Volkswagen this week completed its auction of the first U.S. limited-edition 2017 Volkswagen #PinkBeetle. Proceeds from the winning bid will support the efforts of FAB-U-WISH and The Pink Agenda to raise money for breast cancer research and care.
An exclusive run of the 2017 Volkswagen #PinkBeetle model will be available as a coupe and convertible featuring a unique shade of Fresh Fuchsia Metallic paint—the first factory-offered shade of pink in the Beetle’s history. In another first, the #PinkBeetle uses a hashtag as part of its official name.
1955 Chrysler LaFemme
While these developments are trendy, the association of pink hues, women’s lifestyle, and outrageous cars dates back at least to the US post-war period. In the new era of American prosperity, Chrysler tried to provide ladies with their own distinct model: the Dodge LaFemme. Based on the Chrysler Newport, the full-size two-tone coupe was not strictly pink, but also used shades of lavender, orchid, rose, gold and gray. The 1955 model came with a purse and rain bonnet—but the ploy for women customers was a flop.
Elvis’s first Cadillac, a 1954 Fleetwood Series 60 - opens in new window or tab., was painted pink. He used it as an official band-touring vehicle, until the brakes overheated and the car burned to the ground. Elvis bought another Fleetwood Series 60 and had it painted by a buddy who mixed a color dubbed “Elvis Rose.” This car is on display at the Graceland Museum. Small-scale models of the pink Elvis Cadillac - opens in new window or tab. are still wildly popular.
1963 Rambler American surf car
Pink was used to grab attention in the 1960s as well. Playboy Magazine and Ford co-marketed a pink Mustang as a special order. And this 1963 Rambler American surf car, which was listed on eBay, was reportedly painted by the legendary Jimmy C Kustoms for master surfboard-maker Mike Marshall. In fact, the car includes a vintage surfboard from the collection of the Surfing Heritage Museum in San Clemente, Calif.
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