Yesterday I made mention how I’d like to make a smaller car a single-seat deal. Picture a car like a 1986 Ford EXP, with one driver seat and plenty of cargo room. I figured that it would be a nice option, considering that most people don’t really do ride-sharing outside of the family car. It might be a kind of half-baked idea, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a completely bad idea.
Now, if there was a design for a car that is perfect for the one-seat theory, here it is. This is…er, rather WAS…a 1962 Volkswagen at one point, but it’s now known as the “Rib-Jet”. The car was put together in the early 1970s by a Navy fighter pilot named Curtis Ribelin, who wanted to make this car more like the fighters he was more used to than the jellybean shape of the Bug. Originally a three-seater, the Rib-Jet was converted sometime in either the late 1980s or early 1990s back to a four-seat setup. What hasn’t changed are the wild graphics and the jet canopy-like entrance system. We are pretty sure that the late 1990s Ford Escort headlights were a more recent addition that took place between 2014 and now.
Now, the Rib-Jet is laid out as a two seater, but a cursory look says that it will be a very tight fit for two adults to be inside at once in any form of comfort. If they do fit inside, though, they will be very happy to know that it’s legal to drive…even in Japan, where the car is currently at. One seat, open up some space for a day bag on the side, and the Rib-Jet would be a neat, if certainly curious, little runabout. Just prepare yourself for the inevitable barrage of questions…
eBay Link: 1962 Volkswagen, a.k.a. The Rib-Jet
A.K.A Complete Pile Of Shit…..
Lets see German drive train,American Bald Eagles all over it. Yep it belongs in Japan . Besides ,the 2 adults ridding in it in Japan .They don’t need near as much room as say my fat ass and a buddy .I am all about dare to be different ,but all I can say about this is . Nice wheels
Uh……no.
should be called U RIBBING ME?
I want a 1 seater with the engine mounted where the passenger seat would normally be and pull the wheelbase in to about as short as a classic BMC Mini. Should be super balanced and flickable.