It started as a joke. At least that’s what John Bitmeadee thought when he visited his studio in Ambrosdon, England. He owns Attitude Autos, a fabrication and restoration shop. Most of the time he repairs vintage steel. But in 2013, he wanted something lighter. Interesting thing.
He saw a little Tex Comfort Coupe. you know that. red. yellow. plastic. children’s toys.
Bitmeade only saw it a week before he left. My friend had to explain this concept to me. Once this image formed in his mind, there was no going back. He had no intention of building a car for small children. He plans to create a running version of this iconic children’s toy.
Build process and engine specifications
He gave himself a month.
Reality hit him. This project took 17 consecutive weeks.
Bitmeade spent around £6,000 on materials. This is equivalent to $3,800 today. This does not include his work. However, the base is not a plastic shell. It was a Daewoo Matisse. This is a Chevrolet Spark hatchback for sale in the US. he took it off. He kept the bones.
At the core of the Crazy Coupe is a 0.8 liter engine. Power is transmitted through a manual transmission. There are 2 seats. doors. It is like the original plastic model.
UK winter driving
The original Cozy Coupe had no windows. There is no windshield. No heater.
Bitmeade is special in this design.
We don’t add glass just because it’s practical. He wanted the real experience. result? Driving -2 degrees Celsius (28 degrees Fahrenheit). It’s freezing. Zero heating.
“When it’s -2 degrees Celsius [28 degrees Fahrenheit] and we don’t have the heat on, I sometimes regret standing up for myself,” says Bitmeade.
The street didn’t last long. Fun beats frostbite.
Legal status and practical use
Are plastic cars legal on UK roads? Yes.
Crazy coupe passed inspection. It’s street legal. Bitmeade covered 5,000 miles in its short life. 8047 kilometers of pure joy.
He doesn’t just drive around town. He drove it to charity events. Children’s reasons. The reaction was as expected. The kids loved it. I prefer adults. The Cozy Coupe is popular in the US but also has a cult following in the UK.
Bitmeade was my uncle. Not my father. That’s why he had never bought it for his nephew before. There is no need for that. He had to build it for himself.
The car is still running. The engine is still running. Every kilometer brings the same smile.
What’s the point of a garage if you can’t play in it?
Crazy economics
75 mph is the official limit. Bitmeade pushed its limits and achieved 80mpg in gravity calculations, but the Crazy Coupe isn’t built to dominate the highway. Aerodynamics are worse than bricks. Bitmead didn’t even get a transmission for fifth gear. Cars simply cannot push the air out. This kept him in fourth place. He averaged about 30 mpg. Horsepower is negligible. The 0-60 time is a leisurely 17 seconds. It is time consuming, inefficient and wastes a lot of natural gas.
That’s why it’s for sale.
Bitmead has a new obsession. You need money to complete your crazy Addams Family themed RV. Selling coupes is a necessary evil. “I’m very, very sad to see it go,” Bitmead admits. “I don’t know yet if it’s the right decision, but it has to be decided.”
It’s a sad deal. One icon represents another.
Miniature model on asphalt
Bitmead isn’t the only madman turning plastic into steel. Some Hot Wheels toys deviate from the 1:64 scale and feature full-size tires. In the brand’s 35th anniversary year, the Twin Mill Coupe reaches its moment of glory. “Overhaul” star Chip Foose stars. The result is a futuristic, strange-looking beast with two engines. It’s noisy. This is exaggerated. That’s exactly what you can expect from an adult who plays with toy cars.
