About Seward Speed Shop

Seward Speed Shop began with a group of friends wrenching on vintage Volkswagens in Seward, Illinois, during nights and weekends. What started as a passion project quickly evolved into a full-time operation. In 2018, we outgrew our humble beginnings and moved to our current home in Rockford, Illinois.

At Seward Speed Shop, we specialize in building high-performance air-cooled VW engines that don’t just deliver power—they go the distance. We also offer custom fabrication, with standout builds like the VeeDubs Mobile Cocktail Bar and the Bad Humor Ice Cream Truck.

High Performance with Purpose

Our most ambitious endeavor to date was Project 2074: a 2074-mile journey from our shop to the O’hana Reunion Race in Medford, Oregon. We built a 2074cc street-legal race Beetle from the ground up in just six weeks and drove it across the country to race. Why? To prove our engines are as reliable as they are powerful. To show that performance and endurance can live in the same engine bay.

But that wasn’t the end. In 2025, we launched The Ohana Odyssey, a spinoff of Project 2074. This time, we’re inviting the whole air-cooled VW community to take the challenge—drive a minimum of 250 miles to the Ohana Reunion by The Volks Group. All Odyssey participants will receive a swag bag and a commemorative medallion upon completing their trek to Medford, Oregon. GPS tracking through the Glympse app allows everyone to follow along, and a special cruise night at the reunion gives families and fans a chance to connect. It’s not just about the destination. It’s about getting out, driving your air-cooled, and joining the adventure.

Proven Performance: EMPI Engine Battle Champions

In 2024, Seward Speed Shop made waves in the VW world by winning the prestigious EMPI Engine Battle. Competing against top builders, Adam and his team created a short-stroke, big-bore high-RPM engine that earned them the championship title and solidified their place among the best in the industry.

Their innovation and craftsmanship gained national attention, landing them features in both Hot VW's Magazine and VW Trends Magazine—a testament to the excellence and dedication behind every engine that comes out of Seward Speed Shop.

Meet the Mastermind: Adam Kottke

Adam Kottke is the owner and master engine builder of Seward Speed Shop. A lifelong VW enthusiast, Adam's passion was sparked by his mother’s vintage Volkswagens and ignited in 1999 when he tracked down a long-lost drag car and began racing it in 2001 as the "Silver Shaker." His knowledge was hard-won through years of trial, error, and learning from the vibrant VW community.

Adam's racing background includes:

• Motocross and off-road racing from age 12 into his 20s
• Street motorcycle and drag racing with the Silver Shaker
• Rallycross in a three-day thrash build Beetle
  Specapp Dragster racing
• Burny the Beetle Project 2074
  
  His commitment to the craft, innovation in engine design, and dedication to the VW lifestyle have made Seward Speed Shop a leader in the air-cooled performance world.

Gratitude and Community

Seward Speed Shop is more than a business—it’s a family forged through horsepower, friendship, and faith. We are grateful to our partners and supporters who helped make Project 2074 a success: Empi, Driven, Wright Gear Box, Nighsco Supply, Type E Motorsports, Jbugs, Fast Jesse Hardin, Prescott Phillips, and so many others.

We are especially thankful to God, who has guided this wild ride, and to the VW community that rallies with us at every turn.

Whether you're chasing power, building for endurance, or just in it for the joy of the drive—Seward Speed Shop is here to build engines that get you there.

Links: 

Sewardspeedshop.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SewardSpeedShop

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewardspeedshop/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesewardspeedshop/

Episode 14 and 15 on Brew City Bug Talk: https://open.spotify.com/show/2LtXvdM5ZIfI7P4a8dhOdH

Live with Rob Mullner of EMPI: https://youtu.be/2PNf5hMLR-s?si=3fHdL7BGbPtxaLXX

Live with Brew City Bug Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEh1NBpf0cM

Live with Driven Racing Oil:https://www.youtube.com/live/y30bSWznq7Y?si=KOO_Fdvt20r82w7Z

Live with Prescott Phillips: https://www.youtube.com/live/92yLKpfQQjM?si=uHZOOsaInBYtM_RJ

Here are some videos about EMPI Engine Battle Champions:

Grand Finals: https://www.youtube.com/live/wJ4jXGl9QCo?si=E6SN1wk_KP3SGSqC

Grand Final Results: https://www.youtube.com/live/NKCslIj1kZs?si=OlZI3VP2Ik__ga4C

Project 2074 Full Documentary Playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlmI0vVpPq8FaTXY6d2T3qZxqLU3MmvBm&si=mZetqcOfdwXLDl6A