It's just a thought.....

I think VW used different 1st thru 3rd gear ratios as well as final drive ratios in the air cooled transaxles. The later (after 1970) IRS transaxles were geared real tall for fuel economy and were dogs on the street. The first thing I did when I bought my '74 standard beetle was to change the transaxle to a 1969 model. It felt much better, more like a close ratio gearbox. I learned this trick from a real factory trained air cooled VW mechanic with thirty years of experience.

If this Beck uses a generic/Brazil/Mexican VW gearbox, the tall gearing might make it a slug. I wonder if someone has kept a logbook of sorts, showing the specs for the mechanicals.

I saw a Beck the other day, it was on the lift at the local MG/Triumph/Alfa garage having a new starter bushing and starter put in. I was impressed by the quality and fit/finish of the car. The shop owner said that several people thought it was real until he showed them the fiberglass construction.