The Love Bug

Jim Douglas, once a renowned racing champion, now finds himself competing in demolition derbies to make ends meet. Living in an old firehouse with his friend Tennessee, he dreams of his past glories while grappling with his current circumstances.

While visiting an upscale European car dealership, Jim encounters Carole Bennett, a cheerful sales assistant. He also meets Peter Thorndyke, the arrogant owner, who poorly treats a returned white Volkswagen Beetle, raising Jim's concerns about dealing with him.

After leaving the dealership disheartened by his financial struggles, Jim is surprised to find the Volkswagen Beetle following him home. This mysterious event leads to an unexpected connection between Jim and the quirky vehicle.

Faced with accusations of grand theft and driven by his curiosity, Jim reluctantly signs a lease-purchase agreement for the Beetle. This decision marks the beginning of a transformative journey for both Jim and the car.

Initially skeptical of the car's behavior, Jim is astonished when Herbie wins its first race effortlessly. This victory sparks a winning streak that reignites Jim's passion for racing and confounds Peter Thorndyke.

Filled with jealousy, Thorndyke sneaks into Tennessee's garage and sabotages Herbie by pouring Irish coffee into its gas tank. This act of vengeance threatens to derail Jim's newfound success and puts Herbie's reliability into question.

After Herbie's sabotage, Jim looks to replace the beloved car with a sleek Lamborghini, causing distress to Carole and Tennessee. Hurt by Jim's intentions, Herbie reacts by damaging the Lamborghini and driving off in anger.

Realizing he misses Herbie, Jim embarks on a desperate search to find the runaway car. As he navigates through the chaos Herbie creates across the city, Jim comes to terms with the car's unique personality.

After a series of misadventures involving Herbie's antics, Jim is approached by Tang Wu, who offers to drop charges against the car in exchange for participation in the prestigious El Dorado race. The stakes are high as Jim is committed to defending Herbie's honor.

With a chance to reclaim his legacy, Jim, Tennessee, and Herbie enter the two-day El Dorado race through the Sierra Nevada. The competition is fierce, and Jim must face off against Thorndyke and his underhanded tactics.

The first leg of the race proves tough, as Thorndyke's dirty tricks leave Jim's team struggling with a battered vehicle. They return home for repairs, feeling the weight of the competition and the stakes at hand.

In the second leg of the race, Herbie refuses to give up. With teamwork and clever shortcuts, they slowly make up for lost time. The pressure builds as they approach the finish line, but the car suffers mechanical issues.

In a twist of fate, Herbie splits in half but continues racing. The rear section, with Tennessee, crosses the finish line first, while the front half, carrying Jim and Carole, follows closely behind, achieving a stunning victory.

Following their victory in the El Dorado race, Tang Wu acquires Thorndyke's dealership, ensuring that Jim and Tennessee have a secure future. Finally reconciling with Herbie, Jim and Carole celebrate their bond with a honeymoon drive.