Smyth Performance Beetle Ute build Full video

[@trevorjarvis3021]

That was absolutely brilliant - what a cracking result. It must have increased the value of the little old beetle no end. Fantastic!!

[@dannydevito9514]

Man, all the old timers at the VW meet festivals would love this. They are such kind people from all over the country. 👍🏼

[@hesty32]

yeah it gets a lot of attention. Pretty fun to drive around. Just before Christmas, I drove it from Jacksonville FL to Sedona AZ. I was constantly returning waves :)

[@jenarddecastro2597]

Thank you for bringing this into the world!!! I know it brings you joy, and happiness to all who lay their eyes upon it at first glance. Going to Costco must be easier with this mini loader!!!

[@NormanF62]

Cool! VW never did build a Ute but this conversion respects the history of the car and takes it to a whole new plane. Love the build and its a New Beetle pickup truck! 👍 😃

[@robbjerls2252]

Super cool design! Only thing I would have done differently would not have that wood grain peace behind the seats. Would have had it the same as the blue trim interior. But that is just personal preference. You did an amazing job !!!😁 Super Cool 😎

[@mrheyfuckoff1]

Thats just... wow. Amazing job. Brought an entirely new life to that run down old Bug. Remarkable work!

[@joesmania]

Wow, that's impressive. I wish I had a shop like that & your automotive & metal fab skills..

[@elietedasilva6065]

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[@kanphlumadueachumphon8394]

@@elietedasilva6065 จ9

[@sergiobrechani6601]

Óp

[@user-vs4le6hy2k]

Когда то и я мечтал о том, что буду строить пикапы. Может уже настало время? Думаю начинать и в 60 лет не поздно, хотя и с полного нуля. Я в Рязанской области в поле поставлю навес для начала и начну воплощать мечту в реальность. Поддержите добрым словом все неравнодушные! Прекрасная творческая работа. Здоровья и новых пикапов(особенно жду проэкт пикапа из WV MK2)!!!

[@DustinSeiger]

I love that you used the classic vw taillights!

[@H.D.1967]

2!

[@wayne9518]

Very cool project. I didn’t realize it was a kit. Beyond your control but the one thing I think I would change is spread the bed walls out to the wheel well seams. Just a personal thought. From the thumbnail I thought it was an original Beetle. There were a few customs running around town in the 70s. Pickup, 40s Ford nose, dune buggy’s galore and more.

[@Kev27RS]

AWESOME! Really enjoyed the video! Looks like a show car from 20 years ago!

[@7riverseast217]

Keeping it true to the original with a modern element...thats some great work. Sir you have skills.

[@hesty32]

thank you sir

[@rodneydiaz5460]

I'm not a Volky fan but I really enjoy the transformation. Job well done.

[@heldermonte667]

Belo trabalho . Ficou muito bom. As lanternas traseiras e as calotas deram um toque de nostalgia. Congratulacion from Brazil !

[@dwightbrady5872]

that is mind blowing work you've done....very impressive keep up the amazing job an can't wait to see your next project 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@theoriginalwallace]

There has been a staggering amount of thought & design put into the structural rigidity on this & your other conversions!

[@hesty32]

Thank you but the credit really goes to Smyth Performance. They are the ones that produce the kit. You are right though, the kit makes the car more rigid than it was stock. It handles like a go-cart. Lotta fun to drive

[@johnd8892]

Great work for an amazing and unique result. Also like how you can see the sense of using the Australian term Ute for this car based vehicle.

[@barryroberts2474]

Interesting build. I like the concept. Where I live the rivets wouldn't pass our strict laws which demand an engineers report, but an all steel version would work with welded joints, a lot more work. I like your version and the surf board sets it off.

[@siddharthkapadia7674]

WOW. That thing looks beautiful.

