We are dealing with classic cars, motorcycles, modifications and design from the late 80’s. The idea of converting a beetle sedan to a roadster had always been a challenge for us.It was undoubtedly the “Hebmuller” that inspired us. Therefore, after the completion of the restoration of an MGA roadster, we started the “Bugster” project

At that time the first roadsters and cabrios with a retractable hard-top had already been in production. So, the conversion of the beetle to a roadster with a retractable hardtop was an even greater challenge for us. The project turned out to be much more difficult than expected.

From a design perspective , we had to find the best possible configuration of the hard-top shape and size to achieve both aesthetics and also practicality, as it had to be stored in the space where the backseats used to be. There had to be a lot of accuracy when dealing with lowing down the windshield , changing the size of the roof and its joints etc.

A dilemma we encountered at the beginning of this project was the “style”, due to the fact that we had two different options. Either, staying at the well known classic look or creating a more modern (restomod) style. We chose to give to our prototype a modern (restomod) look instead of a classic, because we were given the opportunity, besides the uniqueness of the roof, to redesign the interior and exterior look of the car (front and rear lights, seats, dash, console etc).

Modifications that really makes it unique.

The design and construction of the conversion was made from the beginning having in mind to be produced as a kit. Our aim is to produce a kit that contains the right instructions to be as easy as possible to be installed and of-course affordable.
Therefore the fiberglass is the material that is used for the construction of all the panels of this modification. Even the moldings of these panels are made of fiberglass.

The basic parts of the kit are the two sections of the roof, the cover of the roof-top, the engine cover and the tubular subframe. That subframe is manufactured in a jig and is used to reinforce the bodywork and support the roof. The parts of the roof are in a “sandwich” type.

Smaller pieces such as, window glasses,rear parcel shelf, hinges, roll bars etc., are also included in the kit.

You have to know that

• The process for producing the kit is in progress.
• The conversion has been registered as a community design (RCD).

Exterior

Interior

Details

Conversion