Latest news with #VolkswagenBeetle
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
VW's Most Unusual Beetle Hits the Block
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. 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. 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. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
From Beetle to Limo: VW's Oddest One-Off
View post: The Cheapest New Subaru Has Something Its Rivals Don't 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.
Sunday World
05-07-2025
- Sunday World
Gardai say Volkswagen with screwdriver for a gearstick had more ‘DIY than B&Q'
They added that this was 'dangerous, illegal, and not even slightly roadworthy' alongside the hashtag, 'you can't make this up' The car that was pulled over by gardai Gardai in Laois/Offaly who stopped a car being driven without insurance yesterday had thought they'd 'seen it all'. However, on closer inspection they realised the gear stick was replaced with a screwdriver. 'This Volkswagen had more DIY than B&Q,' they posted on Facebook. 'The vehicle was seized.' They added that this was 'dangerous, illegal, and not even slightly roadworthy' alongside the hashtag, 'you can't make this up'. The car that was pulled over by gardai Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 5th One person commenting said that as a 'mechanic and certified vehicle inspector, if the screwdriver handle was fitted correctly it's not a problem', before quickly adding: 'The insurance or lack thereof is a big problem though.' This is just the latest bizarre discovery gardai have made on the roads recently. Only last month, Mayo Road Policing Unit who stopped a suspicious vehicle discovered a raft of issues. Not only was the rear tyre in an extremely poor condition, they found that the back left brake had been cut off where a vice grips had been clamped to the brake line. Tax had also expired on the vehicle that was seized for further technical examination. In March gardaí seized a dangerously defective car after spotting a forged NCT certificate created by a "budding artist". The driver of the 2005 Volkswagen Beetle had attempted to pass off the car as having a valid three-year NCT by poorly altering the expired 2023 disc to 2025 in a bid to avoid detection. However, during the roadside inspection in Gorey eagle-eyed gardaí quickly spotted the fake NCT cert. On closer inspection, they realised why the car hadn't passed its test. Gardaí found "extensive corrosion" on the body of the car, with a photo of the underside of car showing badly corroded sills. In a post on social media shared by An Garda Síochána, officers joked that the driver was a "budding artist", but warned that forgery is no laughing matter. "This budding artist decided to tamper with an NCT certificate, causing Gardaí to seize the car on the discovery the NCT expired in 2023. "Upon inspection at the roadside in Gorey earlier this month, it became clear the driver had altered the expiration date on the disc in an attempt to deceive. Unfortunately for them, the reason the '05 VW Beetle didn't hold a valid NCT was soon obvious — extensive corrosion was found on the body of the car," gardaí added. "Forging or altering official documents is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution. Driving a dangerously defective vehicle puts lives at risk — including your own, your passengers, and other road users." The car was seized on the spot with the driver facing court proceedings.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Jan Bures drives brand love at ET Brand World Summit 2025
At the ETBrandEquity's Brand World Summit 2025, Jan Bures , executive director of sales, marketing and digital at Skoda Auto Volkswagen India , bridged the gap between the vibrant world of marketing and the dynamic automotive industry. Bures connected the dots between brand building, cultural resonance, and the core principles of business success. Bures kicked off his address by celebrating the marketing industry, immediately drawing parallels to the automotive sector. He posed a compelling question: "When is it that an Indian brand becomes a global brand known to everyone?" The answer, he noted, often boils down to culture and love. "Whenever you develop a brand that drives on the basis of love and on values, then it should be able to make that brand truly, really global," Bures asserted, offering yoga as a powerful Indian example that has achieved universal recognition. This set the stage for a broader call to action: imagine more Indian cultural contributions becoming global brands. The address moved to the essence of brand equity . Bures emphasised that building a "timeless brand" with strong awareness and loyalty is crucial for sustained revenue and profit. "When I have a strong brand equity... people come to me to buy my products. Then I have brand equity, and I can command different prices," he explained, highlighting its undeniable power in the marketplace. The 5 Ps: Automotive's roadmap to success Bures then delved into the "Five Ps" of automotive marketing – Product, Price, Promotion, Place and People – revealing how these pillars drive the industry forward. Product: The heart of the brand For Bures, the product is paramount. He showcased examples like the Volkswagen Golf, selling over 35 million units since 1974, and the Toyota Corolla, with 50 million sales. He echoed Steve Jobs's sentiment: "Design is not just what it looks like and feels but also how it works." Bures also stressed the importance of learning from missteps, quoting Bill Gates: "The most unhappy customers are the greatest source of learning." Price: Navigating India's sensitive market In a market as price-sensitive as India, Bures acknowledged the delicate balance required. He cited the enduring success of the Volkswagen Beetle and the Ford Model T, both priced perfectly to convey immense value. He shared a past misjudgment at Skoda Auto Volkswagen India: "We have underestimated the demand in one segment that led to inventory build up, which we had really difficulties to fix... That is one of the learnings." Place: Redefining the buying experience Bures lauded Tesla's direct-to-consumer sales model, which eliminated middlemen and streamlined the car-buying process. "Making your products easy to buy [is] just as important as making it easy to want," he declared, championing online purchasing and doorstep delivery. He also commended Maruti Suzuki for its strategic positioning as a brand synonymous with value and mobility. Conversely, he recounted the misstep of trying to launch a luxury Volkswagen sedan in the US, where the product, price, and place simply didn't align. Promotion: The art of storytelling Bures articulated his belief in the power of promotion. He quoted Leo Burnett: "Make it simple, make it memorable and make it inviting to look at, make it fun to read." He highlighted the 'Think Small" campaign for the Volkswagen Beetle and the Audi Quattro ski jump clip, an authentic stunt showcasing the car's formidable four-wheel drive. People: The unsung hero The final 'P' – People – was arguably the most poignant. Bures emphasised the critical importance of a team that shares core values, especially during challenging times. He acknowledged the automotive industry's current headwinds, citing a significant "16 per cent decline" in the sub-four-meter SUV segment in June alone. "Here we have to somehow find the people who can fix it, and we found them already," he affirmed. Bures concluded his address with a plea to the marketing community. "We need you to help us in the industry to run campaigns that are really worthwhile."
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
3 people injured after collision between motorcycle, car near Beaver Brook, N.S.
The Nova Scotia RCMP says it is investigating a collision between a motorcycle and a car near Beaver Brook that left three people injured. RCMP officers, fire and ambulance crews responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision on Highway 236 around 3:45 p.m. Friday. Police say a motorcycle travelling north and Volkswagen Beetle, which was travelling south, collided. The motorcycle driver, a 46-year-old man from Brookfield, was taken to hospital by LifeFlight with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger of the Beetle were also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A section of the highway was closed for several hours while an RCMP collision reconstructionist attended the scene. It reopened before 10 p.m. Friday. UPDATE [9:45 p.m.]: The roadway is now fully open. — RCMP Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) June 28, 2025 Police say their investigation is ongoing. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
