The Original Herbie! | Porsche-Engined Beetle | VW Special Part 2 | Classic Obsession | Episode 33

In part 2 of this Volkswagen Special, Gary finds out how his restored VW camper van has fared since he sold it and takes it for a final drive. He continues to explore VW specialist Luke Theochari's collection, discovering the only original Porsched-engined 'Herbie' Beetle from the film 'The Love Bug'.
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[@robblack7949]

I love Luke's incredibly dry sense of humor. Brilliant man and brilliant VW's.

[@jonathancarson1974]

What a quietly spoken informed guy..

[@c7uk]

Luke is a legend!

[@hamishcruden7623]

Its great to see the UK is still full of these small specialist garages that concentrate on one make of car and do it very very well... thanks for sharing!

[@richardgreene3460]

Such a humble guy who knows more than anyone in the world about VW! Refreshing to the max!

[@tonyromano2391]

Gary you are a true gentleman. Your love for people and beautiful classic cars really shows through your videos. Thank you.

[@malfunction8165]

Another soul cleansing episode. I had that "Who are you?" moment. At a garden party many years ago, a Camel cigarette liveried helicopter lands in the garden, a fellow gets out, walks over to the boss of the company I was working for, they shake hands and start chatting away, later in the buffet que I asked said fellow what he did since he'd turned up in a helicopter, "I'm a racing driver" Oh that's interesting, who do you drive for? Tyrrell, he said. It was Jonathan Palmer.

[@classic.obsession]

Wow. Great story. Regards.

[@nigel.w]

Can't say I'm really a VW kind of guy, but I enjoyed this very much, and can appreciate the vehicles and feel the passion.

[@manuelhung7571]

'How do you get a gearbox on a plane?' 😂 - possibly the funniest, most incisive question I have heard in years but also asked with purpose I suspect. Nobody wants to FedEx a gearbox 😂. I watch a guy named Richard P Grannon here on KZbin, he covers psychological counselling and he was in a holiday resort room in the Dominican. This was a livestream as he explored 'How to assert your boundaries'. Around 20 minutes in, a whole cocophony of smashing plates, flying pans and cutlery and copious yelling erupted from a downstairs apartment as Richard sat slightly askew to his open french window, he slowly panned his gaze out of the window, his eyes flickering in obvious anger and discomfort whilst trying to maintain an air of confidence and charm as he ploughed on with the topic, it is very very funny. Richard is a Birkenhead lad. You cannot beat Northern humour especially in this neck of the woods, something in the waters of the Mersey I believe.

[@classic.obsession]

I know it’s s sad most beyond belief but you forget before the business of September 11th 2011 things were much more lax especially on European flights. I promise you it’s absolutely true. He just threw it in a bag with a coupla tools and jumped on the flight. Rediculous! Regards.

[@manuelhung7571]

@@classic.obsession Absolutely Gary, we could see he was being very honest about the gearbox in the carry on luggage. You are so right that 9/11 completely changed every single aspect of travel. Air, sea and land all affected and we are all still paying the price now. I also follow a guy who is a lighting spark on the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and he lives year round on the Isle of Man, great guy and year on year, he has to mail his tools across to Edinburgh to work for around 6 weeks on the show even though it would all easily fit into his hand luggage. I just thought to myself how you must miss such opportunities with the amount of work you do in Hollywood and around the States and the parts you likely discover over there that could easily be carried in hand luggage without the crazy expense of the US Postal System which punishes anyone hoping to bring rare parts in from the US or indeed for you to take parts over there. Your channel has fantastic production values and I have been an avid viewer for around 6 months now, absolutely well done on your channel. Such a joy to watch. I am currently in the market for a classic and will be doing the rounds of the classic shows this year (NEC, Tatton Park, Rhyl.... not too sure about the Rhyl one) with a few like minded pals though I intend to start with something from Ford as my learning curve. Hope to see you and say Hello. My last classic was a Lancia Flavia, my very 1st fuel injected car back in the early 80's, closest I could get to a DB5 type setup, Navy Blue paint, full cream leather interior, fully carpeted boot, 3 spoke alloy and ash steering wheel, My 1st classic was a Banana Yellow Spitfire that someone had ruined by fitting a fibreglass Frog-Eyed Sprite bonnet to, it did have the bolt on hard top which was nice. Brought my 1st child home from the maternity ward in the Lancia, fond, fond memories. Your love for classic cars is infectious and the work you do on them is exceptional. The hood for the drop-head Roller that you made, wow, hat firmly off to you, that was some super detailed work with accuracy paramount and the final fit..... sublime. As you say, we are merely custodians of these cars. Every one a work of art in its own right and each vastly improved by your skills. Regards.

