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Las Vegas, NV — November 2026
Wiha Tools recognized EMPI's 1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle with the 2026 Wiha Innovation Award at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The award celebrates the engineering, creative problem-solving, and custom fabrication behind one of this year's standout air-cooled Volkswagen builds.
Andres from Wiha met with Victor Gonzalez and Larry Hole from EMPI to take a closer look at the project and present the award.
Reengineering a Volkswagen Classic
Originally a junkyard test car, EMPI's 1973 Super Beetle has been transformed into a race-inspired build that combines the company's air-cooled heritage with modern performance engineering.
Nearly every part of the vehicle has been reconsidered, from the bodywork and chassis to the drivetrain and interior.
Carbon Joe fabricated an extensive collection of custom carbon-fiber components, including the fenders, hood, decklid, bumpers, and dashboard. The latter takes its inspiration from the Porsche 912, giving the interior a connection to classic European motorsports.
Whitfield Fabrication handled tunnel clearancing and custom sheet-metal work, while Vintage V-Dubs modified the EMPI Fuchs-style wheels to accommodate the build's wider stance.
The car is powered by a 2165cc air-cooled engine built by D&J Automotive, producing more than 220 horsepower. Rancho drivetrain components, upgraded braking and suspension systems, and a motorsports-inspired interior round out the extensive modifications.
Recognizing Innovation Through Problem-Solving
What earned EMPI the Wiha Innovation Award was the team's approach to making these components work together.
Custom builds of this caliber require far more than sourcing parts. They demand precision, creative engineering, and the ability to overcome challenges throughout the fabrication process.
EMPI's Super Beetle demonstrates how a familiar automotive platform can be transformed through collaboration among specialists who bring different skills and perspectives to a shared project.
Wiha congratulates Victor Gonzalez, Larry Hole, the EMPI team, and all the builders, fabricators, and partners who contributed to this outstanding Volkswagen.
Watch the video featuring Andres from Wiha and the EMPI team for a closer look at the award-winning Super Beetle.
Five Years of Wiha Excellence and Innovation Awards at SEMA
In 2026, Wiha celebrated its fifth year presenting the Excellence and Innovation Awards at the SEMA Show. Each year, the standard of engineering, fabrication, and craftsmanship continues to rise, reflecting the remarkable talent throughout the automotive aftermarket industry. These awards recognize the builders, fabricators, and teams whose skill, creativity, and dedication bring exceptional vehicles to life. Wiha congratulates this year's recipients and everyone involved in their builds.
About Wiha Tools
Founded in 1939, Wiha is a leading global manufacturer of hand tools and solutions for professional tradespeople and industrial markets. Currently, over 1,400 Wiha employees manufacture and market award-winning Wiha premium tools. A host of awards underline that Wiha has set the standard in functionality, design, and quality.
The family-owned company is recognized as a TOP 100 most innovative medium-sized German enterprise and received the Manufacturing Excellence Award (MX Award) as the best German SME (Small Medium Enterprise). Wiha's innovative approach offers added value and user benefits in terms of increased efficiency and functionality in everyday work.
Willi Hahn Corporation USA dba Wiha Tools is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wiha Werkzeuge Gmbh Schonach, Germany. Wiha Tools is the largest Wiha subsidiary, offering over 4,000 products from our Monticello, Minnesota-based North American Headquarters. Wiha USA services North, Central, and South America. With over 80 years of manufacturing experience, Wiha has become a world leader in producing premium quality German hand tools focusing on application-driven design engineered specifically for professional tradespeople.
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