VW Bugs Make Cozy Lovebug Seats

VW Bugs Make Cozy Lovebug Seats AG WORLD 33-1-23 Instead of seeing old VW "bugs" crushed, baby boomer Gary Paavola prefers to transform them into furniture. The experienced Wadena, Minn., auto body man cuts off the front of the car and fashions the front trunk space into a cozy "Lovebug" seat. "It's a combination of wood, metal and fiberglass work," Paavola says, pointing to the tricky angles on back of the seat frame. He removes the hood and everything inside and builds an iron and wood frame to support the seat. He fixes or buys fenders and body parts, depending on the car's condition, and spends hours grinding and painting. The only thing he contracts out is the upholstery work. Cup holders are hidden under the turn signal lights. The dash is complete with lights and a new radio that works by plugging the seat into a 110-volt plug and turning on the ignition key. Invisible ghost flames accent the fenders of a bright orange seat, while a peace sign shows on the seat. "You can go as wild as you want," Paavola says. "That's what's fun about this. I like to have themes." Currently he is working on a pink Lovebug seat, with a breast cancer awareness theme in honor of his mother, who died from the disease. He's spending extra time on the backside - painting dashboard knobs and accessories pink. The seats weigh less than 250 lbs. and can be easily moved around. They'd be great for a business with a 50's or 60's theme or for any VW fan, Paavola says. He's asking $1,800 for the VW seats and $3,500 for 50's Chevy rear ends made into seats. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Gary Paavola, 206 Bryant Ave. S.W., Wadena, Minn. 56482 (ph 218 632-3466; garpaavo @yahoo.com).

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