Volkswagen Pool Table Unique Billiard Table
Volkswagen Pool Table Unique Billiard Table
This Volkswagen Hippie Bus converted in to a billiard table is without a doubt one of the most unique billiard tables we've ever seen. If you are like us, you probably thought three things as soon as you laid eyes on it. The first is "why?" and the second is "how the heck do you get that thing level?" and the third is "wait...why?"
Volkswagen Pool Table Unique Billiard Table
Some commenters of this Volkswagen van/bus turned billiard table poke fun, saying things like "what's next, a pool hall built in a Hummer truck?" or "do the pocketed pool balls roll out of the tail pipe?" Well, no they don't. That's because this Volkswagen van turned pool table does not run on its own, due to the removal of the steering gear and engine. It operates and is registered as a trailer only.
Here are a few shots of this Volkswagen trailer billiard table in all it's glory.
As you can see, the pool table volkswagen van is outfitted with fully playable burgundy pool table felt and that the rails are crafted from solid wood.
Although it is hard to spot from the images, the Volkswagen pool table was crafted with great attention to detail, and to high standards.
It has operational pockets, yes, but no ball return mechanism. That's fine though, as most high-end pool tables don't.
It also has a great, integrated storage area for billiard balls, cues, the rack, and other supplies. This is conveniently located under its engine flap, and behind the license plate holder.
It is not known where the vehicle was created or who its creator actually was. The current owner of this Volkswagen Billiard Table conversion purchased it from its previous owner for a cool $8200 USD, and now stores it in his shop. The place is a customized one saying "YOUNG1" but really though, how many young hippies do you see in the pool hall?
This gem is registered (as a trailer) to an Ohio, USA address, and had a recent debut at a unique automotive show.
This side of the Volkswagen bus billiard table, the head of the trailer, is the only awkward area. It juts out so that you have a rail that is about a foot thick, which causes the players to have to lean over the car/pool table to make a proper billiard shot.
Below is a picture of the storage area under the playing surface of the billiard table.
The rail in the front of the pool table has a Volkswagen emblem perfectly inlaid which gives it a cleanly branded look.
This is easily one of the most unique pool table implementations we've ever seen. It's basically an outdoor pool table that you can take anywhere you can take your vehicle.
Volkswagen Pool Table Unique Billiard Table
- Title: Volkswagen Pool Table Unique Billiard Table
- Author: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
- Published: 8/23/2007 6:06:31 PM
Volkswagen Pool Table Unique Billiard Table
The Volkswagen Pool Table Unique Billiard Table article belongs to the Home Billiard Room Tables category. Articles on pool, snooker, and billiard tables as related to home billiard rooms.
Volkswagen Pool Table Unique Billiard Table Comments
TJ Holsworth from Seattle, WA on 9/19/2008 4:28:18 PM
This one-off VW Micro Bus pool table conversion was built outside of Seattle, WA. It was originally a 1965 Volkswagen Micro Bus that was chopped and shortened to make it a "regulation" size billiard table. The VW emblem in the front is mother of pearl and the rails are mahogany. It also has a power inverter so you can plug it into a wall and the head and tail lights will turn on.
It was reported to have once been owned by former Seattle Mariner Ken Griffey Jr.
I played several games on it when it was at Dr. Cue's Billiards here in Seattle, and helped to roll it on the auction block in Vancouver BC in the mid 1990's.
The dents on the "drivers" side are from when it was removed on it's side through a window from Dr. Cue's Billiards.
I'm glad to see it's still around and being enjoyed.
billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 9/19/2008 4:51:42 PMTJ, thanks for the history on this VW Micro Bus billiard table.
How did it come to be in Dr Cue's Billiards? Why did it have to leave through a window?
The person that owned it was friends with one of the investors of Dr. Cue's Billiards so he consigned it to them. Then there was a falling-out so it had to be removed.
Dr. Cue's Billiards was originally a Discount Tire store and the pool table had been brought in before the roll-up doors were walled off. Then when it was time to move the table out, the only way was through one of the front windows on it's side.
It was sold at the auction in Vancouver, BC to Peter Thomas, the founder of Century 21 in Canada.
The VW pool table was designed and built by an artist named Michael Farruggia.
- billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 9/19/2008 6:26:48 PM
Thanks a million for the information about the history of this piece. I dug a little more based on what you mentioned and found a bit more. Some original pictures from when Mike Farruggia first made it, and a quote about it from an article about him in Planet San Francisco:
After college, in Boulder, Colorado, he spent a year making a tournament-size pool table out of an old Volkswagen bus that he'd bought for $200 at a junkyard.
"I was living in a one-car garage. It was me and this thing. No bathroom. No kitchen," he says. "I invested all of my time, money and thoughts into it. All of my buddies were going skiing and I stayed home, saving my money for a drill."
Email: mike@mikefarruggia.com
Web: mikefarruggia.com Ramond from Jakarta, Indonesia on 2/6/2009 8:13:01 PM
Does anyone have any more pictures of the VW pool table? It is so interesting.
Mary McMurchy from Norwich, ON on 4/14/2009 5:16:05 PM
Is this Volkswagen billiard table for sale? Where can I buy one like this, and how much would it cost?
Vin in NY from Syracuse, NY on 9/5/2011 6:15:25 AM
My buddy Mike made this VW billiard table back in the early 1990s. If you want to get a hold of him, email me at shamulama@msn.com.
Mike Farruggia from San Francisco, CA on 9/5/2011 8:41:05 AM
I made this VW Micro Bus pool table in Boulder, Colorado in 1992 (I think).
Mike Farruggia
ilgatto from San Antonio, TX on 11/18/2013 6:41:49 PM
I am a San Antonio based artist and an experienced auto body technician and mechanic. I built one similar to this, only I used a 1973 VW Type 2 Westfalia and incorporated a Valley bar-box regulation pool table equipped with ball return mechanism.
It also contains an AM/FM/CD/MP3 surround sound system, pneumatic pool table leveling system, and classic jukebox style color transitioning lighting, and steering wheel.
Update: Mine has been written about on this site as well: 1973 VW Bus Pool Table Conversion
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