“I don’t think I had done an oil change when I started this build,” admits Derek Penner, builder of this unlikely mashup between a Volkswagen Beetle and a Mazda Miata. “I grew up in my grandpa’s cabinet shop across the street, so I knew how to build stuff, but I didn’t know how to weld.”
A wood craftsman by trade, …
I remember standing at the registration tent when Derek and his team came in and thinking, "this car is going to do great." I was very happy to see my hunch was right haha.
1500 lbs would put him in the same range as a turbo Exocet, IIRC. But they don't have doors :) I'm not sure which of the two is better aerodynamically, probably this thing.
In reply to Keith Tanner :
I'm sure you have no memory of this but you specifically gave me a tour of your guys's place I can't remember if it was 2015 it was myself, my wife, my older uncle and our first born
Challengers Choice is one i'd like to win
In reply to fireflybug_and_wallkisser2025 :
Congrats again! It was great talking with you towards the end of the concourse! (I was one of the IKEA guys.) I would have loved to chat longer, there was just a lot going on! Can't wait to see more of this rig!
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:Challengers Choice is one i'd like to win
I feel extremely honored to take that home!
fireflybug_and_wallkisser2025 said:In reply to Keith Tanner :
I'm sure you have no memory of this but you specifically gave me a tour of your guys's place I can't remember if it was 2015 it was myself, my wife, my older uncle and our first born
I'm glad it inspired something nuts like this!
Derek, there were two details that most people really did not focus on that captivated me to no end. The seat covers on the bomber seats and the wood detail on the doors. Super impressive. It was great talking to you guys, and I'm glad that you remembered to bring "all of the spares" for the Beetle on the trailer.
- Mofo, the bearer of errant NB panels.
In reply to QuasiMofo (John Brown) :
What about them!?
In reply to QuasiMofo (John Brown) :
The wood detail was my one of my favorite things about this car. It really tied everything together nicely.
Any pics of wood detailing?
In reply to SV reX :
Here's what I found. If I can track down more, I'll be sure to add them here.
Lol The b pillar is the new a pillar!
Super cool, I love it! I want one for a daily.
In reply to Colin Wood :
I'm curious about the doors
In reply to QuasiMofo (John Brown) :
That means a lot!
I really spent a whole lot of time trying to figure out how to put wood in the car that would actually look good and not just like 2x4s.
the first time we started really putting the wood in. The shape was wrong and we really had to play with it to get it right.
originally I had it all in there a little bit taller and more curved and it just Looked Incorrect and didn't flow well.
QuasiMofo (John Brown) said:Derek, there were two details that most people really did not focus on that captivated me to no end. The seat covers on the bomber seats and the wood detail on the doors. Super impressive. It was great talking to you guys, and I'm glad that you remembered to bring "all of the spares" for the Beetle on the trailer.
- Mofo, the bearer of errant NB panels.
Man I really appreciate that! I feel like the way we executed the boat interior my grandpa and I is really an absolute one of a kind and all of Motorsports that I've ever seen.
Seats are a special part of the car.
Tyler booth at Top Notch hot rod Interiors he reached out early on me putting it on Instagram and said that he had to upholster seats for this car!
I quickly let him know it was a challenge car and there was no money in the budget for labor and he gladly donated his time and effort to the team and building a wicked car.
he also helped me cut down the stock Miata e-brake which was an absolute sore thumb in the interior I wish I had gotten a chance to show that off a bit more it was super simple to him but it really set off the whole car in my opinion.
In reply to fireflybug_and_wallkisser2025 :
Great car!
Im a woodworker too, and like you I want to incorporate wood into my car. I'm sorry I didn't make the Challenge this year- I'd have liked to see your car up close.
Did you build the "ChrisCraft"" style panels from glued up solid lumber, or inlay it into ply panels? What's the thickness? Other construction details?
Any pics of the door cards or other interior shots?
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