The Story of Azul Part 2: Metal
still alive. When we got the bus here the first time, it smelled like a burned log of wood. It had ashes inside. The rear window was busted from the heat. We’re like going, “Okay, what are we getting ourselves into? [Applause] My name is Farland. My name is Gona.” When we work to bring these vehicles back to life, it’s personal. What most people would think of as metal to us is a patient. When the car came to the shop and you look at the driver’s side, you say, “Well, yeah, it’s actually like in the picture.” Passenger side, different story. The paint was flaking. Rubber parts were melted. Plastic was melted. There was exhaust leaks. There was rust. There was a rubber boot that was cracked. We knew it’s going to be challenging, especially getting parts for a car that is almost 50 years old. Parts that are nearly impossible to find. And the little details, how a lock will turn, how a door will close. [Applause] [Music] We’re not reimagining a vehicle. We’re trying to recognize and honor what this vehicle is, what a Zul represents to so many people. It will be turnkey ready and go. I told night I’m like, “It’s a brand new car. It’s a brand new VW bus from 1977 restored by VW. Something like this doesn’t exist.” I just can’t wait to just be driving it down the street and bring light and bring hope. We want to do it because we’re Volkswagen. You know, it’s our own.
When you strip a Volkswagen down to its bones, you see its soul.
With the help of team VW, Azul undergoes a total transformation, restoring the viral bus to its pre-fire condition.
