While searching the Archives’ online database for images of houses, local parks and streets, we began to notice numerous Volkswagen Beetle cars pulling out of driveways, parallel parked or peeking out from alleys. Commonly known as a “Bug” or “Punch Buggy” and highly popular, it’s maybe not too surprising that they can be spotted in so many 1970s photographs found in our holdings. Many are from the City’s Heritage Inventory project that we’ve previously blogged about over the years, having digitized around 20,000 photographs in stages since 2018. Taken between 1964 and 1985 as part of City work to survey and document our built environment, they are neat snapshots capturing not just building exteriors, but streetscapes and unintentional views of city life. Others are from a mix of City and private-sector photographic collections and were likewise created for purposes other than documenting automotive history.
Below is a smattering of our favourites. We promise, no punches!
2842 Windsor Street, 1974. Found in the Heritage inventory photographs series of the City of Vancouver fonds. Reference code: COV-S644-: CVA 1095-06331The Red Lions Chinese Food delivery car stopped in front of Wun Sang Co. confectionary (121 East Pender Street), between 1968 and 1973. Reference code: COV-S644-: CVA 1095-09429Oil Can Harry’s cabaret (752 Thurlow Street), 1974. Reference code: COV-S509-: CVA 778-433The Red Lion’s delivery car spotted in Market Alley, East Pender Street, 1968. Reference code: COV-S644-: CVA 1095-08982The A&W Root Bear on a Volkswagen Beetle, 1976. Reference code: COV-S663-: CVA 800-0303West Pender Street parking lot with billboards and a Volkswagen Beetle, probably 1968. Reference code: COV-S644-: CVA 1095-14240Looking North on Cambie Street, between 1960-1980. Reference code: COV-S511—: CVA 780-275The Hotel Vancouver peeks out and looks over 1000 Robson Street north side, 1974. Reference code: COV-S509-: CVA 778-320Shopping on Water Street, between 1972 and 1974. Reference code: COV-S587-: CVA 69-26-: CVA 69-26.16Double the Punch Buggy fun in this picture of 1110 Comox Street, 1974. Reference code: COV-S644-: CVA 1095-01384Stopping for a bite at the Old Spaghetti Factory (53-63 Water Street), 1973. Reference code: COV-S644-: CVA 1095-08022224 Union Street, 1968. From the series City owned land sold records, file for Georgia Viaduct replacement – acquisitions completed. Reference code: COV-S168—: CVA 203-38A pair of bugs are visible in this Planning Department photograph. Downtown from Vancouver Iron and Engineering Works Ltd. at 1155 West 6th Avenue, ca. 1960. Reference code: COV-S511—: CVA 780-485Three views of Blood Alley taken from Abbott Street. Reference codes: COV-S644-: CVA 1095-07884, CVA 1095-07882, and CVA1095-078871400 block of Southwest Marine Drive, 1973. Reference code: COV-S644-: CVA 1095-07303149-152 East Pender Street, 1973. Reference code: COV-S644-: CVA 1095-09551Two unidentified “streets” photos taken by the City’s Engineering Department, both with a cream-coloured Bug in 1975 (right) and 1976 (left). Reference codes: COV-S633-: CVA 800-0276 and CVA 800-0211Southwest view from the Oak Street Bridge, 1973. Reference code: COV-S644-: CVA 1095-07206Not one but two Bugs in this view of development construction at Stamp’s Landing, 1976. COV-S597-F1-: 2019-102.17
Sadly, we have no documentary evidence of the City Archivist’s yellow 2000 Beetle that valiantly served for 15 years as the Archives’ official records (and community event gear) transport vehicle. The number of boxes we could cram in him was always astonishing.
If you would like to see more of these images and other holdings-related content, check out our vanarchives social media channels. And if you have your own story of a beloved Bug, feel free to share in the comments!
1 thought on “Bugs in the Archives (VWs, that is)”
I really enjoyed this post about spotting VW Bugs in the images found in the Archives. My sister’s first car was a 1969 and she had it painted in a rich, glittery dark pink. She drove us around everywhere. We went to concerts, festivals, vintage shops and more. All over the Lower Mainland and beyond! Great times.
I really enjoyed this post about spotting VW Bugs in the images found in the Archives. My sister’s first car was a 1969 and she had it painted in a rich, glittery dark pink. She drove us around everywhere. We went to concerts, festivals, vintage shops and more. All over the Lower Mainland and beyond! Great times.