What is your definition of the Germanlook style?

[super vw]

i here ya, i have noticed this a bit aswell. not just on this site, but others aswell. my 1303 wont be a pure GL but a car that has porsche style and a little performance kick. i dont have the money to do one full on with a type-4, 915 trany...ect. so im doing a auto cross daily driver fun car. type-1 motor, porsche brakes/wheels, porsche seats dash, and we cant forget suspention upgrades... just nothing to intense like you see on some of them "pure" GL cars$$$. but some day i will build a GL with all the works when i have the money, being a teen its hard to do anything more without the suport of filthy rich parents (dont have that).

[Supa Ninja]

Majority of the cars in the members rides, including myself, are under construction. Plus there are no set rules to GL so some owners call there's a GL when others wouldn't consider them a GL. I don't know if that makes a lot of sense.

[lazyted]

i believe it was keith seume who said that " where as the cal look takes its inspiration from the drag strip the german look takes it from the race track"
after all isnt that why most german look fans prefer the super beatles?
i personaly consider the cal look a more laid back style where the german look is more adrenalin filled.
but its good to know that you cant realy generalize on what each look is. after all isnt that what customization is all about, to make your car reflect your individuality.
looks are supose to overlap :silly:

[vujade]

If you go back to the 80s VW mags you will see a lot of so called cal look cars that dont look much different then the gl cars of today.

I have pics of cars with monochromatic paint jobs, dechromed, Porsche Fuch wheels all around. The only thing that sets those Cal Look apart from GL cars today was they had big t1 engines & not having Porsche brakes or trannies.

I really believe that the German Look is the next evolution of the Cal Look. Its where the look was progressing too in the 80s. Then in the 90s the Cal Look took a magor step backwards into the 70's for some reason. Oh well, it was there loss & our gain.

[zen]

Axl R,

Supa said it, but it is worth reiterating. especially as new as the look is to the US, most of the cars are under construction still. if you look at most of the european entries, i think you will agree that many to most of those are GL. give it a little time. i am sure there will be quite a few that still don't deserve the badge or just never really get complete, but for now the gap is understandable.

btw, you should have seen mine just last year and had it posted here. that was because it was under construction. i think most would agree that mine is GL now.

[COXBOW]

Hi folks,

For my part as a European and participated in a couple of German – French and of course Belgian meetings those last years I’ve noticed a “tendency” that I believe to be the essence of a German-Look:

- A recent model (doesn’t have to be a 1302/1303) the
most wanted model in Germany and border countries GL
is the 30the anniversary beetle. (’85)

- ’17 and more alloys doesn’t have to be Porsche’s I
would even say that it’s becoming more and more
tuning alloys these last years.

- A classic monochrome paint most of the time a grey
one, but always a metallic.

- No chrome or the original one’s painted black.

- Sport front seats, a couple of years ago it was indeed
911-924-944 one’s but that’s the past, now to be “in”
you ‘v got to have “EKU” “Koening” or “Remmele”
one’s (well known German air-cooled tuners) most of
the time in black leather, and no back seats.

- Porsche or Remmele brakes on the 4 wheels.

- And of course a big and powerful engine, most of the
time a T4, but at least a 2.000cc anyway…

The new tendency is to have recent rear lights (1303 type) but pre ’65 front fenders whit Porsche 911 headlights, but that’s almost only in Germany.

This is only my opinion and certainly not a “that’s the way you have to do it”

[Axl R]

I can understand the part of being under construction . It seems that if you talk to alot of car builders , they will say there is always something else they want to do to their cars , no matter how complete it is . I can also understand about the cost factor , as you add the name "PORSCHE" on anything and you start talking about big $$$$$ . I didn't set out to say that all the cars on the post were not GL's , or that the cars were ugly . I am fairly new as well to the GL , and agree that they are a progression of the Cal Look , and therefore there will be alot of similarities . I guess I was a little dissappointed at not seeing a whole lot of GL cars on a site dedicated to the GL . Axl:disappoin

[justdubbin]

This is probable going to get me called all the names under the sun......but please, only some of what I'm saying is what I believe........ EHHHH I heard you say.

