517 whp, how fast will it go?

[@interceptor124]

One of the best sleepers I have seen on YT. Greetings from Germany and keep up the good work

[@richardmarkham8369]

Fantastic times and great to see the new clutch is holding together! The stock look is so cool.

[@JohnReynolds661]

Thanks, the clutch is on the edge of what it can handle but holding up OK.

[@richardmarkham8369]

Is it a twin plate clutch?

[@JohnReynolds661]

@@richardmarkham8369 still running the single but the dual is in process

[@richardmarkham8369]

@@JohnReynolds661 It's doing well to hang on in there then!

[@Its_Me_Wheelz]

Flat out awesome to see you actually racing and using this sweet ride how it needs to be. Makes me want to restart working on a bug soon.

[@wirebrush]

So cool seeing that showroom stock looking street car competing against those full blown race only cars and holding it's own!!

[@KN-lq4zv]

I’m a big fan of this car, such a great build. Well done !!

[@brucevallee5623]

There is no walk of shame with that race. Brother you built one bad beetle and that is the walk of fame. Loving your channel and man those crazy builds I have no words👍👍👍

[@gcvc5311]

Hi John , i watched you just this morning on Nicole Johnson's Detour ....no bloody wonder you were nervous as hell while she drove that little beast ! As a Kombi and an Aussie built VW Country Buggy owner , I am definitely just a little jealous of the power you have beneath your right foot . Nicole said it was "squirrely" .....that may have been quite a massive understatement. G'day from Australia.

[@porterarthur659]

Good job John. Up against race bugs that don't drive on the street you held your own. Pre Eliminator is a fast class.

[@Nikephorus]

This bug is so cool. Looks completely stock unless you get up close. Love it!

[@michaelhelle7469]

Nice to see you running the strip. Love this build. No need to feel shame, you had some excellent times

[@gsftom]

Can’t win em all. Killer bug, great video.

[@mikerobak790]

Yes, John Schuerger is an absolute machine with an amazing car and member of Team Gene Berg. Your sleeper bug is an outrageously cool “street” sleeper.

[@scottiencali]

Wow even with the miss shift... 3rd to 5th you still almost caught that blue bug. Practice makes perfect.. Good luck!

[@jackpetrof9460]

Love what you have done with that VW! I am now suffering serious envy, my first new car was a 73 Super Beetle. $2,770.00 out the door!

[@JamesFaction]

Looks like most of those cars couldn't touch your bug and they all looked far more heavily modded and racer-specialist. Your sleeper bug is a monster!

[@JohnReynolds661]

They would have a hard time catching me out the back end where the HP counts.

[@countryclubpga3309]

So a modern 500hp EFI Turbo’d Ej bug isn’t considered "heavily modded" but those All Motor Aircooled VWs on 40yr old IDA carburetors is lol ?

[@scottstone4948]

Did you catch the looks like part?

[@march2285]

Your bugs picture needs to be placed in the dictionary under sleeper. I have always been a fan of the sleeper look. Nobody knows the amount of work that went into creating what you have done. congratulations are in order. Maranatha

[@nicholaswarman7553]

Sleeper slaying. Two thumbs up brother

[@dgerdi]

I once drove through Osnabrück in a Opel Astra G 1.2 16V which was a pain in the ass on highway-ramps but it was amaysing in the city. It was the ring driveway and in my back I heard a sound I knew. It was knorky, rough and it was in no way avocative to what I saw overtaking me on this two way road. It was a beetle in baby blue. These cars could be very suprising.

[@jeremiahkastner6374]

Well done John, well done.

[@Vajrabrother]

Hi ..wow .... I love the in car footage or racing pressure is so different from just being fast! i also like the tie dye shirt ! That dog box "sure does sound cranky" ! be well (or i will comment another video) ! (PS Best car i ever drove was a Passat recently , rental ! Seemingly better than all other "Germans" Aude BMo or Merzel ! Doing 230 km/h German Autobahn curves no problem !! No rocking much like a board plank lying on flat surface !) as we say in German !! 100 hp to 1 ton is already well powered over 500 hp to one tone may be insane to ridiculous !! (fast) ! Love the way you fitted everything ...(other vid) or saw engine or exhaust pipe fittings ! Real sleeper ....as no outer visibles .... (or hood intake nozzles elude to nothing) indications !! A beauty !

[@jeffhartwig5283]

Hard racing! nothing breaking! Success!

[@67VWForever]

awesome john, glad you had fun, not bad runs at all not bad for a stock looking sleeper you stay up with them..

[@paullowe-rb2jc]

Drove one of these and hated the underpowered stock motor. You are living my dream, brother!

