The new 1973 Beetle cruiser, with a top speed of 70mph!

In Blount County, Tennessee, a “new” police vehicle can be seen, one that looks different than all the others. A newly outfitted 1973 Volkswagen Beetle was added to the fleet of police interceptors after being seized in a DUI case, and it barely passes as a police car.

If you worry that this is another sign of wasteful government spending, it was actually paid for by one of the cops themselves. Assistant Chief Deputy Archie Garner spent about $2,000 of his own money in order to upgrade the vehicle.

The vehicle’s upgrades include a new paint job, sheriff’s decals, tags, a siren, radio, barred rear side windows, police lights, and a side-mounted spotlight. It has the number 53, the same as “Herbie” the race car in the movie The Love Bug. He must be a big fan of that race car, because kids these days won’t recognize that…

Fortunately, the Beetle won’t be used in many high speed pursuits, since its top speed is barely 70 miles-per-hour. It will be used as a public relations tool (obviously) and will make appearances in parades and school events. Charming!

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