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Continue reading VW ID. Buzz Syncro — how Volkswagen's past could preview its future
VW ID. Buzz Syncro — how Volkswagen's past could preview its future originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 9 Jan 2023 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Continue reading Junkyard Gem: 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line
Junkyard Gem: 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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GM's Mary Barra predicts consumers will embrace EVs, is optimistic for return to office, union talks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 8 Dec 2022 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Continue reading Classic Fiat 500 Abarth, a one-of-a-kind creation, goes on show in Milan
Classic Fiat 500 Abarth, a one-of-a-kind creation, goes on show in Milan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Nov 2022 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsIn case you'd forgotten — and it would be difficult to, since Volkswagen has seemed determined to remind us every few months — 2019 was the final year of production for the VW Beetle. As a final send-off, VW put together an animated short film commemorating the nameplate's contributions to pop culture over the past eight (!) decades.
This 90-second tribute, dubbed "The Last Mile," can be forgiven for lacking depth, but it will probably still manage to tug on your enthusiast heartstrings. It features cameos from Ren McCormack, Kevin Bacon, Andy Warhol, and Andy Cohen, and is set to a cover of The Beatles' “Let it Be” performed by the Pro Musica Youth Chorus of Oak Park, Illinois.
"The Beetle is easily one of the most recognizable cars in the history of automobiles," said VW marketing VP Saad Chehab. "Honoring it properly required a medium with just as much versatility and universal appeal as the car itself."
While the film focuses on the original Bug's place in history (and our hearts), fans of the reincarnated generations of VW's iconic coupe can take heart; they're not being left out of the celebration.
"While we chose the classic Beetle as the star of the animation, additional campaign components in Times Square honor the latter two generations of cars and their place and presence in American culture," Chebab said. "We are proud of our past but our eye is on the future – hence our choice of New Year’s Eve to hint at our upcoming long-range EV and the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport.”
"The Last Mile" will be featured alongside other VW memorabilia and hints about the brand's future in Times Square Tuesday night as part of the company's sponsorship of "Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" on ABC.
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The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) made news in Summer 2019 when word got out the force was still occasionally using a 1993 Ford Mustang SSP, but that's not even the coolest car in its police family. The NSP also has a fudging cool 1950 Ford Mainline police cruiser. In the spirit of the holidays, some of the officers put the classic on camera and reeancted the flat tire scene from A Christmas Story. It's no 1937 Oldsmobile Six, but it does the job.
When we previously spoke to NSP about the Mustang, we also inquired about the Mainline that was seen in occasional social media posts. While the SSP was still in service, the Mainline was not, and we were told it was not running at that time. Whether or not somebody was able to get it going for this video is unclear, as the opening scene presents a fake driving scenario, but the next scene shows the car rolling to the sound of a fluttering engine. We couldn't get a hold of the NSP this time, but our guess is the movement was the result of a big push, and the sounds were part of the movie magic.
Running car or not, the two-minute clip is pretty cute, if not hilarious. Just like in the movie, four people are "riding" in the car when the tire blows. The father, played by the lieutenant colonel, gets into the pit stop mindset for the tire change. Son Ralphie, played by a trooper in the backseat, comes out to help, but the whole thing blows up when the lugnuts go flying. That's when Ralphie blurts out the infamous curse word. You (should) know how the rest goes.
Below the NSP video is the original clip for comparison. And for another look at the immaculate Mainline, check out State Trooper Plates, which which has a fantastic photo of the cruiser in its former glory.
Presenting: An NSP Christmas Story
— Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) December 18, 2019
If your Christmas Story includes an "Oh Fudge" moment, call *55 to reach the NSP Highway Helpline. Troopers are ready to help.
Safe travels and Happy Holidays from the Nebraska State Patrol! pic.twitter.com/fGQWsBvqMB
