If you will see a red Beetle convertible with a license plate that says CUDEC24 (see you Dec.24), then you probably had a close encounter with Santa.

While trusting the VW parts of the Beetle meant treachery to Rudolph, Greg Bump can still make you believe that he is the closest thing that we can get to a real Santa Claus this Christmas. Bump takes on a superhero trait, but every time he changes into his costume, he dons a belly instead of flexing his muscles. He works in a bank during the day, but when his Santa duties are called for, he would strip that corporate outfit and change into the red one, buckle his black thick belt, and then speed off happily in his trusted VW parts. But that is not all. Would you believe that Bump is a certified Santa, and he has got the diploma from the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Michigan to prove it.

It all began when he was in his early 20s, according to a report done by pennlive.com. His father was working at a department store, and one day they needed a substitute for their Santa. Bump decided to fill in the spot, and well…let’s just say that the rest is history.

“Most people think anybody who portrays Santa must be an OK guy,” Bump said in an interview by pennlive.com, on being a banker and a Santa. When October rolls out, Bump is sure to be “always in the character, even in my business suit.”

What an incredible story—now we know that even Santa Claus drives a Beetle!

Setting up a business can be quite hard, which is why it involves a lot of patience. It also needs a lot of creativity and originality, for how could the business stand out among all its other competitors? This is probably what a flourishing family auto rental business in Alexandria, Cincinnati thought. But, would you believe that their success is also because of how they were able to cultivate the VW parts of a 1958 Volkswagen Beetle?

Recall is also one key player in a business. If people cannot remember your business then you will surely be bound to file for bankruptcy. This is why advertising is so important in a business. It keeps the people coming back. So for the case of the Alexandria-based “Bill’s Mini Car”, their memorable Beetle was responsible for making the people come back. Back in 1970, the shop was intended originally as a repair shop that is exclusive for VW parts only. But then Bill Goepper decided to try out the rental business, so he had to choose it over the repair business. The 61-year-old businessman was especially fond of the Bug as his parents influenced him at an early stage of his life. He displays the Beetle in front of their auto rental shop, and it has become known for being adorned with dozens of lights. Now, this Beetle captured not only the attention of many people, but their recall as well.

They’ll call and say ‘I’m calling for an auto rental. Are you the ones with the ‘bug’ outside with the lights on it?’ ” Matt Goepper, successor to the family auto rental business said in an interview by the community press. Now, is this not a remarkable Beetle story?

Source: community news.com

Sculpture is a very strong form of art. Imagine having the ability to give life to a piece of inanimate object. Is it not like breathing life as the artwork begins to take form? LA artist Charles Ray has been known for creating sculptures that are very celebrated for their richness in aesthetics and craftsmanship. Among his most memorable works displayed at Matthew Marks is his version of the “New Beetle”. Ray did not use any high-quality VW parts for this sculpture, but it clearly speaks of how much the Beetle is loved. Easily mistaken as made out of smooth white marble, this sculpture is really made out of stainless steel which is painted in immaculate white.

The “New Beetle” is not an impression of the vehicle, or any of its VW parts. It is a life-size sculpture that portrays a naked young boy curled on the ground with his left hand extended to the floor, and the right is playing with a toy car. We can now safely say that the car is an impression of the Beetle, but this is not what the sculpture tells us. It is about the freedom that children enjoy while they are playing with their toys. Just like driving a Beetle. One can easily get caught up in the whole Beetle experience. Check out other works of Ray until January 9.

Source: New York Times

Beetle enthusiasts can now enjoy the lovable bug in the form of a wooden toy car. They no longer have to spend thousands of dollars to afford its VW parts, because Terry Purrington will make sure that the Beetle will be able to bring a cheer to the children. Purrington is a toymaker who crafts different things out of a simple block of wood. Among his famed works, his version of the Volkswagen Beetle is very popular among the kids. But what is best about his talent, is that he also knows how to share. As a matter of fact, the toys that he makes are being given to the kids of the Bakersfield Homeless Center. While this is his second year of being a good-doer, his passion is enough to make people believe that he will not be stopping this act of kindness anytime soon.

