From Beetle to Limo: VW's Oddest One-Off

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From People's Car to Pop Icon
Few cars match the original Volkswagen Beetle's cultural reach. It started as an affordable transportation, but fate dictated its evolution into a global icon. Its distinctive shape, simple mechanics, and underdog character are embraced by fans. The Beetle raced off-road, starred in films, and inspired a worldwide cult following.
We've seen several custom-built Beetles in the past – including a pickup truck conversion – but one version stands out: the limousine Beetle that Porsche and Volkswagen distributor John von Neumann commissioned in 1969. It wasn't just a stretched version of the People's Car – it was a purpose-built luxury car that Volkswagen of America used as a promotional centerpiece.
The Coachbuilt 'Rollswagen'
Von Neumann sourced the build from Culver City's Troutman-Barnes, the same outfit that crafted Chaparral and Scarab race cars. They extended a stock Type 1 Beetle by 40 inches, resulting in a car that stretched 16 feet, 6 inches. They used original VW parts wherever possible, including the custom rear doors and running boards, to preserve a factory-like finish.
Junior Conway of Junior's House of Color painted it in black baked enamel. Hot rod upholsterer Tony Nancy trimmed the cabin in gray English broadcloth at the rear and black vinyl up front, divided by a power-operated partition. The build also included power windows, soundproofing, a mahogany-trimmed minibar with foldout jump seats, an intercom, a Philips five-speaker cassette system, and a roof-mounted carriage lamp.
To handle the 400-pound weight gain, builders installed a 1.6-liter flat-four engine with dual Weber downdraft carburetors. The project cost $34,499.95 – far more than a new Lamborghini Miura at the time – and Volkswagen of America ran a national ad calling it 'The $35,000 Beetle.'
The limo made magazine covers, including Dune Buggies and Hot VWs, in September 1971. Historical notes suggest it chauffeured John Wayne to the 1970 Academy Awards, where he won Best Actor for True Grit, although that detail remains unconfirmed.
A Rare Opportunity to Drive One Home
After Volkswagen of America took ownership of the Beetle limo, Orange County VW dealer Chick Iverson acquired the car through a sealed bid in 1979. In 1996, he sold it to Lorenzo Pearson, founder of West Coast Metric. Pearson preserved the car in his collection for nearly three decades, maintaining it meticulously with documented service records and a handwritten logbook.
Now, RM Sotheby's will offer the 'Rollswagen' at its Monterey auction on August 15, 2025. It's estimated to fetch around $150,000 to $200,000. For collectors who appreciate one-off craftsmanship and period marketing oddities, this Beetle is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.