This Insect Was Expanded, Filled With Alcohol, And Sent To The Oscars | Carscoops

      A unique limousine with a Hollywood history, minibar, and custom features is set to go up for auction next month.

      This one-of-a-kind Volkswagen Beetle limousine will be auctioned in California next month.

      The vehicle’s wheelbase has been extended by 40 inches to fit a fully customized interior layout.

      It is estimated to be worth between $150,000 and $200,000, which is nearly 100 times its original price.

      Monterey Car Week showcases numerous spectacular auctions, featuring a plethora of rare and exquisitely restored cars, including some that may be unfamiliar to many. Among the sought-after exotics, this 1969 Volkswagen Beetle limousine might just be the most unusual.

      Commissioned by Porsche and Volkswagen's West Coast distributor, John von Neumann, the conversion was said to cost $34,499.95. While that may not seem like a lot today, the Beetle itself was priced at only $2,063.

      So what did that significant expense achieve? A heavily modified Beetle constructed by Troutman-Barnes, a company known for making Chaparral and Scarab racecars. They also built a four-door Porsche 911, making a Volkswagen limousine a fitting project for them.

      The final product is unmistakably a Beetle, as the team utilized genuine Volkswagen parts whenever possible. This means the limousine stays true to the original design, despite the wheelbase being stretched by 40 inches (1,016 mm).

      Thanks to the added length, Troutman-Barnes was able to incorporate custom rear doors and a specially designed passenger area. This space includes a gray bench along with two jump seats divided by a minibar featuring a deployable table.

      Additionally, there's mahogany trim and a partition with a powered divider, along with an intercom, soundproofing, and power windows. The model also had a five-speaker Phillips audio system with a cassette player, although more contemporary upgrades, including a Kenwood head unit and CD changer, have been made in recent years.

      The driver’s section is somewhat basic, featuring black vinyl seats and a minimalistic instrument panel. There is also a four-speed manual transmission, a feature not commonly found in modern limousines.

      While RM Sotheby’s listing provides minimal specifics, it does mention that the original 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine was replaced with a 1.6-liter version equipped with 48-millimeter Weber downdraft carburetors during the conversion. This extra power was added to compensate for a 400 lb (181 kg) increase in weight.

      The “Rollswagen,” as it later became known, gained some notoriety, making appearances at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It was featured in an advertising campaign and reportedly transported John Wayne to the 1970 Academy Awards.

      It is scheduled for auction next month without a reserve price. While assigning a value to such a unique vehicle is challenging, RM Sotheby’s provides an estimated auction range of $150,000 to $200,000.