[@chrishopkins8214]

That bug is crazy amazing!!! Nice work 👍

[@williammetcalf7239]

This is a supremely built Super Beetle. I have an orange 71, since 1989, and would do the same thing to it, if I had the mad skills and time. Bravo on that 73. Good Stuff!!

[@aicsusa]

Wow only 1/8 mile at the bug- in. They always raced 1/4 mile when I use to go to them many years ago. I miss going to them now that I see this video. Wish I had the energy to build another VW. Thanks for sharing. Take care and God bless. David

[@JohnReynolds661]

I prefer 1/8 mile. It's becoming more popular as cars get faster.

[@aicsusa]

@@JohnReynolds661 Since they had Long Beach 1/8 mile then Irwindale it has become popular so much so that a lot of street facing is only 1/8 mile now too and that has rolled over into NHRA now too. Times have changed a lot over the years. I remember when NHRA sent letters to the major guys in street outlaws telling them they did not support street racing and took their NHRA licenses away from them. Now NHRA has many street classes for all of them to race in and pays the major guys from the tv show to show up at the events. Many changes in all racing. Thanks for bringing back all the old memories, have a good night.

[@ArneChristianRosenfeldt]

@@JohnReynolds661 Yes, please don't get hurt.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Looks like fun 😁

[@Ken_Casanova]

Greetings from Germany, your VW Käfer is the Bomb! Nice Work!

[@ghomerhust]

what an absolute rocket. that kind of speed on an 8th is seriously good. and all the other cars were proper prepped race cars with aero and such. having a stock looking super hitting that kind of pull is why beetles are just the most fun. ive been a vw addict since 98 being stationed in germany, havent built my first air cooled yet, but ive built over a dozen water cooled just for me, and plenty of cars for other addicts like us. seriously man, that is a stunningly beautifully built little box

[@ZZLZ-cj8tl]

Excellent! "The Sleeper Bug" My first vehicle was a super beatle. Red will be missed.

[@Devilsgreedybelly]

No shame with that beast john, I'm now leaning towards a subaru lump for that Datsun, I love that boxer rumble 😎🫵

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

👍👌👏 I came here from the Nicole Johnson video where you showed this gorgeous woman your extremely impressive sleeper bug. I already watched the Detour video several times. You, Sir, are as skilled as cool! And your beautiful harmless looking baby blue bug definitely runs like it could frighten the devil. By the way: The famous Rallye driver Walter Röhrl once said: Only if you are already frightened by unlocking a cars door, it is strong/fast enough. You, Sir, definitely built such a car. Congratulations for this masterpiece. Best regards luck and health in particular.

[@mikemaginness9960]

Thanks for the ride along! 😎 very cool!

[@gokartracers]

Would love to Turbo my 69 1/2 Ghia. Great job on all the engineering and work. Your car is magnificent.

[@1303Steve]

I've done the 2nd to 5th shift as well with my G50 trans, it sure takes the fun out of the run. I've been thinking about making a lockout for the track

[@spud-from-Nam]

2nd to 5th is not a big problem. 5th to 2nd, that's a nightmare.

[@KN-lq4zv]

I never get tired of watching this, I’d love this engine in my Meyers Manx

[@danamanley2152]

Dude no bad runs! That's insane! I always wanted to do a Nash Metro!

[@SamboNagga]

SO HAPPY to see Irwindale is still there!!!

[@Petermaster_TON]

Nice going, Herbie!

[@lesaatuatasi6267]

Wish you had more cameras

[@chriscraft77022]

6:50 i just bought a 72 standard beetle the same color... i want to do that

[@alanalzee4849]

Lovely Sunny day for a race 🌅 Thanks for another excellent video 👍

[@accordv6er]

John, sir you're bringing back my love of not-quite-aircooleds. I got the bug (no pun intended) bad working in an air cooled Porsche VW shop.... One day after I sniffed a bit at a customers t-IV 914, (all the shop 914s were 2.4 or 2.7 Euro MFI Porsche drivetrains, Audi brakes, etc etc typical vintage racers) anyhow Boss took me for a drive in that sweet black 914. Was maybe 1850lbs, had about 90hp, and man, what a riot.... Next week I watched one of our techs start converting a bus to an EJ... Gears started turning right then that someday I would have to do this... Still would love an EJ 914 or Ghia

[@WSBach]

Even though I am not the biggest friend of Super Beetles but this one is absolutely amazing. The Subaru engine also is a real thing 👍👍👍👍

[@mikemiller9119]

Those ride alongs were great

[@jasonbeaver1061]

Dude, nothing loser about that. This is an amazingly engineered car!

[@jamesmitchell3634]

I own this same color same year currently. Mine is so rusty. I just got the original engine and transmission installed. So much work. I just want to get the darn thing running at this point.

