Last updated on May 1, 2022
Today’s car is a 1959 Volkswagen Convertible. But, it is 40% larger! It is owned and built by Richard Tupper. It is finished in Pearl White with a Black interior. This car is famous in Southern California. I have seen this car in so many places and I can not believe I have not featured it, until now! It is unique and has no original VW parts. The original plans were to build this Huge Bug 50% larger than original size, but it turns out that 50% is to large for our roads. It sits on a 2012 Dodge Ram truck chassis. It is powered by a 345 cu in, 5.7 liter, Hemi V8, with electronic full injection producing 390 hp. That power is sent to the through a six-speed automatic transmission and delivering that power to the rear wheels through 3.55 : 1 gear ratio. Helping slow this huge bug is a Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with disc brakes all around. The suspension is independent with coil springs and in the rear is multi-link coil springs with the aid of front and rear stabilizer bars and shock absorbers.
They used an original 1959 VW convertible as their full size pattern. They usually have the Huge Bug and full size bug sitting side by side for size comparison. They recreated all 3,411 individual pieces 40% larger. They even have an oversized non operational 36 hp engine under the rear deck lid. The original MSRP was $2,045.00.
The total number of 1959 Volkswagens produced was 575,407 of which 11,006 were convertibles. Richards sense of humor is subtle. Like replacing the Wolf on the Wolfsburg Castle hood ornament with a Dodge Ram. Check out the fender badge. This is a great example of what creative people can do and what we get enjoy. Thanks for riding along. Frank
