Essen 2007: Phantoms inhabit VW
Artist William Burge has found a way to artfully reattach all of the little pieces that have fallen off his 1968 Volkswagen Beetle. The results are far more impressive than the Bug's original and once-ubiquitous countenance. Actually, we counted all 21,000 gigashards of metal, and that's more metal than a '68 Type 1 contained, and even the steady diet of replacement parts doesn't account for the amount of cold-rolled whatever comprising this bodyshell. The car's exhibition at the Essen Motor Show is apropos on a whole bunch of levels.
The gargoyle-themed Volkswagen will fit right in among the cathedrals and castles in the city, which is a future European Capital of Culture for 2010. Being a cultural hub, the intricate suit of armor worn by Burge's once-humble Beetle will be understood for the masterpiece that it is, and the painstaking metal work that went into the car will not be lost on the home of the Krupp Iron Works. There's not much information to be found about the car, which Burge has named "Phantoms," though it's been on display in Essen from November 26th, and will be at the Motor Show until the 9th of December. We're dying for details, particularly how it was put together? What's the interior look like? Is it still being pushed around by a 1500? Can I borrow it to discourage parking in front of my house? One of you astute commenters out there must have more information; please share!
[Source: Winding Road, Photo: Martin Meissner/AP]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
k.w.a 11:14AM (12/03/2007)
this looks like the villain's car in a batman movie! only the joker or the riddler could pull this one off
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adelossa 5:42PM (12/03/2007)
or just modify it a bit, and it can be catwoman's car.
(I just thought of the batman cartoon when catwoman and batman worked together, not the movie)
Menice 1:22PM (12/03/2007)
is he sitting that high w/out a windshield so we can see him? cause he looks dopey.
this would be really wicked if you could sit in it like a regular car.... and hissed.
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Paco 2:26PM (12/03/2007)
Actually it's buillt from a 1936 Bugatti Atlantic. He just used a Beetle drivetrain. I saw this car at the 2006 Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. I have some photos I took, but can't find atm. Here a link to the show photos http://www.orangeshow.org/artcar_winners.html
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Paco 2:37PM (12/03/2007)
Also of intrest here are some good photos.
http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/07/worlds-strangest-vehicles-part-2.html
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BuyAutoParts 10:54AM (12/04/2007)
Thats a dead ringer for the Batmobile...
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Vicki Holder 1:45PM (12/06/2007)
Contact WT at paisleybill@hotmail.com. I'm sure he will be glad to give you all the details. Or check out his website at truantstudios.com
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william burge 9:22AM (12/17/2007)
She is a steel armature scuplture fabricated from the ground up. There is about 300 pounds of the original car left, mostly engine and suspension. She is 1900 pounds soaking wet and will do around 100 MPH. I drove her on a 6000 mile road trip last year. Did prettey good. everything that was not brand new broke.
The engine is a 1600cc type 3 on a swing axle tranny. air suspension is by Air ride technologies
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Vicki Holder 3:02PM (1/18/2008)
glad to know you got this. it's nice to kinow that you do get to read your personal mail occasionally
william burge 11:10PM (1/18/2008)
This car is owned by the Art Car Museum in Houston Texas. It is hand fabrcated from steel. There is a very small amount of a Volkswagen Beetle underneath. It was inspired by the Bugatti atlantic coupe
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