ago. I remember they had the dreaded H engine case/block. They pulled head studs out all the time. I'm sure when your engine was built they used a small stud case or put in stud inserts. I have a jig for drilling an tapping for inserts, done many a case and it was a good fix unless the case cracked from the giant hole you drilled in it right next to the cylinder hole. The thing to do in the states when I was doing it is to get a new, welded, clearanced small stud case to start with or if you have an unlimited budget just go with a SCAT racing case and build a 2800, if they still make them. I still like the all engine method, no turbos or super chargers. I didn't see a super charger on your engine, although you said it had one. Unless you meant the heater booster fan mounted over the engine.

Looks Mighty Damn Good to me. (First VW was a brand new '63, my mom's, which I learned to drive on.) Respect.

Ignore the people that are bringing negativity to the car its a gorgeous work of art with so much character its absolutely awesome!!

Good bug mate, wish you happy motoring ahead. Still wondering who can dislike such a good video...

Very Nice.....! Just enough hp to make it seriously fun. So many people ruin the original concept of the VW beetle. You kept it close to original but added the fun factor. Well Done!

Very cool..brought back memories of my 70 bug. With the 1835..Engle 110 and dual dellartos it was a blast to drive !

beautifully done, what a wonderful relationship he has with that bug!

Absolutely beautiful automobile, I've had at least 4 beetles and 2 split window vans which I still wish I owned. Thanks that was really enjoyable ... proper flat 4 power OMG !!!

This car is quite stunning and tastefully done. It’s my dream to have a vehicle like this as well. I guess I would consider mine “done” or “finished” when it was basically an air cooled Porsche 911 wearing a Beetle suit. 😇

Nice job. I have a '71 Super Beetle Auto Stick restored. Great little cars. 80 million sold world wide. Highest selling car ever. Great distinctive cartoonish style that always makes me smile.

....Today I saw...a VW Beetle...1972....Montreal, Quebec....A rare find in these parts...

I love how it sounds.

A fine build! - when I was much younger urging my 1200 up a hill, I envied the newer twin-port heads (and the two speed windshield wipers), Bot you've taken this Bug far beyond those sought after '71's!

What a great car

tastefully done.although i am not into kdfw's i can appreciate the work and patience that has gone into this car.i hope you get to enjoy it for a long time to come and no idiot damages it on the road....or in a parking lot.

I am 49 years old I have been in love with and building Volkswagen since I was 12 I have owned at least 30 Volkswagen personally and been around thousands if not millions of them over the years in various clubs shows on the road and throughout my love affair with Volkswagen's I have never seen one become airborne in the fashion mentioned

Fuck yes. Aircool heads are aircool heads for life.

There is a green and white 1958 vw beetle in my street. Its fantastic

Love how clean your beetle looks. I own a 68 with a 1641 engine but looks a little different. I bought it as a project so it’s been more like a Frankenstein cause as Imkeep going I keep finding more and more weird parts. Like the gas cap (door) mine has no cable to open it and the fender has a small finger bend on fender. As if I’m supposed to manually open the little door latch when putting gas, however my little door has a spring that opens it. So it’s a hot rod style not stock cause it even has air bags and has an amazing stance with dog dish caps and rear dip dish black powder coated wheels. It really look s awesome just need me to finish it....

I love your car .. that type 1 sound is music to my soul and spirit

Great Looking Dub love that Porsche fan shroud and twin carbs, gives the engine bay some extra space. very nice.

beautiful vw bug! I have always loved the bug since I watched the first Herbie movie. one day I will own one

Sweet sounding bug!

beautiful restoration, such a clean looking build, 10 out of 10 my friend, my dream is to build a spyder body on a bug chassis. i restore shelbys for now.

my dream engine is a 2332 with dual 48 IGA Weber carburetors

Great video! My son and I are working on a 69 Ghia that we saved from the car crushers 👍We have some videos up and will be adding more as we progress 👍✌️

Great looking, great sounding Beetle. To me a "sleeper" is a car that outwardly looks stock but is, in every way, much more capable than stock. Doesn't need to be something that burns up the roadway or the track. I'd like to do something like this to a Karmann Ghia and then just keep on appreciating it for what I've created it to be throughout the years. Excellent video. My only critique is I would've liked to hear/see more of the engine and other mechanicals/electricals.

