14 replies to this topic

[Alchemist]

From concept:

 

 

 

 

 

To my humble attempt of producing a prototype chassis and body:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ernie

[Bill from NH]

The body looks great, Ernie!

 

What motor is that mounted to the chassis in the photos? How does this car handle for you?

[Alchemist]

Hi Bill,

 

Thank you!

 

The can handles very well on my track.

 

The motor is a FK130, 35K rpm, neo mag with dual ball-bearings.

 

I pulled it out of my collection of motors and unfortunately cannot remember where I acquired it from.

 

Thanks Bill.

 

Ernie

[LtDan]

Ernie that looks great!

[Alchemist]

Nice of you to say so, Dan.

 

Thank you!

 

Ernie

[Dave Crevie]

  That's crazy! Too bad you couldn't buy those wild flares from Warshawski's for a real Beetle like you could for the Rolls-Royce and '40 Ford cartoon cars. Just to show your concept isn;t too far off track;  

 

 

Warshowski's had body kits for Beetles;

 

 

You could build a '40 Ford, or even a Rolls-Royce;

 

 

continued

 

 

[Dave Crevie]

 

 

Or even a Porsche 911 body to fit on the beetle pan;

 

 

Tthe great thing about the Beetle is you are only limited by your imagination. Assumimg you don't want to go really fast.

[Larry Horner]

Very cool Ernie! So I assume the concept is AI generated (?) but how did you make the body? Did you download and print an STL from the concept or did you sculpt it by hand?

 

Expiring minds want to know!

Larry

[Bill Seitz]

Not from Warshawsky's, but there was a company that made fiberglass pieces to transform the Beetle into a rally racer. Same company made a Speedster C body kit for the Beetle platform. The Beetle rally racer looked much like Caveman Bodeez "Rally Cup Bug" Womp body: https://www.cavemanb.../rally-cup-bug/

[old & gray]

Back in the day (1980’s), there was a semi pro rallyist in the northeast who ran the divisional rally series using a VW Beetle. It looked almost like a Beetle: a little taller, the fenders were fiberglass and a little wider, no running boards, and a full roll cage; there were also pair of rally seats and a very healthy motor. One of the regrets I have is I turned down a ride in the right seat on the Alcan Rally.  

[Alchemist]

Hi Larry!

 

So I assume the concept is AI generated 

 

Someone did the rendering which I came across searching the internet for car concepts.

 

 

how did you make the body? 

 

 

 

I was reorganizing my garage and found a box with a handful of slot car bodies I had put away for another day.

 

As I was sorting through the bodies, I came across the Beetle.

 

I acquired it from someone selling a bunch of RC car items, some time ago.

 

Unfortunately, the body was cracked and squashed under the weight of other stuff in the box,  but that was all I had to work with.

 

So, I heated the body and attempted to push it out as close to the original shape as I could get it.

 

I then made a mold of what I ended up with, then began to fill, sand, shape and prime the mold - more than a few times! ! !

 

After about the 7th mold I created, I felt it was as close to the rendering as I could make it and vacuformed the body.

 

It's not exact, but close enough for my skill to allow.

 

I started the project in January of this year, working on it off and on because it was an arduous endeavor to say the least!

 

Thanks for asking Larry.

 

Ernie

[DeanJ]

The render of the Beetle GTR-X looks great! If those lines could be duplicated Id buy one!

[Dave Crevie]

There was all sorts of Beetle motorsports. Back in the days when I ran SCCA Solo II events, as well as wheel-to-wheel, there were plenty of Bugs competing.

 

 

 

 

 

A little overview of Bugs in racing events;

 

https://youtu.be/_hE...h_vBkanckBuxt_2

 

https://youtu.be/to-...oEBMVsGbhNhttps

 

Oh! And notice the Beetle drag racers are running a pro tree!

 

 

Warshawski's sold a lot more than just body parts for Bugs. They had all sorts of build-up parts for the engines, including carbs, cams and roller bearing cranks.

[Brian Czeiner]

Ian Roussel from full custom garage on Youtube is building a LE Mans type VW beetle. Interesting build.

[Alchemist]

This is my wife's car I just finished.

 

 

She enjoys having a similar car to race me with.

 

Racing each other after dinner is our "alternative to walking" exercise!  LOL

 

 

 

Ernie