Just when we think we've seen it all, cars like this wild 1970 Volkswagen Beetle show up. Not your garden-variety V-Dub, it's been fully customized and is just as capable as its way-out looks would suggest. Recently featured in 'My Ride Rules' on the Speed Channel, this is one of the most interesting bugs we've seen. If there's a vehicle that screams "fun" more than this one, I can't imagine what it might be. You've seen dune buggies made from VWs elsewhere on the Streetside Classics website, but this one takes the same idea in a different direction. Clearly designed to play where the pavement ends, only the front clip of this VW is fiberglass, with the rest of it being neatly modified factory steel. Clipped fenders are the most prominent modification, designed to give those oversized wheels and tires plenty of room to work when bouncing around offroad. You'll also note that this is not a typical VW convertible, and has been clipped and tweaked to offer more strength with a roll hoop that doesn't compromise the back seat. And, of course, there's that wild paint, which combines lemon yellow and lime green better than any vehicle since the Mystery Machine. Clearly inspired by the Flower Power movement, it's a tribute to the late '60s that's decidedly modern in execution. More whimsical details inside give you that same playful vibe. The black seats feature bright yellow trim, but the dash has been painted a subtle shade of silver to match the roll bar. Lots of pinstripes and more Summer of Love decals reinforce the laid-back attitude. The original Beetle instruments are still in the lone round pod ahead of the driver, augmented by a high-mounted tachometer and auxiliary gauges under the dash. An AM/FM/CD stereo does its best to keep up with the snarky engine out back and the wind roaring past the windshield, but you'll be laughing too much to care anyway. There is a rudimentary convertible top made of black canvas that can be erected in case of inclement weather, making this look like a Beetle/Thing hybrid. The whole front end tilts forward for access to the trunk, which is now pretty much full of aluminum fuel cell. And by the way, that Tupperware container is where the fuse panel lives, another little touch of fun by the builder. The Baja Bug look emphasizes the rear-mounted engine by cutting away most of the deck lid and showing off the exotic chrome header pipe and muffler. With 1776 cc worth of displacement, this is a burly Bug that makes notably more power than your average VW, particularly with dual carburetors and that far-out exhaust system. A new alternator supplies the juice, and the whole thing was just refreshed less than 500 miles ago, so it's totally ready to go out and play. The lifted suspension hangs on a set of heavy-duty off-road coil-over shocks all around, and heavy-duty axles out back ensure reliability. Heavy-duty reinforcements like the front and rear bumpers (if you can call them that) protect the vitals, and it rolls on polished 15-inch aluminum wheels wearing 205/60/15 front and massive 275/60/15 rear tires for just the right stance. If your only goal with a hobby car is to have fun, this party on wheels should be at the very top of your list, because it does nothing else besides have fun. 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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