It took years before Aramco's desert transportation specialists were fully satisfied they had found the heavy-duty vehicles they needed to support the company's exploration and production teams: some of the biggest, toughest trucks and tractors in use anywhere (Aramco World , May-June, 1969). But when a group of Trans-Arabian Pipe Line employes at Turaif, Saudi Arabia decided to build a fly-weight model for weekend explorations outside their remote pump station, the "Desert Fun Car" was just a hop, bump and spin of the tires away.
The specs: one 1963 VW 1200; body, doors and rear bumper removed; fenders, windshield, front bumper trimmed; roll bar, protruding head lights and safety belts added; wheels turned inside-out for six inches extra width; larger and wider tires for increased flotation and three inches extra ground clearance.
