The world's biggest Volkswagen Beetle

The Biggest ONES - Creating something unique to stand out continues to be a powerful tool for automotive enthusiasts in crafting exceptional vehicles. We all love seeing something unique, eccentric, or unusual, which naturally draws our interest. This passion for uniqueness is evident in the remarkable work of American automotive enthusiasts Richard and Scott Tupper from Wicked Concepts in Gardena, California. They managed to create a replica of the 1959 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, but with a twist—it’s 40 percent larger than the original size.

Richard and Scott Tupper of Wicked Concepts has built a Volkswagen Beetle that is 40 percent larger (on the left) than a regular one (on the right). (Picture from: SIAMagazin)

The oversized Beetle, aptly named HUGE BUG, showcases the duo's creativity and dedication. According to the builders, the project stemmed from their deep love for automobiles and their desire to create something that would leave a lasting impression at automotive events. Their aim was to amaze onlookers with an extraordinary creation, and they certainly succeeded.

The big and the regular, the VW Beetle at right has been made 40 percent bigger than a normal-sized version. (Picture from: Stuff.co.nz)

The process began with digitally scanning the parts of the 1959 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible. These scans were then scaled up by 40 percent. This ambitious project required the fabrication of 3,514 individual parts in their metal workshop. Even the screws had to be custom-made as no market sizes matched the requirements of this gigantic Beetle.

This 40% bigger than the original VW Bug built on a Dodge Ram chassis by Wicked Concepts, Gardena, California. (Picture from: AwesomeCarMods)

To bring this vision to life, the road-legal giant Beetle was built on a modified chassis from a 2010 Dodge Ram pickup truck. Under the hood, it boasts a 5.7-liter V8 Hemi engine positioned at the front. The sheer size of the car is impressive, weighing approximately 6,200 lbs (about 2.8 tons), with the hood alone weighing about 200 lbs (90.72 kg). 

The VW Beetle at right has been made 40 percent bigger than a normal-sized version, boasts a 5.7-liter front-mounted V8 Hemi engine. (Picture from: MyDesultoryBlog )

The interior of this enormous Beetle is just as meticulously crafted as the exterior. One of the standout features is the instrument panel on the dashboard, which replicates the original design but doesn't function. Instead, digital instrument panels drop down from behind the large dashboard when the engine starts. Remarkably, this Goliath Beetle can accommodate ten people in its cabin, making it a true marvel of engineering and design.

The creation of this Goliath Beetle was not only a labor of love but also a significant financial investment. The materials alone cost around $15,000, and today, the vehicle is estimated to be worth a staggering $1.25 million. This awe-inspiring project is a testament to the creativity and dedication of automotive enthusiasts who push the boundaries of conventional design.

In a world where standing out is increasingly challenging, Richard and Scott Tupper's 'HUGE BUG' serves as a brilliant example of how passion and innovation can lead to extraordinary creations. This larger-than-life Volkswagen Beetle is not just a car; it's a piece of automotive art that continues to captivate and inspire those who see it. The Californian father and son's car creation reminds us that with a bit of creativity and a lot of dedication, the possibilities in automotive design are truly limitless. *** [EKA [22012020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WICKED CONCEPTS | USA TODAY | STUFF.CO.NZ | HAGERTY | SIAMAGAZIN | LAURIAVOLKSWAGEN | MYDESULTORYBLOG | REDDIT ]

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