I have been surfing a lot over Christmas & the New year & come across some good sites, one UK Hot Rod/Custom site in particular had some great cars and great views about modified cars.
They were on about Rat Rods in the US and in particular their owners, how they would only entertain Rods which were built to specific guidelines, i.e. no chrome, had to have the correct pedal box, the correct gauges and even to the point where the would only wear clothes that were in period with the cars they drive :silly:

Now I know the German Look is not like that, at least it's not the impression I get from these boards..... but there are some people that see it.... ONLY using Porsche wheels, brakes, seats etc as opposed to an aftermarket set of wheels, Brembo or Willwood brakes.

Not ever one can source or afford Porsche parts, there seem to be hundreds of Porsche breakers/specialists in the US but here in the UK there are just a handful, the same in Europe I would imagine.
With availability comes cost.......

In the US there are a lot more older Fords etc to build Rat Rods, the same as there are a lot more second hand Porsche spares and all this brings the cost down.

Basically what I think I'm trying to say is lets hope we don't gone down the same route as those Rat Rod guys & girls.

I think GL is trying to make your Bug or Bus as modern as possible (all the creature comforts) and to drive and handle as best as possible while still retaining the individuality that only a Bug/Bus can give you today whilst sharing the roads with all the ****ty boring mundane computer designed things all around us.

P.S. if they do have some Porsche influence then all the better


Sorry for the long rant


Rob.

[RLW6000]

I dont know if any of you would consider what I want my car to be GL or what. Right now its basicaly stock. What I want is probably a cross between a few styles including GL. I have a 1302. I want a Type IV motor and a tranny built to handle it. I want 15 inch 8 spoke empi's with a little wider than stock and a little lower profile also. I want type 1 ghia dics on the front and probably just leave the drums on the back. I want to drop it all around, but more in the front than the back (using ajust-a-struts). Also, the chrome is mostly gone already. The stock front turn signals are gone. Currently it has mexican bumper with signals in them, but will get "T" bars with old ghia "bullet" type signals mounted below the headlights on the fenders. In the rear, it has replica 39' ford teardrop tail lights. As for the interior, It will sport some kind of buckets (probably Honda) and Dolphin guages in a custom made fiberglass dash. Backseat as well as headliner and door panels will probably stay stock. The changes that have already been made, were done to the car when I got it. All this is what I hope to do if I ever get the $ to finish it and also if I dont get to pissed and sell it. I hope you all will still talk to me here after knowing what I want ot do to my car. Happy New Year, Randy

[Axl R]

justdubbin , I like the way you think . I had worked for a body shop for a short period of time ( a mistake I don't plan to make again!) and we were restoring a 1965 Ford Mustang . This car was about the 1003 or 4 Mustang ever built! The owner of the car started to go to a club dedicated to mustangs , and found out that to be a member , your mustang must have all matching numbers , all original paint color and options , etc . They would not even look at you if you were slightly off on any of these things . I don't know about you , but I just would not want to be a part of something that doesn't allow for some creative differences from what someone else has . I hope , just like you , that the VW groups don't do that . Axl . :takethat:

[COXBOW]

I agree with you, that’s why I’m now more on the GL/Custom side of the tuning, ‘cause u they can say what u want, Old-Speed Cal-Look etc.. it’s still tuning your Bug !
The problem with those Old-Speed and Resto-Cal guy is that they have indeed rules, and I hate rules !

If you put this or that accessory you’re more of this or that tendency and so you’re not “allowed “ to put this or that other accessory you like ‘cause you would mangle the styles ! Who cares !! That’s why I’m more on the German-Look side, but without the rule which are less strict but still…

What a also like in “my” mangled style is that I don’t have to do anything in particular just what crosses my mind, and certainly not buy this or that brand or supermarket same-as-the-neighbour stuff to “personalise” my car, how can you personalise something with the same stuff as everybody and by following rules ??!!

So put the liberating Custom label on my car even if it has indeed a GL tendency…

Who agrees or disagree ?

