Snowhopper. Ski Patrol Beetle!

[j-sou]

I've been working on this for a bit as time allows. Moved into a new home recently and have been really busy with house projects, but trying to get this wrapped up as I have time. It's about 85% there. It's Grasshopper based, and I tried to stick with a vintage look/theme. Custom parts are kind of primitive looking, and I'll use vintage electronics and a MSC. Basically, as a kid on the east cost with a grasshopper as my first "hobby grade" R/C, I thought it would be so cool to have it ski equipped for the winters. Now as an adult (well, i'm getting older but still act like i'm 14) I have the funds to build whatever the heck I want. If i had the $ as a kid, this is how I would have done it.

I started with a vintage Grasshopper, but ended up replacing most of the parts. Looking back, I should have just started with a re-re!
Base model- Grasshopper
CRP parts- front block (pushed forward), lower arms, body mounts, etc..
Waterjet parts- upper arms, rockers, rear upper shock extenders, upper 3rd rear shock tab, etc..
Shocks- 5 vintage You-G
Tubular parts- custom bent front bumper and nerfs designed to work with this body
Winter kit- vintage ST accessories (front ski's and rear dual wheel adapters)

and the chassis pics:






...and pics with the body mocked up:





I've got a few things to finish up: electronics, lights and wiring, roof rack mounting, suspension tweaking, front bumper, rear body mounts... but soon it will be all wrapped up. I'll have pics of it completed soon, and move on to some other projects.
Of course it's summer now, and I live in SoCal where it never snows, but this was more about building an old dream. And it doesn't snow on my display shelves often either
More mad VW projects to come soon!
Cheers!

[DennisM]

Smashing custom build - really cool mods.

[EvolutionRevolution]

Totally love the red cross mountain emergency body.

Why three shocks at the rear?

[Lonestar]

This is totally gorgeous!

the 3rd shock mod is a classic on every GH/Hornet/VLB/MP/others cars - it dampens the the tilt movement of the axle, especially when the car squats on-throttle. Here's a pic of mine.



What kills me on this on is the cantilever front suspension... this is fab! So much technology for a GH

Oh yes - and it's got skis!

One of the coolest projects I've seen based on taking a completely out-of-the-box approach to a tamiya car. Grahoo-worthy!!!

Paul

[lowrydesign]

Looking wicked Jeff!!

[Bormac]

What a sick project. A real credit to you.

[RC104ever]

That is awesome! Where did you get the body? I would love to have that for...something. I just have to have a beetle like that with the split rear window.

[Diggley]

Nice build!

You should find a scale St. Bernard to ride shotgun...

Isn't that the Kamtec body?

I've got the same body on my B2 Baja Bug.

[kaiser]

sick, i love it!

i had a ski'd hopper back in the day, but not that nice. the body is great too!

[jwscab]

that's crazy, I love it.

[j-sou]

Thanks guys! And a special thanks to Gregg, I think he REALLY likes it
Lonestar got it, the 3rd shock prevents the front of the gearbox from doing that weird slapping thing when you nail the throttle.
And Diggley nailed the body, its the Kamtec baja bug body. They make full fendered split bodies too that fit the M chassis cars and what not. I've got a couple sitting around for various projects.

Hopefully I can get this wrapped up this weekend, and move on to the next project.
I'll post better pics when it's all done!

[MelvinsArmy]

Lowry, how do you think it looks?

Seriously though, this is an awesome project. I love it. I remember seeing those ads in RCCA with the skis and dually rears on the Grasshopper back in the day. This version is way cooler with the bug body.

[LTO_Dave]

Seriously though, this is an awesome project. I love it. I remember seeing those ads in RCCA with the skis and dually rears on the Grasshopper back in the day. This version is way cooler with the bug body.

I totally agree!

[Diggley]

Sorry, this one's so good I had to go back for seconds...


Somebody somewhere has got to build a real one!

[j-sou]

It's done finally. Got the body mounted and detailed, added vintage electronics (my fav old school radio), and got the lights all wired up. There's an extra on/off switch on the side of the chassis for the lights.