[@ParteeDowne]

This would actually be the most absolute practical vehicle for someone like myself; single in my 30s and living right downtown congested Toronto, Canada - having to rely on street parking in permit zones because my apartment doesn't have a parkade as well as the higher than average petrol prices. I constantly need a vehicle that can carry a small size of cargo, maybe a couple bikes or big boxes, I rarely have more then one passenger other then myself, parking in Toronto is a nightmare just like the gridlock and it needs to sip fuel but still be fun for the odd road-trip to Montréal or New-York. It is truly the perfect car for me.

[@hesty32]

it does sound like a practical fit for you. I find this and the Jetta Ute very practical for me. I have a big truck too but 90% of the time Im hauling a small load so I can drive this and get 40 MPG instead of the 18 MPG from my 3/4 ton truck

[@vwnemesis]

Amazing job men congratulations love your new bettle pickup

[@hesty32]

Thank you sir!

[@jimburig7064]

Nice looking little pickup. The kit doesn't appear to compromise the original structural rigidity. It may actually improve it. No technical talk though, just that muzaak. There's always the venerable mute option.

[@fryreartechnology7611]

That’s really cool build you have. I wanting one and I don’t have a vw bug lol. It has the old 1940-1960 tub look and curves of the old days.

[@giorkaro8971]

Love it! I have a 1960 Beetle and now I want a pick up like that one badly!

[@TheRubberDuck]

That transformation is stunning, I wouldn't mind driving a Beetle like that, job job man

[@alocal1334]

Great video. Awesome project...favorite quote- car doors should think not clank...thanks for sharing

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

That's the first fiberglass mod I have ever seen for the today's version of the Bug. Back in the day they had a crap load of fiberglass mods for the old VW's

[@hesty32]

Yeah the old air coolers had every conceivable type of body to go on them! Some of them were pretty cool. But now days, I can't afford to cut up classic air coolers! The new beetles are a dime a dozen though

[@craigcaggiano431]

Very cool video of how you converted your bug into a pickup. Came out amazing

[@nixonenriquez]

Muy buen trabajo amigo, mucha imaginación para transformar el escaravajo a mini camioneta, saludos desde Ecuador...

[@tj_enju]

sealing up the interior all nice n clean... that was satisfing to watch...thanx for not spreading the project over multiple vids

[@whoawhoapop1984]

Awesome! Love those dish wheel covers!

[@Spatzenterror]

incredible... seriously being jealous on your creativity. luv ur designual spirit and craftsmenship

[@solarflare1008]

Impressive job. Congratulations.

[@marciodiasrodrigues1499]

carro la no exterior na vale nada mesmo so aqui no brasil que o cara tem q vender a alma pra conseguir comprar um

[@vermontjeff2535]

Get rid of the surf board rack and wooden side boards and you will have a sharp pickup. You all did a great job

[@the1onlyteagro]

I love how it looks like you drill with zero regard for what might behind everything.

[@hesty32]

yea it does look that way. Kinda boring to watch me crawl around and measure backspace and such so that all gets cut from the video lol

[@the1onlyteagro]

@@hesty32 I might of shown a little bit of it, not everyone has experience modifying cars and might assume just go at. But, this is a cool project turned out nice.

[@juzzy2657]

Wasn’t aware he was making an educational “how to” video. I don’t believe he is responsible for people’s fuck ups if they make them

[@sylvandemercado7144]

That’s super workmanship ! Love it ! You are an excellent fabricator .

[@hesty32]

Thank you!

[@KristofferEk]

it looks good in blue.

[@dustin8513]

Bravo !!! what a wonderful Volkswagen truck you made !!!

[@saschabolz4483]

Nobody cares about the stiffness after modification??? The Beetle was specially build to be stiff with its unique design and when you cut so many metall and put some aluminum and rivets together i never would have a bad road or an accident in this... This thing needs a steel tube frame underneth all of the new panels and an rollcage tube also. And then all the Space you waste, for excample the old spar tire place... Sometimes its good that we in germany have so much rules for change and rebuild our cars. The rest of the build looks very good and in high quality, build this stiff and safety and i want one also :-)

[@hesty32]

if you are interested in the engineering and safety aspects, check out this link www.smythkitcars.com/engineering

[@6996brandyl]

That was 1 thing I did not understand losing the spare tire space

[@ronkemp9528]

Great job. Did this to a chevette back in the day fun stuff.

