Oh Shala! The Dick Dean Shala-Vette is Ready for the World.

There are a lot of VW-based customs in the world, but this one has a bit of celebrity, as Dick Dean, who worked with and for George Barris, designed and marketed these.

Click for Craigslist ad

La Habra, CA, USA

$18,000

In case you were worried, the VW pan upon which this is built has been shortened. You know, they were just too big. The engine is an 1835cc unit with upgraded carbs, etc.; so this probably has a pretty good power-to-weight ratio. In other good news, there’s a convertible top of some sort, although no image of it deployed.

We don’t thing anyone will be fooled into thinking this is a Corvette, but it’s not boring, either.

Tail shows more direct Corvette influence. Given the short wheelbase here, the opening you see serves as something of a trunk as the spare tire is there, aft of the engine. That makes this somewhat more practical than a C3 Vette.

How’s that for a wheelbase to overall length ratio?

Flip-up headlights might have been deemed too difficult for a custom? Note hood pins – the fuel tank lies underneath.

I’d like to go back in time and eliminate this overused custom steering wheel style from human thought.

Here’s that “trunk” with tire hanging out way behind the axle line and rear engine.

Ad text:

Dick Dean was a famous custom car builder and designer. A customizer by trade, Dick went on to run George Barris’ famous Kustom City. Notable cars he designed are the Muster Koach, Dragula, Surf Woody, Black Beauty and many others. — but he also built a few custom VW based buggies, about 12 – 15 that were called the Shala-Vette. He collaborated and worked alongside Bill Hines and George Barris.

The House of Glass in La Habra is a few blocks from where I reside and is where Dick Dean worked at one time and where he fabricated the Shala Vette.

Here is a one of a kind find!

Details

Year: 1970

Model: Shala – Vette

Paint: 1970’s Green

Body: Fiberglass

Engine: 1835 cc w. Dual 44 Dellortors, 110 Eagle Cam, .009 distributor w/ electric Ignition, Stock with big valves, Chrome Engine ACC, 120 Volt Alternator.

Wheels: Parnelli Jones – Front 185-70-14″ / Back 235-60-15″

Convertible top – Uribas Upholstery “Steve”

Interior – Willie Custom Upholstery

Porsche 914 seats with 4 point harness

VDO gauges and push start button

Roll Bar – Kustom with spare tire

Suspension – STOCK

VW Pan – 1965 Shorten and Reinforced

Trans Axle – STOCK, Strap Kit, Performance Clutch Kit

Roll cage

Extras:

2 different height windshields

The car can be shipped at new owners expense or picked up at the owners residence. The car is cleanly registered with clean title.

Car is mint, clean and is sold as is.