Buick Nailhead-Powered 1967 Volkswagen Beetle

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Holy hot rods, Batman! Despite the brutal approach of putting a Beetle body and a big V8 on what looks like a 1930s-style frame, this 1967 Volkswagen Beetle in Huntington Beach, California looks… wicked awesome. The unique custom comes to market here on craigslist where $12,500 buys a vehicle that runs and drives “great,” according to the seller who adds that “everything works.” Thanks to reader Pat L. for spotting this curious case of a Buick-powered Beetle.

The 364 cid (6.0L) Buick “nail head” V8 powered much larger cars from 1957 to 1961 according to Wikipedia. The spartan listing leaves many questions unanswered, but the Buick mill appears mostly stock including what looks like a lawnmower carburetor. The factory two-barrel spritzer topped the lesser 250 HP (gross) version of the 364. Custom headers dump spent gasses directly onto the pavement behind the front wheels, a great way to introduce your neighbors to your boisterous new driveway decoration.

What looks like an early Ford-style front suspension should be easy to keep up, and modern tires promise plenty of grip for cornering and acceleration. Fenders might be necessary in some states. Engineers praise the natural strength of a sphere, and few cars are more spherical than a classic VW Beetle.

The torque-thrust wheels look great, and the presumably original faded tan paint somehow suits a home-brewed hot rod. A Muncie four-speed manual gearbox adds to the fun, sending power rearward to a Ford 9″ differential. The choice of powertrain components indicate an eye on longevity and ease of maintenance. What look like Arizona plates suggest buyers should do their homework to assure that, among other things, the seller is named on the title. Would this car be difficult to register in the Golden State? I don’t want to call this a practical highway car, but with decent gears and a light throttle, you might get 20 MPG from this beastly Beetle. Would you proudly drive this nailhead-powered hot rod bug?

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Comments

  1. Fahrvergnugen FahrvergnugenMember

    Something looks amiss with the front right tire…looks like it needs a replacement yesterday…

    Like 11
    • nlpnt

      Which complicates the sort of test drive you’d want to give a mashup like this to make sure everything works and works together.

      Like 4
  2. Rick

    Those header welds… lololol…..

    Like 5
  3. Big Bear 🇺🇸

    If I did all that work on this.. I would put a 4bbl intake and nice carb on it. It looks sad having that 2bbl on it. Also maybe wheelie bars for fun. 🤠

    Like 5
  4. Tbone

    Needs sorting out, but so bizarre that I like it and think it would be fun. Yes, my brain doesn’t work right

    Like 3
    • Dickie F.

      My brain neither.
      I llke the aircooled cars, but I could love this.

      Like 0
  5. Terrry

    That nail head is a “torquer”, and in that car it’ll snap your head back.It doesn’t need a bigger “pot”.

    Like 3
  6. Claudio

    This could possibly help reverse the ptsd from my short beetle ownership
    This jalopy set up could not be licensed in my area without a LOT of work
    It is quite the looker and attention getter
    Its not my style at all as i have always had beautiful cars and this gets attention for other reasons
    It does look better that the buttugly volarepseudo roadrunner
    But i will kindly let someone else buy it

    Like 2
  7. Deborah Offutt

    In a word, no. Totally personal take of this is it’s a disgrace to Buick, Volkswagen, and should be buried with its current owner.

    Like 2
  8. KurtMember

    “It’s pronounced fraw ken steen” -Young Frankenstein, Gene Wilder.

    Like 7
  9. Johnny C.

    YIKES… I’ll bet this thing is a handful under acceleration! Unique and fun, it’s got potential. I’d do away with the ’32 Ford grille… it doesn’t look right on this car. Someone’s gonna have a lot of fun!!

    Like 3
    • RKS

      What does look right on this thing? It’s ugly right down to the Torq-Thrusts.

      Like 1
  10. Lee Wells

    In the 70s I had a yellow toy Beetle that the body looked normal, but there was a switch in the back that would transform it into a stretched dragster. This reminds me of it.

    Like 1
  11. Gerard Frederick

    This abortion represents an abuse of Buick engine and the rape of a Beetle. Shame on the guy who is guilty.

    Like 1
  12. Camaro guy

    To all the naysayers look up the definition of HOT ROD, nuff said

    Like 10
    • RKS

      For this car you’d be better off looking up the definition of turd.

      Like 1
      • Camaro guy

        So show us how well you can build a car RKS

        Like 7
  13. CarbuzzardMember

    Buitle or Beeck?

    Like 2
    • Claudio

      Both are equally appropriate and funny

      Like 2
  14. Mark

    That driveline would be ideal in a Buick.

    Like 0

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