Eric Smith 1971 VW Bug

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Issue

March 2025

Owner

Eric smith

Ride

Mix breed
(1971 Volkswagen Bug)

Meaning Behind the Name

It's a little bit of everything I'm in to bug on a truck frame with a 350sb in it with a minitruck them

Photographer

Chris Gosda

Ride Details

Original Cost

2500

Build Cost

Lot more then I'd like everyone to know

What was the inspiration?

Iv all ways had the love for trucks and cars but the vw bugs have alway been something iv had interest in the most I have built many rides I love to be different and push myself on everything I do to be a little more radical always said I wanted to do a v8 bug my way so sold the last bug I had Nasty habit and started the next build I knew it wasn't going to be easy to out do the last one I knew I wanted a v8 bug laid out with full coustom look wild paint coustom sound system mini truck look with a little hot rod to it

How long did it take you to build?

3 years

How long have you been building?

Iv been building rides 26 years

Club Affiliations

Deviant creations

Your future plans?

To add more power and drive the crap out of it and enjoy it maybe change it up or who know build something else's

Vehicle history

I bought the car itself from a guy in Virginia and had started the build figure I get a head strat and buy something that was some what ready for me to make it my own but nope let's just say lesson learned don't look at something in the dark got it home and had to redo everything the only thin was able to use was the body it self so I called dan bardan at Barden metal fabrication in Newbern NC and we came up with the plan on a frame and air ride set up once he got his part done the rest was on me then the plan on the body modes and interior fabrication was done I painted it a true blue pearl but that was not wild enough so I started think of a mini truck paint theme so one by one I started laying graphics on it one I got that all done it was time to find someone to bring all the stuff I fabricated to life I wanted to take it to the best but ever one was so booked up I was told about this guy in Raleigh and had seen some his work on other rides so I got up with him he came 2 hours to me and we came up with a plan to to take my work and bring it alive let me tell you something Jorge killed it at banda auto upholstery I highly recommend him got it home started putting it together was not planning to be done Intel April 2025 but got it together and decided to bring it out to the last scr8pfest was crazy all the love it got Chris Gosda did some awesome shots on it and here I am

Thanks to

My wife Katie Willis Smith and my kids for always support me in what I love to do Dan Barden at Barden metal fabrication for his awesome meatal work Jorge Banda at Banda Auto Upholstery for the awesome Upholstery work and some of the best friends someone can have my brother Steve Smith dan bardan Jay price Nathan Rankin Tommy Golden Mike Jones for there support and help along the way

Previous Rides

1991 s10 blazer 1986 Mazda truck x2 1989 s10 blazer 13 vw bugs those are the most recent there are way to many to list

Engine Details

Make

Chevy 1985

Cylinders

Engine Mods

350 small block with 292 cam elderblock intake and carb head man short headers

Engine Add Ons

Headers intake carb distributor valve covers air breather

Chrome or polish

Air breather vale covers pulleys alternator oil dip stick

Driveline Details

Clutch flywheel

Stock flywheel

Torque Converter

Stock

Transfer Case

350 turbo

Axle

Ford 9in

Builder Shop

Myself and Barden metal fabrication

Chassis Details

Chassis

S10 front cradle fire was back full coustom built

Mods to Frame

Back half full coustom 4link with bags

Frame Builder

Darn bardan at Barden metal fabrication

Spindles

S10 drop spindles

Springs

Bags

Four Link

Coustom made

Compressor Info

Viair 480 2 of them

Valve Info

Vixen air manifold

Airbag Info

2500 front bags rear Fire stone cup bags

Other Mods

Shocks spindles upper and lower control arms

Chrome, Paint, or Polish

Frame full paint chrome air tank and compressors

Wheels Details

Front Wheel Type

Atlas force

Rear Wheel Type

Atlas force

Front Wheel Size

8 in wide

Rear Wheel Size

10 in wide

Front Tire Size

205 40r17

Rear Tire Size

215 40 17

Paint Details

Color

True blue with coustom graphics

Paint Type

Urechem

Graphics Description

90 mini truck graphics

Painted By

Myself

Graphics By

Myself

Body Details

Hood

Coustom Billet vents

Grille

Coustom made Billet

Bumpers

Shavd

Addon Accessories

Coustom hallo head lights coust tear drop tail lights hood vents

Body Mods

Shaved doors truck hood rear rear vents wide fenders front and back

Body Mods by

Myself

Interior Details

Dashboard

Coustom one off fiberglass

Gauges

Enkey

Steering Wheel

Billet

Console

Coustom one of fiberglass

Head Unit

Alpine

Amps

American bass 3k and American bass 2500 4 channel

Speakers

2 American xr 15s 8 American bass 61/2 componet speakers American bass mega tweeters

Video System

Stereo Installed by

Myself

Shifter

B and m

Seats

Ford focus

Tint Percent

None fish bowl look

Trunk or Bed

Coustom made cover

Upholstery Description

Tan with tan carpet with coustom console seats speaker box and door panels

Upholstery Description

Interior is fully coustom made with Billet high lights such as steering wheel door opener window cranks dash pice shifter

