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Love Bug, The (1997 TV movie) - Horace the Hate Bug

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia Start Price:23,000.00 USD Estimated At:23,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Love Bug, The (1997 TV movie) - Horace the Hate Bug
If you wish to obtain additional information on a particular lot, ScreenUsed may provide, upon request, a more detailed description than what appears in the catalog. We remind the prospective buyers that these are rare collector pieces, and all sales are final.
(Walt Disney Television, 1997) This 1965 VW was one of ten cars built by Gary D'Amico and POVfX in 1994 for the Wonderful World of Disney made-for-TV movie of "The Love Bug" starring Bruce Campbell. Eight "Herbies" and two "Horaces" were built for the film. Of those cars, only four are known to still exist today - three in the hands of private collectors, and one in the collection of the Petersen Automotive museum in Los Angeles.

In the film, Herbie, the magical Volkswagen Beetle, is passed on to a new owner Hank Cooper (Bruce Campbell). Together, they must battle a dastardly racer Simon Moore III (John Hannah) and his devil-car "Horace", an evil Herbie.

Unlike most studio cars which are prepared for a single 15-30 second shot, Horace #2 appears for almost 15 minutes of the final film. Two Horaces were built for the film, a "hero" #1 car used for static dialogue scenes and close-ups and a "stunt" #2 car (this car) which was built for most of the driving scenes.

Both "Horaces" built for the film had an amazing array of sinister body modifications made to the VW design to set it apart from the friendlier "Herbie" stock Volkswagens. Horace #2 has all of these original studio modifications intact, including:
- Custom fabricated triple front bumper with rear bumper removed, including original studio mounting brackets.
- Fabric tonneau-style phantom top with rear quarter windows and rear window blacked out giving the car the appearance of a hearse. The original screen used fabric which is in near mint condition with no tears or rips.
- Louvered front hood which has been completely restored.
- Custom doors with modified oval window openings.
- Custom extended rear fenders built from parts of several VW fenders - both rear fenders have been completely restored.
- Custom rear decklid with slotted mesh.
- Modified dashboard with hundreds of drilled holes to give an evil green glow with neon lighting, as well as custom radio block off plate with three "Modification" switches for the James Bond-style gadgets.
- Custom "blackout" style shades on headlights and rear window. The original screen used headlight lenses with a painted-on blackout pattern have been replaced for safety while driving at night and vacuum formed covers are provided for the same effect. The original lenses are included with the car. Apart from the fenders and front louvered hood which needed a full cosmetic restoration, the rest of the car wears it original screen used studio paint which is a very rare condition for any film car. The mechanical condition of the car in the film was very poor, so the entire drivetrain has been replaced and updated. The original drivetrain has been preserved and comes with the car.

In the film, Horace the Hate Bug has several special effects modifications which are used to try and destroy Herbie in the film. Most of these were accomplished by CGI during filming, but Horace #2 has replicas of several of the CGI gadgets installed on the car which are wired to a custom sound effects system using the screen used gadget switches or radio control.

The car comes with complete provenance of Disney ownership. A Certificate of Cinematic Authenticity including the car's VIN 115860033 accompanies the car signed by Ray Claridge, the President of Cinema Vehicle Services. A DMV history report also accompanies the car from 2004 stating that the registered owner of the car in 1995 (during filming of "The Love Bug" TV movie) was "WALT DISNEY PICTURES/TV". A copy of the original DMV Application for Duplicate Title from 2003 is also included which is signed by Rick White for Walt Disney Productions transferring ownership of the car over to Cinema Vehicle Services.

This car's glovebox has been signed and authenticated by several people involved in "The Love Bug":
- Harold Gould (Actor: "Dr. Stumpfel", the creator of the car in the film)
- Dana Gould (Actor: "Rupert", the villain's sidekick who sat in the car for the final race). Dana added the line "HAIL HORACE!" above his signature.
- Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees (Actor: "Donny Shotz", the custom car guy who repairs Herbie after Horace destroys it)
- Gary D'Amico and Phil Bartco of POVfx, who that originally built this car in 1995. A very large collection of memorabilia is included with the car, including Herbie/Horace toys, copies of the film on VHS and DVD, an original production script, and additional framed autographs.

Special shipping required - please note the car is located in the Los Angeles area, and will require the buyer to cover shipping costs.