I am so jealous!! Looks great, sounds amazing. And yes, nice job on video/audio production.

Great car! My first car was a 1970 1500L imported from Germany. It was a very similar car, front disks, Karman Gia rear end, and had 1500L on the rear hood. Here in America VW's din't have disk brakes until 1971. Every time I would bring my car to the VW dealership, all the mechanics would stop to take look at my strange car. I still miss it, but I think I miss my 1971 bus a little more. Keep it, but don't let your daughter drive it, she will love it , but they are too dangerous on modern roads. Thanks for sharing your car.

I have a 1970 1,500 bug l love it. Right now its all apart being restored. It would b my dream to have a RHD bug.

Exhaust sounds awesome!

I miss my 1974 Superbeetle. It wasn't in any way a sleeper - mostly original with a few replacement parts, but the body was sound (no rust) and it ran like a dream. My ex-husband traded it for a pickup that didn't run. WTF?? GRRRR!!! That's just one reason why he's my ex.

very nice little red bug....

love beetles, my first car was a 65 1200, 6v battery was a pain, if it was raining at night you could either have lights or wipers.

Why is it that so many people focus on the title of this video. Who cares if it's not a real sleeper. It's a beautifully built beetle.

perfect tune sound

This thing is dope!

This makes me miss my 68 Squareback!

Wow, a really beautifull car! I once had an 1984er Mexio in red but gave it away as a gift...

Great job mate!! That is a sweet little ride you have there. Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed that.

Over here in Western Pennsylvania, the heavily salted Winter roads resulted in serious Beetle rust.

Im a more a Chevy/Jeep fan but I have always had a soft spot for old Volkswagen Beetles, probably because they are so similar to Jeeps for example, They both fought in world war 2, they make awesome off road vehicles and cruisers, both old Jeeps and old Beetles had 60 horse power, very reliable and capable vehicles both had 4 cylinders and just enough power to get the job done, both had terrible heating systems but they were both so simple and easy to work on. 2 very similar vehicles that at a glance don't look so similar. and yes I know the VW Bug itself never fought in WW2 but It was the designing platform of the Kubelwagen which the kubelwagen inspired the Volkswagen Thing.

Now that's a bug I'd like to drive, even if everything is on the wrong side.

Love the stance and the color. HP is good. More is better.

Love it. Especially the colour

Love Beetles. This is a great one

I myself on my 70 sunroof beetle and currently engaged in about a two-year-long quest to get New Old Stock bumpers for my 1970 VW Bug 70 sunroof I love the car it is not the nicest you're the prettiest and it may never be but I will still love it no matter what the lady I bought it from I think she cried a little when I took the car somebody cut my front bumper bumper in a fender scraped a plane change accident one day wrapped it up messed it up and wrecked it and both bumpers the Chrome starting to pit severely so I stuffed and sprayed the rear bumper flat black the rear bumper was and still is strong and structurally strong at the very least at some point I'm going to have to rechrome the rear bumper and find a new front one even if I can't find the New Old Stock that I want I am going to have to get a good old one and have it rechromed!

That's a great looking Beetle!! I bet it's fun to drive too

This looks like so much fun!!!!

Thank you for making this video. Enjoyed it .

Got to 4 minutes and all I can keep thinking is, "When are we going to get to see what the car can do?" I got a little excited when the guy pulled out of his driveway, with racing gloves on and everything, and then he short shifts it and gets it up to 45MPH and we never hear or see what the car does, and then the video goes back to this guy talking who puts me to sleep. Love the car, great video production quality, just can't make it through all of it to see if this car has any nuts or not.