[@classicjag76]

nice passes John. I'm sure you'll get the hang of drag racing soon enough and will be rowing those gears every single time. Cool bug!

[@Smoothboxnailer]

Sir, you may want to add a parachute! Sweet ride...

[@ReVolt_e-Vlogs]

I'm the early 90's I had a '71 Super Beetle with fiberglass widebody fenders, trunk lid, & hood, converted to 5 lug & gold BBS rims, with a 2235cc twin turbo in it, & would run low to mid 10's, & people were so shocked a Bug could move like that if built right! 😂👍 I tell everyone I was into the import tuner scene even before it had a name, imports were a niche area in cars, until Fast & Furious came out in 2000!💯

[@KingCast65]

One of my favorite cars of all time. I would be happy with a 200-250 horse version. Ecstatic. Sucks to be broke or I would take a yellow '79 convertible 180 horse.

[@yettimannettii2039]

that is absolutely insane. Who remembers OCIR?(RIP) I was there for Bug-in 21 or 22? the last Bug-In or one of the last.

[@larryl392]

No but I had a 69 bug when I was 18.....have a great day🙂

[@KD5XB]

Fantastic! What a hoot! I hate to add this, but it looks like lower gearing overall would be a real benefit. The acceleration out the back is STILL so awesome that it makes me wonder just how fast she really WOULD go! BTW -- H rating is for 130.

[@Patr212]

Beautifully insane, really enjoyed watching this video.

[@sw3dishla8rat]

I don't care if you win or lose man that car you have there is bad-ass!!! Good job man doing it the right way👍.... Love that it looks so stock!

[@michaelcoffman4185]

Any run where your engine doesn't explode is a good run

[@ejharrop1416]

So very nice and the journey is what matters most in life and you are on a masterpiece of a journey. Peace out

[@orbitaljellyfish808]

That car with a sequential gearbox would be insane

[@ArneChristianRosenfeldt]

So this bug only has four gears. I read that dragsters also have a simple gearbox -- nothing complicated with planets or diffs. They just have large synchro cones. Instead of using a clockwork, it would be cool if you could just force in the gears in by means of a strength H-stick. Clutch petal force is steered by H-pattern. I would love to press into 2, shortly touch 3 and then ram into the cogs 2. Maybe there can be some hydraulic delays in the gearbox to keep a connection for the torque to never close throttle. After all, every gearbox is full of oil.

[@dereks8930]

This has a dog box,like a motorcycle, very dependent on timing

[@vilemberanek4448]

does the gearbox have streight teeth gears?

[@robertlambert5299]

Love it. It’s got to be a blast John.

[@Seemenow246]

I have a 1964 bug that my mom gave me at age 14. I'm 34 now. At 14 I would drive around the neighborhood. My limit was 2 blocks to the left and 2 blocks to the right. The car had a blue pearl paint job, sun roof, roll cage, and a dual port 1776cc engine. Was a big go-kart. 😁 I've since blew the engine and the cars been sitting over 10yrs. I want a Subaru conversion. Was curious do you have a shop? Or who can I pay to do my engine and trans work? I'm located in Los Angeles

[@JohnReynolds661]

There are a couple Face Book groups that specialize in Subaru to VW swaps. If you join, you could probably get info on who can do a swap for you.

[@Seemenow246]

@@JohnReynolds661 Thank you for replying. Happy holidays

[@RayTeerlink]

I think this is with his “dog box” transmission that has no synchros. Makes it even more impressive

[@garretthoefer3989]

NHRA Summit Series at Irwindale is gonna start pretty soon if you want to try your hand at bracket racing. Very cool car

[@danielholman7225]

Yeah, that blue ‘74 or what ever SB gets down the road. That thing is a cool sleeper.

[@mchristr]

A 6.85 in the eighth translates into 10.70s all day long. What a beast of a sleeper.

[@NotMe-z6b]

Holy crap that little beast hooks!

[@smk11685]

Beautifully done 🍻 love the sleeper rides 👍

[@y5_mkuu_mzuri604]

I was trying to listen for engine recognition....lol dope build I got a motorcycle engine in my bug 🤘🏿

[@JDspeedandFab.]

Great Job Sir, Job well DONE!!🏁😎👍🏼🚀, thank You For Sharing.

[@11secghia]

Hey, John i'm still lookin' for a matchup with you and my buddy Steve!! Good talkimg to you and good luck!

[@AdriStouse]

I just discovered your car yesterday through Nicole Johnson's youtube channel. It is a freaking amazing machine that you build!!! Since the engine comes from a wrx, it does have their patented launch system a iddle? Am i right? :)

[@JohnReynolds661]

Thanks, yes it does have Subaru launch system.

