Builders of Hollywood-tribute vehicles often set out to produce a perfect replica of an iconic ride made famous on screen. There are numerous exacting recreations of the “General Lee” Dodge Charger from The Dukes of Hazzard and the “Eleanor Mustang” from Gone in 60 Seconds. But then you have car artists that use vehicles as a canvas to interpret—rather than recreate—scenes from the silver screen. That’s what you’ll find with this chop-top Star Wars Volkswagen Beetle inspired by the franchise’s second episode.
From its Boba Fett hood mural to its remarkable sculpted engine bay cover, “Carbonite”—as dubbed by its builder—is all about the artist’s infatuation with the greatest science-fiction movie series of all time. The rear-deck lid is the Bug’s most distinctive feature, with a three-dimensional Han Solo immortalizing a pivotal scene in The Empire Strikes Back. It’s made of clay, fiberglass, and body filler.
Although the paintwork is weathered, the 1970 VW Beetle’s bones appear to be solid. Four inches were chopped from the top. Portions of the floorboards have been replaced, but there’s more metalwork to be done by the next owner. (While the front windshield glass is cracked, a new uncut windshield is included with the sale.)
Slammed Beetles have timeless cool about them—and this space critter’s front suspension has been updated with an air-control unit to provide the necessary lift at the front and rear for road use. The front brakes were updated to discs and the rear drum brakes are new. It rides on handsome gun-metal gray US Wheel 701 Series alloys, with 17×7 wheels in the front and 18×7 wheels in the rear. The engine is a relatively stock 1600cc air-cooled unit, equipped with an MST serpentine belt. The ignition system was recently serviced and the oil has been changed.
The interior is a mixed bag with new SCAT low-back vinyl front bucket seats and matching rear seat covers. The door panels and rear speaker mounts were fabricated from resin-infused Star Wars patterned fleece. There’s enough horsepower in the audio system to make the jump into hyperdrive. A squadron of four speakers are mounted on the rear deck with a pair of speakers in the doors, and a pair of 12-inch L5 Kicker sub-woofers in the luggage compartment. The seller integrated a pair of “old school analog Alpine amps” with the first under the hood and the second beneath the rear seat.
The Boba Fett Beetle was built on a whim. “This is a fun little car that I built to fulfill my 1983 childhood Star Wars fantasy.” A rat rod’s charm is always in its rough nature. With a new owner steering the build, this affordable bug might just have what it takes to deliver a smash-hit sequel.