[@stephenhenion8304]

My Uncle had a 72 Westphalia in red. We had a couple of adventures to the White Mountains of New Hampshire in 1973 and 74. We were teenagers at the time...aahhh...such memories... and how about the sound of that Drag car!!! This was really a great experience , and inside look for any VDUB guru!

[@nopenopeandnope7050]

hey mate. thanks for making these videos. they are really great. I always smile when a new one pops up in the feed, as I know I'm in for a wee treat.

[@brandywell44]

Not orange Gary, I believe it's called Clementine. My Dad had a series of new Beetles in the 60s and then a 1600 fastback in 1971, ours was white with carburetors but I remember the orange colour and it being called Clementine. From VW Campervan to Rolls Royce Convertible, you've come a long way Gary with lots of experiences.

[@classic.obsession]

I stand corrected!! So your dads was a variant? Regards.

[@brandywell44]

@@classic.obsession ​ Gary, My Dads was not a Variant, but was known as a fastback. Type 3 as the Fastbacks, Notchbacks and Variants are sometimes known. For extra money my Dad could have had a Kugelfischer Fuel Injected motor which in 1971 were distinguished by a stainless strip along the side of the bodywork, whereas my Dads was unadorned by this trim. The new 1971 cars were not nearly as well made as earlier 1960s Beetles. My Dad used to polish under the wings on his early sixties cars they were so well finished. Glad to have found your channel and to say thankyou for sharing your varied work here on YT. All the best, Adrian, Midlands UK

[@davidwalker5463]

I do enjoy seeing how others appreciate the simple things in life. Thank you Gary. Great channel.

[@djambrosia]

Luke and Pete will always be legends to me for the epic Moody.

[@mpershyn31]

Gary, your videos make me smile. Thank you so much for them!

[@neilwharton720]

What a lovely humble guy💪💪💪

[@TheBullDurham]

Super Beetle has a longer front end and bigger trunk. My grandfather owned a brand new '71 that he kept mint until he passed away in the 80's.

[@kenlord9018]

Thanks Gary as usual another good video, VW's such fun cars and yeah they are pretty bloody uncomfortable to sleep in. Lol.🙂 thanks again, till the next one. ☺

[@Hymerati]

Superb video Gary, loving this channel and your work not to mention the sublime attention to detail you are obsessed with. Amazing really.

[@MartinvonBargen]

Luke's got to be a top mechanic if he's got a box labeled MISC SHIT behind him. And I bet he knows exactly what's in there too.

[@johnmonks6079]

Thanks Gary , a monster 2 part'er, such a nice and interesting fella down there in london, never did get a beetle even though i loved them and a few of my mates back in the day had them as teenagers, i wanted to be a teenage triumph stag driver instead in the 80s and achieved it and restored it, great days, Keep the vids coming Gary, loving them , (im the guy who stopped to talk to you in G lane whilst you where out with your pooches recently)😂.

[@classic.obsession]

Nice one John. My first car was a Beetle as I said in the video but like you, I was also intrigued with the Triumph Stag…brought on, I suppose, by Nicholas balls ‘Hazel’ of the 1970’s in which he drove a dark blue one! Problematic though they were, I loved the sound of that V8. Regards.

[@martinboulden4388]

Awesome. This is all fantastic entertainment ~But it’s that 928 we really want to see ! ❤

[@brendanwardle5956]

What a fantastic episode, loved hearing the stories

[@ml.2770]

The Herbie music has been jingling around my head since I was a boy.

[@Ste2023]

My dad had a VW beetle 1975 I believe . iconic , beautiful design . Famous engine sound .

[@greg6895]

Hello from a classic car nut in Canada, l just found and subscribed today and l'm looking forward to watching your channel. Cheers!

[@leepilkington6498]

Cheers Gary, really interesting one

[@nataliejones3861]

OMG 😍 it's beautiful 😘🥰😍👏🏻

[@jimmypratt6450]

Lovely van and great guys who are masters off there art and he's right about the steering wheel , maybe a leather stichting wrap would compliment it just a thought .

[@raychambers3646]

Prefer a wood rim wheel .

[@georgimihalkov4781]

Really enjoyable as always! The comedian Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias has a huge collection of VW Buses, certainly the biggest that I've ever seen anywhere.

