1967 Volkswagen Beetle

I Own a Classic… is proudly presented by King Tony Tools.

Owner: Otis J. Gore
Car: 1967 Beetle
Bought in: 2022
Mileage when purchased/now: n/a
Current value: R500 000 or more probably (build labour = 4 000-5 000hrs, so overall value is ridiculous)

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Why I bought this car: Back in the ’90s when I was 23-24 years old I tried building something like this. But I was young, broke, with no real focus or direction. All I had was a vision of what I thought my car should look like.

Now in my 50s, I have more time and I’m not as broke…so when I found this ‘67 Beetle in 2022, I set out to make my younger self proud. I built EXACTLY what I had in mind in 1994. I didn’t stray from that vision or compromise any part of the “California Look” plan I originally had.

Common issues with this model: Rust, rust, more rust, and 60 year old rubbers and seals.

Major repairs I’ve conducted: Where to start. The car is a 100% “bolt and nut” rebuild. I removed the body from the chassis, stripped all the paint from every metal surface (inside and out). I then cut out all the rusted bits and welded fresh metal in its place. All the complex replacement sections were fabricated by me, from flat steel plates.

After, I painted every surface (top and bottom) with 2K epoxy primer. All original bolts and nuts were re-used where possible, restored and zinc plated.Every single rubber and seal was replaced with high quality German parts. The car was then painted in official VW Sea Blue (paint code L-360), under my carport in a home-built spray booth. I then installed brand new brake parts. Lowered and narrowed front suspension has 15-inch BRM replica rims.

Inside we fitted a custom dash featuring SP Beetle VDO gauges and Bluetooth amplifier integrated into the factory ashtray, a 400W Pioneer 6×9 speakers (for that retro vibe), and Empi GT genuine rosewood rimmed steering wheel. (vintage part from the 70s/80s), an imported Gene Berg (right hand drive) T-handle gear lever. Original, unrestored 1967 seats and door panels. There are probably hundreds of other little mods and additions that I haven’t mentioned.

The best thing about my car: I’m a graphic designer and a photographer, and I’ve never built a car before in my life, so to do this properly I needed to learn all the skills required: welding, panelbeating, bodywork, fabricating, spray painting, wiring, mechanics, paint correction and finishing, etc.

I built this car in its entirety, from start to finish, alone and by myself….absolutely nothing was outsourced, other than the stitching of the rooflining and the overlocking of the carpet edging (I don’t know how to sew, yet). There were a few occasions over the years where I enlisted the assistance of family and friends to lift the body shell off and on to the chassis… there’s no realistic, practical, or safe way I could do that part by myself.

“Girlie” (that’s her name) has been my daily driver since I finished the build in August 2025, and driving to and from work is an absolute joy. I call her my “therapy car” because it’s impossible to be in a bad mood while driving her. Everyone smiles at me, people hoot and wave; he’s like a ray of sunshine on a dreary morning.

The best thing about my car is what I’ve learned during the three year build process, and how the discipline required to pull it off has shaped me as a person. Essentially, this isn’t the car I built, this is the car that built me.

The worst thing about my car: Absolutely nothing.

Tech Spec

Engine: Factory original, numbers matching 1300cc – the only changes are dual carbs and electronic ignition.
Transmission: 1 500 Beetle (better gear ratios)
Power: 32kW (not joking)
Torque: who knows
Top speed: 137 km/h (GPS speed – the most terrifying 5 seconds of my life…lol)
0-100 km/h: three business days