We’re not sure why anyone would want an uglier Beetle with the Spirit Of Ecstacy ornament but here it is
If you’ve ever dreamt of diving into the lap of luxury but your wallet is more of the “economy class” variety, we’ve got something that might pique your curiosity. Feast your eyes on this peculiar specimen – a vintage VW Beetle dressed up in a Rolls-Royce disguise. It’s currently listed for sale in Palo del Colle, Italy, and it’s got us wondering: why on earth would anyone do this to a poor Bug?
The build seems to have its roots in a 1972 VW Super Beetle Convertible, a model originally crafted by Karmann. Somewhere along the way, someone decided to give it a drastic makeover, transforming it into what they hoped would resemble a Rolls-Royce.
The extensive modifications include a boxy nose made of fiberglass, with a custom Pantheon grille and the “Spirit Of Ecstasy” ornament proudly sitting on the top. The front and rear fenders have been extended, while the headlights were replaced by dual round units in a faux chrome frame. Another sedan-inspired feature is the big trunk at the back, which eliminates the Beetle’s original intakes likely causing heating issues with VW‘s rear-mounted air-cooled motor. The finishing touch is the wood-style side sills, which are combined with patches of wood trim inside the cabin.
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The retractable top appears to be in quite a sorry state, with the rear glass seemingly on the brink of detachment, and a few unsightly holes in the fabric. As for the mechanical condition of this Beetle, it remains a mystery, as does the mileage, which could be considerably high given the car’s age. Should you find yourself intrigued by this unique creation, you can reach out to the seller via Facebook Marketplace.
The asking price for the Rolls-Royce bug is €9,500 (a touch over $10,000 at current exchange rates). This sounds too much for a modified Beetle, especially if you consider that used prices for a genuine Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow from the 1970s start from around €13,000 ($13,800) in Italy. This is probably why the model hasn’t found a buyer yet, despite being listed 5 weeks ago.
A quick search online reveals that similar open-top Beetles with Rolls-Royce bodykits are used for weddings in Italy, maybe due to the limited space on the narrow streets. These fiberglass components were manufactured by various companies back in the day and were also available in North America.
In an interesting twist, a few years ago, our counterparts at Jalopnik discovered a court document from 1976 in Atlanta. Rolls-Royce had filed a lawsuit against A&A Fiberglass for emulating the styling of its models with a creation known as “The Elegant Beetle.” Despite the court ruling in favor of Rolls-Royce, with the grille and ornament recognized as its trademarks, these kits continued to find their way into the market.
