The Volkswagen Beetle was, at one point, the most popular vehicle in the world. It’s also been converted in a variety of interesting ways, from dune buggies to powerful Subaru-powered dragsters. But Brazilian digital artist Rob3rt Design has managed to make something new, something which nobody has seen before. It’s a VW Beetle pickup truck in gloss black with a restomod body kit that reminds us of the most expensive Porsche 911 builds.
Rob3rt Design has one of the best track records in the rendering world. He usually works with car models which are popular in Brazil and brings inspiration from the world of widebody tuning. At least 4 real-world builds have been derived from his renderings, such as the Beetle Targa and the two widebody Type 2 buses from SEMA 2022.
Right now, this widebody Beetle pickup could be the most popular car rendering on Instagram with copy posts getting millions of views. So, most likely, somebody is already trying to make one. Here’s what makes this rendering cool and the potential challenges faced by builders.
Are there any real Beetle pickups?
Yes, in fact, there are. As we mentioned, the Beetle was an extremely popular car, and there are even pickups made in North America based on the post-1997 “New Beetle.”
Volkswagen didn’t really need to make a Beetle truck because its second car model, the Type 2, fulfilled the commercial vehicle role. However, they did have a few custom Beetle conversions with a 5th wheeler to carry parts around the factory.
Many companies convert cars into pickups for tuning shows or even practical use. However, there are some big challenges in doing that with the Beetle.
Looks like an old Chevy 3100
Rob3rt Design’s Beetle pickup seems simple, but it would require a lot of metalwork. The original body is cut right behind the door, and rounded bodywork is added after that. The roof and windows appear modified, giving the cab an upright design rather than a bubble shape.
As for the bed, this looks like something made in Detroit right after the, probably the Chevy “Advanced Design” series made from 1947 to 1955, specifically the 3100. The stamping of the lip around the bed and the rounded fender design are almost identical. Of course, a 1950 Ford F1 would also match.
However, even the smallest American 1/2-ton trucks are way too big compared to the Beetle. In addition, the Beetle was built to be super-affordable and its design is quite different from a Detroit-made pickup because instead of a chassis it has a stamped skateboard. I think you can put a Beetle body on a ladder chassis, but it would sit very tall.
And where is the engine? The Beetle has its tiny air-cooled H4 right at the back, like a Porsche. But this Beetle pickup has the layout of a front-engined car, and there doesn’t even appear to be room for the rear axle.
Rob3rt design also crafted a widebody kit with flares at the front and massive wheels at the back. The stance is made more menacing by the black paint which is only broken up by the chrome bumpers and the decking at the back.