[@bennettoharriott]

Beautiful done my friend!!! I wish it was lowered though with 18s and something done to the front end.

[@darrensmith3645]

Amazing job!!!! I love what you have done!! It’s too bad you couldn’t hinge the box floor, so you could still use your spare tire well.....other than that, it’s perfect!

[@ducknorris233]

Great work, the bed reminds me of the Studebaker kit for the S10. You are like a one man band Sir.

[@punitm85]

Finally a reason to buy this body style bug!!!

[@danishghostrider]

Never thought a New Beetle could be cool, but you proved me wrong :D Only thing I'm not a fan of is the wood finish steering wheel. I would have kept the airbag equipped stock wheel.

[@stevezwemer1262]

Awesome video. Need to have the soundtrack to “The First Cut is the Deepest “ playing at the beginning Impressive design and construction ! I’ll take two please!!

[@hesty32]

Steve, I insulated the ...well I insulated it a lot and it is quiet! Drove it to Orlando this past weekend, purring along with traffic on the I-95 it was sweet.

[@marcelomanoel6195]

what an incredible project, without words. imagine a Jetta, leaving with 4 doors? congratulations

[@marcelomanoel6195]

In Brazil it's Jetta Variant.

[@vyr01]

I kinda want one of these now ( but having someone else do the conversion work)

[@hestermannmotorwerks]

It can be done! Ive built 5 of them now. Have two more planned

[@tapper701]

Now that is a transformation process, doesn't " bug " me at all ... Volkswagen should have offered up a New Beetle truck as another model for the line up ... Slainte' ! Cheers !

[@ILLYA_N]

good work, but: 1. frame is no longer so protective 2. waste of many space with no access now e.g. spare wheel 3. no anti rust protection made everywhere where it was cut or drilled

[@emilionavarro2575]

I’m impressed beautiful job thank you for sharing 👍

[@pathbelow6652]

Love the Bruck. You can use this name. I made my wife a Bruck. It was intended to use. She takes it to car shows. Go figure. My hot rods weren't good enough to show but this is. Oh well.

[@Mutato-]

Excellent choice for tail lights.

[@toddvanwinkle7777]

Best thing that that ever happened to a second generation "so called bug"....oh damn 62-67 real beetle tail lights...awesome

[@hesty32]

I agree! and thank you!

[@toddvanwinkle7777]

hesty32 You are welcome, my friend, great job!! Looks so cool!

[@the1onlyteagro]

Definitely makes the late model "Beetle" drivable. I wouldn't get caught dead in one normally. I have 2 classic beetles and love them. The modern version looks like plastic crap.

[@toddvanwinkle7777]

the1onlyteagro Hell yes..I've got 4 old bugs..absolutely LOVE driving them..so much fun!!

[@the1onlyteagro]

@@toddvanwinkle7777 nothing like the sound of an air cooled flat 4.

[@shoresy6927]

Love the wood added to the back

[@B.Dizzler93]

Some guy near me built one using a Ford Ranger bed. He calls it the Bedbug.

[@louisbabycos106]

Do you have an itch to build it .

[@joeswartz1843]

What a job but this guys makes it to look like a piece of cake!!!

[@alejandrovaldivia2078]

At first glance, I thought it was a Chevy SSR.

[@harryballzack]

Alejsndro Valdivia the SSR didn’t look this cool. 😂 Now if the SSR has flowing body lines like this with its drivetrain and convertible top😎😎😎

[@turtlestomper3012]

Pos

[@ceke]

Turtle Stomper agree

[@kirksway1]

at first I thought it was a PT cruiser.

[@MrChopp3r]

Nice job👍 You should be proud to show off what you built, it looks amazing....i love it

[@flashgordon3715]

Show more of the car on the road. Only got a teaser look at it

[@mikecorleone6797]

Gordon Marshall yep.. the teaser at the end gave many of us blue balls..

