Wake The Dead: Seans 1966 VW Beetle

How different are we? As car enthusiasts we have certain set expectations that we have to meet in society in order to conform to the normality of our culture. We have our flashy paint jobs, our costly engine builds, and our flawless wheels that often are worth more than the value of the car. We are told that we need to be “stanced” and “flush” in order to fit in with the times. Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with these notions, the point of contention is often missed. We try anything and everything possible to be different, but all we do is end up being the same.

I would like to introduce you to a heretic of these beliefs. He carries the same ideals and opinions as I have for the past ten years. The ideals and opinions that often shake up the established norm and spark an endless debate of whats right or wrong with cars. He knows he will never have the fastest car, the best paint job, the rarest wheels, or the cleanest engine bay. He does not care if he fits in. He does not care if you like him or his car. He does not care about recognition or notoriety, but nor does he judge others and their cars based off of his own. He has remained behind he scenes and in the shadows of our car culture… until now.

I would like to introduce my close friend Sean Yardley, and this is his ’66 VW Beetle.

This is his story… 

PHOTOS / WORDS BY: COREY VAUGHN

I can still remember it… It was 2004. I was part of a car club that had recently dispersed due to several differences between the members. I was looking to form another club when I met Sean Yardley. At the time he was driving a modified Volkswagen Jetta and as I would soon find out, was an avid VW enthusiast.

During the next several months we shared several ideologies about car culture and how we both had struggled to find a niche in the vast and ever-changing cycle of trends going on at the time. We would often discuss magazine articles, commenting on how they often missed the point of what “diversity” was all about.

We also would discuss the changing wheel design trends and what was classic and what was junk. Keep in mind this was 2004, and the “old school” trend had not really kicked in yet. The “Hella Flush” and “Stanced” themes were also not around at the time. The only representation of this style was from within the Volkswagen community. Their cars were often modded in this fashion of stretched tires and zero-clearance fender gaps. The owners were always humble and took pride in sophisticated representation. Little did they know, this would set a trend that would drastically catch on…

Years passed. During which Sean and I would go through several cars that we would modify and sell, particularly Hondas. As a Mazda fan at the core, I would rarely have anything but Rx-7’s, and Sean felt similarly for VW’s. He finally sold his project MK1 Rabbit to a friend to fund his daily EF Honda Civic.

Sean would finally come back to Volkswagen when he found another MK1 Rabbit, this time a Cabriolet. A car for which he had big plans for, but were never fully realized.

Unfortunately like many of us, the Recession took its toll on Sean, and he was left without work for a long time. As the months went by, the Rabbit sat in his garage untouched, with no funding to be completed. During this time, he would go through several sets of wheels and suspension setups, but ultimately selling out to pay his bills.

Fast forward to spring 2012. While trying to sell his MK1 Rabbit for extra money, Sean began doing contract work. While returning home from a job he noticed a rare gem behind a pawn shop in Piedmont, AL. The car was a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle that at first glance appeared to be in bad shape. Sean immediately fell in love with the car and it’s unique “patina” style. Sean knew he had to own it and started saving money.

The patina style finish was done intentionally by the previous owner to reflect the car’s age and give it an unusial flare. I received a call from Sean almost immediately telling me of the find, and soon he sent me a picture of the car. At first our friends could not understand why he would want such a car, but after being reminded of who was buying it, they soon understood. I am a firm believer that in this world, there is a car that can reflect each one of us and our personality. This was the car for Sean. It wouldn’t be long before it would be sitting in his driveway.

The car is almost completely stock, barring a few additional oem upgrades from junk yard finds. Sean has extensively modified the stock components to his tastes such as the ride height and the interior accents. The car is equipped with a torsion beam suspension from the factory. The car does not sit low enough for his liking and soon will undergo further modification to accommodate a new set of wheels and tires. The current wheels are oem Empi sport alloys that Sean describes as “genuinely classic” and add to the nostalgia of the Beetle. Other accessories include an Empi roof rack, fog lamp, exhaust assembly with trumpet extension, and euro blade bumpers.

The standard air-cooled engine will soon be undergoing an overhaul. It has been modified with a new solex carb and Engle 100 Street Cam. It also has Empi headers, distributor cap and pulley set. The interior has also been modified with a euro gauge cluster, Pioneer head unit, and Hurst shifter. Sean says that despite the surface rust on the exterior, the car is virtually rust free on all the interior panels.

At the present time, the car has been acid-washed to further enhance the patina effect and to promote the unique style of the car. Many changes and modifications are in store for the future but with careful attention is being paid to not violate the message of the car.

The message of this car is very simple: Be timeless. It is a product of a generation that Volkswagen wanted to be truly different. This car is not for the strict enthusiast. This car is not for the brand haters and armchair judgment. This car is not for the ordinary nor does it intend to impress. It is not nor was it ever intended to be the best at anything. This car is a statement, a statement of time. A statement that is years in the making. Years of waiting and pondering. It is the product of a suggestion. A suggestion that asks questions: Should we conform to fit in? Should we always follow the leader? This car has and continues to stand the test of time, and no fad nor trend will alter it’s purpose. This car is tailored for one person only, and Sean Yardley is it’s crafter.

End Volume 1

Stay tuned for Volume 2 and the feature film “Wake The Dead”. Coming Soon
Special Thanks To:
Sean Yardley, Volkswagen, The people of Jacksonville, AL, Pentax Imaging Corp.

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