Dad creates mini Volkswagen campervan from a mobility scooter as birthday present for three-year-old son – and it’s totally road legal
The tiny motor comes with working lights and indicators, and can reach a top speed of 8mph
A DOTING dad has transformed a mobility scooter into a mini Volkswagen campervan for his son's third birthday.
And incredibly, the tiny motor is even road legal.
Factory worker, Keith Mitchell, spent £1,600 and a year and a half converting an old mobility scooter into the scale model of the VW classic.
The green minivan can reach a top speed of 8mph and has a 16-mile electric range.
According to the website, mobility scooters with an 8mph top speed can be registered for use on the road, but don't need insurance or tax.
Motorhead Keith built the VW at his home in Newcastle and unveiled the present to his delighted son Oscar for his third birthday in July.
The father and son duo have since travelled around town in the green and white campervan, which is controlled by Keith and includes a fake steering wheel for Oscar.
And to make sure the motor could drive on the road, Keith also installed working lights, wipers, indicators and a horn.
Keith, 46, said: "The idea came from attending car shows and the whole project took around 20 months of my spare time.
"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."
Since taking to the road in the campervan, Keith has received several offers from people wanting to buy the motor but none cover the cost of the build.
He added: "We mainly stick to pathways as it’s safer but it has a 16 mile range on a charge and can reach eight miles per hour.
"The furthest journey we have done so far was along the quayside into Newcastle and a drive about the town, stopping at the park.
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"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.
"It lifts up and down just like a real show splitscreen campervan which also helps with curbs."