Top VW Beetle Scenes in the Movies

This list starts with he premise that everyone knows about Herbie and as seen at least one of Herbie movies. This list does NOT contain Herbie. This list is about the most underrated car in US Cinema. While other “muscle cars” seem to get all of the attention, we’re going to redirect the spotlight back to the best selling car in history and its place in the movies!

What’s Up, Doc? (1972)

Beautiful blue beetle car chase – in San Franciso (which seems to be a theme). Earlier in the car chase, a VW bus takes a beating.  At 1:05, they hide in a shipment of all new VW’s. Unfortunately, the ending of this scene is not included, which is after all of the cars crash into the bay, only the VW is floating – with our main characters safe and dry. Barbara Streisand and Ryan O’neil star in this classic.

 

Bullitt (1968)

The Green VW in Bullitt is the real star. Somehow, this little green volkswagon keeps up with the Charger and the Mustang throughout the chase. There must be some incredible engine in that thing!

 

The Delta Factor (1970)

Who will win when a Ford Mustang is chasing a VW Beetle and the Ford Mustang?!?

 

Death Race 2000 (1975)

While not technically a VW Beetle, the car is a mod from the chassis of a classic air-cooled VW. Maxim magazine calls Death Race 2000 the best B Movies of all time. If you don’t know anything about it – it’s a non-stop kill-fest with cars where drivers get points for hitting people.   How did they make this move???    Yup, standard B-movie fare . . .

By the way, it stars Sylvester Stallone and David Carradine!

Here is the original car in the Mid-America Motorworks Automotive Museum:

 

Double Trouble (1967)

While not one considered one of Elvis’ best movies, this one has him stealing a police car – which is a VW Beetle.  This movie has the distinction of having the only ‘Beetle v Beetle’ car chase that I could find.