October 2, 2006: Operating VW Beetle in wire frame
 

http://cellar.org/2006/wireframevw.jpg

Sparks suggests this wire frame VW Beetle, via Hemmings Auto Blogs - which some of our resident gear-heads will enjoy.

http://cellar.org/2006/wireframevw2.jpg

In any case, it's very nice work. Check the detail of the flowers in the vase. The posters at Hemmings have decided that it does in fact run, though probably not exactly street legal.

http://cellar.org/2006/wireframevw3.jpg

They even included the detail of the rear window defrosters. They put in enough of the curving lines of the Beetle to remind you of what this is: a loving recreation of one of the finest designs in automotive history.

::: posts pre-emptive reductio ad Hitlerum :::

"Finest designs in automotive history." Say what?:whofart:
Granted, Dr Porsche came up with an easy to stamp out design to put the masses on wheels, in the '30s. But that's because the masses weren't very discerning or demanding.
Personally, I'd rather have a gas gage or functional heater than a bud vase, but it was a step up from a donkey cart.

The wire frame creation has also been done with wrought iron.
I think you'd need a windshield but other than that it would be street legal.

It was a dopey statement by me, but in my defense, when I started writing the entry I thought it was a New Beetle by the flower vase. :D

an air-cooled engine; so why not the passengers, too?

Engineering secrets "they" don't want you to know about!

The flower vase in that abomination called the "New Beetle" (think: "New Coke") in in fact an homage to the original Beetle, which had one.

I think that's a fair statement. It depends on what you are trying to accomplish with the design. If performance of any kind is your goal, then it clearly fails. But if cheap, simple, not unpleasant to look at, and ubiquitous are your goals, then it succeeds.

Any vehicle that could inspre the likes of this is the pinnacle of something.

Wow, that is beautiful. Even if he does look a bit sleepy. That chain-link steering wheel would look totally out of place in any other Beetle, but it goes perfectly with this one.

And it's safer than the original!

The original would float.

TRUE!!

I sailed one across a flooded intersection once when I lived in SoCal. I didn't land where I intended to, and the engine stalled, but the crossing was dry. I fetched up on a driveway, and got out and pushed like crazy. Eventually it started again, and I chose a different route .. to whereever I was going, home work.. I don't remember now. But it was weird seeing the scenery change directions across the windshield disconnected from the steering wheel. Like driving on ice but a lot splashier and the surface was moving fast. Scary!

I couldn't agree more!

This is my one, it's a '59:

http://users.cyberone.com.au/mbudden...Untitled-1.jpg

I had a Karmen Ghia and I think that VW was even better designed. A lot more aerodynamic. But we also had the old bug and loved having the well behind the back seat where the German shepherd could ride.