1956 VW Beetle Cal Look Legend For Sale
The custom VW scene has many fans and followers and has since the "beginning" back when these
cars were nearly new. We are all aware of "ground zero" for the "Cal Look" movement in Orange County in the 70's
and this car was there. This is Mike LeMire's legendary Oval.
Mike has recently passed and is now polishing amazing cars in heaven.
I'm sure he wanted to take this one with him as it was such a major part of his life.
He bought the car when he was just 17 years old in 1970 and it has always been his pride and joy.
With a father that ran a chrome shop, he had easy access to plating and a view into the custom car world
at the time, and the Beetle became his canvas to create a stunner.
In the 1970's when the Cal Look scene was just developing, Mike was there, already with a
seriously trick ride and a fully chromed out Porsche engine out back.
The February 1975 Hot VWs issue that has become the "Holy scripture" for enthusiasts around the world
was filled with images of Mike's "Christine". While Jim Holmes' car made the cover, Mike's car was all over in the details.
The 912 engine is from a 1969 model Porsche and was installed when it was just a couple years old.
He started tuning it straight away and even developed a turbo charger system for it not long after these pics were taken.
The custom interior at the time also made the grade with the Mustang seats and other details.
Note in these pics the Haneline engine turned door sills...a detail that is still with the car today.
At the time the Oval was licked with flames and rocked chrome 356 wheels and hubcaps as well as nerf bars.
The black California plate on the car still remains registered to it today.
The car was also featured in the 70's in Volkswagen Greats magazine and was well known in Orange County.
Flash forward to the 80's and the Oval was in need of a freshen up.
Mike went full force on the car bringing it back up to show level and ever since he has been fanatical
in caring for it. The car still looks extremely impressive even though the current "restoration" is well over 30 years old.
The black cherry paint and top level bodywork still looks awesome.
Now with detailed Porsche alloys and "Euro" bumpers.
Gorgeous car and it is the genuine article that has inspired custom VW fans since the very start.
Very very clean
A LeMire signature...lots of chrome.
Billet wipers
Chrome hood hinges
Chrome hood latch
Upholstered trunk
More chrome
And more chrome
Yup...even more chrome.
When pops owns a chrome shop...you dip everything you can!
Beautiful details throughout.
Shows so well even after all these years
Yup...even more chrome!
In the early 1990's in its current form it was featured in the pages of Hot VWs again.
January 1991 issue was a great spread and the turbocharged 912 engine was a major focal point.
The turbo system was something Mike designed and developed way back in the 1970's.
The powerplant is pretty potent with dyno readings as high as 224hp and 190 ft pounds of torque at 600 RPM
and a quarter mile time in the low 13's, in a fully upholstered and plush street car... that's solid!
In August of 2005 the car appeared again in Hot VWs at the Bug In!
Better than ever!
That was Mike's thing really, he always throughout his life was working to improve his machines.
A quick trip through his garage was all it took to show me what he was all about with his attention to detail and impressive craftsmanship.
Great little bio page in his photo album.
Bought in 1970, customized in 1972
VW Greats feature 1974
Cal Look issue of Hot VWs in 1975
Second restoration completed in 1988
Hot VWs feature in 1991
Seen in Hot VWs event coverage in 2005
and again a part of the 2015 Cal Look special issue .
Legendary car for sure!
While the current form is definitely the 80's inspired version of the scene, the details from the first
generation and early days remain in place,
Probably my favorite detail is the horn push with the dash plaque from the DKP Odyssey event in 1970
Just too cool.
Love the speedometer as well!
Chrome pedal assembly?
Of course!
The full custom interior is still in spectacular condition.
Here in this shot you can see those original 70's Haneline door sills too.
The only notable exterior flaw of note really is this small spot above the deck lid
that was the result of a carburetor backfire at some point in the past.
He got it out fast with no big damage, but the bubbles in this one spot remain to tell the tale.
The Local Motion script in the back window is pure 80's gold.
There are a few tiny chips and scratches here and there if you get down to magnifying glass level
but as you can see here in these pics the car still looks very impressive.
This Beetle has seen the California VW scene through those headlights for many many years.
Pretty awesome to think about.
Underneath the detailing continues...chrome?
Plenty of that!
Adjustable aluminum front beam is pretty awesome.
Great details everywhere...yes, even the slots on the headlight screws line up.
More awesome 70's Haneline trim in the headlight buckets.
Billet window cranks and handles
Clean details in the door jams
The Mustang seats are gone but these fit and function perfectly.
Check out that headliner!
Absolute top shelf 80's show car stuff.
Seats as well
Excellent center console and of course... chrome handbrake handle.
\\
Porsche keychain
Scat shifter and VDO instrumentation
Gotta love the old school Audiovox cassette player with equalizer!
Period 80's goodness right there!
Tach mounted in the speaker grille
Bug In 32 participant plaque on the chrome ashtray
Glove box door as well got a dip in daddy's chrome tank!
Ive always loved the look of the Haneline stuff...and this is the legit early stuff turned by Ernie himself I am sure.
The original club decals in the windows are amazing.
You can catch the detailed transmission with polished ribs in this shot
Chrome axle tubes and other details
Chassis is solid and sound.
Chrome spring plates and caps
Fully polished real alloys with custom painted centers and you can catch the polished Porsche 356 brake drums
through the holes here.
Tires are excellent
Underside of the engine is very clean
Chrome backing plates and Empi camber compensater
Wow
But the biggest wow of all is the turbocharger system and oiler.
Beautifully integrated and designed and obviously with the dyno results,
it is not just for show...this car is FAST!
Countless details throughout, the more you look, the more you see.
Ummm.. WOW!
This is no normal sight in a VW...this is amazing.
We have all heard those stories about "that guy with the Porsche engine in his Bug"... well Mike was "that guy"
and he expanded on that theme to a degree far crazier than that with the turbo and custom tuning.
224 hp is a LOT in a VW.
Impressive creation and impressive care.
Mike LeMire was a special guy for sure and his mark on the VW scene is undeniable
with this car. Its sad to hear of his passing but we all make our final show at some point.
The goal now is to find hands that will love and respect this car to the same level that Mike did.
Once in a lifetime opportunity here to grab a genuine legend in the VW scene.
The back story is fantastic and the car speaks for itself.
You will never find its equal...ever.
Asking
$30,000
For More Info CALL
951 767 1600
or email oldbug@earthlink.net