Dark Roasted Blend: What can be done with the VW Beetle, Part 3

"QUANTUM SHOT" #333
link

Also Read Part 1 & Part 2

"Beetle" Mania Shows No Sign of Abating

When people see a Volkswagen Beetle they usually feel warm and comfortable about its all-too-familiar compact shape; but more often than not, they also want to customize the HECK OUT OF IT!! And so it goes... endless variations, iterations, abominations - all bound to grace (or curse) your neighborhood roadways.

First, a little history:

Precursor of VW Beetle: a Mercedes!!

Among many prototypes that led to creation of the original "people's car" in Nazi Germany were a few that can leave you scratching your head. For example, this is a Mercedes compact car, which looks pretty darn good - then why did it not go into production? Imagine a Mercedes "Beetle" instead....

(image credit: "Mercedes-Benz Silver Star Century" by Dennis Adler)

And now, for the main course:
(including a few iconic VW van modifications, as well)

Cool-looking roadster, built on 1965 Beetle base:

(image credit: MR38)

Greenery grows well on Beetle "carapaces":

(image copyright: Andrea Caranti)

(image credit: Daniel Mauermann) - via

Joe Gomez of San Antonio, Texas (and two other people who had the same idea) made the Wrought Iron VW:

(image credit: WroughtIronVW)

(image credit: yeeliberto)

(image credit: James Tworow)

"Glass Quilt" VW - made from marbles & stained-glass by Ron Dolce of Oakland, California (laying the glass and 10,000 glass marbles took him 18 years! Wow.)

(image credit: GlassQuilt)

Here is less functional, but also filled with marbles, GLASS version:

(image credit: Andrea C.)

Mini-Beetle by Lance Greathouse:

(images credit: Lance Greathouse)

This skating "mod" is based on VW Beetle chassis:

(sent in by VolkSkate)

VW Yin-Yang sculpture:

(image credit: Claudio Lara)

Speaking of art, the Fremont Troll has a VW Beetle for breakfast in Seattle:

(image credit: Wade Griffith)

All the parts are clearly visible in this installation:

(image credit: Olivia)

Some modifications are definitely not mobile any more:

1968 VW bus with 1964 bug top:

(sent in by VolkSkate)

(image credit: Chris Iwanowski)

This camping set-up is even cuter:

(image credit: Kath & Theo)

Macho bus:
(seen in Anchorage, Alaska)

(image credit: Steve N.)

Good idea for an ad:

(image credit: Uli Rahms)

Vans getting smaller... and smaller...

(image credit: only-connect)

(image credit: Tom Skinner)

(image credit: Mary-Austin & Scott)

(image credit: Jan Tonnesen)

And then there is a heart... that seems to be broken:

(image credit: Nick Harris)

Only natural to cover VW bus with live flowers and call it "Flower Power":

(image credit: Leandro Pena)

A few terrifying "ghost" cars:

(image credit: Steven Miller)

(image credit: Larry Miller)

This one has a better "ghost" existence, as it actually has upgraded wheels and engine inside:

(image credit: zeitraster)

Even when dead, in their "afterlife", the VWs can look alluring:

(image credit: Helmut Gondim)

mysterious:

(image credit: Leila)

or downright scary:

(image credit: Mark /ZmanPhoto)

UnintellegiBill took a picture of what he describes as a "redneck Christmas" decoration:

(image credit: unintellegiBill)

Even in their "original" form, beetles and ladybugs can have traffic jams:

(image credit: Chris)
Other Sources: Volksrod

READ THE PREVIOUS PART HERE

Also Read Part 1 & Part 2

Permanent Link...
Category: Automobile,Weird
Related Posts: VW Bus Ball Art

2 Comments:

Anonymous said...: The multi-coloured Beetles ("afterlife") were sold as such from the Mexican production line. They took 4 different-colour beetles and a small team just took the various parts off and assembled them on the other bodies just as they felt inspired that day. They then were sold as "clown"-version.; ___
Anonymous said...: Here in Brazil Beetles of all ages and styles, including buses, (called the Kombi here) are seen on the streets every day. We also see VW-bases Dune Buggies every day. So the Beetle is alive and well.; ___

<< Home