Bugapaluza at Chattanooga, Tennessee

The orange two-headed Beetle above is a real head-turner when it travels down the road. Elizabeth reads about how this creation was rescued and restored to its current condition. it isn't difficult to see that this car's owner is a University of Tennessee fan.

The following is from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville's Web Site:

The school colors of orange and white date to April 12, 1889, when Charles Moore, president of UT Knoxville's athletic association, chose the colors for the first field day. His inspiration came from the orange and white daisies that grew profusely on the Hill. Students endorsed the colors in 1892.

Jim and Elizabeth have each owned a number of Volkswagen Beetles. They continue to have a soft spot for one of the most easily recognized cars in the world. During April 2009 they attended Bugapaluza at Camp Jordan in East Ridge, Tennessee. East Ridge is near Chattanooga. There are various spellings like Bug-a-PaLuza and Google will provide links to lots of other attendee's photos.

While the image above shows a partial display of Beetles, there were many other busses, vans, Things, and kit cars mounted on VW chassis.

Several beautifully restored Beetles were seen in the parking lot like the green machine shown above. Aftermarket chrome vent trims, window trim, door handle guards, and wheel rims add a touch of flair.


Herbie Towing a Trailer with Smaller Herbie

Herbie is a Volkswagen Beetle which is featured in several Disney motion pictures starting with the 1969 film The Love Bug. In the franchise, the car has a mind of its own and is capable of driving itself, and is a serious contender in auto racing competitions. Throughout most of the franchise, Herbie is distinguished by red, white and blue racing stripes from front to back bumper and a racing-style number "53" on the front hood, doors, and engine lid. One exception to this is his introduction in The Love Bug, where he initially appears as a nondescript white vehicle with a grey-colored fabric sunroof (a.k.a. "ragtop"), the style of sunroof offered on VW Beetles made in 1963. (This paragraph from Wikipedia.)


Tennessee State Trooper Drives a VW Beetle?

A State Trooper in a Beetle? The Volkswagen Beetle above is used in Tennessee's campaign "Don't be a Litterbug." The trooper told us that this Beetle will actually go faster than his police cruiser.


"Wild Thing" Thing

If Jim could have his pick of of any VW in the show, it would have to be this modified Volkswagen Thing. Some models of Thing were painted orange when new. This unit, called Wild Thing, has been lowered--both top and bottom. Its interior was simply stunning and the engine compartment looked as good as the exterior.


Wind-up Volkswagen Beetle

We like this little red Beetle convertible. Notice that it has been shortened and turned into a one-seater. Its doors were shortened in length and welded shut. Larger tires and wind-up key make it look like a child's toy. However, having owned several short-wheelbase vehicles, we would imagine that it is a bit "skiddish" and not a very good snow car.

Posted 6 May 2009