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Vintage Blue: A Decade in the Making

When Dale Hansen of Fort Wayne, Indiana, dragged home his 1971 Super Beetle 1302 in the summer of 2015, he thought he knew what he was getting into. The plan seemed simple enough: a frame-off restoration back to stock, something to bring the tired Bug back to showroom glory. But projects have a way of taking on their own momentum. What began as a careful rebuild became a ten-year saga of discovery, fabrication, reinvention, and, ultimately, transformation. Today, the car known as Vintage Blue is as much a reflection of that journey as it is a machine—an Italian-blue, chrome-accented, rally-ready Super Beetle with a split personality: part street cruiser, part vintage Cup racer.

Phase One: The Frame-Off

The first three years were dedicated to doing things “the right way.” Hansen pulled the body from the pan and committed to a full inspection, cleaning, and repair of every component. This wasn’t just a restoration; it was archaeology with a wrench.

Every bolt, washer, nut, and bracket was cataloged. Corrosion was ground away, threads were re-tapped, surfaces refinished. Hardware was zinc-plated, polished, or painted until even the smallest fasteners looked better than new. The chassis itself was flipped and stripped bare. Rust was cut out. Welds were repaired. Seams were sealed. Paint was reapplied in careful coats, chosen for both protection and originality.

Electrical systems received the same scrutiny. Harnesses were inspected wire by wire, terminals refreshed, grounds improved. Rubber was discarded in favor of modern urethane, trading factory softness for durability and sharper handling response.

Hansen worked methodically. He was patient. He wanted a stock-perfect Beetle. And when the bodywork and paint were finally sent out to professionals, along with the headliner, the car began to look like the vision he’d carried from the start.

Phase Two: The First Heartbeat

Power came initially from a modest but lively setup: a rebuilt 1641cc engine fitted with an Engle 110 cam, super stock heads, a Weber 32/36 progressive carburetor, and a free-flowing header system. It was a respectful nod to VW’s performance heritage—a little more grunt, a little more voice, but still firmly rooted in drivability.

For the first time in years, the car breathed again. The first 50 miles felt like a victory lap. But then something shifted.

Phase Three: The Turning Point

After only a handful of drives, Hansen realized something: stock wasn’t enough. “I built the car to original specs,” he reflects, “but once I drove it, I knew that wasn’t the end of the story. It wasn’t what I wanted the car to be.”

The decision to pivot was bold. Instead of keeping the Beetle as a carefully restored museum piece, Hansen chose to push forward into uncharted territory: Pro Mod performance. It meant undoing years of “purist” effort and stepping into a second, more radical build.

Phase Four: Rally Cup Aspirations

Over the next seven years, the Beetle was transformed from a restoration project into a weaponized rally-inspired machine. The foundation was a 2332cc engine—big-bore cylinders, stroker crank, dual Weber carburetors, and performance heads tuned for both torque and top end. This wasn’t a weekend cruiser’s motor. This was the heart of a competition car.

Backing it was a Bus 091 Pro Mod transmission with custom gearing, built to handle abuse while delivering acceleration worthy of Cup racing. A one-off, zinc-plated six-point roll cage added safety while doubling as showpiece, gleaming under the light with industrial beauty. Suspension duties were handed to Ron Lummus Racing, whose components turned the Bug into something capable of clawing through corners rather than just puttering along.

Fuel delivery came via a custom cell, tailored for competition needs. The car was no longer just “restored.” It was engineered, refined, and reimagined.

Phase Five: The Vintage Racer

For Hansen, the ultimate expression of the Beetle wasn’t just power—it was flexibility. Alongside the 2332cc setup, he commissioned a vintage-style race motor: a 2276cc engine with a full-circle roller crank, forged internals, and valvetrain geometry designed to scream past 9,000 RPM. Built with the help of specialists and storied VW performance names, it paid tribute to decades of air-cooled racing heritage.

What makes Vintage Blue unique is its dual identity. In roughly thirty minutes, the car can transition from a mild-mannered street cruiser to a Cup Rally vintage race car. Few builds manage such a balance; fewer still pull it off with this level of authenticity.

Phase Six: Vintage Blue Emerges

The final form was as much about aesthetics as performance. Hansen chose a soft Italian vintage blue for the body, accented by cream-colored upholstery. Chrome bumpers, trim, and beauty rings on white-painted wheels offered a nod to VW’s golden era. A retro-style roof rack completed the look, blending nostalgia with utility.

Inside, details continued the theme. The dash was custom laser-cut to echo a 1955 Beetle, a subtle callback to earlier years without resorting to imitation. Modern gauges and controls were integrated without disturbing the period-correct feel. Everywhere one looks, the car speaks a language of contrast—old and new, show and go, tradition and rebellion.

A Reputation Forged in Effort

Ten years. Thousands of hours. Endless bolts, wires, welds, and decisions. What Dale Hansen created isn’t just a restored Beetle—it’s a philosophy in metal. The car known as Vintage Blue is proof that restorations don’t need to stop at factory specifications, that honoring the past can also mean pushing beyond it.

From its humble beginnings as a tired ’71, through its stock revival, its Pro Mod reinvention, and its rally-racer transformation, the car is as layered as the man who built it. It stands today not just as a car, but as a testament to patience, persistence, and passion – a Super Beetle reborn, ready for the next road, the next race, and the next decade of stories.