VW 1302 "Theo Decker" - when the Beetle annoys the Porsche

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" - when the Beetle annoys the Porsche

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Created on January 11, 2023

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

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Volkswagen

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Bruno von Rotz

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - only a few of these two-liter Beetles are likely to have survived

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - appearances are deceptive, the 1302 S by Theo Decker is clearly superior to the Mille Beetle

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - here the order is put right again

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - the oil cooler was an accessory

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - End of the village, now it's time to step on the gas again

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - 135 hp make the Beetle fast, especially on country roads

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - lies firmly on the road

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - great fun on the country road

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - weighing around 900 kg

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - manages around 185 km/h

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - certainly one of the faster Beetles in Germany

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - the king of the highway

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - the additional oil cooler betrays the powerful Beetle

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - hardly distinguishable from a "normal" Beetle

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - next to its equally powerful brother, the Mille Miglia Beetle of the fifties

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - sporty cockpit with small leather steering wheel

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - Additional instruments for engine speed, oil pressure and oil temperature

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - Recaro seats with fabric upholstery

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - two-liter displacement, 135 hp

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - typical Beetle

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VW 1302 (1971) - together with a 1300 and the meager 1200

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VW 1302 (1970) - with modified front end and new front suspension

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VW 1302 (1972) - on the left the basic model, on the right the better equipped and more powerful 1302 LS

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VW 1302 (1970) - with upholstered dashboard as it was already part of the comfort equipment before

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VW 1302 (1970) - View into the engine compartment

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VW 1302 (1972) - the "world champion" next to a Ford Model T

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VW Beetle (1302) - The new world champion

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VW 1302 (1971) - more space for luggage thanks to MacPherson front axle

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VW 1302 (1971) - the Beetle platform with new rear axle

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VW 1302 S at the Geneva Motor Show 1972 - Volkswagen shows progress and continuity in chassis development - left 1302 S from 1971, right Type 11 from 1934

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VW Big Fire (1971) - Theo Decker's Beetle with Porsche engine in the rear

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VW Big Fire (1971) - by Theo Decker, with Porsche six-cylinder engine, Geneva Motor Show 1971

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VW Big Fire (1971) - Theo Decker's Drag Beetle at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - Beetle look, Porsche performance

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - This super Beetle produced 135 hp, enough for a top speed of 185 km/h and a lot of noise (Techno Classica 2017)

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VW 1302 "Theo Decker" (1972) - "Wow Inside" (Techno Classica 2017)

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Summary

Up until the 1970s, the VW Beetle was not only a popular car, but performance upgrades to its engine were also common. One person who was particularly colorful was Theo Decker, who helped the 1302 S achieve 135 hp and performance that is still striking today. We take a look back at the days of Beetle tuning and tell you what the cure felt like behind the wheel.

This article contains the following chapters

A life for VW tuning
Fast Beetles as early as the early sixties
More and more
Tuning made socially acceptable
Porsche power
For whom exactly?
At the wheel of the Über-Beetle

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In 1970, Volkswagen presented the VW Beetle 1302 S with 50 hp and a top speed of 135 km/h. However, this was not enough for some people. However, this was still not enough for some people and there were experts who could provide a remedy "à la carte". It didn't have to be a Porsche six-cylinder engine, which could also be installed. The VW Boxer four-cylinder engine could also be upgraded to two liters of displacement and 135 hp by Theo Decker, for example. However, this was not cheap. Theo Decker (1921-2016) began tuning the first twin-carburetor systems for VW Beetle models back in 1959 and developed into a professional boxer engine tuner. Over the years, the range of products on offer continued to expand, including increased displacement, special camshafts, cylinder head machining, interior modifications, special exhaust systems and front spoilers, among many other things.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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