Undertoad Monday Oct 2 11:44 AMOctober 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.
Flint Monday Oct 2 11:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Undertoad
...one of the finest designs in automotive history.
|
::: posts pre-emptive reductio ad Hitlerum :::
xoxoxoBruce Monday Oct 2 12:40 PM"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 Monday Oct 2 12:49 PMIt 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 Monday Oct 2 01:10 PMan air-cooled engine; so why not the passengers, too?
Flint Monday Oct 2 01:12 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 Monday Oct 2 01:55 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 Monday Oct 2 02:07 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 Monday Oct 2 02:23 PMAny vehicle that could inspre the likes of this is the pinnacle of something.
axlrosen Monday Oct 2 02:41 PMWow, 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 Monday Oct 2 02:52 PMAnd it's safer than the original!
capnhowdy Monday Oct 2 06:19 PMThe original would float.
BigV Monday Oct 2 06:54 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 Monday Oct 2 09:28 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 Wednesday Oct 4 12:12 PMI 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.
Wombat Wednesday Oct 4 06:26 PMI'd love a Karmen Ghia but they are so expensive these days 
Ibby Wednesday Oct 4 06:57 PMIf 'tain't a Microbus, I'm not interested.
BigV Tuesday Oct 10 02:46 PMyeah, a '66 21 window w/sunroof and safari windows. seafoam green on white. yum.
Wombat Tuesday Oct 10 07:07 PMSounds very nice BigV... but why not go for a 23 window 
xoxoxoBruce Tuesday Oct 10 08:17 PMTake 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.
Pant pant pant I feel better now. 
BigV Tuesday Oct 10 08:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wombat
Sounds very nice BigV... but why not go for a 23 window 
|
The ad for 1959 23-window microbus deluxe - $64500 has been deleted.
Photo
That's why. :faint:
xoxoxoBruce Tuesday Oct 10 09:04 PMDoes it come with The Virgin Mary on toast?
BigV Tuesday Oct 10 09:27 PMSuh-WEET!!
Plus, they had only 21 windows by the time 1964 model came out.
capnhowdy Tuesday Oct 10 10:00 PM.....and eleven long haired friends of Jesus in a chartreuse microbus........ 10-4....
Ibby Tuesday Oct 10 11:28 PM...with shovels and rakes and implements of DE-struction...
SPUCK Wednesday Oct 11 06:00 AMHitler's revenge...
onetrack Wednesday Oct 11 07:03 AMHey .. ya think that's cool!!?? .. just wait until we fit the stained glass to it!! ... 
Griff Wednesday Oct 11 08:07 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce
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.
Pant pant pant I feel better now. 
|
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.
xoxoxoBruce Wednesday Oct 11 02:08 PMThanks, I needed that. 
Your reply here?
The Cellar Image of the Day is just a section of a larger web community: a bunch of interesting folks talking about everything. Add your two cents to IotD by joining the Cellar.
|