These men transformed a totaled BMW into a custom Bugatti over the course of three years
- Content creators blend old BMW 3-series with a Russian Volga
- They were inspired to make a custom Bugatti
- The result after three years was the Volgatti
Published on Jan 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Jan 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
Russian content creators shared their incredible transformation journey taking an old BMW and giving it a new lease of life as a custom Bugatti named the Volgatti.
Their three-year automotive journey has been edited down to just fifty minutes.
The team reimagines the BMW with a Bugatti-inspired design, performance upgrades, and unique custom features.
Their question? How much does it cost to build a homemade car in the garage?
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Turning a BMW into a custom Bugatti
While a $100 Ford Probe was the car of choice for Sasha Likhoĭ and the Axes: Garage team’s project, it was later replaced with a later replaced with a wrecked BMW 3-series costing $3,500.
It was thought that the Probe’s frame lacked the dimensions, robustness, and mechanical capabilities needed to support the Bugatti Chiron homage.
The 3-Series clearly lends itself well to crazy projects, since it also happens to be the same car that a group of engineers used to create a real-life transformer.
However, the totaled BMW needed extensive repairs for the project to work.
Construction involved designing, refining, and creating custom body panels, molds, and components.
Aside from that, it took a long time to create a functional spoiler, integrate new windshield designs, and modify the cooling and suspension systems to match the Bugatti aesthetic.
Its custom paintwork, chrome finishing, and functional design elements were the cherry on the cake for the unique and high-quality final product.
How much did the Volgatti transformation cost?
As well as the $1000 cost of the BMW, a $400 Volga donor, and custom parts like fiberglass molds, air suspension, and wide wheels – hence ultimately naming the project ‘Volgatti’.
Built in the Soviet Union between the 1950s and 1970s, the GAZ-21 Volga is about as far away as you can get from a Bugatti Chiron.
The cumulative cost of the car came to $106,995.
This total covers materials, labor, rent, and custom parts.
Labor and rent of the workshop alone averaged $2,300.
While the car has already been for a test drive – it’s not quite finished.
The content creators have appealed for funds to complete its custom suspension, wheels, and license plate.
London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
