# Recycled Cars As Mechanical Snails 1966 VW Beatle Becomes "The Golden Mean" By Rachel Webb | Published 2008-09-04 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-1966-vw-herbie-becomes-a-gastropod References: [blog.wired](http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/08/math-strange-dr.html) As the images show, a recycled 1966 [VW](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porsche-x-vw-renndienst-idbuzz-bus) Bug, which made its debut at Burning Man, has taken on a new identity. It’s been transformed into an enormous, ride-on, six-seater, glow-in-the-dark, fire-shooting mechanical snail! The “herbie” [art car](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/art-car-1), called **The Golden Mean**, was made by blacksmith Jon Sarriugarte, a custom home furnishing designer. The idea came from his wife, Kyrsten Mate, who dreamed up the rolling piece of art. The vehicle was named after the golden ratio, a mathematical proportion said to be aesthetically pleasing. Its debut was at the Burning Man anti-branding art festival these year, which ran under the theme of the "American Dream." This is recycling at its most innovative. Give us a ride? ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 33% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Recycled Art Cars:** Creating art cars from recycled vehicles presents opportunities for unique and environmentally friendly artistic expression. - **Custom Art Installations:** Transforming vehicles into large-scale, rideable art installations offers a disruptive innovation in the world of visual art. - **Math-inspired Design:** Exploring mathematical concepts like the golden ratio in vehicle design brings together art and science in a visually compelling way. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Automotive:** The automotive industry should consider the growing demand for eye-catching, eco-friendly art cars as a potential market segment. - **Visual Arts:** Artists and galleries should explore the possibilities of creating custom art installations using recycled vehicles to attract attention and engage audiences. - **Event Planning:** Event planners can tap into the trend of math-inspired design in art cars to create unique and immersive experiences at festivals and exhibitions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Charitable Artist Buggies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meyers-manx.md) - [Turtle-Inspired Sleek Automobiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vision-imobility.md) - [Playful Art Character Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porsche-labubu-project.md) - [Dynamic Car-Themed Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/veiled-porsche.md) - [Aviation Powered Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beast-by-john-dodd.md) - [Japanese Concept-Inspired Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daniel-arsham-1.md) - [Road-Ready Dune Buggy Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fordzilla-hypervan.md) - [Dynamic Artful Car Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bmw-m-hybrid-v8.md) - [Charming Curved Roof Dwellings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-beatle.md)