We all enjoy our VW hobby in different ways. To some of us, the fun lies in jumping behind the wheel of a 1943 KdF-Wagen for a crosscountry trip from California to New Jersey – Dick Christensen did this in 1999, before joining the Bad Camberg vintage meet. Others prefer showing their cars in the hope of winning a trophy, which will nicely dress up their living room’s mantelpiece or display cabinet. Then there’s a bunch of enthusiasts who get a kick from racing, be it a Baja Bug in Mexico, a nostalgia gasser at Santa Pod, or a vintage Formula Vee in Kansas. The list of ways to put those air-cooled Volkswagens to work seems endless.
Yet, a fraction of our scene is more interested in the journey leading to the completion of a project car, rather than enjoying the fruits of their hard labour. We recently met an individual who lives by this motto – and happens to assemble some amazing rides in France. Named Rudy Olivença, he told us: ‘I love building cars but, once a project is done, I just feel the urge to start another one!’
Rudy has already made a strong impression on the French VW scene with a variety of vehicles. It all started in 1997, with a gorgeous California Look Oval sitting on BRMs and painted Pearl White. A lucky few saw it briefly at the Super VW Nationals back then, but it returned to the workshop in no time. Not satisfied with the final product, Rudy took the whole car apart and redid everything. It received a new beige paintjob, a succession of engines (2007, 2110 and, finally, 2332cc), in addition to various interiors (a total of three), before being deemed as ‘finished’ in 2001.
So, the Oval was set aside and another VW soon replaced it. The vehicle of choice, a 1953 ‘Zwitter’ Split, received the same attention to detail. Ultimately painted L469 Grey, this Ragtop created quite a stir when completed in 2002, thanks to its good looks – including perfect Gas Burner rims – and a healthy 2386cc powerplant.
This leads us to Project #3, the 1950 Split-window Beetle gracing these pages, another fresh new project started from scratch. In fact, we should mention that none of the parts seen in these pictures came from Rudy’s previously completed Bugs. They remain intact, even though they have been gathering a bit of dust in the back of WPK, the VW shop near Paris, which Rudy opened three years ago with his good friend Eric.
The rare Split – just the shell, actually – made its way to them through one of their customers, who wanted some work done to it. Well, the poor body proved rotten beyond belief! Only the panels above the belt line and the dash looked as if they could be salvaged. After weighing up his options, Rudy decided to buy what remained of the old Volkswagen in exchange for 800 Euros....
