The Love Bug

Jim Douglas, the narrator, recounts the legend of Herbie, the sentient Volkswagen Beetle, and hints at the car’s long, adventurous life. He explains that Herbie has bonded with drivers across decades and becomes a character in his own right. The present-day frame then shows Herbie in the hands of a new, demanding owner.

In present-day, Simon Moore III, an egotistical race car driver and dealer, treats Herbie as junk. During a race, he taunts the car, insulting its abilities and worth. Herbie rebels on the track, finishing in last place, and Simon throws the car into a junkyard.

Hank Cooper, a former racing driver turned small-town mechanic, works in a local garage. His boss Chuck enters him into a junk-car race, and Hank is forced to take the last available junker. The only car left is the broken-down Herbie, which Hank reluctantly accepts.

With help from his artist friend Roddy, Hank manages to get Herbie started moments before he’s towed away. They win the one-lap race, astonishing the judges Donny Shotz, Alex, and Moore. Alex challenges Hank to prove he didn’t use tricks, setting up the test of Herbie’s true speed.

Hank takes Alex for a ride to showcase Herbie’s speed, and their relationship rekindles. The ride takes them to an isolated area, where Herbie locks his doors in a nod to the original film. The moment deepens their connection and sets up future cooperation.

Roddy believes Herbie is special, but Hank remains wary of the car’s mystique. At an automotive art show, Alex and Hank discuss their relationship while Herbie remains central to the conversation. Simon learns that Herbie was built by German engineer Dr. Gustav Stumpfel after World War II, via a photograph of his wife that fell into the metal vat and magically gave the car life.

Simon persuades Dr. Gustav Stumpfel to repeat the process, resulting in a new black Beetle named Horace, the Hate Bug. Horace is built using the 'ingredients' of a picture of Simon and Herbie’s stolen key. The sinister rival machine is designed to destroy Herbie.

Horace is unleashed to track down and destroy Herbie, reducing the beloved beetle to crushed metal. Hank arrives too late to save him, and a funeral is held for Herbie. Jim Douglas arrives with Dr. Stumpfel to confirm the car’s fate and to discuss rebuilding.

Dr. Stumpfel reveals that Herbie can be rebuilt only with all of his original parts. Hank enlists Donny Shotz to reshape and repaint the sheet metal while Roddy, Alex, and Jim contribute to the effort. The group pulls together to bring Herbie back to life.

Herbie is rebuilt, and Jim is invited to try starting him. The car fires up on the first try, and Herbie’s horn confirms that he’s truly the same car they know. The others celebrate the return and the rekindled bond among the team.

Simon learns that Herbie has been rebuilt and challenges Hank to a one-on-one race between Horace and Herbie. He attempts to sabotage the event with grenades and other tricks, but Herbie still competes with courage and speed.

In the climactic race, Horace uses every trick to defeat Herbie, including a laser beam that cuts Herbie in half. Despite the damage, Herbie perseveres and wins, and Horace tumbles off a cliff to his destruction.

Simon and his partner Rupert are arrested for illegal acts, including detonating explosives, driving an unregistered devil car, and illegally dumping Horace. The law finally catches up with their scheme. The studio and press prepare to cover the story.

Hank and Alex drive off for a date in Herbie, wrapping up their magazine article and photoshoot. The little car’s adventures have united old rivals and rekindled friendships. The screen ends with a hopeful ride into the future.