We’ve found the perfect compliment for the heatwave ahead. Based on a 1964 Beetle Cabrio, this totally cool open air hot-rod themed VW is guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes…
The rat hot-rod look is red hot at the moment, but it has to be said this crazy VW-based creation takes things to a whole different level. We spotted it for sale on Car and Classic website here and it sure looks, ahem, different…
To be honest, the vendor’s description is scant to say the least, but it appears to be based on a 1964 Karmann Cabriolet, with the front and rear wings cut off. The back end’s also fallen victim to an angle grinder by the looks of it, leaving the engine and custom exhaust as open to the elements as its occupants. Meanwhile, the bonnet and grille are a bespoke affair – as is the hood covering which, in true hot-rod styling, features a rather jaunty angle at the rear and replaces the original factory item.
It’s difficult to comment too much on what’s happening with the engine, although it looks like custom manifolds have been fitted with some pretty beefy carbs mounted on top. The rear wheels are mahoosive!
As you can see the interior’s had a major retrim, with additional dials set into the metal dash, a dished steering wheel and velour seats with a tan theme throughout.
It’s for sale in Foster City, California for the princely sum of £6000. Of course you’d have to do a bit of homework regarding getting it imported, and probably think carefully about how to approach your local MoT test station (I don’t think the tester would take kindly to those precariously protruding tailpipes), but otherwise it’s all good to go…
Alternatively, being a Californian car, if the underneath, doors and structural areas are rot free, you could always convert it back to an original and increasingly rare early Sixties Cabriolet. Most of the parts are readily available here… Your call, totally.
What would you do?
Ian
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage.
I had a friend with a 65 bug and when you lift the rear hatch there was nothing for a dog house he had moved fans behind the back seat and you couldn’t see them. It was so cool. And it worked better than the standard dog house.