“We were coming back from a weekend trip, Santa Barbara, I think. We left the freeway and took our chances on the side streets of L.A. I saw flashing lights and was kinda nervous. It took a minute to realize people were taking pictures of my car.”
It is an attention grabber. When I pulled into the Riverside Business Center, there was no mistake about which car I had come to see. I knew the owner was a Beetle Cup fan, so I began to scan the parking lot. Amidst a few trucks tricked with hydraulics, and a few cars practicing for the next IASCA competition, there it was.
Eugena Lant would never give her car a name, but she does refer to it as Vortex. The plate on the back tells much the same: VRTXBLU.
We stood next to this special Beetle, and I began to inquire how and why Gena’s limited edition Vortex Blue Beetle turned into Autobahn Designs’ (ABD.—MAX) showcar for SEMA 2000. Gena and her husband saw the Bug at a local dealership, and it wasn’t the special color but the dash that initiated the purchase. “We saw the all-black interior, gray door panels, and gray wall panels, and knew it had to be something special.” And they were right. The Beetle was one of only a handful released as a 2000 model.
Anyone who is in the V-dub scene knows that true enthusiasts treat projects like family members (We’ll get into how Gena treats her car later.—MAX). In the spirit of family, Gena’s husband knew Dave from ABD because they had met before at several West Coast VW get-togethers. Between Gena’s love for the Beetle Cup and the possibilities that this rare Bug offered, it was a perfect aftermarket marriage. Other sponsors joined the ceremony, too (Like ATS Designs, H&R, OZ, APC, and Auto Fine Trim Racing Graphics.—MAX).
Obviously we can’t give away all the details or all the secrets. For more details you can contact Gena at vrtxblu@msn.com, but let’s give you an overview of what you’re seeing and what helps push this rocket across Southern Cali. Exterior-wise, you’ll notice rear and side valances and a rear wing, produced and installed by ATS. ABD compliments the body further with an RSi front bumper. For lighting mods APC prototype taillights and clear markers were installed all around. The New Beetle rides on white 18x8 OZ Superturismos, wrapped with Dunlop 225/40-18s. For stopping power ABD installed cross-drilled rotors, stainless steel braided brake lines, and Mintex brake pads. You’ll also notice custom-painted calipers peeking out from behind the wheels, courtesy of ABD. In addition to the lights and the body work, graphics were applied by Auto Fine Trim Racing Graphics. For those of you with a trained eye, you undoubtedly noticed the Volkswagen blue/white Euro emblems, and the aluminum shorty antenna. Now for the power end of the project. The vehicle’s platform is a stock Volkswagen 1.8L turbo. To increase the “lung” capacity, an ABD Quick Flow air intake and K&N filter were installed. ABD also added some carbon fiber to cover the 1.8T and the reservoir caps. No reason to drive a Cup Car like a school bus, so an H&R Cup Car suspension kit and an upper stress bar were added. And now to answer your question—yes that’s a fully functional dual exhaust, complete with 3-inch Brospeed rolled-edge tips. But let’s not forget about the cockpit.
On the inside, Gena is surrounded by an ABD buffet, including: silver steering wheel emblem, SS foot rest, billet- aluminum blumenvasen (Bud vase.—MAX), SS doorsills, and black and silver floor mats. The MOMO SS pedal covers were even installed by Gena. And finally, there are some aluminum door pins to discourage pirates.
Let’s get back to how Gena treats her car and run through a few “don’ts.” Don’t eat in the car, don’t lean on the car, and if you think you shouldn’t—DON’T! If it’s time to take the Beetle to a car show, the driveway path must be sprinkled with a hose the night before and the morning of the show to avoid dusting the paint. Gena leaves for work early, not to do her makeup but to find a good parking spot. Sure, she gets looks at every gas station, from young and old alike. “We pulled up at a gas station, and an older man began to stare at my car. He looked at the vehicle and assumed it belonged to my husband. He said, ’How can you let your wife drive a car better than yours?’”
The better argument is one Gena and Gene will never have: She’s a Cup Car fan, and he’s a retro lover. The enthusiasm is never mean, albeit spirited though, as this Vortex has two collectors at its center. Gena’s home is even filled with limited-edition VW goodies (Car replicas, a poster she won from a bet with a VW rep, and assorted memorabilia from past and future VW events.—MAX).
Speaking of a vortex, the one spread across these pages will continue to change. Gena doesn’t want the car to get played, encouraging people who know the car to frequently take another look and see something new. I’ve heard rumors of some custom interior painting and maybe even new body pieces. For those of you drooling, Gena will be the first to tell you that having a show car as a daily driver requires a serious commitment. Some of her own co-workers think she’s crazy. I know, however, that when a Honda Civic pulls up beside Gena and revs the engine, all the attention and effort pays off. She should probably install a camera so she can watch the faces of those who don’t know what Gena and her turbocharged Vortex Volkswagen are capable of.