Volkswagen Beetle-Bodied Rat Rod Project

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong.

The Generous Collection returns with Part 2 offering over 250 cars in August all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy.

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Known for its distinctive rounded shape and air-cooled engine, the Volkswagen Beetle had firmly established itself in the U.S. market, thanks to clever advertising and its reputation for durability. The Beetle was affordable, easy to maintain, and had a charm that resonated with a wide audience. And today, the Beetle remains a beloved classic.

This example has been transformed from an innocent commuter into a sinister rat rod: wearing multi-colored patina and a checkered roof, it sits on an extended chassis that cradles a modified V8 engine topped with a hood scoop and straight-up headers. An automatic transmission sends the power back to big Mickey Thompson tires on aftermarket wheels.

The interior is highly personalized with bucket seats, a custom diamond-plate dash with aftermarket gauges, a "Popeye" lunchbox glove box, and an aftermarket shifter. This should be considered a non-running project.

This Volkswagen Beetle-based rat rod is now represented at no reserve by a Broad Arrow Specialist with a clean Alabama title in the current owner's name calling it a 1973 Volkswagen.

Highlights

• Offered from The Generous Collection

• Finished in patina with a checkered roof and black upholstery

• Extended wheelbase

• 14" and 15" wheels

• Modified V8

• Automatic transmission

• Customized interior

Modifications

• Extended chassis

• Custom grille with skeleton prop

• Hot rod-style headlights

• Swapped-in V8

• Hood scoop and aluminum valve covers

• 4-barrel carburetor

• Speedmaster aluminum intake manifold

• Aluminum cylinder heads

• Headers with up-facing collectors

• Aftermarket ignition

• Aluminum radiator with electric cooling fan

• Fuel cell in original rear engine bay

• Swapped-in automatic transmission with radiator-mounted cooler

• 10-bolt rear end

• Front disc brakes with dual reservoir master cylinder

• Hot rod front suspension

• Coil over rear shocks

• 14" American Racing front, 15" Enkei rear wheels

• Bucket seats

• Aftermarket gauges

• Aftermarket steering wheel

• TCI shifter with custom cupholders

• "Popeye" lunchbox glove box

Known Imperfections

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars.

• Rat rod with major structural, visual, and mechanical modifications

• Non-running project

• Images detailing the condition of the 1973 Volkswagen Beetle are presented in the gallery

Ownership History

This 1973 Volkswagen Beetle is offered from The Generous Collection of no-reserve automobiles.

Additional Information

Motor vehicles older than 35 years (1991) are exempt from Alabama’s titling requirements. In states that issue titles, an Alabama registration converts to a title upon transfer.

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096 Email: rpotts@hagerty.com

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide very limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential; however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require extensive additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite, between the hours of 9AM to 6PM local time beginning Monday, September 14 through Wednesday, September 30. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 14, and any lots remaining after September 30 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.