[editors note] this is a slightly updated version of the article Matt Y submitted to NPR on Friday 7/12.The last “classic” beetle produced was in 2003 alongside the “current” (new) beetle which ended it’s production run on 7/10/2019. The Beetle is now considered the longest running production model in history at a touch over 80 years.
When I was 3, my parents realized that they needed a second car so my Mom could take me to school and various activities such as visiting the museums on the National Mall. Not wanting a big car, my Dad decided on a brand new 1969 VW Beetle with virtually every option. Our little “Herby” defined the “lap of luxury” in toga white with a sunroof, package tray, bumper overriders and an AM/FM radio!!
My Mom, not an incredibly confident driver accepted the challenge of driving the tiny car in Washington DC traffic. Every morning she would bundle me off to Montessori school until I was old enough for kindergarten. Once in kindergarten, my Mom would run her daily errands while I was in school. In the afternoons, she took the role of chauffeur for my various music lessons.
When school recessed for the summer, we would routinely drive to the National Mall. Arriving before 10 am, the time that parking was allowed, we spent what seemed like an eternity in the car waiting to avoid a ticket. Then we would spend the better part of the day in the wonderful Smithsonian Museums, using the Beetle as our home base.
The best summer days were PayDay – my Mom and I would drive to meet my Dad at his office at the FDA. He would drive us to their bank, Arlington Trust to deposit his check and then take us to lunch. Long before seat belt laws, my favorite place to sit was in the luggage compartment BEHIND the rear seat – I would climb back there and watch the cars following us.
When I turned 12, my Mom secretly taught me how to drive the Beetle in our driveway. She patiently showed me how to release the clutch and start smoothly without stalling. Once I mastered this, she proudly told my Dad who was much less impressed. From that day forward, I no longer had to trouble my parents to move the car when I was mowing or washing the cars.
We kept our Beetle for almost 20 years. It suffered the ravages of time including an accident when my Mom knocked down a road sign when another car refused to yield on a one-lane bridge. The color changed from Toga White to Metallic Blue as a result of the accident and my pleading – unfortunately the paint was poorly applied and the sleek blue finish quickly became a mottled mess.
Our Beetle was eventually sold to our neighbors, fellow Beetle owners with 7 kids. The 6 boys were mechanically inclined and they immediately started playing with the car. By that time, I was off to college and more interested in my GTi than a noisy, slow antique. (sigh) shame, since I’d love to have a Beetle again for the nostalgia… ~Matthew
Do you have memories of time spent with a VW Beetle? They could be good, bad or indifferent. We want to know, share your stories by leaving your comments below.
[EDITORS UPDATE: 1/1/2020] ; This touching video was shown during New Years eve 2019/20 celebrating “the Last Mile” of the VW Beetle. auf Wiedersehen.
The beetle is what started it off, not just for the dubbers, but for my family. My grandparents picked one up in the early ’60s and my dad learned to drive on that car. It kicked off an unfortunate addiction to VAG products from then on. Sciroccos, Corrados, 914, 911, Audi GT Coupes and Coupe Quattros, TTs, Turbo Beetles, the list goes on and on and on. I have a feeling this isn’t the “end of the beetle” so much as a break. Would be cool if it came back as an electric vehicle with the motor/batteries in the back! #gtmmk4vws
My grandfather had a 1971 Super Beetle. I didn’t know anything about the car at the time but thought it looked cool sitting in his driveway. Fast forward to my early twenties and my grandfather had passed away and the car sat in my uncle’s yard for years. After talking with my uncle I convinced him to give me the car so I could attempt to restore it. With the help of a good friend, a borrowed truck, and a rented trailer, we were able to get the Beetle back to my father’s house. We attempted to work on it a few times over the course of a few years but funds were tight and so was time. The car eventually was given away to a gentleman who took the suspension and components and turned it into a trike project. As far as I know that trike is still on the roads today. So even though that Beetle is gone, parts of it’s DNA still live on.
RIP