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-THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE-
Herbie’s racing number 53 wasn’t random: producer Bill Walsh, a die-hard L.A. Dodgers fan, borrowed ace pitcher Don Drysdale’s jersey digits for the feisty VW.
Before filming, Walsh “auditioned” several micro-cars outside the Disney commissary; crew members kicked the Toyotas and Volvos but instinctively patted the Beetle—sealing its starring role.
To help the underdog smoke Ferraris, Disney built 21 look-alike Beetles, some hiding Porsche 912 engines, Indy-spec wheels, and beefy brakes beneath the pearl-white shell.
One stunt car even carried a second steering column so a hidden driver in the back seat could make Herbie “drive himself” while the front cabin stayed empty.
After production, the fleet scattered, yet a handful survive; the hero car—still wearing Drysdale’s 53 and its red-white-blue stripes—rests in private hands today, proof that a humble Bug can still outshine Hollywood supercars.
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