Baja Beetle, reborn for adventure
There’s something dangerous about nostalgia. Most of us leave it behind in shoeboxes and sun-bleached posters, content to let the raw thrill of what once was dissolve into memory. But every so often, someone stares long enough at those tattered childhood dreams—and then decides to drag them, kicking and screaming, into the present. Enter the Twisted TBug Baja VW Beetle, a vehicle built not for the spec sheets, but for the soul.
Childhood Dreams, Engineered for the Reckless
Forget the horsepower arms race. The Twisted TBug Baja VW Beetle isn’t trying to chase down supercars or melt tarmac into black glass. It doesn’t need to. Its very existence is a middle finger to the sterile overkill that defines modern “restomods.” Twisted Automotive, legendary for their Land Rover Defender rebirths, has distilled decades of off-road expertise and a singular childhood obsession into something pure: a reimagined Baja Bug, alive with mischief and possibility.
This story starts in a kid’s bedroom, staring at a wall of Baja Bug posters—a million miles from California, but burning with the same heat. Charles Fawcett, Twisted’s founder, never let that vision go. Decades later, he’s given the world what the posters promised but reality never delivered.
Built from the Ashes, Reborn for Chaos
Every TBug begins as a 1960s to 1980s air-cooled VW Beetle, stripped down until only the bones remain. Chassis cleaned, sealed, strengthened. The soul is resurrected—not as a museum piece, but as a riot on four wheels. Then comes the long-travel suspension, ready to laugh in the face of rocks and ruts. The body? Classic Baja, unmistakable in silhouette, but loaded with modern muscle: LED lighting, upgraded electronics, brakes that actually work, and a set of chunky BF Goodrich All-Terrains wrapped around period-correct EMPI wheels.
You won’t find a turbocharged monster lurking beneath the engine lid. Instead, you get a doubled-up version of the original flat-four—still “happily under 80 horses.” What matters is what you feel, not what you brag about. Every bounce, every slide, every split-second flirt with disaster is amplified by simplicity.
Not Just a Car—A One-Off Manifesto
Here’s the twist: no two TBugs are ever the same. Twisted approaches each build like an artist facing a blank canvas. Color, trim, and every optional piece are dictated by the owner, with Twisted’s obsessive craftsmen shaping it all into something that balances heritage with the kind of comfort only modern engineering allows. Think wooden steering wheels beside digital dials, a hand-finished interior that smells like memories and ambition.
The result isn’t restoration. It’s reinvention—no conversions, no bolt-on nostalgia. Just a bespoke creation for those unwilling to settle for off-the-rack adventure.
Engineering, Stripped to the Bones and Rebuilt
For all the romanticism, the TBug isn’t some backyard hack job. Twisted’s engineering is ruthless: reinforced chassis, long-travel (likely Bilstein) suspension, upgraded braking for modern stopping power, and durability built in at every turn. This isn’t about pretending to be vintage. It’s about delivering the real thing, only better—capable of surviving the wildest detours and the grittiest trails.
The Price of a Legend
Twisted is coy about pricing, but expect the TBug to cost more than their Suzuki Jimny builds and less than the seven-figure Defenders. Every car is a one-off, built to order, revealed to the world on May 29 at their new London showroom. If you want one, you’re buying more than a machine; you’re buying a story, a ticket to childhood dreams that refuse to grow up.
Creativity Unleashed, Boundaries Burned
Twisted’s Special Projects are where the obsessive and the innovative collide—vehicles not just built, but willed into existence as manifestos of what happens when you ignore the rulebook. The TBug is the proof: a purpose-driven, off-road icon that invites you to relive the reckless wonder of your youth with the grit and muscle of grown-up engineering.
TBug Baja VW Beetle: Some Icons Deserve a Second Chapter
The Twisted TBug Baja VW Beetle isn’t just a car. It’s a declaration—a reminder that adventure is a state of mind, best experienced with a machine that doesn’t just move you, but sets your pulse on fire. If you’ve ever wanted to rip across the desert or the dunes in the kind of off-road legend that existed only in your imagination, now’s your chance. Childhood dreams are calling. Time to answer.
