Literally a "brother" to Shaking Herbie, Spinning Herbie starred in the same film, "Herbie Goes Bananas". This Beetle, film car #20, was also rescued from certain destruction at a Colorado wrecking yard, where it was rusting away in the open. Mike Yager, Chief Cheerleader (and owner) of Mid America Motorworks, immediately recognized the significance of this famous movie star-mobile and brought it back to Effingham for restoration.
Once again, Restoration Specialist, Dennis Gunning, was given the green light to bring Spinning Herbie back to full function and camera-ready condition.
Three months of intense research, parts gathering, fabrication, and assembly soon ensued.
This Herbie’s role in the movie revolved around its ability to spin around and turn within its own length. This was accomplished by the addition of a 5th wheel between and slightly behind the front wheels. In addition, there was a secondary steering, gearshift and pedal assembly setup in the rear seat area. This allowed a hidden driver to make the car perform, seemingly at the verbal command of Paco, the small boy standing in the front seat during the movie scenes.
When Spinning Herbie arrived at Mid America Motorworks, both the 5th wheel and the auxiliary driving controls were missing. Gunning studied the remaining brackets and parts, as well as the film and pictures of the car and then set to work.
Over a three month period, Gunning designed, sourced and fabricated the parts necessary to return Herbie to "life" and full function. This included a new 5th wheel assembly, new rear seat controls, and various re-wiring. The exterior was carefully restored with the hand-painted "TAXI" signs and smiling flowers. The splashes of fake mud were re-applied, after studying the film.
The 5th wheel assembly was fabricated from drill rods, bearing carriers, and aircraft steel cables to link it to the stock steering controls.
The secondary steering control was built from ¾" drill rods, custom steering wheel, bearing assemblies & a chain gear drive to mate it to the stock controls.
For the sake of drivability and reliability, a new engine was pulled from Mid America Motorworks stock and installed.
Performance Choice designed, fabricated and installed an original, movie-style interior in Herbie. Once again, this included the microphone ready seatbacks as well as the gray primer tones to reduce camera glare.
Now road-ready, Spinning Herbie may be driven from the front or rear seat. When the 5th wheel is activated, it can once again spin in its own length as it did in the bullfight scenes in its movie role.
Spinning Herbie now hits the VW show tour each summer to delight fans of all ages. When not on the road, fans may visit him in the MY Garage Museum & Retail Store at Mid America Motorworks.
