You’ve probably seen it. Maybe it was a blurry cell phone video on a TikTok feed or a high-res photo from a car show in the Pacific Northwest, but once you see the cool beans hot rod, you don't really forget it. It’s a 1960s BMC Morris Austin van that looks like it was dropped into a vat of neon yellow-green paint and then stretched out like taffy.
Most custom cars follow a script. You take a muscle car, you beef up the engine, maybe you chop the roof. But the cool beans hot rod? It throws the script in the trash. It’s a 12-foot-tall, bean-shaped fever dream that somehow manages to be both a legitimate piece of engineering and a rolling cartoon.
What Exactly is the Cool Beans Hot Rod?
People get confused when they see it parked. Is it a bus? A mail truck? A hallucination?
Technically, it's a heavily modified Morris JB-Type van. These were originally cheeky little British delivery vehicles from the 1950s and 60s. They were slow, utilitarian, and definitely not "cool" in the traditional sense. But the creator of this specific rig saw something else. They saw a canvas.
The cool beans hot rod is famous for its extreme "bubble" aesthetic. The roofline has been hiked up to an absurd height, giving it that signature bean-like silhouette that earns it its name. It isn't just a shell, though. Underneath that vibrant, radioactive-looking paint job is a custom-built chassis that allows it to actually drive on public roads, though seeing it at highway speeds is a bit like seeing a skyscraper run a marathon.
Honestly, the proportions are what mess with your head. It’s narrow, incredibly tall, and sits on wheels that look way too small for the sheer volume of the body. It defies the physics of what we think a hot rod should be. Usually, "hot rod" implies low, sleek, and mean. This is high, bulbous, and weirdly friendly.
The Engineering Behind the Weirdness
Let's talk about the build because you can't just weld a tall roof onto an old van and call it a day. If you did that, the first gust of wind on the interstate would tip you over like a soda can.
✨ Don't miss: 100 Biggest Cities in the US: Why the Map You Know is Wrong
The creator, a builder who clearly has a sense of humor and a lot of patience, had to balance the center of gravity. Most of the weight—the engine, the transmission, the heavy steel frame—sits as low as possible. This is the "secret sauce" that keeps the cool beans hot rod from being a death trap.
Why the Morris JB?
The choice of the Morris JB-Type was a stroke of genius. These vans already had a rounded, friendly face. By exaggerating those curves, the builder tapped into a style known as "cartooning" or "Car-Toon" styling, popularized by legendary artists like Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. Roth was the guy behind Rat Fink, and his influence is all over this van. It feels like a 3D version of a 1960s trading card.
Interior Vibe
Inside, it’s not just a hollow shell. It’s kitted out with a custom interior that matches the exterior’s "more is more" philosophy. We're talking custom upholstery, a dash that looks like it belongs in a spaceship from a low-budget sci-fi flick, and enough headroom to satisfy a professional basketball player wearing a top hat.
Why This Van Broke the Internet
In the world of car culture, there's a lot of elitism. You have the "purists" who think every bolt on a 1967 Mustang should be factory-original. Then you have the "performance junkies" who only care about quarter-mile times.
The cool beans hot rod sits in a third category: The Joy Seekers.
It went viral because it's impossible to be grumpy around it. In an era where every new car looks like a slightly different flavored gray jellybean, a bright green, twelve-foot-tall Morris van is a radical act of defiance. It reminds people that cars can be fun. They can be stupid. They can be art.
🔗 Read more: Cooper City FL Zip Codes: What Moving Here Is Actually Like
It’s been a staple at major West Coast events, often stealing the spotlight from cars that cost ten times as much to build. It’s a frequent guest at the Forest Grove Concours d'Elegance and various custom shows across Oregon and Washington. Every time it shows up, the crowd is four people deep.
Dealing with the Critics
Not everyone loves it. Some vintage van enthusiasts think it’s a crime to "ruin" a classic Morris JB. They argue that these vans are rare and should be preserved in their original, boring delivery state.
But here’s the reality: most Morris JBs were driven into the ground, rusted out, and scrapped decades ago. This one was saved. It was transformed into something that millions of people have now enjoyed. Is it practical? No. Can you park it in a standard garage? Absolutely not. But that’s sort of the point.
The cool beans hot rod represents a specific niche of the hobby where the goal isn't speed or value—it's character. It’s about making a statement that can be heard from three blocks away.
Key Technical Details (For the Nerds)
If you're looking for the nitty-gritty, you have to look at how these builds usually go. While the specific mechanical specs of the "Cool Beans" are often kept close to the chest by the owner to maintain the mystique, typical builds of this caliber involve:
- Engine Swaps: Most original Morris engines produced about as much power as a blender. These customs usually run a reliable Chevy small-block or a Ford V8 for that actual "hot rod" rumble.
- Air Suspension: To get that "lay-frame" look at shows while still being able to drive over a speed bump without shattering the fiberglass, air bags are a must.
- Paint Work: That green isn't just a spray can job. It’s a multi-stage pearl or metallic finish that requires dozens of hours of block sanding to get that smooth, "wet" look.
How to Build Your Own Version of a "Vantasy"
If you’ve looked at the cool beans hot rod and thought, "I want something that weird," you're in for a ride. You don't start with a Morris (unless you have a lot of money and a shipping contact in the UK).
💡 You might also like: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
Most people start with something like a Chevy G10 or a Ford Econoline. The key is the "cut and shut." You have to be comfortable with a Sawzall. You're basically cutting the roof off and fabricating a new, taller structure.
But honestly, the real lesson from the Cool Beans van isn't about the height. It's about the commitment to a theme. The builder didn't just make it tall; they made it "Bean." Everything from the color to the curved glass reinforces that one central idea. That’s what makes a custom car world-class.
The Future of Custom Rods
We're seeing a shift. People are tired of the same old "Red 1932 Ford Roadster" look. The cool beans hot rod is part of a new wave of builders who are looking at 50s and 60s utility vehicles—vans, milk trucks, even old tractors—and turning them into rolling sculptures.
It’s a move away from the "tough guy" image of hot rodding and toward something more inclusive and, frankly, more creative. It’s about the "what if?"
What if a van was shaped like a bean?
What if it was the color of a radioactive lime?
What if it was taller than a giraffe?
The answer to all those questions is parked somewhere in a showroom or a garage in the Northwest, waiting for the next show.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Builders
If you're inspired by this build, don't just stare at the pictures. Start small. You don't need a Morris JB to make an impact.
- Research the "Kustom" Era: Look up Gene Winfield and Ed Roth. Study how they manipulated metal to create flow.
- Find a Unique Base: Look for "unloved" vehicles. Old step vans, retired postal Jeeps, or European imports.
- Focus on One "Big" Change: You don't have to change everything. The Cool Beans van focused on height. Pick one dimension of your vehicle and exaggerate it.
- Nail the Stance: A car's "stance"—how it sits on its wheels—is 90% of the visual impact. Get that right before you worry about the paint.
- Visit Local Shows: Don't just go to the big national ones. Go to the local "cars and coffee" meets. Talk to the guys with the weirdest stuff. They are usually the most willing to share their secrets.
The cool beans hot rod isn't just a car; it's a reminder that the only limit to a build is how much "weird" you're willing to tolerate. In a world of boring crossovers, be the green bean.