Day Ten: Beetle Redux

There was a time in the United States when the Volkswagon Beetle seemed to be absolutely everywhere.  Driving down the street every third or fourth car was a Beetle, those little hump-backed alternatives to the gasoline guzzlers.  Indeed, no car had dominated its market niche the way the VW did for decades. But after OPEC and Middle Eastern politics forever ended America's banana boat innocence,  Toyota and the Japanese finally made it a fair game.  Still, for years, the Beetle seemed to have the entire small car market to itself.

After discontinuing the line in 1980 in the U.S., Volkswagon brought back the modern Beetle in 1998, a yuppier version of the old "get you here to there" model.  The modern replica has its own charm, but it has never dominated like its cheaper and less luxiourous cousin.  In the U.S., it is rare that you see the old Beetles nowadays.  Having almost disappeared, it has almost become an antique sighting when one is spotted.

But a trip to Mexico brings back the old days of the Beetle.  While they are not exactly every third car here, the old Beetles remain prominent.  This is in part because old cars hang around longer in Mexico.  This is a great place for viewing old Gremlins, Pacers and Pintos.  But more to the point, it is because production of the Beetle continued in Mexico long after the Beetles in the States were no more.  Mexican production of the older Beetles continued on until July 2003, when the last one was produced in Puebla, Mexico. 

A trip down any Guadalajara street should bring a Beetle sighting within a few minutes and bring back memories for any American car lover.