Sure, it's a replica not a multi-million dollar icon, but I'll wager that this VW-based Bugatti Type 35 offers about ten times the fun per dollar. With a cool patriotic paint job and an awesome power-to-weight ratio, this car is about the most fun you can have without being arrested. The proportions are actually pretty good, and the guys who built this Bug-based Bug worked hard on the details. From the horseshoe grille to the long louvered hood to the boat-tail rear section, it captures the look of the original. Will it fool anyone? Nah, but it will definitely attract a ton of attention, and you'll be smiling so broadly from behind the wheel that it hardly matters. The white base coat was applied over some straight panel work, and it's not like this car was ever wrecked, rusty, or in need of restoration. Instead, it's always been a toy, so someone looked after it and inclement weather was never on its agenda. Stars and stripes complete the international theme: American paint on a German chassis with bodywork inspired by a car built in France by a guy from Italy, and it works pretty well. Mini windshields, an external hand brake, and cycle fenders finish out the little things that make this car unique. The cockpit is a study in minimalism, but the period-correct tufted vinyl bench seat gives you the authentic look and feel. You can imagine the courage of the guys who actually raced cars like this without modern safety gear, and you have to respect them for that. It's cozy but fits neatly once you're settled behind the wheel, with a fat wood-rimmed tiller to grab and a stubby shifter in the center. A complete array of instruments keep an eye on the engine, including an hour meter! There's also an AM/FM/cassette stereo that dates from decades ago, but most of this car's entertainment value comes from its outrageous looks and entertaining road manners. There are controls for the horns up front, a battery mounted behind the seats, and a full tonneau cover to seal it up when you need to keep the seat dry. With a VW Beetle underneath, service is easy and inexpensive, and with the flyweight body, performance is actually pretty impressive. It's a 1600 cc flat four, air-cooled of course, so that mans no worrying about overheating, and the packaging is actually quite tidy under the rear tail section. Since the VW's floor pan, suspension, engine, transmission, and other critical components are all pretty much self-contained, the swap is straightforward and preserves the factory engineering throughout. It's fun to watch the expose front suspension and tires out there doing their thing, and you can place this car anywhere on the road thanks to that kind of visibility. The Beetle wasn't famous for amazing brakes, but on this lightweight piece, they'll detach your retinas, and only modest tires are required for some pretty phenomenal handling. Painted steel wheels wear 205/75/15 whitewall radials, which is enough tire to make this car feel like it's cornering on rails. Fun and inexpensive to buy and own, you won't find a more sensational 2-seater for the money anywhere else. Call today! This vehicle is located in our Atlanta showroom. For more information, please call (678) 279-1609 or toll free (877) 367-1835.
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