Herbie takes a trip through Hagerstown

May 27, 2005|by MALINDA SHAVER

At first you have to wonder what it's all about. Inside the rear compartment of this gleaming, perfectly polished shell is - a gleaming, polished engine. Doesn't look like it's been run a mile in its life.

Lovingly refurbished at who-knows-what cost not only of money but of time, persistence, energy, research, personal relationships and perhaps other talents gone undeveloped. But it's perfect. This engine compartment is spic-and-span. This is one of several restored, mostly vintage vehicles that stopped at Sharrett Volkswagen on the Dual Highway, Hagerstown, this week on a curiously concocted promotional tour.

Of course, you knew immediately that the subject was a Volkswagen, didn't you? With the possible exception of the Corvair (and Porsche 911), the Volkswagen is one of the few rear-engine cars that comes to mind. (And we gave it away with the photos.)

Do you remember Herbie? Herbie was a VW "bug" or Beetle. He had some cousins: the Microbus, the Karmann Ghia, and a pickup truck that somehow has a very European persona.

The Tour: Although car buffs will tour with their treasures at the slightest excuse (the sun is shining/not shining), this group left California on the pretext of celebrating A) the 50th anniversary of Volkswagen of America, B) the 50th anniversary of Disneyland and C) the 50th anniversary of the Karmann Ghia. Oh, and it's promoting the Disney movie "Herbie Fully Loaded" that opens in June. Now the VW Beetle that plays Herbie has really had his innards refurbished. Judging by the movie trailer (www.herbiereloaded.com.), kids will be wanting Beetles again when they get old enough to drive.

And wasn't the VW the car of the younger generation? If nothing else, one outgrows the ability to get in and out of a bug - although the goings-on in the back seat were legendary on most college campuses. They were inexpensive, very fuel efficient, and cute. No wonder the updated version was appealing. And just enough defiant of tradition.

Aside from the satisfaction of creating what amounts to a work of art, maybe part of the appeal of dedicating so much time, money and effort to restoring one of the dwindling number of vintage VWs is bringing back the feelings of youthful independence, being part of that generation before we started naming generations, rekindling the fun of having a "not your father's" car that turned you loose before the world got too serious and you had to go out and get a real job.

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