When Lela S. listed her 1967 VW Beetle for rent on DriveShare, we knew it would be a big hit. It’s an iconic classic, and she keeps it in tip-top condition. The Java Green paint is pleasing to the eye, and the whitewall tires rounded off with chrome hubcaps over black wheels are a perfect contrast. You could say that the car is pursuing a modeling career.
Lela was always a Ford Mustang gal and owned several in the past. Although she still loves pony cars, she’s smitten with her Beetle. “Almost everyone has a VW story,” Lela began. “I learned to drive on mom’s yellow Karmann Ghia. A few years later she bought a blue Beetle. I always loved them both.”
After her husband bought a ’71 VW California Tin Top Weekender camper, Lela officially caught the bug. “It only took me a little over a year to start researching vintage Beetles for myself,” she said. “I talked to friends and read blogs and lots of articles about classic Beetles. The ’67 was a favorite to many, and I decided it was also the one for me.”
After a few early mornings with coffee and her laptop, Lela found one on Craigslist within two hours from her home. “Its sunroof caught my eye,” she beamed. “The car ran beautifully, and I bought her on the spot.”
Lela planned to keep the car as original as possible, except for the interior. “After watching several Classic VW YouTube videos by Chris Vallone, I decided on an interior that Chris had used.” She didn’t waste any time. Over the following winter, the car was painted using the original color, and it received a new headliner and interior. Today, the little Beetle is a trophy winner and even took a cruise on a ferry boat to Governor’s Island for a local TV news station. “Because of DriveShare, I even had my first photo shoot a few weeks ago. It was so much fun, and she might end up on the cover of the catalog!”
Lela offers several photo props for photographers to use during each rental, including 1960s road maps, 60s cat-eye sunglasses, a 60s Kodak Camera with flash cubes, a wooden vintage picnic basket and a crotchet blanket. She will even supply an era-correct roof rack and a two-piece vintage Starline luggage set upon request.
Aside from helping her VW pursue modeling, Lela is looking forward to exploring more fun times with the car. “I absolutely love her,” she gushed. “She’s a head-turner and a blast to drive. She brings a lot of smiles to a lot of people, especially me.”
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