Kids aged between two and six years old can enjoy the 150 toy trucks and cars that Purrington has shared to Bakersfield. According to a report by The Bakersfield Californian, Purrington will continue making these toys for the center until “he can’t physically do so”.

“From what I understand, these (homeless) kids have nothing,” Purrington says in an interview by The Bakersfield Californian. “Maybe it’s the fact these are handmade. They get a better feeling that somebody cares about them.”

Although the wooden Beetles are devoid of having authentic VW parts, the kids’ faces still light up when the toys are being given to them. Louis Gill, the executive director f the homeless center only have praises for Purrington’s dedication to bring joy to the kids. “Most of the kids, they have absolutely nothing here at the shelter, except for very few clothes. To get this individual, unique toy, it’s a special Christmas,” he says in the same interview.

Now this, is the real way to enjoy the Beetle this Christmas season.

Source: The Bakersfield Californian

Beetle Lovers, Christmas is just around the corner! Aside from swapping VW parts with each other, have you any idea what else to give a Beetle lover this season? Well, the usual Herbie DVDs are probably old news…some cute Beetle accessories will probably do, but then they are quite hard to find nowadays. Accessories will work for the New Beetle, but for the Classic Type 1, you will have to scout more than the typical shops to find good stuff. Vintage Volkswagen shirts will do too, especially when it bears a timeless illustration of the Beetle. But then, there is also that cutesy Beetle Levitron.

The Levitron is a very interesting piece. This invention is genius as it draws both fancy and curiosity among the people. Now, the Levitron also comes with a Beetle. Although it may not be geared up with real VW parts, the Beetle Levitron is still a screaming gift for Beetle lovers out there. Just imagine the look on their face once they see this cutesy piece. They will show a huge grin of course, and then probably wonder, if they should put the Levitron on their office desk, or on their Beetle dashboard. Either way, the Levitron says that they are real Beetle lovers, so this is really a perfect gift for this season.

We have seen our beloved Beetle take on different forms. It is pretty easy to dress up the Love Bug as we have all seen the many roles that it has played. Its VW parts are pretty easy to tweak to make a whole new thing from it, but we love it even in its plain and usual self. From cartoon characters, animals, to super cars—the Beetle has been it all. While many people appreciate the Beetle in its inherent image and quality VW parts, many still find the bug as a piece of blank canvass, waiting to be painted on.

This is probably what William Burge thought. This Texan artist morphed a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle into his very own “art car”. The picture above is Burge, sitting proudly behind the wheels of his Beetle art car. Onlookers perhaps will not immediately get Burge’s idea, compared to a Beetle that is turned into a Pokemon. But his artistic views greatly fused with the contours of the Beetle, and that is reason enough to showcase this art car at the Essen Motor Show in Germany next month.

Source: BBC.com 

From the home of the VW parts, the biggest indoor soccer contest will be bearing the Volkswagen badge. The Volkswagen United Masters, a tournament that will be held in 35 towns and cities, will kick off in Germany next spring. About 35,000 players were said to participate in the said event. In line with this, Volkswagen will be producing special edition “United” cars such as the New Beetle, the Polo, Golf, Jetta, Touran, and the Sharan. A “United” logo will be seen on the side section of each car’s rear. The VW parts of these cars were not changed much, but there are tons of added helpful devices. For instance, the new “Surprise” design will be seen in the middle sections of the seats. Also, these cars come with sporty car accessories—a Nike football, sports bag, and a towel.

The United models are available now. They can be powered by either a diesel or a petrol engine, and the Golf and the Touran comes with a double-clutch gearbox. Price list includes 14,275 euros for the Polo, 18,525 euros for the Golf, 20,475 euros for the New Beetle, etc. Excited Volkswagen and soccer enthusiasts are up and ready to line up for the United cars. So if you want one, you better fly off to Germany now and avail of it.

