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.

Undertoad wrote:

...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?

barefoot serpent wrote:

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

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

Undertoad wrote:

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

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.

Undertoad wrote:

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.

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.

capnhowdy wrote:

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!

Undertoad wrote:

one of the finest designs in automotive history

I couldn't agree more!

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

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.

I'd love a Karmen Ghia but they are so expensive these days :(

If 'tain't a Microbus, I'm not interested.

yeah, a '66 21 window w/sunroof and safari windows. seafoam green on white. yum.

Sounds very nice BigV... but why not go for a 23 window ;)

Take all those microbuses, paint 'em purple, fill 'em with hippies and send them to Jerry Garcia. India, isn't it? Yeah, that's about far enough.

Damn rolling traffic jams....giddy when they got up to the flow of traffic (three miles after they left the entrance ramp).....drivers that are sightseeing, stoned or oblivious. Prototypes for the minivan soccer moms, multi-tasking everything....except driving the damn car.

The only thing worse, besides the camper version, was a Q-tip in a Cadillac.

[SIZE="1"]Pant pant pant[/SIZE] I feel better now. :cool:

Wombat wrote:

Sounds very nice BigV... but why not go for a 23 window ;)

The ad for 1959 23-window microbus deluxe - [SIZE="7"]$64500[/SIZE] has been deleted.

Photo

That's why. :faint:

Does it come with The Virgin Mary on toast?:rolleyes:

Suh-WEET!!

Plus, they had only 21 windows by the time 1964 model came out.

.....and eleven long haired friends of Jesus in a chartreuse microbus........ 10-4....

...with shovels and rakes and implements of DE-struction...

Hitler's revenge...

Hey .. ya think that's cool!!?? .. just wait until we fit the stained glass to it!! ... :D

xoxoxoBruce wrote:

Take all those microbuses, paint 'em purple, fill 'em with hippies and send them to Jerry Garcia. India, isn't it? Yeah, that's about far enough.

Damn rolling traffic jams....giddy when they got up to the flow of traffic (three miles after they left the entrance ramp).....drivers that are sightseeing, stoned or oblivious. Prototypes for the minivan soccer moms, multi-tasking everything....except driving the damn car.

The only thing worse, besides the camper version, was a Q-tip in a Cadillac.

[SIZE="1"]Pant pant pant[/SIZE] I feel better now. :cool:

If it makes you feel better, my Uncle had his yellow 57 out the other day in the bright sun, clear blue sky, and the fall leaves swirling around. I wish I had a camera, it was perfect.

Thanks, I needed that. :D