You need to see my mates, he has 40 k in it, 2.8,4 cylinder, running 300 bhp...engine case, stroker crank, case and cam shaft clearanced jenvey injection on 48 ida's,rhino gearbox, ongoing build....for at last the last 13 years!

Reminds me of my buddies beetle that woul pull 3rd gear wheelies on the street back in highschool

Awesome car and awesome channel. I'm glad I found you guys! Watching this makes me want to restore my Dad's '56 Beetle. We both want to make something like this so thanks for the inspiration. Dave

I like how the car looks mostly stock from the outside the Aesthetics of the engine are great! I love the way it looks and if you have upgraded from 44 to maybe a hundred and a quarter horsepower that is an amazing upgrade crippling the horsepower excellent! I love Volkswagen's :-)

Beautiful car, nice customization.

💥 I Had a 1835cc 120hp 68 Minor Custom Super Beetle I Sold and Miss Very Much ✅ I’ve Had 4 Beetles... Very Cool 💥

YES I HAD THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION COMPLETELY IN ROAD AND HIGH SPEED SET UP.

i like the sticker at the end, do not open windows at over 120MPH. i had an old mercedes 190 that had a sticker on the gas flap, "add 4 PSI to tires when driving over 100MPH".

120 BHP is more than enough power on this kind of car. I drove one with the original power and it was a snap oversteer kind of car so putting too much power would be dangerous. This car weighs nothing so it is probably an incredible experience. I have an Austin mini Naturally aspirated with 78 BHP weigh-in at 630 kgs and trust me you don't need more power there's plenty of fun in this car.

Beautiful beetle

gorgeous car pal, would never sell that.

Love it, It's a rare view nowadays to see the beetle around and even rarer to see one in a good shape. What's the song at the end?

nice looking bug, 120 hp, enough power for a beetle,

Nice sound, I always love or hate Beetle's; never seen a "middle" one lol. This one I love it's more powerful as all Beetles should be, but the owner kept the cachet, as all Beetle's owners should do. ;)

A lot of the commentators obviously have no idea how far a few ponies go in a 1,700 pound Volkswagen. My 71 Super Beetle has a stock-internal 1,600 with dual carbs and a header, and I don't have a problem "keeping up" with California traffic. You're probably the same people that cut me off and act a fool, never mind I'm cruising 75 with traffic, because you won't dare get "caught" behind a crusty old VW. The day you're privileged to have a real 120 wheel horse power Bug next to you, you're in for a big surprise.

beatiful car

Really sweet car

Nice beetle.. euro countries love it cuz its cold atmosphere.. if your in the tropics damn so hot so sad its the nicest car iv driven the first car where i first learned to drive with..

from personal experience turbo chargers are great for the big horse power! I had a sand car that was amazing how to build 2110 in it 4888 Weber carburetors 11 and a half to 1 compression 108 octane trick racing fuel it man it ran amazing it was fast and Powerful 4 people in the car climb any Dune! One Night Towing a broken down dune buggy back from the middle of the dunes heading through a wash out of the desert with me driving my buddy and I in my car going the other car with two guys in it we held it open house about 7500 to 8000 RPMs for about 10 miles! :-) a carbureted motor was amazingly powerful and very responsive I found it to be more fun and responsive to drive

Nice beetle !This is axactly how I want my beetle look too , I already got a red 73 beetle but I want it to be repainted because its really bad paint. Ive had big maintenance this year already , all I need after the fresh paint is a nice fast engine but it really depends on what I can find at what budget.

I had an orange one and it was so slow, wind aft and planets aligned could hit 110 km/h but it was a joy to ride, I called it "bad girlfirend" cause it always made me spend a lot of money xd

Beetle life 😊

Is beatiful, congratulation and greetings from MÉXICO!!!

Very nice build..keep up the good work

Brilliant car!

The engine sounds really good.

Hey you're driving on the wrong side of the road 😉 beautiful car, great job building it.