Our 1975 VW SP2 - Finally!
As a late model Aircooled VW fan, nothing quite tops the list of must-have vehicles quite like the SP2.
The SP2 is certainly the car that’s been at the top of my dream VW’s list anyway, and has been since the first time I saw one in person at the VolksWorld show in 2017. I knew what they were before this, but seeing one in person really solidified that long-term plan to eventually own one. Something about that totally non-VW shape, but undoubtedly familiar mechanicals… what a thing!
Fast forward many years, after a failed attempt at exporting a Silver car from Brazil itself - I stumbled upon 5 SP2’s on the market in Florida, all from a private collection.
Buying a car from Florida is very straightforward these days, with the help of companies like Kingstown Shipping - and doesn’t quite come with the massive risk/potential scam factor like buying any car from Brazil does. So, after choosing a car from the lineup, a deal was done and my very own SP2 was destined to the sunny UK!
The car landed with us in late February, and work started right away to get it ready for UK roads! I got the car UK registered, completely recommissioned it and fitted a brand new 1776cc engine. The car was in a much worse state than wanted… but eventually after much work, we had a useable car again.
I drove around in it for most of the summer as a stock height car, enjoying making small fixes and changes along the way…
Interested at all in the recommissioning stage? We made a number of YouTube videos on this part - go take a look!
https://youtube.com/@eva_resto
And then later on in the summer… of course, it was then treated to fully bespoke air suspension setup and a set of my favourite wheels - the famous BBS RS
I mean, come on! This car was destined to become something a little more than a bone-stocker under our ownership!
And for some detail of the kit that went into getting this car low, we built a special purely bolt-in system that’s lays this car fully on the floor, and delivers a positive ride quality and handing experience - much improved from the weywood and overly soft suspension system that was fitted from factory.
Up front we came up with an idea to build some negative camber into the front wheels. Not something that’s ever done on Aircooled VW front ends usually - but this car being the shape it is lends itself to a little negative camber up front too, rather than crazy angle in the rear with zero up front… So, we built a fully custom front beam that allowed the lower arms to fit 10mm further outwards per side. This, coupled with a specially modified set of lower arms and offset shock towers to clear the body, an angle of 3.75° negative camber has been achieved on the front wheels without effecting much else. The front set up of course utilises our usual Zenith air shocks and Freeroll rods.
In the rear, a modified version of our Type 3 swing axle premium kit made its way in. The car essentially has type 3 rear suspension, but some of the measurements are different - but we still managed a complete bolt-on kit with no modifications needed to the body or chassis to fit.
All the parts were powdercoated gloss silver for the chassis, aside from the management cradle Which got coated satin black, so as to blend in with the space under the bonnet where it was all fitted.
For Management we utilised Airlift’s 3P System and twin Viair compressors. We would usually opt for a manual 4-way system, however space in this car and how the dashboard is laid out there was no space for the usual paddles and gauge mount. The small control pad sits neatly besides the shifter and is easily hidden away if wanted.
Lastly, the wheels.
Some would probably say that we're predictable here - and I wouldn't argue! A set of BBS RS wheels (absolutely my favourite wheel of all time) made their way into the mix. These are a Porsche-Pattern set and originally specified for a 930 Turbo or 944 Turbo. The rears are WIDE!
The car has worked out a beautifully mannered driver, that handles and rides much better than stock, and has all the practicality needed for longer European road trips... Which is exactly what I had in mind when building it.
Enough of my talking though now, I'll leave you with some pictures of the results!
We also fitted up a Diesel fired cabin heater, which is piped through the dash vents and demist vents. This is one of my favourite modifications I've ever done to anything! The stock heating in aircooled VW's is always a bit crap, even when in great condition. This absolutely blows it away with not only power, but ease of use and practicality!
Stealth ashtray mounting is my favourite part. Just hides away when not needed.
Thanks for reading!
Max