Paint and Upholstery:
brochure colours exterior and interior
i.e. L242 (42) Lotus White / (40) Leatherette Black
Technical Data:
1600cc typ.113 badged “VTO”.
Dealer Fitted Optional Equipment:
Engine available in four stages of tune
Zenith 32NDIX carburettor
Empi manifold
Empi extractor exhaust
Bosch centrifugal advance distributor
uprated clutch
1600 gear shift linkage
Monroe adjustable shock absorbers
anti-roll bar in front
overall car lowered 2 inches
blade bumpers
Pirelli Cinturato tyres
blue and gold stripe on sides
chrome VTO badge on decklid
Formula/Speedwell/EMPI sourced wood rimmed steering wheel
Bendix TB-1 tachometer
The Stage 4 version:
Porsche engine with single carburettor
disc brakes
mag wheels
camber compensator
special graphics
interior accessories
Context:
The ‘Volkswagen Touring Optimum’. 103 cars produced by Autohaus of Pompano Beach, FL, Volkswagen Dealership. Autohaus was owned by Jan Brundage – son of Hubert Brundage, who, amongst other things, was responsible for the original idea of Formula Vee.
The first car was successfully driven in 1964 and 1965 at SCCA Sedan races, driven by Porsche 356, Formula Vee driver and Brundage/Brumos employee Bill Bencker. The car is nicknamed ‘Gray Ghost’.
Sales Literature:
In 1967, Autohaus produced a two-page mailing, ‘Performance Brochure’ for the VTO.
Information courtesy Shin Watanabe via Rodrigo Kurmen and Fabian Dewar. Delivery photoset courtesy ‘Nonoob’ at Cal-look.no/lounge/
This page last modified: 2026-07-20
