Owner’s name: Michael Waldron

Club Member since: Started Flat Four in Lismore in 1984. Been a Sydney Flat Four member since 1990.

VW’s name: Just Peachie

VW type: 1960 Beetle – Sedan

Engine: 1600cc modified, dual 40mm Webers, straight cut cam, 9.1 compression, heavy duty single springs, 1.4 Ratio Rockers, electronic ignition, 4 prong plugs, Magnacore leads, electrical fuel pump, late 1300 case gearbox, super diff, heavy duty side plates, tall ratios.

Built by: Michael Waldron and Vintage VW

Other mods: Narrowed custom made dropped spindles, 2 x adjusters, extended shock towers, rear lowered and air shocks, four wheel disc brakes

Wheels: 17 x 7 chrome rims, front 195/40/17, rear 215/40/17

Exterior: 2 pack Peach, side mounted and front bumper mounted blinker units, keyless entry and solenoids to open bonnet and lid, clear lenses.

Interior: 1997 Honda Prelude seats, custom grey and charcoal trim by Cruisin Car Carpets, single CD head unit, two 7 x 10 rear speakers, one 12” rear sub, large amp, two 5” front speakers plus two tweeters.

Background: Acquired in August 2001. A fellow work mate found it in Canberra and stored it at work until he lost interest and I realised how rust free and damage free it was and bought it for $400.00.

Prior History: Original owner lived in Parkes, moving to Canberra in 1997, David at work bought it in 2000.

Best memories: The first drive up and down my street one week before its maiden voyage to Nambucca Heads in August 2003. Then to lead the parade from Valla Park to Nambucca Heads for the Volkswagen Spectacular 2003.

Horror story: No horror stories yet “Touch Wood”.

Shows: A 1st place trophy at the Bulli VW Show and a 1st at the VW Nationals. Also a feature story in the first edition of Volkswagen Magazine Australia.

Future plans: 1776cc engine injected and super charged. I have most of the parts now and will soon start assembly.

Dream Car: A 1960 Peach VW Beetle with 17” chrome wheels……

Projects: My Tempo truck. Already started minor work of stripping and acid dipping of parts. This one will be a real challenge as there were only 1362 built from 1948 to 1952 so parts are rare as. It’s a front wheel drive with 16” large VW 5 stud pattern wheels, VW engine and gearbox, suicide doors and one piece windows. Naturally lowered, 10 x 6 foot wood tray with drop sides, semaphores. You sit over the top of the gearbox and the engine is just behind you.

Other VWs owned: 1996 VW Golf GL, 1951 Tempo Matador truck (VW supplied wheels, brakes, engine and gearbox)

Chit-chat: I am off to the United States on November 10th (2004) for the NHRA Drag racing finals in Pomona and lots of VW shopping. My brother John and Chris Holland are also going.

Also I drive the LMS Engineering drag car (1969 Beetle) for the last four years. 2800cc engine, Hillbourn injection, turbo and nitrous. Best ET ¼ mile 10.460 seconds. Best MPH ¼ mile 138 miles per hour. Best reaction time 0.036 seconds.