DU KICXA/C Time magazine
hV FltVVj Indiana city of
recently named the northern
Elkhart as the nation’s
Recreational Vehicle Capital. Featured with the piece was a
two-page photo spread of downtown Elkhart filled with
Coachman RVs and a gathering of local citizens. In a gesture
to preserve the historic moment, Coachman Industries donat­
ed the “moment in time” photo to the Elkhart RV Museum for
display. In addition to the library, the museum houses a vari­
ety of manufactured housing, including travel trailers dating
back to 1941 and the first Coachman from 1964.
AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUMS ON THE WAY
Ford earmarked $3 million to be equally split for two upcoming auto exhibits. The
laguar museum, scheduled to open in 2000, will display 30 cars and house Jaguar s
and British Levland archives. An exhibition center will be built near the luxury car s
L’.S. headquarters in Mawah, NJ. Opening a year later is the Mustang museum, a $30
million highly-anticipated interactive complex that will feature a restaurant, gift shop
and vintage Mustangs. In addition, a preservationist group is seeking to turn the orig­
inal Henry Ford Model T plant into an interactive museum.
voices
PUSH OPENS
AUTOMOTIVE OFFICE
Rev. Jesse Jackson was on hand recently as
the
Rainbow/Pl SH
Coalition
National
Automotive Project opened its doors in Detroit.
The automotive project handles world wide
issues and opportunities in the automotive
industry pertaining to African- American dealers,
suppliers and consumers. Pictured with Jackson
are deputy director Glenda Gill and director
Bobby G. Jenkins.
THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE WAS ONE OF THE BEST-SELLING VEHICLES OF
THE 60s AND 70s. WHY DO YOU THINK THE BEETLE IS SO POPULAR THE
SECOND TIME AROUND?
By Monda Webb
I like the VW Beetle because my father
had one in the 60s. It was a yellow bug
with a grille in the front, and a fork in the
back. I grew up looking at pictures o,
“Bugsy" and Daddy traveling from the East
to the West coast, with his cut-off shorts,
sunglasses and denim cap. I'm so glad
they've come back out. I want one so I can
be just like my daddy.
Hopefully he'll get
me one for my gradua­
tion. They’re so cute
and lovable.
Robin J. Webb
Memphis, TN
I believe the
Beetle is so popu­
lar
primarily
because they're
made in very
beautiful colors.
The mileage was
good in the old
ones, and VW
has continued their tradition of great
mileage and price. The shape and
structure of the Beetle Is unique,
and all the windows give it an open
look and feel.
Melvin Goodwin
Bowie, MD
The réintroduc­
tio n of the VW
Beetle was so well
received because of
its h is to r y . T h e
Beetle brings with it
th e
pom p
and
pageantry of the 60s
and 70s. Hippies
from all over traveled in the VW across
the US in search of free love and peace.
The VW, to me. represented change In
the 60s and 70s; in that same sense it
would only be appropriate to see a rise in
popularity o, the VW with all the chal­
lenges that have faced the nation. The
VW has an old shape with a new feel.
With the new millennium on the horizon,
it could not have come at a better time.
Thomas Banks
Cary, NC
When the Beetle first came out, I remember
how popular they were Everybody wanted one.
It was amazing to see people
like Wilt Chamberlain climb out
of a VW. I believe the resurrec­
tion of the Beetle will make it a
classic due to its style and
roominess. The colors are
vibrant and catch your eye
I just hope they hold up like their
predecessors. I want one, and
plan to buy a Beetle in the
future.
James Thomas
Bremerton, WA
8
AFRICAN AMERICANS ON WHEELS
Let's face it. The Beetle Is an attractive car. I wanted
to buy one. but they're not being manufactured en
masse, so there is a long waiting list for them. I love
those German-engineered cars. They're sturdy and reli­
able and the new ones have such brilliant colors. To me,
the Beetle is a personality car for the ages.
Sonja Stuart
Chicago. IL
’.