The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most memorable cars in the history of automobiles. Virtually anyone could point out the bug-shaped auto in an instant—even more so if it’s in its original vibrant orange, green, blue, or yellow colors.
It became such a classic that it is often featured in retro and modern racing games and car modders frequently take a shot at tuning it up. Unfortunately, Volkswagen announced that it is saying good-bye to the Beetle this year after over 80 years of production.
That does not stop people from celebrating the legendary Volkswagen Beetle, though. Brent Walter, a maker and builder of a variety of things with whom Bored Panda got in touch, has recently taken the classic Beetle’s iconic wheel hubs and repurposed them for his custom miniature motorcycle design.
Walter manages the manufacturing of medical devices, while scooter-making and building other things in his home shop is just a hobby.
Walter was inspired to create the Volkspod, as he calls it, so as to test out his skills and to have an interesting trophy for car shows: “I wanted a scooter to take to VW shows. These fenders were left over from building my car. I also wanted to practice welding the thin sheet metal panels.”
Walter has been documenting the creation of the Volkspod since day 1 on his Instagram. The numerous posts give a detailed account of how the motorcycles were built for all the motorheads out there.
The Volkspods scooters use custom-built frames with Volkswagen engines built in and covered by type 1 classic Beetle model fenders. It is equipped with a retro bike handlebar, a seat, as well as head- and tail lights. Walter made two classic variants: birch green and pastel blue.
“The original (green) has a 79cc motor and is more for looks than it is practical,” elaborated Walter. “The second (blue) one has more ground clearance and a 212cc motor. It is more practical to ride around on the road.”
Despite the Type 1 Volkswagen Beetle being a vintage car, it is surprisingly easy to find parts for it. “There seems to be plenty of old Beetle fenders at swap meets,” explained Walter.
The Volkswagen was originally built as the “people’s car”, very appropriately hinted at by the name itself. It was supposed to be a cheap and practical car for the new roads that were popping up around Germany. The car was first designed in the early to mid-1930s and available in 1938, but wasn’t a commercial hit until the end of the 1940s.