[RLW6000]

I like the mangled idea. I forgot to mention before that I also want to figure out some way to use some 62' or there about interior window cranks and door handle as well as the door handles for the outside from the same year bug. I like the way they look and besides, who has seen a Super with that style door handles? I like my style to be very individual but also functional. I also like a lot of power. Thats why I am going with the Raby type IV and tranny to go with it.
Randy

[njv]

hi
first post to this but i thought id leave it a while before i did!!!

moderninity in summery and a lot to do with tuv germans have the autobahn and you can drive as fast as you like on the ever decreasing unlimited streaches of it .

so they want to fit big engines to do this there must be improvements by law elsewhere ie your brakes. everything done to a german car must have paperwork cerifiing its safty and up to which level ie these brakes allow you to run upto 150bhp and so on.

money! germans are odd things in how they like to look affluant to the rest of society and when do other people see you most when your out and about in your motor so spending absolutely rediculous amounts of money on it makes you apear to the outside that you are well off and beleive me this is important for some ! bragging rights if it cost more it must be better!!! doh.

i will take pictures at this years mai kaefer treffen in hannover it is a good meeting last year there was a lot of gl cars there allready and i saw the trend within germany moveing away from porsche wheels to more modern alloys and less porsche seats and a move towards light racing buckets and so on.

i myself very nearly got a set of 5x100 wheels instead of the c2,s ive got for the spring i may still run a set of pedrinis anyway as im concerned about the wheels weight even though ive got 4x 6 by 16 c2,s the smallest width there is i think there still 11/2kg heavier than the pedrinis i will probably end up running both sets throughout the summer changing when i feel like it.

the essence of it is a moveable feast modern performance parts put to use for saftys sake another is the clear lamps modern and as far as safty is concerend one of the best things you can do for driving at night is fit brighter clearer lights same go,s for the rear of the vehical as if you have to stop fast you want to let them behind you know you are.

gl unlike the cal look will continue to evolve and will not sit static and stagnate due to the germans impulse to do something creatively original with a new part.

i had some young lads ask me the other day why they hadnt seen this new model vw at the local dealership i had to explain that there dads probably did and they where a little surprised

dont let yourselves down guys by ever saying it cannot be a gl car as it doesnt have such and such dont bag and tag yourselves or be hard on others if they dont have what you consider to be the look its a damn none stagnating proliferating moveable feast of modern part application s.

yea baby.

[justdubbin]

Originally Posted by njv

hi
first post to this but i thought id leave it a while before i did!!!

moderninity in summery and a lot to do with tuv germans have the autobahn and you can drive as fast as you like on the ever decreasing unlimited streaches of it .

so they want to fit big engines to do this there must be improvements by law elsewhere ie your brakes. everything done to a german car must have paperwork cerifiing its safty and up to which level ie these brakes allow you to run upto 150bhp and so on.

money! germans are odd things in how they like to look affluant to the rest of society and when do other people see you most when your out and about in your motor so spending absolutely rediculous amounts of money on it makes you apear to the outside that you are well off and beleive me this is important for some ! bragging rights if it cost more it must be better!!! doh.

i will take pictures at this years mai kaefer treffen in hannover it is a good meeting last year there was a lot of gl cars there allready and i saw the trend within germany moveing away from porsche wheels to more modern alloys and less porsche seats and a move towards light racing buckets and so on.

i myself very nearly got a set of 5x100 wheels instead of the c2,s ive got for the spring i may still run a set of pedrinis anyway as im concerned about the wheels weight even though ive got 4x 6 by 16 c2,s the smallest width there is i think there still 11/2kg heavier than the pedrinis i will probably end up running both sets throughout the summer changing when i feel like it.

the essence of it is a moveable feast modern performance parts put to use for saftys sake another is the clear lamps modern and as far as safty is concerend one of the best things you can do for driving at night is fit brighter clearer lights same go,s for the rear of the vehical as if you have to stop fast you want to let them behind you know you are.

gl unlike the cal look will continue to evolve and will not sit static and stagnate due to the germans impulse to do something creatively original with a new part.

i had some young lads ask me the other day why they hadnt seen this new model vw at the local dealership i had to explain that there dads probably did and they where a little surprised

dont let yourselves down guys by ever saying it cannot be a gl car as it doesnt have such and such dont bag and tag yourselves or be hard on others if they dont have what you consider to be the look its a damn none stagnating proliferating moveable feast of modern part application s.

yea baby.

I think this sums up EVERYTHING there is to say..................


Rob.

[Eurolook71]

TRULY!!!

Thanks njv, that was simply beautiful.