[@piperdoug428]

Love yer work bud, couldn't figure the panel behind the seats until i saw the bed rails to tie them together for wood grain. Yeah im turning a 76 Leyland Mini into a pickup (model T box) on a Toyota Echo floor n running gear.

[@rafaeldeleca9732]

Beautiful mate I wish I can get one like that is a lot of work but is worth it good job 👍

[@alanpaulick7815]

Awesomely done. Thanks for sharing.

[@tgc2468]

Awesome job next time ill lend you my jack stands and my plasma cutter and you'll be home by dinner. How many saw many sawzall blades did you end up using 👍👍

[@NoNameAvailable09]

I couldn't stop watching your video again and again. Love your hard work and music. Thanks!

[@lkendrix7782]

I’m always suspicious of nuts & bolts and pop rivets. Did you weld anything?

[@tdog-jy1pp]

That car is the funniest weirdest yet coolest thing ever

[@SirTragain]

Should have made the spare tire well usable. 07:53

[@hesty32]

You can still access the spare tire well. Its just a a few 1/4-20 bolts to take the bed floor out. Spare still fits along with the jack and lug wrench

[@cyclonicleo]

@@hesty32 That just answered a key question, as I was wondering what happened to the spare. Great job, well done!

[@SLR-hn5yy]

That's brilliant man honestly really good job

[@60secondmediauk]

I was liking it till you put the wood and rack on the back..

[@wam8963]

Hi! I am not very fan of that blue color but the transformation is amazing. Good job! 👍

[@wayneelliott9523]

Would have preferred a red, like Chevy's "hot red". But the craftsmanship was spot on. Well done, sir!

[@Tech-ez1qj]

That's allot of work just to carry a surfboard on top.

[@hesty32]

yeah thats true lol. Shoulda just welded a roof rack on lol

[@alocal1334]

That's funny...I'd like to see this thing go full show and get it to lay frame on some air bags...but make it an urban handyman truck with a chrome ladder rack and a tool box and throw a couple of subwoofers in the bottom of the tool box with the clear lexan over the speakers band pass style through to the cab....darn I'm jealous now

[@muquelnel2764]

I honestly honor your work perfectly done 10 000/10

[@hesty32]

Thank you sir

[@alexandrepascoal9388]

Lindona!!!!

[@mikejf4377]

Very awesome build.

[@hesty32]

Thanks!

[@Cosper79]

Not a fan of the final color but awesome otherwise.

[@cotachrome]

That looks amazing! Thanks for sharing!

[@proavto6802]

like 😀

[@Sig721Tau]

Your aluminum truck bed fabrication is awesome!

[@hesty32]

I wish I could claim credit but the kit comes from Smyth Performance. They do some nice work. Their Jetta kit has more aluminum fabrication and it is nice! I prefer the beetle look though with the step sides

[@turuloturula9606]

A partir de este video este es mi sueño antes era el vochito jeje

[@jrobpat0154]

Good to see a workshop that is more messy than mine

[@hesty32]

yeah, I know, got too many projects all going at once. Need to take about two weeks off and just clean everything up!

[@southpawsgarage]

NO WELDING SKILLS??...I THINK IN TIME THOSE RIVETS WILL WEAR LOOSE...

[@thisguy1520]

It's hard to weld fiberglass. He could stand to spend a few bucks on a pneumatic riveter, though.

[@southpawsgarage]

@@thisguy1520 I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE BOX.. RIVETS ARE NEVER GREAT IDEA....FIXED TOO MUCH STUFF OVER YRS BEEN RIVETED..

[@youran1312]

100% right. At least use some glue as an extra

[@lennym1273]

Or put more rivets like 1 every inch...

[@hesty32]

niet janken there actually is 3 tubes of panel bond in there. The rivets are actually just to hold it snug as the panel bond cures. That’s really where the strength comes from.

