Volkswagen-Powered Custom Wood-Body Sport Roadster

Description

The Volkswagen Beetle's greatest legacy may not just be its factory specifications but the extraordinary aftermarket culture it spawned. Because the Beetle used a simple, air-cooled rear engine on a sturdy platform chassis, it became a blank canvas for builders worldwide. The same mechanical bones that rolled off assembly lines for decades could be reshaped into dune buggies, Baja racers, drag cars, or lowered “Cal-look” cruisers with minimal engineering complexity.

This adaptability created entire industries: companies like EMPI and Baja Bug kits thrived purely on Beetle customization. Enthusiasts swapped engines, widened fenders, chopped tops, and reimagined interiors, turning an economical people’s car into a platform for personal expression. Other companies like B.F. Meyers & Co. and Fiberfab created all new fiberglass bodies. But one craftsman took that personal expression to another level.

The November 1964 issue of Mechanix Illustrated featured a cover story on building a striking wood body for the Beetle platform: the “Plywagen. ” This remarkable creation came from master woodworker Rosario Capotosto, who built it atop a 1952 VW Beetle he’d sourced from a used car lot. He shaped the body from 1/4" ribbon-stripe mahogany plywood and the fenders from 3/4" stock. Although Mr. Capotosto’s article included detailed plans meant to let any handyman attempt the project, replicating his work truly demanded serious woodworking expertise — shaping the body and fender curves, turning the laminated headlight shells, and fitting the contrasting maple trim were no small feats. Underneath it all sat a lap-jointed pine frame, with every joint glued rather than nailed or screwed. It’s no surprise, given that Mr. Capotosto authored “Complete Book of Woodworking. ” Both Complete Book of Woodworking pages 386 – 394 and the Mechanix Illustrated article have resourceful notes on how to build this specific vehicle.

As Mechanix Illustrated put it at the time, “Stopping for a traffic light or pulling into a service station never fails to create a sensation,” adding that “Everybody seems to exhibit an amazing fascination for this automobile. ” Remarkably, the current seller of this one-of-a-kind vehicle has cared for it for more than 50 years.

This Volkswagen-Powered Custom Wood-Body Sport Roadster is now represented by a Broad Arrow Specialist with a clean New York registration in the current owner's name describing it as a 1952 Volkswagen.

Highlights

• Mechanix Illustrated November 1964 cover story

• Created by master woodworker Rosario Capotosto

• Unique ribbon-stripe mahogany and maple body

• Registered and street legal

• Newer 1,500cc single-port VW engine

Factory Equipment

• 1952 VW Type-1 Beetle chassis

• 4-speed manual transmission

• Rear adjustable air shocks

• Fully converted to 12V electronics, including starter

• The chassis number (10423947) decodes as:

  • 1 – Type-1

  • 0423947 – November 1952

Servicing & Documentation

• Recent oil change and tune up, including new fuel pump and carburetor

Known Imperfections

• Seats are torn

• Starter has an occasional flat spot

Ownership History

• The seller of this Volkswagen-Powered Custom Wood-Body Sport Roadster had owned it over 50 years.

Included Items

• Mechanix Illustrated November 1964 issue

• Complete Book of Woodworking

Additional Information

This modified Volkswagen is registered in a state that does not issue titles for vehicles of its age. It is offered with New York registration describing it as a 1952 Volkswagen.

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Harrison Platz Phone: 610.304.4525 Email: hplatz@hagerty.com