1974 Volkswagen Beetle LS Custom Restomod

Zoom Classic Cars presents this 1974 Volkswagen Bug LS-Powered Custom. A Wickedly Fast, Professionally Engineered VW with Chevrolet V8 Power built by Slick James who is well known for high-performance Volkswagen V8 conversions. Many in the industry call Slick the "V8 Vee-Dub expert". This LS build is not your typical Volkswagen Bug. Beneath the unmistakable shape of a 1974 VW Bug is a thoroughly engineered custom chassis, a powerful 5.3-liter LS-based Chevrolet V8, Turbo 400 automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, coil over suspension, widened fiberglass fenders, and a stance that tells you immediately this is something very special. Built with serious performance in mind, this Bug combines the lightweight, compact character of the classic Volkswagen with the horsepower, reliability, and tuning potential of GM\'s legendary LS engine family. The result is a unique hot rod that looks familiar at first glance but is anything but ordinary once the throttle is opened. At the heart of the car is a 5.3-liter LS-based Chevrolet V8 sourced from a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, equipped with a FiTech electronic fuel-injection system with control interface, a Stage 2 Brian Tooley Racing camshaft, ceramic-coated headers, and FiTech engine management and wiring. The engine is backed by a 1985 Chevrolet Turbo 400 automatic transmission, providing a proven and exceptionally strong drivetrain combination. Power is sent through a substantially modified chassis and rear suspension designed specifically to handle the V8 conversion. The engine compartment is completed with an aluminum radiator and 16-inch electric cooling fan, while fuel delivery is handled by an electric fuel pump and the new original-style custom 15-gallon VW fuel tank. The Custom Chassis and Suspension is where the build really separates itself from the typical VW V8 conversion. The car features a slick, purpose-built 2x2 square-tube chassis, providing a substantially stronger foundation for the Chevrolet V8 and performance suspension. Up front are 2002 two-wheel-drive Chevrolet Blazer spindles, Afco coil over shocks and 500-pound springs. Steering is handled by a Mustang II-style manual rack, giving the car a straightforward and performance-oriented steering system. The rear suspension incorporates a 2002 two-wheel-drive Chevrolet Blazer rear end, fitted with 3.42:1 gears and narrowed dramatically to accommodate the Beetle\'s compact dimensions. The rear suspension uses Afco coil over shocks with 300-pound springs. Stopping power comes from four-wheel disc brakes with a Wilwood master cylinder, providing a significant upgrade over the original VW braking system. The widened fiberglass fenders aren\'t simply cosmetic—they allow the car to accommodate the substantially wider wheels and tires necessary for this type of build. The car rides on 17 x 8-inch front wheels and 18 x 9.5-inch rear wheels, giving it an aggressive hot-rod stance while filling out the widened bodywork beautifully. A custom 2.5-inch exhaust system with Stage 1 mufflers gives the LS V8 an appropriately muscular soundtrack without making the car unnecessarily obnoxious. Inside, the original Beetle environment has been transformed into a purposeful custom driver\'s compartment with Features that include: Tilt steering column, Lokar floor shifter, Teletronix gauges, Pioneer MVH-5320BT stereo with Memphis 6x9 speakers. The combination of traditional VW surroundings and modern performance equipment gives the interior the feel of a purpose-built street machine rather than an ordinary restored Beetle. The exterior wears an especially interesting color: 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Gold Poly, applied in a professional basecoat/clearcoat finish. All four fenders have been fiberglass widened, giving the car the muscular proportions necessary to accommodate the upgraded chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels. The overall appearance is clean, purposeful and unmistakably custom without losing the iconic character that makes the Beetle instantly recognizable. According to the owner, this car has traveled only 415 miles since the 2022 build. The owner has invested approximately $3,600 in additional maintenance and for tweaks to his liking since acquisition, despite the very limited mileage. The car has always been garaged in Massachusetts and meticulously maintained. It presents as an exceptionally fresh example of a highly engineered custom build. There are plenty of restored Volkswagen Beetles. There are plenty of Chevrolet-powered hot rods. There are very few cars that combine the two in this fashion. This is an exceptional VW for the Enthusiast Who Wants Something Different. It has the right ingredients for someone looking for a truly distinctive street machine: lightweight VW styling, LS V8 power, Turbo 400 automatic transmission, custom 2x2 chassis, coil over suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, widened fiberglass bodywork, aggressive wheels and tires, modern fuel injection and a beautifully finished exterior. The car is stored in MA with clean title in the owner\'s name and comes with a folder of receipts and documentation for the build. Please call Jeff for additional information, details, or to arrange a viewing. Note: For more additional information on another similar Slick James VW Build that our Company sold in 2022, see the following link: In fact we sold another of his V8 builds in 2022 that you can see here: https://www.allcollectorcars.com/classic-car-auctions/vehicles/1970-volkwagen-beetle-v8-powered/ Thanks for Looking.