Owners’ names: Dave and Leanne Silvestri

Club Member since: 1999

VW’s name: Ela

VW type: 1966 Beetle - sedan

Engine: 1600cc, single port Solly carby, stock 1300 gearbox

Built by: Bug Parts at Punchbowl

Other mods: Lowered front beam, front disc brakes

Wheels: 356 rims, 135s front, 195s rear

Exterior: Blua Blue

Interior: Original trim and seats, CD player, sports steering wheel, besides the speedo no other gauges, not even a fuel gauge!!

Background: Acquired in October 1993 at a car yard in Campbelltown. Saw it and thought, yeah let’s get it! After burning our earlier 1964 Beetle we just had to go back to another one. We were not complete without a Beetle.

Prior History: Owned by a family in Newcastle for 20 years.

Best memories: Cruising to Nambucca, drive-ins, family days, Flat Four cruising!

Horror stories: Coming home from work when the fuel line popped off. Petrol everywhere, got very lucky no fire. Another time the front brake calliper came off on the M5 freeway at 110kmh – s@#% myself and pulled the handbrake to stop!!

Shows: About six trophies so far including categories such as Best Modified Beetle.

Future plans: Drop spindles on the front end, lower the rear more, maybe a different exhaust.

Dream Car: 356 Porsche, 1934 Ford Tudor Hotrod, a slammed Splitty Bus

Projects: An Oval display for my trophies, you have to see it, it’s hard to explain.

Other VWs owned: 1956 Oval Beetle