New in Sunnyvale: A VW Jet Car Putting Out 1450 h.p.

A VW New Beetle with 1450 horsepower? Ya gotta see this video 

SF Chronicle’s Michael Taylor spent some time with the builder of this machine, Ron Patrick of Sunnyvale, California:

"You drive the car up to about 90 miles an hour and you spool up the jet, then hit it W.O.T. (wide-open throttle)," he said, fondly recalling one of his rides. "It’s one of the finest feelings you can have in your life. In the rear view mirror, all you see is light and hear the thunder of the jet. It’s like you’re going down the largest hill you’ve ever been on."

 

Jet cars aren’t new. This is how close the VW Bug and jet cars have come together, a Walt Arfons Jet Car driven by Paula Murphy (a.k.a. "the Flying Housewife" and "Miss STP") at Bonneville Salt Flats in 1963 (note the Bug in the background):

Drag racing VW Bugs aren’t just for Herbie any more. The VW Drag Racing Club cites one old Bug that can do a quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds @ 125 m.p.h. — and it’s driven to and from the track!