The $35,000 ‘Rollswagen’ was so unique it took America by storm once upon a time

The Rollswagen was a jaw-dropping creation that fused a Volkswagen Beetle with the luxury of a Rolls-Royce, resulting in one of the most bizarre cars ever made.

Debuting at the 1969 Los Angeles International Auto Show, it stunned audiences with its limousine-like proportions and unexpected extravagance.

At once both classy and comical, it transformed the Beetle’s humble image into something fit for the red carpet.

And while it sparked outrage at the time, today the Rollswagen is a prized collector’s item.

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A working-class icon dressed in a tuxedo

Commissioned by John von Neumann, a prominent Porsche and Volkswagen distributor, the Rollswagen was a one-off creation designed to turn heads.

Built by renowned California coachbuilder Troutman-Barnes, the Beetle was stretched by a whopping 40 inches and transformed into a rolling contradiction: a working-class icon dressed in a tuxedo.

Inside, it featured limousine-level details, like a minibar, upscale upholstery, and room to lounge, all while retaining the unmistakable Beetle DNA.

Its appearance sparked both fascination and anger, given that it challenged everything the Beetle stood for.

Despite the backlash, the car gained celebrity status.

It landed on magazine covers and was touted by Volkswagen of America as ‘the world’s most economical limousine’.

The Rollswagen even chauffeured Hollywood icon John Wayne to the 1970 Academy Awards.

But that luxury came at a price: $35,000. In 1969, that was nearly double the cost of a brand-new Lamborghini Miura – the blueprint for modern supercars.

It was extravagant, ridiculous, and unforgettable, but perhaps that’s what made the Rollswagen a legend.

The Rollswagen is up for grabs

Now, over 50 years later, this piece of automotive history is back in the spotlight.

The Rollswagen has been put up for auction, and is estimated to go for $150,000 to $200,000.

According to the listing, the car has been lovingly maintained and comes with a handwritten logbook and decades of service records.

After a long life that included a stint as a Volkswagen promotional vehicle and ownership by a close friend of John Wayne, it’s ready for its next chapter.

In a world of cookie-cutter cars, the Rollswagen remains a wild, wonderful oddity.

It even inspired a generation of copycats, seeking to blend the Beetle aesthetic with other vehicles.

Just look at this 1968 Volkswagen Beetle that was transformed into a tank, or this Porsche Boxster that borrowed the body of a Volkswagen Beetle.

It seems like no matter where you go, you’ll find someone who appreciates the classic design of the Volkswagen Beetle.

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