October 2, 2006: Operating VW Beetle in wire frame

Undertoad · 10-02-2006, 10:44 AM

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

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.

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.

Flint · 10-02-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

...one of the finest designs in automotive history.

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

xoxoxoBruce · 10-02-2006, 11:40 AM

"Finest designs in automotive history." Say what?

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.

Undertoad · 10-02-2006, 11:49 AM

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.

barefoot serpent · 10-02-2006, 12:10 PM

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

Flint · 10-02-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barefoot serpent

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

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

MaggieL · 10-02-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

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.

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.

glatt · 10-02-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

one of the finest designs in automotive history.

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.

MaggieL · 10-02-2006, 01:23 PM

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

axlrosen · 10-02-2006, 01:41 PM

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.

Saknussem · 10-02-2006, 01:52 PM

And it's safer than the original!

capnhowdy · 10-02-2006, 05:19 PM

The original would float.

BigV · 10-02-2006, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnhowdy

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!

Wombat · 10-02-2006, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

one of the finest designs in automotive history

I couldn't agree more!

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

Karenv · 10-04-2006, 11:12 AM

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.

10-02-2006, 10:44 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	October 2, 2006: Operating VW Beetle in wire frame Sparks suggests this wire frame VW Beetle, via Hemmings Auto Blogs - which some of our resident gear-heads will enjoy. 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. 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.

10-02-2006, 11:40 AM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	"Finest designs in automotive history." Say what? 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. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

10-02-2006, 12:10 PM	#5
barefoot serpent go ahead, abbrev. it Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 2,623	an air-cooled engine; so why not the passengers, too? __________________ Chooses rowing vs. wading

10-02-2006, 01:23 PM	#9
MaggieL in the Hour of Scampering Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Jeffersonville PA (15 mi NW of Philadelphia) Posts: 4,060	Any vehicle that could inspre the likes of this is the pinnacle of something. __________________ "Neither can his Mind be thought to be in Tune,whose words do jarre; nor his reason In frame, whose sentence is preposterous..."

10-02-2006, 01:41 PM	#10
axlrosen Major Inhabitant Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 125	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. __________________ Warp Bill Gates

10-02-2006, 11:49 AM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	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.

10-02-2006, 01:52 PM	#11
Saknussem Coronation Incarnate Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 93	And it's safer than the original!

10-02-2006, 05:19 PM	#12
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	The original would float. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

10-04-2006, 11:12 AM	#15
Karenv Slacker Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 144	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.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)