Mark Unger's 1966 VW

Mark proudly posing in front of his Beetle. Bud's custom Beetle took first place in it's class at an Orlando, Florida car show circa 1985. Photo courtesy of Bud Unger.

Bud, Mark and a friend with the Beetle. Photo courtesy of Bud Unger.

Photo courtesy of Bud Unger.

Photo courtesy of Bud Unger.

1966 VW Beetle restyled by Bud Unger for his grandson Mark Unger. Restyled in the mid 1980s, Mark's VW was the last car that Bud restyled. Mark bought the car from his mother-in-law, who had purchased it new. Inspired by Bud's pride and joy, Ray Giovannoni's 1936 Ford roadster, the running boards on Mark's VW were narrowed in the back before they converged into the rear fenders. The fenders were welded and molded to the body for a cleaner appearance. Square headlights were also installed and molded to the fenders. In 2012 Bud told Kustomrama that the build took 2 years to complete; "I first moved all four fenders out three inches, then solid welded them to the body and molded them into the body. In fact at the Orlando, Florida car show where we were showing the car, the authorities thought that that i had installed "Mulholland" California fiber glass fenders witch also had square headlamps. I told them that I made them from steel? They said they would crack loose from the body. NO ! I said go get a magnet and I will prove it to you . So they did and sure enough my metal fenders attracted the magnet! Any how we took a first place trophy! I further stripped the rubber off the running board and welded them to the body and filled them and contoured them in with the body. I removed all chrome and welded the holes. I flared all four fenders. I completely reworked the interior- vinyl pleated seats- custom console-new dash, etc.- custom wheels- a new reworked engine- molded tailights. The car took first place in it's class at the Orlando, Florida car show . I did all the work while I lived in Florida. I spent $10,000 total on it- from the ground up - new wiring etc. I finished it off with Chev. pearl white. I did all this for my grandson, Mark. We enjoyed working together those two years."