Jo’s Fab Lab had two write-offs on its hands: a Volkswagen Beetle with a busted engine and a BMW 3-Series Touring (E46) with front end damage. Rather than saying goodbye to them, the UK-based tuner decided to merge the two into something greater.
After a quick estimate of the proportions, it turned out that the Beetle could easily make a light truck. It ended up running on the BMW platform with its suspension and six-cylinder engine, as well as most of its interior. The 3-Series dashboard accommodated the Beetle steering wheel without issue, and any size discrepancies were efficiently addressed.
Some things were clearly inspired by the Ford F-150 as well – check out the bed design in particular, as well as the taillights and the rear fenders. They all look like they were sourced from the tenth generation of the American bestseller truck.
Unwilling to call it a day, the team proceeded to retrofit the Frankencar with a Peugeot 206 sunroof and a lower front bumper of a Porsche Cayman S. To downplay the hodge-podge of parts used, the whole exterior was given a white respray with marker doodles over the paint.
It is not a garage queen, either: the ute is street-legal and has already made several journeys through England, Wales and Scotland without issue, the creator says.
