For Love and a Beetle: A Tale of Two Journeys by Beth and Ivan Hodge is a delightful read for any Volkswagen Beetle enthusiast with a penchant for travel. The book not only chronicles the overland journeys of Beth and Ivan Hodge but also pays homage to their beloved Beetle, which becomes a central character in their story as they travel from London to Australia…twice!

In 1961, the newlyweds decided to buy a Beetle from a London dealership, modify it for sleeping, pack it to the brim with essentials and travel overland home to New Zealand.  Thirty-five years later, semi-retired, the couple and their trusty Bertie, all with a few extra miles on the clock, land in London to try to do the same trip again.

For Love and a Beetle is a heartwarming and inspiring read that celebrates the timeless appeal of the Volkswagen Beetle and the incredible journeys they can inspire. If you’re a Beetle fan and love a road trip,  this book is for you.  It is currently out of print but used copies are widely available in secondhand book shops or at online book vendors.

Words by John Renshaw

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ New Holland Publishers (1 Dec. 1999)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1864365587
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1864365580