Not all customs roar with a V8 under the hood, and some don’t even bother with radiators. Case in point — Wayne Tennant’s 1966 air-cooled Beetle. Old-school slammed, rusty, and brimming with character, it’s proof that not all hot rods wear American badges or drink fuel like it’s going out of fashion. In fact, this one prefers to cruise low and slow, turning heads for entirely different reasons.
By Stefan de Koker
Wayne has always been a Volkswagen guy, especially when it comes to the air-cooled crowd. For years, his passion leaned toward restoration, keeping things as Wolfsburg intended. That changed about a year ago when he crossed paths with a guy named Bruce, who had a bone-stock ’66 Beetle up for grabs. The original plan was a full restoration — shiny paint, straight panels, the works. But one look at the weathered grey, the perfectly imperfect patina, the dings and dents that told their own story… and the respray idea died instantly. Instead of erasing history, Wayne decided to protect it, sealing in every mark and patch of surface rust with a coat of clear.
The stance came next. Most would’ve gone the easy route with dropped spindles, but Wayne and his mate Brandon took things further, narrowing the front suspension and stubbing it so the wheels tucked neatly inside the fenders instead of poking out. A set of spotlights and an old AA badge gave the Beetle’s “face” a little more personality, while a rope tied across the front added a cheeky, make-do visual that hints at holding the whole thing together — though it’s purely for show.
From the side, it’s impossible to miss the bright red steel wheels, still wearing their original VW hubcaps, wrapped with whitewall inserts — a must-have for any old rod worth its salt. And that flat grey paint? Not a recent spray job — it’s the original 1966 factory finish, worn proudly and admired wherever it goes.
Look higher and you’ll see the windows — completely covered in Volkswagen-inspired stickers. From STP oil decals to a nod at Herbie’s racing stripes, they add colour and humour, giving the car a lighthearted vibe that matches Wayne’s approach to the build. Out back, a chunky bumper with guards finishes off the exterior perfectly. It’s the kind of rear end you just can’t fake — the sort of patina and character that only comes from decades in the sun.
Inside, the theme continues. The front seats are faded red leather, worn in that particular way only half a century of use can manage. The rear seats don’t match — and that’s the point. This car isn’t pretending to be perfect; it’s wearing its history openly. The dashboard still carries the original radio block-off plate, but don’t be fooled — Wayne’s hidden a CD player in the glovebox so he can enjoy music on the move without ruining the period-correct look. No garish modern head unit, no neon lights, just discreet tunes.
In the back window sits an old tin army helmet — a quiet nod to the days when Beetles were a common sight in military and student parking bays across South Africa. That’s the magic of this car: it triggers memories. Stand near it long enough and you’ll spot people staring, lost in thought, drifting back to their own “good old days.”
Mechanically, Wayne’s kept it stock. The original 1300cc engine still sits in place, matched to the body and chassis just as it left the Wolfsburg factory. Purists love it, and even the ones who tell him to swap in something bigger fall silent when they realise it’s a genuine numbers-matching car. Sitting on 145/65/15 front and 165/65/15 rear whitewalls, the Beetle has the perfect stance — low, but not so low that it’s undriveable. It’s a delicate balance, and Wayne’s nailed it.
This is the kind of custom that could so easily have gone wrong — an overzealous rebuild, a flashy modern makeover, and the soul would have been lost. But by keeping the emotion and history alive, Wayne’s turned what could have been just another old Beetle into a rolling piece of nostalgia. It’s living proof that you don’t need to go big to make an impact. Sometimes all you need is authenticity, attitude, and the good sense to know when to leave things exactly as they are.
