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Patton makes clear that it was these fanatics who brought the new Beetle into existence. The VW brass had wanted to put the car behind them and move on to newer, better things. But a few upstart engineers, along with a passionate ad hoc campaign by American VW fans and dealers, managed to convince—nay, force—the company to go forward with the design and manufacture of a new model, one compatible with current U.S. auto safety standards.

This has, of course, prompted intense rivalries between the purists—who insist that, with a water-cooled engine in the front, a thicker shell, and a price comparable with most mundane U.S. cars, this new model "ain't the real thing"—and the plain vanilla baby boomers, whose argument in favor is roughly, "Cool, they brought the Beetle back!"

The Bug itself meets these arguments, and this attention, as it always has: with a broad deep smile.

Jeremy Lott is co-author (with Rev. Dr. Lawrence VanBeek) of the forthcoming The Case For Enoch.

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Books & Culture Corner appears Mondays at ChristianityToday.com. Earlier Books & Culture Corners include:

So Far, So Near | A graduate of Murree Christian School in Pakistan, the site of a deadly assault by Islamic terrorists in August, reflects on his growing-up years, on what has changed in the interim, and on the beleaguered Christian community in Pakistan (Sept. 9, 2002)

The New York Times Discovers Religion (Again) | Shouldn't the paper of record be able to move beyond Square One? (August 26, 2002)

After the Quake | Bedside reading for the anniversary of 9/11. (August 19, 2002)

How to Avoid the Coming Disaster | "Imitate Japan." "No, don't imitate Japan." Time out. (August 12, 2002)

"Mind Control" and the Christian Citizen | Historian Sean Wilentz's misguided attack on Justice Antonin Scalia. (August 5, 2002)

Speak What We Feel | Frederick Buechner's latest book is one of his best. (July 29, 2002)

The Great Inflatable Shark Hunt | A report from the Christian Booksellers Association convention in Anaheim. (July 22, 2002)

Why Evangelicals Can't Opt Out of Political Engagement | Remembering Jeremiah Evarts and Samuel Worcester. (July 19, 2002)

The Pledge Controversy | Asking the wrong questions? (July 8, 2002)

Reading Danny Pearl | How would the murdered journalist want to be remembered? (July 1, 2002)

A Cry for Help | Sudanese Christians gather in Houston and ask for U.S. support. (June 17, 2002)

Agrarians of the World, Unite! | Wendell Berry's vision, and how Christians should respond to it. (June 10, 2002)

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September (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46