Iconic $35k ‘Rollswagen’ combines quiet Rolls Royce luxury with ‘the people’s car’ – but was met with outrage on release

AN iconic classic car that combines the luxury and exclusivity associated with Rolls-Royce with the practicality and affordability of the Volkswagen Beetle can now be yours.

The little-known ‘Rollswagen’ was met with outrage when it was showcased at the 1969 Los Angeles International Auto Show, but today is considered a hotly sought after curiosity among enthusiasts.

Essentially, the Rollswagen – designed by a man called John von Neumann, who was a Porsche and Volkswagen distributor – is a Beetle that’s been stretched into a luxury limousine.

The conversion, completed by coachbuilder Troutman-Barnes in 1969, stretched the Beetle by 40 inches, coated it in black enamel paint, and featured an ultra-luxurious interior with English broadcloth upholstery, a minibar and other upscale amenities.

The car quickly gained significant attention and celebrity status, appearing at the 1969 Los Angeles International Auto Show.

It appeared on the front of glossy magazines and even transported John Wayne to the 1970 Academy Awards.

Volkswagen of America promoted it as “the world’s most economical limousine,” despite its $35,000 price tag at the time which far exceeded the cost of a standard Beetle.

For some further context, a new Lamborghini Miura – widely considered one of the greatest cars ever made – was sold in the same year for $20,000.

Indeed, such was its extravagance, the Rollswagen sparked outrage among the general public as it tarnished the Beetle’s humble, working-class image.

That contrast seemed to fuel both shock and curiosity, and turned the car into a polarizing yet iconic vehicle.

Now, the Rollswagen is set to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s in Monterey, with an estimated value of $150,000 to $200,000 – making it a contender for one of the most expensive Beetles ever sold.

Its blend of history, luxury and celebrity connections certainly makes the Rollswagen a truly remarkable piece of automotive history – and something a collector would long to own.

According to the listing, after von Neumann sold his distributorship, VW of America acquired the car and used it for promotional purposes until 1977.

It was later auctioned off in 1979 to Chick Iverson, a prominent Newport Beach car dealer and close friend of John Wayne, who kept it until 1996, after which it went to Lorenzo Pearson, founder of VW parts supplier West Coast Metric, where it has been meticulously maintained.

It comes with a handwritten logbook and service invoices showcase the level of care it has received over the decades.

For those looking for something a bit more affordable, George Foreman’s barely-touched yellow Mustang is officially up for sale – and it’s every bit as powerful as the man who once owned it.

The eye-catching 1995 Saleen S351 Supercharged Convertible is being auctioned off for roughly $11,500, according to Jam Press.

Finished in bold canary yellow over sleek black Recaro leather seats, the car was delivered new to Foreman as part of a promotional campaign by Saleen.

Only 42 of these high-performance convertibles were made that year, and this particular one – unit 30 – was featured in Saleen’s original press materials.

Under the hood, it packs a monstrous R-code 5.8-litre V8 engine, supercharged to produce 510 horsepower and capable of reaching a top speed of 172mph.