Without any context, this Volkswagen Beetle is a little bit rusty and worn out, but still cute. It’s an uneven beige color with some reddish-brown spots on the fender, and there’s a “4” sticker on the lower corner of the driver’s side windshield.

If you squint, it could be the famous “Herbie” from the Disney movies. Unfortunately, it’s definitely not a plucky, sweet film star. This Beetle was owned by notorious serial killer Ted Bundy.

The horrific serial killer drove around an unassuming VW Beetle.

A Volkswagen’s horrific owner

Infamous for his grotesque murders of young women throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, Ted Bundy was eventually caught and executed for his crimes. There have been several films and documentaries made about his life, the most recent of which was Netflix’s Conversations with a Killer. This documentary highlights a key piece of his terrible strategy: his car.

Throughout his horrific campaign, he drove a Volkswagen Beetle, to which he lured his victims with various lies about his health or fitness.

Bustle

reported on the pieces of evidence that were discovered in the Beetle, which included hairs from victims and blood under the door panel. These discoveries helped indict Bundy and eventually led to his state-sponsored death.

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Where can you see Ted Bundy’s car?

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Bundy’s car can be viewed at Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It shares space with another infamous mode of transport: OJ Simpson’s white Ford Bronco. If you want to go check out these forever tainted vehicles, you can see them and other associated artifacts at the museum. Their notoriety is perhaps a testament to the rising American obsession with true crime.

If you’re feeling squeamish about a modest car being used for such unspeakable evil, you’re not alone. Bustle said that the museum displays these vehicles to create “an awareness that sparks change, institutes laws, and rallies action," but it may be a better use of time to teach yourself and your loved ones about safety around strangers and cars. Thankfully, we no longer have Bundy to worry about, but it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings.

A better Bug, and how to insure it

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Though it’s hard to see Bundy’s Bug as anything other than an accomplice in a series of violent crimes, other Volkswagen Beetles have happier connotations. There is of course Herbie, most recently starring in Herbie Fully Loaded with Lindsay Lohan, and the many “love bugs” of the ‘60s and ‘70s, whose flowered exteriors spread good cheer everywhere they drove.

If you want to contribute to a better legacy for the Bug by buying your own, you’ll also want to insure it.

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Car Makes

Written By

Alex Reale · Expert Insurance Writer

Alex Reale is an insurance writer who specializes in automotive news, EVs, and car insurance. Alex’s mission is to ensure car owners are informed on all the latest automotive trends so they can make the most affordable and efficient choices when it comes to car ownership. Alex has authored nearly 250 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from amphibious vehicles to EV recalls. Before joining Jerry, Alex flexed her linguistic skills as a project manager and translator with TransPerfect.

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