The DIY plans for this mini VW Beetle camper were originally published in Popular Mechanix Illustrated Magazines. Mechanix Illustrated was an American magazine founded in the first half of the 20th century to compete against the older Popular Science and Popular Mechanics. Billed as “The How-To-Do Magazine,” Mechanix Illustrated (MI) aimed to guide readers through various projects from home improvements and advice on repairs to “build-your-own (sports car, telescope, helicopter, etc).” It was headquartered in New York City.
Most people probably associate Volkswagen with its iconic Beetle. However, only a few know that in the 1970s people used to transform their little “bugs” into Super Buggers. These hybrid RVs were used for cross-country trips and the bugs-on-drugs looked like VW Microbus’ little brother.
The first VW Beetle was constructed in the 1930s, but The Super Bugger was the brainchild of a third party company that made and sold the unusual vehicle for $6,000 in 1975 (which is about $32,000 in today’s economy). They used fiberglass paneling to build a small living space behind the front seats, and those who liked to travel would insert either a mini-bedroom or a modest kitchen inside to ride with convenience.
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