Shell World is one of those mandatory stops in the Orlando area. If not to purchase one of the thousands of nautical souvenirs, than at the very least to get a glimpse into the kind of classic curiosity shops that once flourished along Florida's scenic routes.

Shell World has catered to the Florida tourist seeking keepsakes for decades with a store open 365 days a year. Inside, the wood plank floors provide creaky passage to just about every shell from God's great sea. Along side a free shell museum, the findings are for sale upon being forged into countless animal sculptures, lamps and centerpieces. As a medium for artistic expression, it is hard to beat the versatility of shells.

Jennifer Burton realized this potential and cast a dash of functionality into the whirlpool when she created the "Shellmobile." Over 10,000 shells in 174 varieties were painstakingly glued onto the 1973 VW Beetle. Artist Steve Orn provided the airbrush effects to push the Bug over the top... not that it needed much more momentum.

The aim of their collaborated effort was to give the car "the look of a coral reef." To Shell World it looked more like an advertising opportunity. With their location on a dying stretch of Route 192, any chance to reel in a few more sand dollars was worth a shot.

The auto is fully functional and when not docked in the gift shop parking lot, it can be seen in local parades. It is pure shell on wheels.

Shell World
4727 W. Bronson Highway
Kissimmee, FL
In the neighborhood - Xanadu