[@pauljanssen7594]

Great episode for you guys that love those oil bath air use dexron transmission fluid it filters out more dirt in the air you can slightly overfill it and it helps lubricate the valves.

[@mike37mini]

Luke is an awesome guy always has time to make me feel welcome when my cousin Kim takes me to visit. When I’m in the Uk.

[@mkalamo]

14:01 not sure how you held back the tears, what a sweet van!

[@markcollins457]

Loved the Bug. My first car to drive in high school was a 67 Beetle I had purchased from a teacher from school. I learned how to repair the breaks and shift linkage then recovered the seats and door cards and drove the car for about a year and sold it for a profit of $300.00 dollars I was in the big money then!

[@deborahchesser7375]

Loved all the Herbie movies, I think anybody that likes cars did. I always wished I had one to drive to school, how cool would that have been lol 🐾✌️🇺🇸

[@craigmonteforte1478]

i saw the original movie in the back seat of my Fathers 63 Beetle he bought brand new ! and my Dad litterally just laughed and laughed throughout the movie hysterically BTW my Dad did buy a 58,63 ,67 Beetles all brand new i fondly remember on longer drives sleeping on the rear package trays with a Pillow and a blanket !

[@paullondon5332]

Luke maintains my T2

[@mrjohncharlesbrown]

There's no justice in this world when bankers couldn't do this but get rewarded insanely

[@frankleah5137]

Another great informative, interesting video! Thank you!

[@JoeBManco]

I would have loved to have seen Herbie's engine.

[@classic.obsession]

The engine lid was locked unfortunately when I tried to open it and was a bit of a faff to get Luke to go in and get key to it. So apologies. Regards.

[@gotham1-ken588]

Lovely guy, great video 👍

[@mattlee007]

was so looking forward to seeing Herbies porsche engine. Luke is a Gem

[@classic.obsession]

Hi Matt. Sorry I never showed it. The engine lid was locked but I believe it’s similar to the one in the background when Luke and I are conversing and he’s relaying stories inside the garage. Regards.

[@davebaker9128]

No kidding, the unique feature of this herbie, and neglected to show it, yet another disappointment

[@mattlee007]

@@classic.obsession cheers I did enjoy the stories

[@keithsmith9712]

Love these 2 episodes on classic VW’s, thanks so much Gary. Especially loved seeing the orange bay window. My dad bought one new in 1972, a Dormobile conversion in red. He drove our family of 7 all over France each summer during the 70s. I’ve tried to track down the van but still no luck. It was for sale in 2015 but I didn’t know until a few years later. The registration is OLA817L so if anyone knows it’s whereabouts please let me know.

[@stephenport4768]

Saw Herbie at the Volksworld Show 2024

[@classic.obsession]

Iconic car. Part of our childhood!!

[@marissa9347]

Herbie the Love Bug is a HUGE reason I’ve loved all things on four wheels since I can remember. I STILL want my own!!!

[@scott555]

Have fooled with air-cooleds for decades and worked in a couple of VW shops. I know *exactly* what that shop smells like, and anyone else with similar experience knows what I'm talking about.

[@MrBurtonbradstock]

Hello Gary & thank you for making these excellent quality videos, how many times have people said you resemble Steve McQueen. Is it intentional? Whatever someone needs to make a film about him & you are the star ⭐️

[@raychambers3646]

Had one of these with the original seats , gave me a terrible backache ! Change them out miles better!

[@davidcooks5265]

It would be great going to a festival or two in this bus😀🎉

[@Dg-zj6jo]

lovely camper what a nice guy luke and son is

[@OldLien1]

without doubt the white steering wheel gives it a lot more class

[@skdinterceptor2828]

Such great cars the bugs...........when VW were VWs..............

[@redman9pablo]

It's probably been said before as I've only just come across this channel. But Gary is like a Scouse Steve McQueen 😂

[@bluetonic9538]

Luke is such a good guy. I miss the days of watching moody and still moody at the pod

[@acptelford1307]

Just wow!

[@brentfellers9632]

Herpe, the love bug!

[@user-ll6ke8fv2k]

When are we going to see some 928 gt restoration Gary?

[@classic.obsession]

Hi, in August. Regards.

[@SuperWayneyb]

🤘😎🤘

[@essenceoftheanimal]

"even though its done low miles, it still deteriorates. so drive it! enjoy it! a famous formula 1 driver once said 'not driving your collectable car is like not having sex with your supermodel girlfriend so she is more attractive to the next buyer...

