Cosmotron: A Life-Size Hot Wheels Car Based on BMW Z3 Chassis
When we were young, we all imagined actually driving our miniature Hot Wheels toy cars and maybe even owning life-size versions of our favorite models (especially the ones shaped like animals). But when we grew older, most of us dismissed the possibility as a childhood dream.
However, with some hard work and a lot of creativity, a man in England achieved that dream in the form of the Cosmotron: an awesome street-legal vehicle that excites our inner child.
Prize for Best Use of a BMW Z3 Goes to Cosmotron
If you ever imagined what a life-size Hot Wheels car would look like, the vivid lavender Cosmotron with bubble top is probably the closest interpretation. Built by car enthusiast, Paul Bacon, and reported on by Barcroft Cars, the stylish beast has a retro 1960s sci-fi design that is probably unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Bacon started his endeavor by stripping a 1998 BMW Z3 roadster to its chassis and floorboards, taking off every body panel. He then added steel supports, a polystyrene foam shape, and fiberglass shell before painting it purple. It kept the BMW Z3’s 2.8-liter engine, making it a blast to drive.
After spending 18 months working a little each day in his garden shed, Bacon presented his creation to the streets of England. The Cosmotron quickly became a popular guest at cruise-ins and around town, which its creator enjoyed before selling his dream car to one of its fans.
The most astonishing aspect of the Cosmotron isn’t the overall design but the cleverness of the details. The cockpit dome is attached to a hydraulic arm and hinges, the SU carbs on the hood use salt and pepper shakers, the interior is hand-stitched, and the rear grille is a drawer pull with moisturizer tube lids. It’s a brilliant collection of recycled items.
As a car enthusiast with a lot of ideas, Paul Bacon keeps himself busy with many unusual, intensive automotive projects. While he clearly takes pride in showing off his work, he’s ready to keep busy bringing more dreams to life. We can’t wait to see what he conceives of next.
See the Cosmotron spotlighted in the video below:
News Source: Barcroft Cars
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