The Love Bug (1968)

In the heart of San Francisco, in a faded old firehouse, resides Jim Douglas, a former glory-laden race car driver now shadowed by a losing streak. His only company, the oddball mechanic Tennessee Steinmetz, who drowns his sorrows in the occasional drink. Jim's fortune takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon a peculiar Volkswagen Beetle in a luxury car dealer's lot. This Beetle, however, is anything but ordinary. It seems to have a mind of its own, driving autonomously as if enchanted by an unseen force. Intrigued yet skeptical, Jim takes the car home, suspecting the crafty car dealer, Peter Thorndyke, of orchestrating a prank. However, the Beetle, endearingly named 'Herbie' by Tennessee, soon proves its magical essence. Herbie's uncanny abilities not only reignite Jim's racing career but also spark envy in Thorndyke, the former owner. Thorndyke, a seasoned driver himself, is determined to reclaim what was once his. Consumed by his lust for victory and the elusive charm of Herbie, he challenges Jim to race against him. Unbeknownst to Jim, Thorndyke meticulously sabotages Herbie before the impending "El Dorado", a grueling parody of the Baja 1000 race in Mexico. Joined by Carol Bennett, Thorndyke's ex-assistant and former flame, Jim and Tennessee work against the clock to restore Herbie to its former glory. The trio are resolute in their mission to outwit Thorndyke and let Herbie shine on the racing track one more time. As they gear up for the race of a lifetime, the question remains - will Herbie's magic be enough to thwart Thorndyke's devious plans and take them to the finish line?

The Love Bug is a comedy movie featuring Dean Jones and directed by Robert Stevenson.

The Love Bug is currently streaming on Disney Plus.

It is also possible to buy The Love Bug on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.