[@ianmangham4570]

Lock stock and two smoking barrels

[@ruthyaircooled]

😊

[@johncross5634]

Gary whats happening with the 928GT restoration? Been hanging out for the next ep.??

[@classic.obsession]

Hi john. In the middle of stripping the car down and prepping to repaint. Regards.

[@jonasirw1]

When all these new plasticity electric cars (useless politicians are forcing on us) become old, they won’t be revered anymore than your desktop PC from 1998 is in 2023. These VWs are common but still they are works of art in their simplicity, function and elegance. The artificially driven rise of the electric car will only make these older real cars rise in value that much more.

[@tednruth453]

Great as usual (but can you get a better sound guy/boom operator/wind sock? Ta!)

[@classic.obsession]

Sorry Ted. They’re a new set of Top quality Rhode mic’s but outside I forgot to put the wind mufflers on. Regards

[@tednruth453]

No worries Gaz, love you 👍

[@davebaker9128]

I noticed the driver's door is a bit droopy, the hinges are easy to refurbish and eliminate a bunch of problems

[@martinharris5017]

I wouldn't exactly call it "Easy" as I've done several, and they are a pig to press out. Then the hinge has to be drilled for an o/s pin. They are however readily available and cheap and if you have a nice local VW shop they might lend you a hinge removal tool which makes life a bit easier.

[@davebaker9128]

@@martinharris5017 all things being relative, easy isn't an inappropriate term in the big picture of restoration, but yes I agree that a pain in the butt is also an appropriate term for a majority of the work required in vehicle restoration,

[@martinharris5017]

@@davebaker9128 And yet its so much fun too! I guess we restorers of old cars must have a masochistic streak, lol! Thanks Dave, have a great day.

[@davebaker9128]

@@martinharris5017 well, I have 2 very old Panhead Harleys, one since I was 19, and the oldest all original Citroen 2cv in the USA, so I am kinda weird about old vehicles,

[@martinharris5017]

@@davebaker9128 I love Harleys. Never owned one but I have a lot of friends who do. I've owned a Ford Anglia, an Austin Mini, a Ford Cortina V6, and several beetles, as well as building a C-Cab hot rod and a Honda C50 baby chopper. Not many original 2cvs's left now, I'll bet it turns heads!

[@helgedell]

Nice program. Would have appreciated more focus on the cars than the presenter, though. Showing the engine and details on Herbie etc.

[@marionfisk7926]

When you ask him what kind of Porsche engine it has in the car he said a super 75 Porsche engine. I’ve never heard of a Porsche engine called a super 75, Is that a UK term for the engine?

[@classic.obsession]

Hi. I think it was a flat four air cooled engine that Porsche fitted to the likes of the 356B models. Regards.

[@ChaseCars132]

The Porsche 356 could be had with a 1600cc 60bhp engine, a 1600 Super (75bhp) or a 1600 Super 90 (90bhp). For filming in 1969 it was fitted with a Super 90 but sometime in the past it was replaced with the 75bhp version. Good to see Luke looking well, he serviced my Beetle when I worked in London and did a great job. He really understands and cares about these cars.

[@garthlundquist3623]

@@ChaseCars132 Good information, but there is more to the story. The early 356’s were offered in 1300 and 1500 variants. Additionally, the Carrera four cam racing engine designed by Ernest Fuhrman was available as a production option. This was the first truly high spec Porsche 356 engine available and featured a very complex gear driven overhead cam setup and roller bearings in the bottom end. The Carrera engine in a few displacements was optional through 1964.

[@davebaker9128]

Why didn't he open the engine cover (bonnet) on the love bug?

[@wizzard5442]

Scroll down to mattlee007 comment

[@davebaker9128]

@@wizzard5442 scrolled down, no mattlee007 to be found, what's the comment?

[@timheller8475]

Well, it's herpie the love bug

[@simonnilsson5827]

what is hagrid doing???????

[@PWB87]

How are you gonna have that be the title of the video, and not open the deck lid to see it?!

[@DjNikGnashers]

Could have shown the porsche engine in the original Herbie .....

[@martinharris5017]

It just looks like a VW motor but with dual carbs. He said it has a CB performance exhaust so you can bet there's not much "original" left, it's been restored and updated.

[@JPRamon68]

Don’t, don’t, do that, no, do that, we need more caring in this world..