We’re intrigued by the flood of muscle car mimicking VW-based kit cars coming up for sale in the States, but this one built by legendary custom car designer Dick Dean is the coolest looking creation we’ve seen yet!
And it’s an incredibly rare beast to say the least, with research by the Stateside based internet vendor who sold it suggesting that only 12 Shala Vette bodies were made, some of which were sold as kits and a few as turn-key cars of which just 4 or 5 have survived.
This one certainly seems very original, having been with its last owner for almost 30 years – it was purchased as a completed car in 1972 from Dean Kustoms in California but is now in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
From the looks of it, it has a 1500cc single port engine fitted, with a variety of period goodies bolted on – including a Weber 40 CDN14 carb, Bosch 019 dizzy, a calibrated bottom pulley and an external oil filter. Obviously the exhaust is a custom built affair. Apparently it’s not been started since the car was put into storage in 1993, so chances are it will need a complete rebuild at some point.
Meanwhile, the cabin itself follows a pretty basic arrangement, and we think there’s probably scope to improve on the plastic bucket seats which don’t look too comfortable. Included in the sale is a convertible soft top and tonneau cover, but they’ve become brittle with age and will probably prove pretty hopeless.
The Vette’s still running on beautifully retro period Cragar wheels and the tyres look as if they’re firmly rooted in the 1970s too. Given that rubber ages, equally cool new replacements would need to be found.
By all means keep a look out for it at a show, although we have to say it would be a very rare sight indeed! And if you think the shape looks strangely familiar, that’s because Dick Dean was responsible for some of the mad car creations in the 1975 flick Death Race 2000 starring David Carradine as Frankenstein. And guess what car he drove…
Ian
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage.
I’ve got one. Just the body though. Removed the chassis 20 years ago to work on it and never got back to it. Looking to sell, maybe.
Whoah! How could you sell this?
Where in the world are you, in case anyone is interested?
Dickson, Tennessee
Still have it? I’m interested
We have one.
Good Morning, Hope your day is going well. I have a Dick Dean Shala Vette that is going up for sale in ca . It complete running also original color from 70s .Dick dean son confirmed . For more information and pictures please text me you’re email or call me Thank you Jesse
Do you still have his son contact info ? We are currently restoring the car in pics and would like to show him and get info from him . I was told that this car was actually Dick Deans personnel car but would like to confirm
T. Pinch – we have one, California. Are you seriously interested?
I built one in 1972 on a 1965 shortened and lowered VW frame with a stock 40 horse engine.
It had genuine Corvette rims. Sold it to a gentleman in Brea, CA in 1977.
The color was lime green.
I am curious if it still exist.
Good Afternoon,
Jack hope you, you’re family and loved ones find yourselves in good health and your New Year is going well. I bought and semi restored and have it for sale on ebay motors. If you like to look at it to remember let me know. Thanks
I have a blue one, very original – might consider selling it; nice article put together…never knew they were rare(r).
We are restoring this exact car in the pics right now should be completed within the next month definitely a very unique car
Hi Dan
This is John Fike, I am the one who first discovered your Shala Vet and sold it on ebay in 2010. It’s one of the few car I wish I had held on to. So how’s the restoration going? You can also contact me through my website where the car is still listed in my archives.
I have a Shala. I bought it in Ohio about 12 years ago. I am restoring it now. it was white now sublime green.