Source: Autospectator

Here are some really cool Beetles from the 5^th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition. These tricked-out VW parts are also in preparation for Beijing’s bit as the host country for the 2008 Olympics. These six pictures of the New Beetle are just a few of about 100 cars that were exhibited in the auto show. The show was said to be the last, “grand automobile exhibition in China” for the year of 2007. And what better way indeed to cap off the year with a big auto show like this.

Beetle lovers, auto lovers, or just interested citizens alike enjoyed the display of colorful and artful cars. These Beetles still carry the same trademark VW parts, but they have been decorated as if they are now wearing clothes made of authentic Chinese silk. (Let us look for the Cheongsam-donning Beetle.) The cars were all enhanced by over 400 local and international enterprises.

From a typically solid-colored Beetle, what we can see in these pictures is more than art—it also reflects Chinese culture. Some bear drawings of the Dragon, the Panda, or artful Chinese patterns. Nevertheless, they all bear Chinese elements. Not ironic at all even if the Beetle was originally crafted in Germany. After all, whatever country a Beetle might be, its versatility will reflect a country’s culture. And that, is one of the many reasons why a Beetle is still loved by all.

Source: China.org

The 22-year old Emily Holben is not just any Beetle Lover. She has been so keen and focused on her goal to have a pink Bug that she had to make it out of an old, beat-up 1970 Beetle. Read that? She. Made. One.

This is not an exaggerated tale of how this persevering advertising student at UNL made a Beetle with her bare hands. It is a tale of dedication, hard work, and a matter of aiming for your goal. The story began when her father, Steve Holben, bought a 1970 Beetle for only $200. At that time, all its VW parts are screaming for replacement already, so Emily and her father got to working. Emily was quoted by the Nebraska News as she reminisced, “The floor was all rusted, there was household carpet in it and the outside was spray-painted what I would call Dr Pepper red.”

Emily and her father basically had to strip off everything so that they could start creating her dream Bug. They then had to order original VW parts from the carmaker’s home in Germany, but had a lot of difficulty with the instructions. When they managed to get through with it, several years have passed before Emily could finally take her Beetle down the road. But that was not just the goal. She had bravely stood up against decked-out muscle cars in many car shows too before people took her pink Bug seriously. By then, Emily’s ultimate dream car was not only accomplished by her own dedication, but it also garnered admiration from people.

So the next time you bump into a pink car-driving lady, never underestimate her choice for being too “girly”, then think again. She might happen to know more about adding horsepower with a Volkswagen cold air intake than you do.

Story and Photo Source: News Net Nebraska

Hailing from Milford, Boston; the Geek Squad is here! Escorted by the VW parts of the New Beetle, these guys are definitely no-nonsense techies-turned-pop icons of our new generation. Why? Not only do they fix all of your technical problems, but they make it possible for us to ride along with the evolution of gadgetry. The Geek Squad is Best Buy’s in-house technical support unit. This job is definitely no piece of cake, as only a few privileged guys can pull it off. As for the added perks, well, they get to enjoy the latest, freshest gadgets—and they get to enjoy this decked out New Beetle for home service cases.

At first glance, this Bug may seem to be a police car with its two-toned black and white body. But upon seeing the Geek Squad logo spelled at both doors, you just know that this car means business. Not much modification was made to its VW parts though. Its notable Volkswagen wheel is a bit spruced up compared to the usual ones that come with the New Beetle, easily complementing the Volkswagen hubcaps. But what alights this Beetle makes the car valuable—black-tied men with that knowing but friendly smile on their faces ready to help you solve even the tiniest problem on your video card. So for any technical problem at all, Best Buy has a solution for you. They not only gave you a great bargain, but the service too is superb. Just look at the Geek Squad and you’ll know.

Source: Boston.com