1969 Volkswagen Beetle Limousine
The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most recognizable vehicles of all time. Few, if any, were built like this. During a time when you could buy one new for $2,063, amateur racer John von Neumann decided to spend $35,000 turning one into a limo. Thus, the "Rollswagen" was born. With bodywork by experienced builders Troutman-Barnes, it has a wheelbase 40 inches longer than stock, making it 16 feet, 6 inches overall. Genuine VW components were used whenever possible — von Neumann had founded the West Coast's first VW outpost — and inside, it has button-tufted gray English broadcloth at the rear and black vinyl up front, a minibar, and fold-out jump seats. While slight modifications have been made to the original electronics, the car remains in highly original condition, has been well cared for, has been featured in multiple VW ad campaigns, and shuttled actor John Wayne to the 1970 Academy Awards, where he won his first and only Oscar. It comes up for auction as part of RM Sotheby's Monterey auction in August.