Description
Still One of the Best Custom Beetles Ever Built.
“The Speedwell Oval” or as it is sometimes known “The Mendeoval”
Built in 2010 and featured in lots of magazines worldwide and still in virtually the same condition today. Both on top and underneath it really does have to be viewed to appreciate the time and money invested into this one-off piece of automotive artwork.
I personally imported this Beetle in 2015 from the original owner in the US who commissioned the car to be built by Kevin Zagar, who in turn wanted to showcase his custom suspension company Mendeola. It drives like no other Beetle you will ever have been in with true sports car handling. Since importing the car, it has turned no more than 80 miles.
The shell is a genuine 56 Wragg top Oval, but Mendeola used a 73 pan to do the customisation on, mainly due to the extra strength required, it is therefore registered here in the UK as a 73, in my name.
I have all the details and a lot of invoices on file from the original build, and many of the publications the car was featured in.
Money was no object during the build, the level of detail is truly astonishing, from the wheels that are like jewellery to the pedals that you feel guilty pressing. I hope the Photo’s (Current) give a brief insight into just how much time and effort let alone cash was invested, a six figure sum!
But…..
Quite simply she never ran as good as she looked with the Turbo setup, it was far too unreliable. I’ve now had the turbo setup removed and the engine remapped to suit. It now drives and sounds as good as it looks. Of course, all the original build parts have been retained should the new owner wish to put it back to what it was, but with 170bhp output, why would you?
It now drives reliably, and I guarantee it’s still a show winner and fast! Perspective buyers should call me so I can explain why I took what some would see as drastic action. It obviously still retains it’s 2. 3ltr Chico Performance Built Engine, which was built to withstand the quoted 300bhp output, but the truth is the car was never ever tuned to anywhere near that output even with the Turbo fitted.
The Mende has been shown just once in my ownership here in the UK, at Volksworld in 2015 when it was first imported by me. It was one of the first cars you would have seen if you visited the show that year. It was placed on the main Volksworld stand due to her fame! It was voted one of the top cars to attend out of the hundreds of mint European wide cars that are shown. It was without doubt the most photographed. People were just astonished at the level of detail on seeing it in the flesh. Everywhere is custom, from the heated seats to the custom drilled stainless steel aircraft detail that features throughout the car.
Despite the mentioned problems I encountered with the build, I never got bored of just looking at the Mende. But it is now time to pass her on for a new owner to now do more of the same, but with the ability to finally drive her to shows and no doubt pick up even more awards, but more important just use her, and I assume watch heads turn!
In closing, the ad won’t allow me to show the links to the build. If you’re interested please message me and I’ll gladly send them. They clearly show the detail of the underside of this unique famous Beetle. It's still the same as when built, polished! But if you still have any questions again feel free to get in touch to discuss anything you need to know about her, from build to current. I am also happy to assist with shipping anywhere Worldwide upon receiving cleared funds.
If your serious about buying this piece of automotive artwork, then do take time out to come and view her if you can, I guarantee you will only have the same reaction has everyone else. Wow!
