Meet the Rollswagen, a stretch limousine version of the Volkswagen Beetle or Type 1, and a one-of-a-kind creation. Of all the cars you could turn into a stretch limo, the Volkswagen Beetle is perhaps the most ridiculous. The only way to top that is for the automaker to create such a thing itself instead of some random bored redneck.
Fuzzy Volkswagen Beetle gives us the creeps.
Sadly, VW didn’t cook up this masterpiece, but instead heard it was on display at the Los Angeles International Auto Show and went to investigate. What they found was this beautiful creation. The German automaker loved the car so much, it featured the thing in an .
The man behind this creation was one John von Neumann, a Porsche and Volkswagen distributor on the West Coast of the United States. Using his considerable influence and industry connections, he had this limousine built to exacting standards.
Later, Volkswagen of America acquired the car, as did only a handful of discerning collectors. You see, this is a special automobile, not simply a novelty, of which it is as well.
This ride is also famous. Not only has it been featured in a number of publications, including the September 1971 issue of Dune Buggies and Hot VWs, the Rollswagen transported actor John Wayne to the 1970 Academy Awards where he won his first and only Oscar for his performance in True Grit.
Before you think John Wayne rode in the Rollswagen just to make people laugh, you should know the interior was quite luxurious for its time. Instead of the cramped and rather basic backseat of the Type 1 in factory form, this vehicle greets passengers with Gala Red leatherette upholstery, mahogany wood trim, folding jump seats, minibar, five-speaker sound system with cassette player, power windows, and other amenities.
With 40 inches added to the wheelbase for plenty of backseat room, you would be forgiven for believing this was a factory job. The team behind it used genuine VW parts whenever possible, along with exacting build standards, ensuring it looked as close to OEM as possible. The result is astounding.
Images via RM Sotheby’s
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