# Badass Bug Mods The Bugster has a Beetle Body and a Porsche Engine By Michael Hines | Published 2011-04-06 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-bugster References: [autoblog](http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/04/porsche-boxster-vintage-volkswagen-bug-bugster/) & [bugster.at](http://bugster.at/_galerie/default.html) Siegfried Rudolf is an Austrain car modder who has combined the engine of a Porsche with the body of a [VW](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porsche-x-vw-renndienst-idbuzz-bus) [Beetle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1970-volkswagen-beetle) to create the Bugster, a 270-horsepower, 1973 Beetle. Rudolf was inspired to create the Bugster after noticing that his wife's 2000 [Porsche Boxster](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/911-gt3-90-f-a-porsche) and his 1973 Beetle had similar-sized wheelbases. Using his knowledge as head of Carmaxx, an Austrain Porsche and VW customization and restoration company, Rudolf got to work constructing the Bugster. The end result is a badass ride with the body of a bug and the heart and soul of a Porsche. Despite its bug body the car maintains some uniquely Porsche features like its 18-inch wheels and beastly-looking side vents. Whoever said bugs were for girls only? ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 88% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Car Modding:** Creating custom vehicles by combining different car components, such as the engine of one car with the body of another, to create unique rides like the Bugster. - **Cross-brand Collaboration:** Exploring opportunities to merge different automobile brands and components to create innovative and high-performance vehicles like the Bugster. - **Heritage Restoration:** Revitalizing classic car models by infusing them with modern features and engineering, exemplified by the restoration and customization work done by Carmaxx on the Bugster. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Automotive Customization:** Creating customized and unique vehicles by offering specialized services to modify and combine different car components. - **Automotive Manufacturing:** Exploring collaboration opportunities between different automobile manufacturers to create hybrid vehicles with unique features and performance. - **Automotive Restoration:** Revitalizing vintage and classic cars by integrating modern technologies and components without compromising their original aesthetics and appeal. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cabin-Transformed Vintage Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1970-volkswagen-beetle.md) - [Playful Art Character Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porsche-labubu-project.md) - [High-Performance Hybrid Sports Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2026-bugatti-tourbillon.md) - [Vintage All-Electric Restomods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quintessenza-rs.md) - [Masterfully Modified SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modified-suv.md) - [Futuristic Supercar Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/custom-vehicle-designs.md) - [All-Electric Dune Buggies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manx-20-electric.md) - [Retro-Style Electric Vans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porsche-x-vw-renndienst-idbuzz-bus.md) - [Exoskeleton-Free Hypercar Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bugatti-bolide.md)