| Parts and Technical expertise makes Max a | | | | scoop: |
| commercial star in record time. | | | | Bob begins, "My part in the Max project started in the |
| Seems VW's is now aware of what air-cooled VW | | | | middle of December 2007, when I received a call from |
| enthusiasts have known for years….That the | | | | Brian Schultz of CP&B. We had worked together on a |
| vintage air-cooled VW Beetle is an icon. | | | | previous project, and he knew that I was his man for |
| In Volkswagen's newest series of TV commercials, | | | | an upcoming project to restore a number of Beetles |
| Max, a black 1964 VW Beetle (AKA Bug), is given a | | | | for the new "08" ad campaign. |
| German accent and hosts a little talk show complete | | | | Brian put me in touch with Dave Sherman from AMCI |
| with celebrity interviews, a band, and once in a while, a | | | | Inc. Dave in turn hired me to locate and purchase the |
| new VW model. | | | | Beetles as well as all the parts that would be needed." |
| In a June 2008 Hot VWs article by Lynn Anderson; | | | | Bob adds, " I was also in charge of authenticity, and |
| Scott Linnen, Vice President of VW's Ad company | | | | the mechanical restoration portion of this HUGE |
| CP+B Stated, "Something we thought a lot about as | | | | project |
| we worked on this was how to expand the brand to | | | | Next, we had to find a shop to do the paint and body |
| lead toward volume success…. To once and | | | | portion. Many shops were screened for quality work, |
| for all balance our past with our future and create a | | | | but also had to be Vintage VW fluent, not to mention |
| new true VW brand in America,… a brand that | | | | the tight timeline. A local VW enthusiast, and shop |
| has a great history and heritage". | | | | owner, John Bickell of State of Mind Customs stepped |
| From an enthusiast's point of view, that's like discovery | | | | forward, and turned out to be the perfect man for the |
| the sky is blue and puppy's are cute. | | | | job. John, his apprentice Drew, and I, all took absences |
| So VW's ad company is going for what enthusiasts | | | | from our day jobs for 3 months and took on a |
| see as the obvious, but CP+B followed up in a smart | | | | restoration project that we'll never forget. |
| way. From the Detroit News story by Maureen | | | | We all moved in for the duration, including my 3000 LB |
| McDonald on April 18th, 2008, Brian Shultz, another | | | | toolbox. The first 2 cars were done in 14 days, the |
| member of the ad company team explained, "There | | | | third in 7 more days, and the other 2 were at a more |
| were a large field of vendors to select from, but we | | | | relaxed pace. 80% of the parts were from Airhead |
| wanted a team with passion for the brand to bring | | | | Parts". |
| Max to life". | | | | The restoration was videotaped using time-lapse |
| First to be contacted was soon to be Project | | | | photography and can be seen on YouTube. The |
| Manager Bob Ellis of Airhead Parts. Bob writes tech | | | | commercials are also there and feature celebrities |
| articles and helps Airhead Parts customers with parts | | | | Heidi Klum, David Hasselhoff, Leonard Nimoy, NCAA |
| and restoration tips. Airhead Parts was the company | | | | Coach Bob Knight, Napster's Sean Fanning, and NASA |
| that supplied the majority of the beetle restoration | | | | Shuttle commander Rick Seafross, and Max of |
| parts, including the "hard to find" Steering Wheels. Bob, | | | | course. |
| a VW enthusiast to the bone gives us the inside | | | | |