The million-dollar beetle
06/21/2024
Old cars are often compared to works of art, especially when it comes to value development. A very special case could be admired at the "Art Unlimited 2024". However, the history of the Beetle on display is very special.
Back in 1963, the artist Christo wrapped a VW Beetle built in 1961 and exhibited it at the Schmela Gallery in Düsseldorf in February. After the exhibition, however, Christo had to return the Beetle, without the wrapping, because the Beetle owner wanted it that way.
40 years later, Christo apparently regretted the non-survival of his work of art and once again acquired a mint green VW 1200 built in 1961, exactly the same model that he had already wrapped for the exhibition together with Jeanne-Claude in 1963. This time, however, the Beetle belonged to him and was stripped of all its fluids, jacked up and wrapped again.
The artwork was called "Wrapped Volkswagen Beelte Saloon 1963-2014" and has now been shown at Art Basel.
Apparently, this wrapping masterpiece is now said to be worth around four million, which is a hefty sum given the material value and the fact that the artwork is actually a "replica" (at least the idea).
But you could always just buy a Beetle yourself and wrap it up ...