Upholstery By

Jorge Banda ant Banda Auto Upholstery in Raleigh NC

Eric Smith’s 1971 VW Bug “Mix Breed”: A Radical Fusion of Styles

When it comes to custom car builds, some ride the wave, while others create their own. Eric Smith 1971 VW Bug, aptly named “Mix Breed,” is a prime example of the latter. Built with a fusion of mini-truck styling, hot rod power, and meticulous customization, this bug on a truck frame is unlike anything you’ve seen before.

The Vision Behind Mix Breed

Eric has always been drawn to the world of trucks and cars, but VW Bugs have held a special place in his heart. Having built numerous rides over his 26-year career, he wanted to push the limits with this one. The idea? A V8-powered Bug with a slammed stance, bold graphics, and a fully customized aesthetic.

His previous build, “Nasty Habit,” was already a head-turner, so he knew he had to go even further with this one. That meant an air ride setup, a wild mini-truck paint theme, a powerful sound system, and a completely reworked interior. Three years of hard work later, “Mix Breed” was born—a radical hybrid of automotive cultures that defies categorization.

Building the Beast

Eric started with what he thought was a decent foundation from a seller in Virginia, only to realize once he got it home that he’d have to redo everything. The only thing salvageable? The Bug’s body.

For the frame and air ride setup, he teamed up with Dan Barden at Barden Metal Fabrication in Newbern, NC. They developed a custom back-half frame with an S10 front cradle, a four-link suspension, and air ride for that ultra-low stance. Once the frame was complete, Eric took over the body modifications and interior fabrication.

True Blue Pearl was the initial paint choice, but Eric wanted something even wilder. He started laying down mini-truck-inspired graphics one by one, transforming the Bug into a rolling piece of art. To bring his vision for the interior to life, he enlisted Jorge Banda at Banda Auto Upholstery in Raleigh, NC. Jorge’s craftsmanship exceeded expectations, elevating “Mix Breed” to a whole new level.

Power and Performance

Under the hood, this Bug is packing serious muscle. A 1985 Chevy 350 small block with a 292 cam, Edelbrock intake and carb, and Hedman shorty headers provides the grunt. Chrome and polished touches like valve covers, pulleys, and an air breather add some visual pop. Power is sent through a Turbo 350 transmission to a Ford 9-inch rear axle, ensuring this Bug can back up its aggressive stance with raw performance.

Suspension and Stance

Thanks to its custom frame and air ride system, “Mix Breed” lays low with style. S10 drop spindles, 2500 front air bags, and Firestone cup bags in the rear provide adjustable height, while Viair 480 compressors and a Vixen air manifold keep things running smoothly. The Atlas Force wheels, 8 inches wide in the front and 10 inches wide in the rear, complete the aggressive look.

Custom Interior

Inside, the Bug is a showpiece in itself. A one-off fiberglass dashboard, custom console, and billet steering wheel set the tone. Ford Focus seats, an Alpine head unit, and an American Bass sound system featuring dual XR 15s and multiple component speakers ensure the ride is as enjoyable inside as it is outside. Every inch of the interior, from the custom speaker box to the door panels, was designed for both style and function.

The Road to Recognition

Eric originally planned to unveil “Mix Breed” in April 2025, but after finishing ahead of schedule, he decided to bring it to Scr8pfest. The response? Overwhelming. The Bug received massive love from the crowd, and the incredible shots captured by photographer Chris Gosda helped bring even more attention to the build.

What’s Next?

Eric’s future plans for “Mix Breed” include adding more power and driving the hell out of it. But knowing his passion for pushing the boundaries, he might just move on to another crazy build soon. Either way, one thing’s for sure—whatever comes next, it’ll be just as wild.

Acknowledgments

Eric extends his gratitude to his wife, Katie Willis Smith, and their kids for their endless support. He also thanks Dan Barden at Barden Metal Fabrication for his incredible metalwork, Jorge Banda at Banda Auto Upholstery for his craftsmanship, and close friends Steve Smith, Jay Price, Nathan Rankin, Tommy Golden, and Mike Jones for their support throughout the build.

With a long history of building standout rides—including multiple S10 Blazers, Mazda trucks, and a total of 13 VW Bugs—Eric has cemented his reputation as a builder who isn’t afraid to push the envelope. “Mix Breed” is a testament to that philosophy—a radical, genre-defying Bug that’s truly one of a kind.

Photos by: Chris Gosda A.K.A. Photos by CG