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Dad Turns Mobility Scooter Into Legal Mini Volkswagen Campervan for 3YO Son

As far as birthday presents go, this is perhaps among the most impressive. A factory worker from Newcastle, UK, took a mobility scooter and turned it into a mini Volkswagen Campervan, which even happens to be legal on the public road.
Mini Volkswagen Campervan built from scratch 4 photos
Photo: The Sun
Mini Volkswagen Campervan built from scratch, from a mobility scooter, is legal for the public roadsMini Volkswagen Campervan built from scratch, from a mobility scooter, is legal for the public roadsMini Volkswagen Campervan built from scratch, from a mobility scooter, is legal for the public roads
Keith Mitchell spent a year and a half and an estimated £1,600 to turn the mobility scooter into an actual mini-car for his son, just in time for his 3rd birthday. He tells The Sun everything he put on the chassis was handmade by himself, which accounts for the high quality of the finished product.

What’s even better, Keith and his son can take the mini-car out on the road and not be ticketed. Because it can only reach 8mph, it is legal for public roads without Keith having to pay tax or insurance on it.

The boy sits in the front seat, which comes with a fake wheel, while the father rides in the back, from where he also operates the mini. The scale model of the classic VW is electric and can reach 16 miles on a single charge.

Keith says that, whenever they’re out, they mostly stick to alleys and emptier roads for safety reasons, but they’ve been known to make the occasional longer journey to town. And the looks they draw match the amount of hard work that went into making the mini-car.

“I built it with a fake steering wheel and controls for him (Oscar) knowing it would be a bit too much at his age, so I control it all from the rear. We get stopped everywhere we go, even traffic police have stopped traffic so we can cross the roads,” Keith tells the publication.

“Everything attached to the van has been hand made, mirrors, windows, aerial mounts, wipers, and lights. It all works including the hazard warning lights, indicators and horn. I decided on electric power so I can basically go anywhere legally whereas petrol powered would of been illegal on public pathways,” he adds. “It lifts up and down just like a real show splitscreen campervan which also helps with curbs.”

Keith admits that, since he and his son started taking rides in the mini-car, he’s been flooded with offers to buy it. However, they’re not up to par with the work he invested in it, so for the time being, he’s not even considering selling it.
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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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