[@supramarco6775]

Your Beetle 'S' is awesome.

[@danlosgar9194]

Dude can drive!

[@Kman.]

I s k i p p e d thru the video...did I miss the *1/4 mile* time? What was the best time?

[@martinedwards4522]

is there still the annual " bug-in"??

[@59vaughn]

That's a killer car....

[@reinaldohurtado3514]

that thing is insane, its sick!

[@harrisonamobi484]

Hi, John, what would it cost to build this car? Awesome!

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

What was your best time? Amazing!

[@JohnReynolds661]

6.84 @ 107.8 mph. 1.58 sixty foot

[@hotroddreams3130]

@@JohnReynolds661 Your 1/4 Mile ET is 10.84 seconds computed from your vehicle 1/8th ET of 6.84 seconds. Your 1/4 Mile MPH is 133.67 MPH computed from your vehicle 1/8th MPH of 107.8 MPH. Hope next year to see you run a 1/4 mile at Fontana AAA Dragway at the next VW drags. I didn't know that Irwindale was having a Bug-In #45 on June 20 2021. Bad ass bug Mr. Reynolds. I had a 1973 VW standard beetle with a 2016cc that was dynoed at 150hp at the crank that would give Mustang 5.0 & Iroc Z's a good run in 1988 and I thought that was fast till I saw your sleeper rocket VW.

[@JohnReynolds661]

Thanks for calculating it out to the 1/4. I've been 125 mph in the bug and it's not a place I like spending much time. Not sure I want to go over 130. Maybe I'm just getting old.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

@@JohnReynolds661 No, you are wise. That seems like it would be courting disaster.

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

@@JohnReynolds661 cut a coil and a half off your front springs and put a air dam in front. It should stable it out.

[@rogeronslow1498]

The guy that won me! Delicious English.

[@erxcbx]

Inside view was wicked

[@benyahun]

this is insane, it launches so hard! i reckon the car could wheelie forever if he wanted it to

[@SolarEclipseOGMoon]

Your car is amazing :D

[@bigred8438]

6.84 sec 1/4 mile run....what a beast......does it have a turbo :)

[@disturbedltlman6007]

Beautiful car, I want one!

[@TheMinorityRacer]

Hola John, just got a call on the Sat Phone. We need to talk. We need you to teach us before we race in the Schengen w/ Mex VW.

[@Schlumpfblau]

had a 1973 Beetle 1303 with 115 hp. more was hardly possible in germany 30 years ago🤣

[@michaelriddick2370]

I just joined your channel 2 minutes ago

[@michaelriddick2370]

that is one bad ass Volkswagen wow

[@KeithZim]

This reminds me of Wile E Coyote trying to ride the Acme Rocket! Looks like a blast!! Pun intended LOL.

[@19MarcoPolo71]

Padum tsss 🥁

[@fjbT2024]

What will this Bug do in the quarter?

[@JohnReynolds661]

Haven't done a 1/4, but it calculates out to upper 10s.

[@buff6637]

Outstanding! How's the Corvair coming along?

[@JohnReynolds661]

Working on it now. Nothing interesting to show, just sausage making.

[@buff6637]

@@JohnReynolds661 looking forward to seeing it!

[@michaelbradley7529]

Except for the steering wheel, that car is the definition of a sleeper. An unassuming neck breaker.

[@alkennedy1124]

You always write the dial in at your quickest pass, and you try to make 3 or 4 practice passes with no problems, that is where you get the quick time to write on the window, that what I do, it always slows down as the day go’s on , so it is a guess thanks BigAl California.

[@ShiroZ31]

Do you have problems with aero lift toward the end of the run?

[@JohnReynolds661]

Not really, but I think I ran too much air pressure in the front tires causing it to be sketchy.

[@benstone5650]

A punch buggy at 170 mph?? Damn!!! 😮

[@ARockyRock]

I think "fast enough" is a good answer here.

[@lblepus]

Love your Super Beetle... and the World Champion wheels!

[@dereks8930]

My first was a 70,same color, 1600. From 0 - 30 I was the fastest in town lolol got her to 101 mph no joke. Motor died 2 days later and omg no down force at all🤘Couldn't imagine this rocket.

[@yettimannettii2039]

101 ? maybe on a long steep down hill.

[@dereks8930]

@@yettimannettii2039 oh yeah, long ass hill. Would not do it again lol

[@dereks8930]

@@yettimannettii2039 and it wasn't a super. It was light with a carb upgrade. Threw a rod 2 days later. Still ran on 3 with a busted rod.

[@johnconnell1424]

Really awesome 😎 sleeper

[@tomboehlke9480]

Been there done that 1, 2, 5, darn jeep at sand drags hopping, stock mounts stick slapping both seat's🤣