The Mayan Magnum: A Wild 1960s Prototype Built by a Sci-Fi Novelist

Wild Prototype - The post-war optimism of the 1950s and early 1960s brought with it an explosion of futuristic dreams. From fashion to architecture, everything was touched by the spirit of the Jet Age. It was a time when people believed the future had truly arrived—jets were streaking across the skies, space exploration had just begun, and sleek, aerodynamic shapes started to define the modern lifestyle. 

The Mayan Magnum is a wild prototype designed and built by Dean Ing in 1965, based on the Volkswagen Beetle. (Picture from: Hagerty)

Nowhere was this obsession with the future more vividly expressed than in the world of automobiles. Designers weren’t just creating modes of transportation—they were imagining what the future could look like on wheels. The Jet Age spirit pushed creativity to its limits, inspiring bold shapes, experimental engineering, and designs that echoed the excitement of space travel and modern technology. It wasn’t only major automakers who caught this futuristic fever; independent builders and imaginative individuals also stepped up, crafting unique concept cars that defied convention and captured the essence of the era’s optimism.

The Mayan Magnum is a unique two-seater custom car featured with a double-bubble roof and gull-wing bodywork. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

In past discussions, we’ve explored some of these individual efforts, like the 1957 Galileo Concept and the 1960 Di Dia 150. But among the most compelling of these one-off creations is a car so distinctive, it seems as though it was lifted straight from the pages of a science fiction novel. That car is the Mayan Magnum—a truly original prototype built in 1965 by Dean Ing, a man whose background in aerospace and passion for design resulted in one of the most fascinating automotive experiments of the Jet Age. 

The Mayan Magnum—a one-of-a-kind prototype built in 1965 by Dean Ing, whose aerospace background and design passion led to one of the Jet Age’s most fascinating automotive experiments. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

Dean Charles Ing, as he was also known, didn’t just want to build a car; he wanted to craft something that expressed the excitement and elegance of the Jet Age in physical form. And he succeeded—with about 3,000 hours of labor poured into the project, the result was as much a sculpture as it was a vehicle.

The 1965 Mayan Magnum by Dean Ing features an aircraft-inspired, sculptural cockpit, complete with a matching dashboard, hidden ancillary gauges, and grab handles for the passenger. (Picture from: eBay)

What makes the Mayan Magnum even more fascinating is how it blends components from various iconic cars to create something completely fresh. The platform and floorpan came from a Volkswagen Beetle, which provided a lightweight and compact base. For power, he opted for a 2.4-liter flat-six engine taken from a Chevrolet Corvair—another rear-engine American classic. That was paired with a Porsche-sourced gearbox, giving the car not just unique looks, but serious engineering credibility.

The Mayan Magnum features two low-back bucket seats trimmed in tan, paired with rich brown carpeting. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

Inspired by European rarities like the Maserati 450S Costin Coupe, the Porsche-Glöckler 356, and perhaps even the Durango 95, the Mayan Magnum features flowing lines, an ultra-low profile, and a smooth, rounded form that seems built to glide through the air. Subtle details, such as the Fiat-sourced wraparound windshield, enhance its futuristic character. The overall design is clean, elegant, and visually striking—standing in sharp contrast to the mass-produced cars of its era.

The Mayan Magnum is powered by a rear-mounted, large flat-six engine sourced from a Chevrolet Corvair. (Picture from: eBay)

Step inside, and you’ll find an interior that reflects the same imaginative spirit. The influence of aviation is immediately clear: low-back bucket seats, tan upholstery, a sculpted dashboard, and aircraft-inspired instrument placement all contribute to a cabin that feels more like a cockpit than a car interior. The VW Beetle’s influence is subtly present, too—in the floor layout and speedometer—blending the familiar with the fantastical. 

The 1965 Mayan Magnum by Dean Ing is powered by a 2.4-liter flat-six engine from a Chevrolet Corvair, mounted on the chassis and paired with a Porsche-sourced gearbox. (Picture from: Hagerty)

Despite its obvious appeal, the Mayan Magnum never made it to production. It remained a personal passion project for Dean Ing, a handcrafted example of what could be achieved when creativity meets engineering skill. In 2021, the vehicle appeared at auction through Bring a Trailer, listed by the Ing family. However, with a top bid of $11,750, the reserve wasn’t met. Just a month later, the car finally found a buyer via eBay for $30,500—a modest sum for a machine with such originality and character.😉

The 1965 Mayan Magnum by Dean Ing was clearly influenced by European exotics, particularly the Maserati 450S Costin Coupe by Zagato and the Porsche-Glöckler 356 Coupe. (Picture from: eBay)

The Mayan Magnum may not be a household name today, but that doesn’t diminish its value as a rare gem of Jet Age imagination. Built entirely outside the realm of traditional car manufacturers, it stands as a testament to what one passionate individual can achieve with the right blend of creativity, knowledge, and determination. Dean Ing didn’t just design a car—he shaped a vision that captured the spirit of an era obsessed with speed, innovation, and the possibilities of tomorrow.

The Mayan Magnum feels like a true realization of its creator’s vision—featuring smooth, streamlined bodywork designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind. (Picture from: Barnfinds)

What makes the Mayan Magnum truly special is how it blends everyday components with a level of design sophistication that rivals many factory-produced concept cars of its time. From its sleek, European-influenced exterior to its aviation-inspired interior, every detail reflects Dean Ing’s background in aeronautics and his fearless approach to design. This wasn’t a car built for mass appeal—it was built for the pure joy of invention and personal expression.

For those fortunate enough to see it in person, the Mayan Magnum is more than just a car—it’s a rolling piece of history, a physical embodiment of an optimistic era when the future seemed limitless. It's a reminder that innovation doesn't always come from big corporations or massive budgets. Sometimes, it comes from a garage, a dream, and someone daring enough to build something the world has never seen before. *** [EKA [01022022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION | HAGERTY | BRING A TRAILER | BARNFINDS | EBAY ]

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