[@rrj6068]

If you think to do one of these don't overlook the opportunity to take the dash apart to get to the heat / AC box and redo the control doors with the big holes in them and foam glued to both sides of the holey doors such that when the factory foam falls apart you are left with little to NO HEAT ......To recover the heater doors we use a plastic sheet packing material or you can buy plug kits to pop into the holes and solve the inevitable problem that way ....

[@mikeholmes3203]

damn that takes forever to assemble, kid literally grew up in the build :)

[@stephenvictorbailey4055]

What a beautiful machine

[@osgar5706]

You created a master piece. Good job.

[@hesty32]

Thank you sir!

[@mohammedinhaam6624]

Dear Brother your work is very nice 👍 You are superb master I like this Car

[@hesty32]

Thank you so much 👍

[@mohannadhusham336]

Everything great in America...good job

[@davidupton9354]

Great job man! At least you didn't have to work around the motor like I had to do, 40 years ago! But really, great looking car and I think that you said it was a diesel? If it is, you should get around what, 50 miles to the gallon. One of the sales guys that used to come by the shop had a VW wagon, don't remember the model, but that's what he told me that he got with his. I love the small diesels anyway, cheap to run and last forever.

[@hesty32]

yeah its a lot easier on the new beetle with the engine in the front. Its funny though how many people still ask how I moved the motor LOL

[@hanzivangood5318]

So really good job! It's fun to see you at work, how well structured and clear. The result is a matter of taste. I find the idea of putting both beetles in one not as enriching, but rather in the direction of scrapping gag. There is a old Beatle conversion to the Pic up on the net. He would have had the chanse to make a Pic up version of the new Beatle. It has to remain a Beatle from front to back. I'm looking forward to your opinion. Regards Hanzi

[@hesty32]

The Beetle (and the New Beetle) are definitely a matter of personal taste and so is this Smyth kit conversion. I wouldn't be able to cut up and old Beetle (air cooler). But the New Beetle is so plentiful and tons of run down examples about to go to the junk heap, I have no problem cutting one up or changing the looks. I totally understand that not everyone likes the swoopy lines of the rear end and it doesn't exactly match the more rounded lines of the Beetle front. Like you said, its all a matter of taste.

[@lukemears9171]

Love the o.g. beetle lights. I've never been impressed with smyths ideas

[@swampy1584]

Best looking beetle ever

[@vintagetintrader1062]

Australian utes had a drop down small door under the tail gate to access the spare wheel well. They were built of wagon platforms, unfortunately the spare holding area was also a water and mud trap and rusted away very quickly. (Along with the footwell)

[@chukgarbarr4077]

Damn that's a beautiful conversion. You're the man Stan , i mean Smyth.

[@hesty32]

Thank you sir but Mark Smith is the genius behind Smyth Performance, I just build his kits!

[@philipocallaghan]

Very nice conversion.

[@mariocarrera485]

Mi buen ....un súper vídeo. Te felicito y esto es una muestra del querer es poder. Un saludo desde la hermosa CDMX..

[@vilsonandrade8191]

Very nice project. Congrats from Brazil - Parana state - Araucaria city

[@DidierBan]

This is the second Best beetle truck/Ute that i have ever seen , the other one is from Mexico .

[@hesty32]

Thanks! Ill take that as high praise!

[@joseasantiagotorres8120]

Magnifico trabajo Tienes talento Gracias José 🇵🇷

[@johnbelwell2461]

Excellent Ute, however i would have of welded a tube cage following the stock ribs and lines. There's no way for the floor its self on a Unibody car to not flex or have excessive stress points after removing all the reinforcing that evens out the load through the roof. The bed especially when riveted and not welded, offers nothing to the structure's integrity. It's shame for it to bend in half on a speed bump or not being able to turn properly due to tremendous flexing. Eventually the factory pointed welds will fail too. All these without any load on the truck bed.

[@FireCrowsWorkshop]

yup, that thing could fold if he goes too fast over a speed bump... not at first one, nor second one, but eventually...

[@paolomoretta3615]

Bravissimo. Eccezionale!!!