The History Of Terrys
25th May 1986.
Luke Theochari and Peter Englezos formed
Terrys Beetle Services.
Specialising in engine building, servicing, restoration work, accident repairs, welding, performance, custom and speed modifications, concours preparation.
NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL.
Early 1987 saw the purchase of a 1974, 1300 Beetle on a Monday and six days later ‘Moody’ was taken to Santa Pod raceway for a ‘run what ya brung’ meeting. The car was stripped, fitted with a flip front, light weight removable rear wings, rear panel, engine lid and a 1776cc engine. The car was constantly developed and modified after every meeting.
The best-timed run was 9.96 seconds at 136.6mph at North Weald on 29th July 1989.
Luke took sole ownership of Terrys Beetle Services in September 1991.
The work kept coming in and Terrys Beetle Services became more and more established with the company motto …
‘We’ll bend over backwards for all our customers! …… but never forwards!’
Back in 1993 Moody was stolen and stripped ….B******s!
A Pauter engine was bought for the car but upon a visit to the U.S. and Later that year a deal was struck with Ron Lummus to supply a full tube chassis and parts to build a New Moody.
The new car, named Still Moody, (not Moody II) featured a full RLR >>> chassis with funny cage around the driver, a narrowed link pin beam with spindle mounted Douglas Wheels, type 2 gearbox, Pauter 3100cc engine with a CO2 Intercooler, Rajay turbo, 850 Holley, dry sump system etc, etc.
After 4 meetings in 1994 the car ran 9.48 @ 142mph. To date no other Beetle hasin the U.K been that quick. Its potential? – We’ll have to wait and see! Family and work come first!
Over the years TBS have entered different cars into various concours competitions.
Some of the peoples other favourites include: -
Helen Theochari’s black and flamed ’55 oval, which was a daily driver ran 14’s back in 1993
Luke’s ‘Olive’, a 1979 RHD Kolibri Green Cabrio, with green mohair hood, green recaro leather interior. Lowered German looker.
Ivan McCutcheon’s 1967 which was repaired after its fire damage and featured a 2.0ltr TBS engine which kept him happy for several years.
Keith Seume’s ‘Inch Pincher’ replica that won best paint at the Volksworld show. We liked it even more when the old boy let me paint it black. Then it looked really mean! (So did the car).
Our super low mileage ‘78RHD Kolibri Green Cabrio which collected a trophy wherever it went. Ignorant/biased judges have led us to decide that this car will not be seen on the show circuit again (at least not while its in our ownership)
Our much talked about Turquoise Green mobile shop. Only seen once at the Volksworld Show 2001 and created a stir amongst the ‘buffers’.
The RIOT VW – 28th April 1998 saw the delivery of the first two New Beetles into the UK. Our silver arrow LHD high spec version and Brian Burrows white one that was instantly given the ‘Herbie’ treatment. As they say, you either like them or you don’t. We loved ours even though we couldn’t reach the centre of the roof to clean it properly!,David Beckham liked the look so much he styled his hair to look like our car a ''Mohican''
Over the years we have really enjoyed working on a lot of cars for a lot of people and after 15 years we are still looking forward to the next project.
Most owners love their cars and they are an extension to their character. We cater for all types such as those who have had them from new and have got old with them, and also to those who have recently bought one and are constantly improving such as Jamie Olivers ’59 Samba (’The chef’s Ride’)
Very famous person, but loves his VW just as much as anyone else loves theirs!
As for the future …. Watch this space…
Herbie aka H2 from the Love Bug film 1969 now lives with us
