The thing about Volkswagen Beetle is that it has that iconic curved design that can never be mistaken for other cars. Even when a part of the Beetle, say, the fender, is taken off and rebuilt into something entirely new, you would be able to recognize it in a heartbeat. And that is exactly what is happening here.
Fabricated by Aldekas Studio from Mexico, this outlandish masterpiece is named Bugkart Wasowski due to its uncanny resemblance to the one-eyed Mike Wazowski from the 2001 animated film Monsters, Inc. But before you get all excited, let it be known that this is only a rendering and it is unknown whether or not the studio has any plans to turn their digital interpretation into reality.
Still, the Bugkart Wasowski is fascinating. Taking the fender of a Beetle Type 1 and its original headlight, tail light and turn signal, Aldekas adds functionality through a curved, raised handlebar for steering and a brown leather saddle for the driver to sit on. The whole thing is attached on top of a go-kart, whose red frame adds a nice, racy touch to the Bugkart Wasowki’s otherwise classic look. Speaking of classic, the studio shows they have good taste by retaining the Type 1’s original hub cap and side mirrors.
Since it’s a rendering, there is no information whatsoever on the powertrain but that doesn’t matter because the Bugkart Wasowski looks like a perfect weekend toy that can provide hours of fun for the whole family. We just need to find a donor car, a go-kart and someone skilled enough to build it.
About Volkswagen Beetle
Not only is the air-cooled, rear-engine VW Beetle one of the most iconic cars in classic car history, it is the fourth highest-selling automobile of all time. During the original Beetle’s 65-year production run, more than 21 million were built world-wide.
In the 1930s, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche started with a steel platform chassis and added all wheel independent torsion-bar suspension. The rear-engine platform gave excellent traction, as well as effortless steering.
Styled by Austrian designer Erwin Komenda, the shape of the Beetle was for strength, not looks; a curved piece of metal simply has more strength than a flat one does. The body attaches with eighteen bolts to the chassis which featured a central structural tunnel. The small two-door car could accommodate four passengers while providing storage under the front hood and behind the rear seat.
Mass production of the VW Beetle began in 1946. Although popular early-on in Europe, sales in the U.S. were dismal. Volkswagen sold just two Beetles in the U.S. in 1949-50, 551 cars in 1951, and 601 cars in 1952.
Although less powerful than other cars in its class, the VW Bug engine was simple, economical, and easy to repair. Air-cooled engines do not have water pumps, thermostats, hoses, or a radiator, and the dry weight of an air-cooled engine is lighter than a comparable water-cooled engine.
