How Herbie the Love Bug became one of California's most iconic cars in film history
Published on Oct 19, 2025 at 9:24 PM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Oct 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Once upon a time, the world fell in love with a Volkswagen Beetle that could think for itself.
It wasn’t fast by supercar standards, but it didn’t need to be – Herbie had heart.
From his pearl-white paint to that unmistakable number 53, this bug raced his way into Hollywood history.
And six decades later, he’s still one of California’s most recognizable movie stars.
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The real story behind Hollywood’s most lovable car
At the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, Herbie sits gleaming under the lights.
A fully race-ready 1966 Volkswagen Beetle built for Herbie: Fully Loaded, where he starred alongside Lindsay Lohan and Michael Keaton.
This isn’t some fiberglass replica for display, though.
It’s the real deal, fitted with a 200hp engine, racing slicks, a full roll cage, and a top speed of 138 miles per hour.
The same bug that went fender-to-fender with NASCAR stock cars in the 2005 Disney film.
But Herbie’s story began long before that reboot.
Back in the 1960s, Disney was searching for the perfect car to lead a new family comedy called The Love Bug.
Dozens of models were tested, including Toyotas, Volvos, and even a TVR, but only one made the crew instinctively smile.
“They kept coming back to a pearl white 1963 Beetle because it was the only car they instinctively wanted to reach out and pet,” Petersen curator Autumn Nyiri explained.
Producer Bill Walsh gave it the finishing touches with red, white, and blue racing stripes, the number 53 in honor of Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale, and a personality that made audiences fall in love.
Volkswagen initially refused to let its logo appear on screen, but once the film became one of 1968’s biggest hits, that changed fast.
From there, Herbie’s fame only grew.
He returned for Herbie Rides Again, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, and Herbie Goes Bananas.
And with each move came upgrades and new stunts.
Nearly 100 Beetles were built across the franchise – some for crashes, some for racing, and some just for close-ups.
What started as a quirky idea became a Hollywood icon.
A car with a heart, a temper, and a fan base that’s still growing half a century later.
Herbie, the fan-favorite movie car
You only need to glance at the comment section on Petersen’s socials to see how much love is still out there for this little film car.
Fans call Herbie ‘their favorite race car,’ ‘so cute,’ and ‘a legend.’
Some shared that the movies were tied to childhood memories, while others said it was good to see Ocho again.
That being the nickname fans gave the version of Herbie from Fully Loaded, because five plus three equals eight.
It’s pure nostalgia – a mix of warmth, humor, and gratitude for a character that made cars feel alive.
That’s the thing about Herbie.
He’s not a superhero, he’s a Beetle with heart.
And that’s what makes him timeless.
Herbie might be parked now, but his story still moves people.
And in Hollywood, that’s the kind of performance that’s never forgotten.
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Molly Davidson is a Junior Content Writer at Supercar Blondie. Based in Melbourne, she holds a double Bachelor’s degree in Arts/Law from Swinburne University and a Master’s of Writing and Publishing from RMIT. Molly has contributed to a range of magazines and journals, developing a strong interest in lifestyle and car news content. When she’s not writing, she’s spending quality time with her rescue English staffy, Boof.
