Giant VW Spider Sculpture Stands Tall Along California Highway

The 28-foot-tall roadside attraction was built by a local welder and land owner over 5 months.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A 28-foot-tall sculpture of a Volkswagen Beetle mounted on eight steel spider legs has become a roadside attraction along Highway 62 in the California desert. The unique monument was built by local welder Rick Grissom and land owner Bob Minor, who was inspired by a similar sculpture he had seen in Nevada. The finished product, which took about five months to construct, features a classic VW Beetle body perched atop long steel legs designed to resemble a giant spider.

Why it matters

The sculpture represents a quirky blend of German automotive engineering and classic American roadside showmanship, capturing the imagination of travelers passing through the desert. It has become a recognizable landmark and conversation piece in the area, continuing to draw attention even after the passing of its creator, Bob Minor, in 2008.

The details

Working together, Minor and Grissom built an eight-legged version of the sculpture using nearly 300 feet of steel. The finished product stands roughly 28 feet tall, with a classic Volkswagen Beetle body perched atop the long steel legs.

  • Construction of the unique monument took about five months to complete.
  • Bob Minor passed away in 2008, but his creation remains standing as a lasting tribute to his imagination.

The players

Rick Grissom

A professional welder who collaborated with Bob Minor to build the giant VW spider sculpture.

Bob Minor

The owner of the land where the VW spider sculpture stands, who was inspired by a similar sculpture he had seen in Nevada and decided to create his own, larger version.

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What they’re saying

“The sculpture represents a quirky blend of German automotive engineering and classic American roadside showmanship.”

— Steve Sumrall, NBC Palm Springs resident historian (nbcpalmsprings.com)

The takeaway

The giant VW spider sculpture stands as a unique and enduring roadside attraction, capturing the imagination of travelers and serving as a lasting tribute to the creativity and vision of its creators.