1965 VW Beetle Cal Look For Sale
This San Diego based 65 Cal Looker is a very impressive car with
an even more impressive history.
This car was fully restored, every nut and bolt attended to back in 2004 for a wealthy
collector in Orange County California. The build was overseen by VW legend Dyno Don
and the work was done by the best of the best, with no restraints on cost.
Since completion the car has traded hands a few times and is now located in San Diego with
a very detail oriented owner that has not only kept the car well, he has invested significant
time and money in improving it and going through the engine to insure top performance.
The quality of the car is top level and its condition today still shows that despite many years passing
since completion of the initial restoration.
The car was built with the visual focus of creating a timeless original Cal Look style car
of the 1970's. Clean exterior, mild modifications such as the fiberglass engine lid,
lowered stance, BRM wheels and clean bumpers.
The stock body trim was retained and details such as the color matched fender beading
and running board rubber give it a very sanitary and simple look.
Paint and body quality remains high.
Stock headlights and turn signals remain in place as well.
When first built, the car was fitted with "T bar" bumpers but the current owner preferred the simple
smooth chrome bumper blades without over riders or guards.
Its really the perfect "sleeper" as its appearance remains not far from
showroom stock, yet under the engine lid sits a power plant that produces
over 184 hp compared the factory 40 hp that it came with.
Its these high performance but simple and clean VWs that have surprised
many at stoplight showdowns and on the drag strip.
The humble little Beetle kicking the ass of the guys in their big V8's is a real high.
The interior of the car is done extremely well and remains mostly showroom stock.
A wood rim Empi GT steering wheel and copper Hurst shifter fall nicely to hand
while the well done and clean full instrumentation allows the driver to monitor the essentials.
The angled tachometer is well placed so you can watch the sweep.
When the needle is pointing to the sky its time to let off !
Peak HP at the wheels at 6200 rpm during testing.
Interior trimming all still looks fresh and flawless.
Nice headliner, German square weave carpets, top quality upholstery
Of course all the rubber seals and such were replaced during the restoration.
Even the little plastic caps over the screws, and rubber bits around the check rod and dome light switches.
Pop out rear quarter windows also got new inner and outer seals
Latches and hardware were all cleaned and detailed. No greasy gunk or overspray.
Locking glove box door, correct rubber floor mats, etc.
All still minty fresh in appearance.
The underside of the car also remains in gorgeous condition.
Rock solid and show finished, as mentioned before, this was a no holds barred build.
They went all the way with it and the quality and workmanship still shines over 20 years after completion.
Cleaner than they ever were from the factory.
There is a paint scuff at the bottom of the front apron that is unfortunate but would be a simple
touch up if you wanted to make it perfect.
From the inside of the spare tire well.
A little paint cracking here, but no major metal issues.
The fender wells all still look mighty impressive.
The car of course has been driven since completion, but sparingly, and always cleaned after a run.
External oil filter tucked under the drivers side rear fender.
Also notice the suspension limit straps installed to keep that swing axle from
swinging into dangerous territory at speed if things get out of hand.
Front wheel wells also look impressive.
Factory spot welds all intact.
Very nice
All original German sheet metal on this car as well.
High torque 12 volt starter.
Transmission is built to high specs to handle the horsepower of course.
Auto Linea aluminum engine case.
The engine is a beast.
Displacement is 2276 with CB Performance crank and h-beam rods.
600 miles ago motor was resealed and upgraded with CB Street Eliminator CNC ported heads,
Engle FK10 cam, Gene Berg rockers and new bearings. All surfaces were measured.
Has Empi aluminum case. 48ida webers. Recent A-1 stainless exhaust.
Has doghouse oil cooler. Motor makes over 200hp at crank at 6200 rpms. Great torque at 3k rpms.
48 ida Weber carburetors bark the most amazing noise on acceleration.
Giving the go pedal a hard stab in a car like this really gets all the senses going!
During current ownership new heads and manifolds were installed.
Only 600 miles on the engine since all this work was done
and the receipts all come with the car.
Some mighty fine big ports on those heads!
Shes a heavy breather and thirsts for the fine fuels.
New cam as well.
This engine was originally built by the legends at FAT Performance.
The recent upgrades have kept it in top form.
Recent dyno testing sheets show the power.
Max power at 184.33 hp with a wheel speed at 73.47 mph
Max torque at 63.24 mph.
This baby really pulls!
Here is the breakdown ...test done in April of 2026.
Along with the car comes a fat folder of history and receipts for the initial restoration and
build as well as recent work done.
Lots of info in here that documents it all
There is even a birth certificate from VW
that shows the original paint color as L87 Pearl White
with whitewall tires!
Recent receipts for performance engine parts from CB Performance.
Straight cut cam gears
Street fighter match ported manifolds
CB Performance heads
The main restoration on the car was done by Buddy Hale,
a name well known and |respected in the VW scene.
This receipt from BFY Obsolete for parts shows Buddy's info as the customer
Fun to see the paper trail
More restoration parts sourced from Wolfsburg West
Service receipts with Dyno Don Chamberlin named
FAT Performance engine receipts for the initial build
A1 Performance exhaust receipt...the stack goes on and on.
The car has always been well kept and stored.
Here it is in the current owners garage with its quality car cover slipped on to keep it clean.
It comes out to play on the nice weather days
New tires all the way around within the last year as well.
It's a very special car.
Its subtle and simple style and color combo may not stand out in a sea of colors
at the car shows, but its quality makes it stand out from the pack.
If you are someone that can appreciate a machine built with
a true attention to detail and packed with impressive performance
this Beetle may just be the one for you. Its no bargain compared to
other 65 Beetles on the market, but the old saying "you get what you pay for"
most definitely comes into play here.
This one is special.
Asking
$38,000
For More Info...CALL
951 795-1175
Or Email oldbug@earthlink.net