One of the original “street racer” Herbie cars built for the 2005 Disney film Herbie: Fully Loaded is heading to auction, offering collectors a rare piece of modern movie car history. The vehicle is one of six stunt cars constructed specifically for racing and action sequences in the film and is notable for remaining with its original builder after production ended.
The car was built by Mike Yager and his company, Mid America Motorworks, which was responsible for constructing the Herbie vehicles used during filming. When production wrapped, Disney permitted Yager to purchase one of the film cars, and this example is that vehicle. It retains the exterior appearance and interior setup seen during the movie’s street-racing scenes.
Herbie: Fully Loaded marked the sixth installment in Disney’s long-running Herbie franchise, which began in 1968 with The Love Bug. That original film introduced audiences to a sentient Volkswagen Beetle and became a surprise success, spawning multiple sequels throughout the 1970s and a made-for-television revival in 1997. The 2005 theatrical release brought the character back for a new generation, this time centered on a modern racing storyline.
The film starred Lindsay Lohan as Maggie Peyton, a recent college graduate who discovers Herbie in a junkyard and becomes involved in competitive racing. The cast also included Michael Keaton, Justin Long, Matt Dillon, and Breckin Meyer, with appearances from real-world NASCAR drivers. The movie was produced on a budget of roughly $50 million and generated approximately $144 million worldwide, performing strongly at the box office despite mixed critical reception.
The street racer Herbie heading to auction features the distinctive modifications used on screen, including a fiberglass whale-tail deck lid with a transparent engine cover, modified fenders and running boards, faux air intakes, lowered suspension, and chrome wheels. The interior reflects its racing-focused role, with Sparco seats, a Grant GT steering wheel, custom gauges, and upgraded audio equipment.
As one of only six cars built to this specification and the only one retained by its original builder, the vehicle represents a tangible link to the production of Herbie: Fully Loaded. The car is scheduled to cross the Mecum auction block in mid-January, where it will offer buyers a rare opportunity to acquire an authentic piece of Disney film history tied to one of the studio’s most recognizable automotive characters.