Comical VW bug joins Maryville police fleet
With several modifications on the exterior, a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle that was seized from a recent incident of driving under the influence (DUI) became part of the police fleet of the Blount Country Sheriff in Maryville, Tennessee.
Archie Garner, who is the assistant chief deputy of Blount County, is the man behind the reinvented vintage Volkswagen Bug. Originally clad in red body paint, the DUI-confiscated Beetle was immediately sent to the Maryville county’s beautification group for a revamp to become a Lady Bug. The initial plan for the VW Beetle, however, did not push through and was returned right away to the Blount County Sheriff Office. From there, Garner took over and shelled out his own money to modify the car.
A total of $2,000 was spent for the changes done on the Beetle that was christened as the county’s “Bug-erceptor”. It now dons white body paint with accurate police cruiser decals and auto parts like barred rear side windows, siren, radio, and spotlight. To keep the vintage feel of the Beetle, a 1960s police car staple red bubble-shaped light, which Garner bought online, was mounted on the roof. Moreover, the car also has the police cruiser requirements like the fire extinguisher, blanket, measuring device, and traffic cones. The cones used, however, are only four-inched tall to fit inside the vehicle.
Although the “Bug-erceptor” is equipped with all the necessities, it is not fit enough for any high-speed chase as its ceiling speed is only around 70 miles per hour. With the comical features of the VW Beetle, it is unlikely to have the authority factor of the regular police cruisers. For that, the bug-like car is planned to be used mostly for public relations activities of the Bounty County Sheriff Office.
Source: Knox News.
