Alongside the Mustang BAJA concept, I worked on a BAJA-style vehicle based on the Volkswagen New Beetle. This vehicle was not only inspired by BAJA racers, but also by the beach buggies based on vintage Beetle chassis. I used the underpinnings from the Hummer HX concept car and modified it to fit under the New Beetle body. It’s not as a agressive as the Mustang BAJA I posted last week, but then – have you ever seen an agressive looking New Beetle? That’s downright impossible, lol.
The Peugeot 405 is one of those clean Pinifarina designs from the 80’s I always liked. The 405 Mi16 from back then had flat black fender flares. This iteration features widened fenders made from steel and blended into the original fenders. Gives it a much smoother look, doesn’t it? Same goes for the door handles, which have been removed. Lowered over a set of period correct, but oversized, wheels this vehicle looks just right. Pity such clean and timeless designs are not available any more.
Some vehicles have such a perfect shape and details, it’s really hard to change anything without messing it up. In fact, altering it often makes it look worse. One of those cars is the Venturi LM. Just as the Lotus Esprit and the Honda S2000, these cars have an almost perfect design right from the factory. I just added a larger spoiler to the Venturi 260 LM, enlarged the wheels slightly, lowered the car and tinted the windows. Done. Next would be a roll-cage and a racecar livery.
Though being a fan of the later ED9 model, I always liked the early Honda CRX. It’s a sporty little runabout that makes you grin at every roundabout. The CRX has lots of potential and I went ahead and tried to make the best of it. The body itself is nearly perfect with clear lines and, compared to the vehicles we see today, no unnecessary bling. Just straight lines in the best late 80’s fashion.
The car has been lowered over a set of period correct Ronal Turbo 15″ wheels and has been painted in Gulf colors. I did however retain the two-tone theme of the original.
Ever since my friend Gerd took delivery of his new corporate car, I thought it definitely needed a Hot Wheels sticker. The Renault Mégane with the GT package in Gordini blue just reminded me of the 1:64 scale models. Unfortunely Gerd didn’t like the idea of stickering his car – so I tinkered with the idea using Adobe Photoshop. Et voilà, mon ami.
Click here to see the HW toy in retro packaging and learn how to buy such things without spending your allowance cash 😉