THE RED DEVIL: Arjay and Bheb's 1978 Hoodride

Arjay Mangubat and his loving wife Bheb had always wanted to have a car of their own that can transport them from point A to point B. Arjay had “japanese cars” running on his mind as their first car, but something else revs up in Bheb’s imagination- an old Volkswagen Beetle. The wife wants a bug because of it’s appeal to the public’s eyes especially the children. She wanted their car to be something not ordinary.

They asked friends who are members of the BatVolks to help them find them a Bug. Luckily there was one for sale in Lipa City. It was a red 1978 Brazilian Beauty. Though the original seats were replaced with Japanese surplus as well as the original steering wheel, it didn’t taint that vintage feel and look.

After a year of cruising this bug around the Province of Batangas (it has been to the mountainous roads of Lobo, it is a regular transport to road trips to Calatagan and Nasugbu, etc.), the couple decided to give their red bug a good reward of doing some simple repairs on the sheet metals and a little but in-your-face paint job.

Alex Tubino of Alex VW Motorworks gave its 1600 engine a clean bill of health. The suspension received the same attention, new ball joints and tie-rod ends were fitted into the bug. A general rewiring job was also done to get rid of the spaghetti under the front hood.

The body panels were hand-beaten to make it straight. Minor body repairs were made to some panels that needs them. Bhoy, also of Alex VW Motorworks prepped the unit for paint. And Arjay himself painted it with red oxide primer giving the bug that corroded hoodride look. The paint was accented with complete polished aluminum body moldings and white fender lacings. 3-colored Wolfsburg crest adorns the front hood, telling everyone the German roots of this Brazilian Beauty.

Econo Beetle steering wheel is painted white and fitted while interior is white leather and red Swede. 185/60 R14 rubbers on flat-black painted PAWI Licenza Alloy Wheels provides the grip and driving comfort on all corners.

The bug’s name is apt for its look… it’s called The Red Devil.