JPG #168 Solved : 1967 David Ross Volkswagen

[João]

For one point, please identify this car :

[olavr]

The car is built on a VW Beetle floorpan. I think Popular Mechanics sometime in the 60-ties had an article for building a sports car from plywood and wood profiles. The picture might be from that article?

[João]

The car is built on a VW Beetle floorpan. I think Popular Mechanics sometime in the 60-ties had an article for building a sports car from plywood and wood profiles. The picture might be from that article?

Yes! Do you know the builder's name?

[olavr]

This was a far shot from me. As a young boy I borrowed the PM magazines from the library, and I could remember a story like this. I am sorry, but have no idea of the builders name, but I can always search for it

EDIT:
Found a new picture as the car has been restored. The builder/owners name is Craig (no last name)
The car is named Plywagen
Article from PM 1968
can I post the link here?

[Ray B.]

Sorry, Olavr, it's forbidden. But you can download an image of the magazine page and attach the file to youre reply (click "additional options" below the text window)

[olavr]

Here is the picture I've found:
Different wheels, doors have been removed, but it is the same car




Newspaper article:

My brother, Craig, just emailed me these current pics of a car he's had since - if memory serves - 1968 or so. The car was featured in Popular Mechanics magazine. The body is all marine plywood built without screws. And the body rests on a VW chassis, drive train, and engine. I don't have the back story, but I guess Craig has the Plywagen back on the road again. The man in the pic is the Plywagen inventor/builder.

[Ray B.]

We all would like to know the full name of the builder...

[Wendax]

Are you sure, it is the same car? I can see a lot of differences in details.

[Ray B.]

I think it's the same car, basically, and maybe "Craig" in both photos.
The problem is that a seatch for "plywagen" (why is this word half english-half german?) in Popular Mechanics brings up nothing.

[João]

I believe it's the same car.The year is 1967.

But "Craig" is wrong...

[Otto Puzzell]

I don't think it's the same car. I think two (or more) vehicles were built from a set of mail order plans, so it's two of the same (general) type of car. There are virtually no pieces that are the same on the two vehicles, other than the general shape. Fenders, doors, windscreen, etc. - are all different.

Plywagen, I think, is a mash-up of Plywood and Volkswagen

[João]

Moving!

[Oguerrerob]

USA?

[João]

USA?

Yes, it's.

[Oguerrerob]

The wooden car posted by Olavr was designed and built by Rosario Capotosto.  And the puzzle car was built out of wood by David Ross and his father, who covered the VW chassis with Plywood. 1967

[João]

That´s it! Congrats!

[olavr]

Then it was two different cars! Good to see this solved. But do anyone have the relevant link to Popular Mechanics or "the monthly mechanic magazine". I want to know if my memory of this car was correct?

[Oguerrerob]

"Rosario Capotosto built in 1962 based on 1952 pan.  Rosario was a school teacher by trade but enjoyed wood working as a hobby with his brother John, working out of a 1 car garage/ basemant. He has written many books on wood working and it a true craftsman. He would enter his projects in the Popular Science/Mechanics magazine winning the Stanley Tool prize every month".
Now there's a Rosario Capotosto as a Popular Mechanics Contributing Editor.
That's all what my source reference says.

[mrcar]

Hello Everyone-

I purchased one of these cars 3 years ago off Craigslist and I would love to get my hands on a set of the plans for this.  The car I have is build on a mid-50's VW chassis and I know the car was completed and registered for the first time as is in 1972.  Can anyone point me in the right direction of more detailed history than what is listed here and possibly a set of the drawings.  This car is one of the funnest things I have purchased and I need to make some repairs to it.  Please email me if you have any information at jerry@mrcarshipper.com.  Here is my car.