The Wasp and the Beetle!

Some say that admirers of a vintage Vespa and the old Volkwagen Type 1 have got the same taste. Both are indeed a classic. Just take a look at this nice photograph where you see both vehicles in one frame.

‘Old Streets of Rio’ (photo courtesy of Fernando C. Regencio, Jr.)

Both has that distinct classic lines (notice the similarity of the Vespa’s cowls to VW’s fenders) and each have long been known by the name of the insects/bugs they take after. Both are also known for their sturdy steel frame and considered icons of European designs.

When we were kids, I remember my brother Randy pointing to one car he called ‘Benz Wagen’ whenever it passes in our old neighborhood. When I finally got to see this car, it was a converted Beetle with the hood/front compartment made to look like a Benz complete with the classic grills and insignia/emblem that Benz’ are know for. All this time, I thought ‘Benz Wagen’ are common hybrids until I googled the word and didn’t find any relavant link or picture to back up this story of mine.

Now, imagine a Wasp coverted to look like a Beetle (or vice versa if the conversion is 50-50%). That wouldn’t be a freak of nature, but an object of interest worthy of display in a motor show. Well, imagine no more. Ta-dah!

this custom Vespa modified & sold by indoscooter.com
(thanks for the heads up on the link, vexel9 !)

The people who designed this must be congratulated for thinking out of the box. Judging from what seemed like gas stains on a hole that looked like a tank, I am assuming that this one is engineered to run and not just for show. Despite the Beetle rear frame, I could see that the ‘scoo car’ still sporting scooter tires and a pair of vintage Vespa tail lights. What I’m not sure of is where the engine is. It looks logical to put it at the ‘trunk’ where the engine of all Bugs really are. But the distance of the rear tires to the cowls/fenders remain suspect; plus I sorta see some slots on the ‘cowl’ like in older Vespa models so the engine could ‘breath.’

I’m also assuming the inspiration for this metal fusion is a rickshaw (credits to my wife for knowing exactly what those contraptions are called) since it does look like a motorized verison of it.

Vespwagen!

-o-
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J0HNRANA

john[dot]rana[at]gmail[dot]com