Erik Nymans lovely lowrider Beetle - Readers' Ride

Wed, 19 Sep 2007
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This '66 Beetle low rider belongs to Erik Nyman from Sweden. Four years ago it was a daily driven rat-looker. When autumn came to Sweden it found its way in to Erik's garage and was the third Volkswagen to get a complete resto and rebuild from Erik's skilled hand. A couple of months in to the build it was clear that due to all his new and crazy ideas, this was going to be the most extensive project yet.
The main goal was to make it as low as possible. Starting at the front, Erik relocated the front beam two inches higher to be able to lay the body on the ground. The beam was narrowed four inches and features custom shock towers and air shocks.
In order to match the super low front, Erik raised the engine and transmission two inches also. In order to maintain a stock-looking engine bay, the entire section above the gearbox and around the engine was cut out and relocated a bit higher to suit.
In the back the car has two airbags instead of torsion bars and the spring plates have been radically notched for the lowest possible height.
Even the floorboards have been raised to make sure this car wasn't just going to be low, but the lowest!
The basic idea for the rest of the car was to use as many parts from 50's Beetles as possible such as the ?56 taillights and engine lid. A batwing steering wheel and steering column also found their way into Erik's creation.
Due to the raised front beam, the petrol tank had to be relocated, so while doing this Erik swapped the tank for a smooth tank from an oval window Beetle.
The interior is a one-of-a-kind! Erik designed it and his mother made all the upholstery from scratch. It features a bench seat in the front, and subsequently the handbrake needed a new home so it now operates from the left side of the seat.
The engine is nothing more than a stock 1600cc but it's been properly cleaned and treated to some shiny bits, and of course matching beige tin ware.
Wheel wise, the Bug rolls on MWS Fuchs measuring 4.5 inch in the front with 145/65 tyres, and 5.5 inch in the back with 195/50 tyres.
So far the car has attended two shows in Sweden and has won awards both times - and rightly so!