Pros
- Authentic Baja Bug Reimagining: The Twisted TBug Baja VW Beetle stays true to the rebellious spirit of the original Baja Bug, delivering a driving experience that’s raw, unfiltered, and joyfully analog—a rare quality in today’s era of digital excess.
- Bespoke, One-Off Builds: Each TBug is a unique, ground-up creation tailored to the owner’s specifications, allowing for extensive customization in color, trim, and optional features, making every car a genuine expression of personal taste.
- Meticulous Engineering and Quality: Twisted’s expertise in off-road vehicles shines through, with a reinforced chassis, long-travel suspension, upgraded brakes, and modern electronics all ensuring the TBug is as capable as it is durable.
- Hand-Finished Interior: The blend of heritage materials (like wooden steering wheels) and modern comforts (such as digital speedometers) results in an interior that feels both nostalgic and practical.
- Lightweight, Engaging Performance: By doubling the original flat-four’s power while keeping it under 80 horsepower, the TBug delivers an engaging, driver-focused experience that emphasizes connection with the road and terrain over brute speed.
- Off-Road Capability: Equipped with proper long-travel suspension, BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, and period-correct EMPI Baja wheels, the TBug is ready to handle serious off-road challenges with confidence.
- Modern Upgrades: Features such as LED lighting and improved braking systems bring welcome reliability and usability to a classic silhouette.
- Iconic Aesthetics: The classic Baja bodywork, combined with contemporary touches, results in a machine that’s as visually striking as it is functional.
Cons
- Limited Power Output: With less than 80 horsepower, the TBug may underwhelm those accustomed to the high-performance figures common in modern restomods or who expect more outright speed from a custom build.
- Unknown Pricing: Twisted has yet to announce concrete pricing, but it’s expected to fall well into the five-digit range, which could be a barrier for some buyers seeking value over bespoke craftsmanship.
- Availability and Exclusivity: Production is limited to one-off, built-to-order vehicles, making the TBug both rare and potentially subject to long wait times depending on demand.
- Manual Transmission Only: The retention of a manual gearbox may deter potential owners who prefer automatic transmissions or more modern driving aids.
- Niche Appeal: The TBug’s unique blend of old-school engineering and custom artistry will appeal strongly to enthusiasts but may not resonate with mainstream buyers looking for daily practicality or modern convenience features.
- Not for Speed Addicts: Those seeking adrenaline through acceleration will find the TBug’s performance deliberately modest; this car is designed for adventure and connection, not quarter-mile domination.
- Limited Market: As a UK- and US-focused product, international enthusiasts may face challenges with import, support, or legal road use.
Verdict
The Twisted TBug Baja VW Beetle is a riotous love letter to automotive passion—a machine built not for numbers, but for memories, mischief, and the kind of reckless wonder most people left in their childhood bedrooms. It’s a showcase of what happens when craftsmanship is married to obsession, resulting in a bespoke, off-road icon that celebrates simplicity, connection, and nostalgia with every detail. The TBug isn’t trying to please everyone; it’s unapologetically niche, aimed squarely at those who want their adventures served with a side of soul and grit. If you’re searching for a high-horsepower monster or a tech-laden daily commuter, look elsewhere. But if you crave a classic reimagined—something raw, honest, and built just for you—the TBug delivers a second chapter for an icon, written in the dust and dirt where legends are born.
For those who crave their off-road escapades with a healthy dose of adrenaline and engineering prowess, the 2017 Ariel Nomad Tactical Buggy emerges as an exhilarating alternative to the Twisted TBug Baja VW Beetle. Packing a punch with its 2.4-liter Honda K-series engine delivering 230 horsepower, the Nomad pairs raw speed with deft control, rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds thanks to its featherweight frame and rear-wheel-drive setup. Purpose-built for punishing terrain, it boasts adjustable Öhlins coilovers, four-wheel disc brakes, and BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires wrapped around Team Dynamics wheels—making sure no obstacle is too daunting. Inside, the experience is as focused as it is thrilling, with bucket seats, multi-point harnesses, and a race-ready cockpit that keeps you connected to the machine. For off-road warriors who demand not just adventure but domination over any landscape, the Ariel Nomad Tactical Buggy is a formidable, unapologetically wild ride that redefines what it means to go off the beaten path.
