Oval Bugster

[TSAF]

Originally Posted by Wally

Thats great news Jason! A boxster disguised as a '57 bug: cool!

Good to hear from you Jeff! Awesome project you have going as well.

Better yet a twin turbo powered boxster disguised as a 57.

[volkdent]

What is that thing Jeff? What is the running gear?

They really aren't that enthusiast friendly, this one is definately in the grey area, but as long as it's registered as a '57, has '57 VIN plate, and no other VIN #'s are able to be seen, it's a '57. I suspect if there was a big accident and push came to shove I would probably be in trouble defending myself, but it's all a gamble isn't it?

Jason

[Humble]

You dodged the bullet for sure, with no smog-check you're free to do anything you'd like. No smog years are pre-1976, anything '76 or newer gets smogged every 2 years and has to pass smog rules from year of manufacture.

If I remember correctly for split body/chassis cars you can go by either the chassis or body vin as long as only one was visible. This was to eliminate reg issues on repaired vehicles but became a thorn in the side for stolen part recoveries. It's common practice to go by the older vin to get around smog issues or having the car inspected for smog compliance which is a huge pain.

Panel, not to highjack a thread but you can't just leave us hanging, that looks awesome!

[volkdent]

I purchased KW V3 coilovers for her. Did a lot of head scratching and the cost/value ratio was just too good to pass up compared to competitors.



Got the inner panels cut out of the bug, and got the whole thing ready to go onto the frame table





Unfortunately, the wheels on the frame table are not rated for enough weight, they are barely up for the weight of the table, let alone a 3000lb car. So that was a big waste of time. I'll get some better casters for the table and also I think the legs should be triangulated so they don't fold in if it hits a bump moving it from shop to shop.



Jason

[el argentino]

great work! Followed by Italy
pablo

[TSAF]

Great work, keep the photos coming!!!!

[Jadewombat]

I think you should race the Vortex 'Super' Beetle project car when all is said and done, like on a dragon (1/4 mile drag strip then track course) on street tires.

http://www.vwvortex.com/features/pro.../super-beetle/

Great work. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

[volkdent]

I've been following that build too, pretty sweet! I'm hoping to get a look at it as I'm lucky enough to get to go to SEMA this year! I want to have a chat with the Garrett guys on what turbos might be a good option for the Ragster.

Jason

[vw1303]

If your at SEMA check out the Karmann Ghia with Boxster running gear.

[volkdent]

Oh sweet!!! Any name to go with it or a booth number? I've got the catalog so I can look up the booth number if I have a name.

Jason

[vw1303]

Saw it on Speedhunters. They say its in the outside area of the show.

[volkdent]

I looked and looked and looked for that Ghia, no dice. I even found the exact spot the pics were taken at but no trace. Looking at the pics some more, they grafted Ghia panels to the Boxster, while the Boxter stayed largely in tact.

I found the build here!

Translog GT

That would have made my job a lot more simple, but the lines of a bug are hard to duplicate, as Volkswagen has learned now with the new-new beetle. I saw the APR one there, it is very understated for having 500hp.

Jason

[Wally]

Indeed a cool build also, but doing a bug makes for so much more understatement in the end result imo.

[volkdent]

Originally Posted by Wally

Indeed a cool build also, but doing a bug makes for so much more understatement in the end result imo.

Agreed!

In talking to different vendors there, I was encouraged to make the Ragster into a SEMA build, or at least get lots of vendors on board as sponsors. Reading up on the Internet last night about the Ghia, I found out that Road and Track's favorite picks of the show were that Ghia, and the APR Super Beetle. Maybe the writer loves VWs, but gauging the crowd response watching the SEMA Cruise, it became apparent that people really got emotional about older cars, and not so much about newer. I'm hoping the Ragster can bridge both and may be a good candidate for sponsorship. I'm just not sure I'll be happy with being held to some sort of contract...

Oddly the highlight of the show was a potentially revolutionary new material that was just amazing. I got chills thinking about its potential given it is stronger than carbon fiber, lighter than steel, flame retardant, AND biocompatible! The inventor worked at DOW and by accident created this material years later. It would be used similar to an epoxy resin, and can be ratio changed and filled with additional additives to have a consistence ranging from water to foam. I'm very excited to pursue the material use as possibly a wheel material initially, just has to be strong and light for that, but it may be able to be use as a joint replacement, a tooth, or even to fight cancer!

Jason

[volkdent]

More Ghia/Boxster pics, "Ghia Monster"











Jason