Mopar powered Volksrod

It may seem like a strange combo, but I like Mopars & VW bugs so I am building a Volksrod with a 426 wedge with dual AFB carbs (my username) sitting in the front seat, with an pistol grip-shifted 833 4 spd twisting a 3.91 8 3/4. The name of the car will be "Back Seat Driver". For those who dont know what a Volksrod is, get a VW bug (air-cooled) take off the fenders & front beam, install a front suspension from a hot rod, add some hot rod parts and you have a Volksrod. Looks like 30's coupe. Google image "Volksrod" if you still cant see it.

Kinda like that except my engine will be behind the windshield with a cover like a funnycar uses. Google image "Durachrome bug" to see what I am talking about. It was a funny car from the late 60s. The body on my "Backseat Driver" will also raise like a funny car. Just for kicks I am going to stick a monopoly money $100 bill to the engine cover with a note that says "if you can reach this with all eight barrels open, you can have a real one". Yes this car will have a passenger seat I can't have all that fun by myself!

Here are the specs of the 426 Wedge that will power my Volksrod.

426 Wedge (Built to Street Hemi specs)

Block- '59 413 (from Chrysler 300E, 1 of 690) bored to 426 stock- 4.25" (.062 over)
Casting # 1851629-5 ID pad- MR413 9707

Heads- '68 440 #2951250- 2.08 intake, 1.74 exhaust valves P3690933 Street Hemi valve springs, steel spring retainers, umbrella valve seals

Valve Gear- Isky adjustable rocker arms on TRW hardened rocker shafts, Isky HD pushrods

Camshaft- Direct Connection "Hemi Grind" P4120235- 284* duration, .484" lift, 68* overlap, 108* centerline
TRW double roller timing chain set

Pistons- TRW forged 11.0:1- .085" of dome shaved to drop ratio to 10.25:1- compression rings are moly-coated

Connecting Rods- stock forged steel, pressed wrist pin, Clevite tri-metal bearings, P4120068 rod bolt & nut kit

Crankshaft- Stock forged steel, chamfered & polished, P2836118 main bearings, stock dampener, stock steel 10.5" flywheel
*entire rotating assembly has been balanced*

Oiling system- stock oil pump, Hemi relief spring, P3571071 intermediate shaft (hardened pump drive tip)

Distributor- #3690432 electronic, fast advance springs

Carbs & manifold- 2 Pontiac '64 389 AFB (525 cfm each)
'59 Chrysler 300E inline dual 4 barrel manifold
casting #1854817-1
prod. date H 17 8
one-to-one throttle linkage

chrome accessories-
P4120224 timing chain cover
P4120609 valve covers
P4120446 valve cover breathr

*P-part# are from Direct Connection/Mopar Performance*

what do you project this to weigh ?

It will probably weigh 2200-2500 lbs. With 450-500 hp under my right foot & a tight Sure-Grip, it will also earn the nickname "drivin' sideways"

Or organ donor

Well, you are not alone brother. I built my volksrod much less radical than you are planning.

But I think it should be really cool, what are you planning for front suspension, and im guessing you are familiar with volksrods.com

Im going to use a '40 Ford front axle with split wisbones, quarter elliptic springs and a disc brake conversion on the Ford spindles. Yes, I have gotten alot of ideas from cars on volksrod.com

Modelmakerinc, Very Nice V-rod!!

are you planing it with fenders or fenderless?

here are a few ideas...

Thanks for the pics. It gives me another magazine to search for. My back fenders will be radiused big enough to fit a 30"-31" tire. I wont have front fenders. I will post some construction pics in the next couple days.
Too bad they didnt use a Hemi in the Durachrome bug.

Cool I like it. A bug was just put out for sale very close to my house it look like it needs lots of tlc I don't need another project though.

It's amazing how long it takes for some projects to be even close to done.

That looks wicked 426W... Keep the pics comin'!

we actually back in the 70's had a guy who put a Volkswagen body on a open wheel circle track car. In those days the sportman and modifieds were converting from 30's coupes and sedans to vegas, pintos and gremlins in the northeast. the Volkswagen for this one racer satisfied the old mixed with the new trend.