Beetle '76 | Mick Hill

This is probably Mick Hill`s most iconic car . Even though he won relatively few races in her compared to the Capris this was his outrageous creation at the very height of the Supersaloon era. Taking such a recognisable , iconic form as the VW Beetle, such an unlikely basis for a serious race car and then somehow fitting a V8 race engine into its rear bonnet area was both ambitous and the epitomy of what Supersaloons were about.

With so many of Mick`s other cars long lost the Beetle lives and breathes again thanks to its new owner Dave Taylor who had the old girl restored. Its hard to do his car justice in words. I was lucky enough to sit in the cockpit in 2016 and later when Dave fired her up the noise was just astonishing. Its a creature of its time and like its old rival cars `Baby Bertha` and the Daf , its priceless really.

Beetle V8 Chevy 1976

The news of the Beetle was confirmed in Autosport ahead of the opening Supersaloon round on May 9th 1976.

I believe these very first colour photos of the car were taken at that event but only for Mick to show the car for the first time on the Silverstone pit lane.

Unlike Hill`s Capris the Beetle wasn`t a winner straight out of the box. Overheating issues were one problem in a car lacking testing and wind tunnel development. 6th at Silverstone when the Supersaloons took on the Grand Prix circuit was about 5 places lower than Hill was used to and the car was slower than the likes of Baby Bertha and the DFVW. But the car itself gained alot of attention and Hill would recall later `I was racing the Beetle at a British GP support race and in the lunchbreak a number of F1 guys came to look at the car. They were impressed with the build and especially how i`d installed the suspension. This was a high point for me`. One F1 man who helped Hill with the overheating problem was Dr Harvey Postelwaite who got the car into MIRA`s wind tunnel. `He was so keen on the Beetle he gave his services for free`.The side radiators were ditched and side pods cut down and a Can-am style radiator fitted in the front along with a pair of grills. `Templar Tillers`came in with sponsorship too and the car was on its way to being a winner.

June 6th 1976 - SILVERSTONE Club - Tricentrol Super saloons R2 ( 15 laps )

# 21 driver : MICK HILL

Qual : 8th - 1 min 00.6 ( pole was Gerry Marshall on 56.2 )

Race : 6th - 15 seconds behind winner Gerry Marshall

Note : Autosport reported 'Mick Hill`s 5.0 VW has finished its first race sixth despite over heating problems'

July 4th 1976 - SILVERSTONE Club - Tricentrol Super saloons R3 ( 15 laps )

# 21 driver : MICK HILL

Qual : 8th - 59.4 ( pole was Colin Hawker on 56.0 )

Race : DNF - 9 laps

August 15th 1976 - BRANDS HATCH Club - Tricentrol Super saloons R4 ( 20 laps )

# 12 driver : MICK HILL

Qual : not known

Race : DNF - 14 laps ( race won by Nick Whiting )

September 26th 1976 - MALLORY PARK - BARC Simoniz Championship R13 ( 15 laps )

# 8 driver : MICK HILL

Qual : 3rd - 50.6 ( pole was Nick Whiting on 48.2 )

Race : DNF - 3 laps

Note : Autosport reported 'Mick Hill`s VW came right at Mallory Park on Sunday until he clipped the hairpin bank allowing Vince Woodman to pass'. Car now with air cut outs on the bonnet.

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October 10th 1976 - MALLORY PARK - Tricentrol Supersaloons R6 ( 15 laps )

# 3 driver : MICK HILL

Qual : not known

Race : DNF - 1 lap suspension damage

Note : Autosport reported 'Strawson, who had nudged Mick Hill`s VW Beetle at the hairpin on the first lap and retired it with damaged rear suspension'

October 24th 1976 - MALLORY PARK - BRSCC Race ( 15 laps )

# 3 driver : MICK HILL

Qual : 3rd - 50.6 ( pole was Nick Whiting 48.0 )

Race : 3rd - 19 seconds behind winner Whiting

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Beetle V8 Chevy 1976