This is a model I built back when Tamiya brought out the new Beetle (7 or 8 years ago?), I finally took some decent pics of it. My concept revolved around the Beetle RSi concept mated w/a new-age Baja Beetle look-something sort of SUV-ish w/o being a damned clunky old truck :biggrin: . Funny, right after building this, VW came out w/a very similar concept called the "Dune".

I added inset foglamps like the RSi; some lower foglamps from an old Porsche 356 model, bumper guards from an old Porsche, aluminum tubing to tie them together, lower skirts made from Evergreen, a friend turned the tapered aluminum "stinger" pipe for it, I cut away the roof and installed Revell door panels for more detail (they are far better than the underdetailed bucket-style Tamiya door panels), then detailed the interior w/two tone paint, flocking, and Scale Motorsports seat pattern decals. Also added seat belts. Wheels are the rear wheels from a Dodge Copperhead.

Partway through I almost turned my concept back into a canyon-carver-it did look great w/a low ride height...but I stuck to the concept and raised it up a bit. Gave the fenders a plastic look, like the VehiCROSS (this was long before the boxy Element or ghastly Aztek). Rear spoiler is from a Dodge Stealth. The green paint is Testors enamels, custom-mixed. The gray fenders are Tamiya acrylic sealed w/a satin clearcoat.

I never completely finished my concept...it was to feature a small trailer w/Beetle fenders, matching wheels (the smaller front Copperhead wheels), and carrying a matching Wave Runner. Maybe someday.

http://images9.fotki.com/v175/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6483-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v171/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6485-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v174/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6487-vi.jpg http://images9.fotki.com/v173/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6488-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v172/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6491-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v174/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6493-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v172/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6494-vi.jpg

Cool!

Definitely one of my favorite models ever.

Very different, very very nice...........

Mike :sunglasse

Very cool beetle bug..

I've never seen this one in person, bring it to a meeting, I want to see it!..

Hi,

a nice car put into a scalemodell. Well executed, good combination of coulors, clean work.

(On the photo from the side it seems as it the wheels don´t sit in the middle of the wheel-openings.)

Yeah, the wheel positions are the only things detracting from this model. Other than that, it's a masterpeice! I love seeing builders execute a concept so thoroughly, using elements from so many places and blending them smoothely into one unified theme. This model does that perfectly and is just a stunning car. Just magnificent, congratulations on coming up with something as killer as that.

http://images9.fotki.com/v172/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6499-vi.jpg

Are we happy now? :rolleyes: :biggrin:

Only the left rear wheel wasn't centered-it was right where Tamiya engineered it to fit.... It's centered now dammit :lol: . The front wheel was simply turned a bit.

You guys are ruthless, y'know? :nono:

That wheel bugged the shit out of me too ever since I built it :icon16: .

Definitely one of my favorite models ever.
Mine too!!:sunglasse

Wow! I'm sure you already know, but this one is featured in "How to Airbrush" by Bob Downie. When I saw your pics I immediately recognized it as the cool dune-bug from the book. Awesome job!

Great build. Cool Idea

Very cool for some summer driving!!