Volkswagen Beetle

If you lived through the 1970s, you might recognize this T-top car which was sold by Bradley Automotive. The Bradley GT was actually a kit car that could transform a Volkswagen Beetle chassis into a much cooler-looking sports car.

After 81 years, the Volkswagen Beetle is no longer being made. First built in 1938, the Type 1 Beetle largely unchanged until 2003, when the “New Beetle” made its debut, and then changing one final time for its third generation in 2011.

Back in the 1970s, converting Volkswagen bugs into other things was a pretty popular pastime. I suppose it was the relative simplicity of their chassis design, and easily removable bodies that made them easy targets. One of the most amazing VW bug conversions I’ve ever seen has got to be the Brubaker Box.

Do you love the classic Volkswagen Beetle? While its original internal combustion engine left a whole lot to be desired, the idea of a bug with a torque-y electric motor sounds like it could be lots of fun.

Volkswagen is looking for anything it can find to help reduce the blow of all the fines, buybacks, and recall costs it’s had to deal with since the Dieselgate saga. Part of that may come in the form of discontinuing numerous models across the various Volkswagen group brands.

Who doesn’t love a parade? Whether it’s for a holiday or a homecoming, they’re something special. And they require a special car too. I was asked to try to find a convertible to drive students from my daughter’s high school in their Homecoming Parade.

The Volkswagen Beetle has always been a fun little car, but it’s never exactly been quick. The first gen Beetle had like 30 hp, and the current gen tops out around 200 hp in it’s most brawny production variant.