Hippie Limo: The Area’s Premier Retro Ride
Perhaps you love the 60s, or maybe you want a splash of color and a one-of-a-kind retro accessory for your occasion; whatever the case, the Hippie Limo is for you. Our vintage 1965 Volkswagen Microbus is the icon of an era and boasts classic and original features such as two rows of skylight windows and a five-foot open-air canvas sunroof. The one modern touch in this amazing time capsule is a high end sound system that provides a great soundtrack to the experience. Transport you, your guests, and anyone looking your way to another time with a ride in the Hippie Limo.
Our Service
The Hippie Limo provides limousine service for:
- Weddings & Commitments
- Formals & Quinceañeras
- Date Nights
- Nights (or Days) on the Town
- Concerts
- Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
- Birthdays & Anniversaries
- Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties
- Reunions & Celebrations
- Promotion or Event Displays
- Parades & Shows
- Benefits & Fundraisers
- Photography or Film opportunities, and more . . .
Click on each link above to learn more. Please note that the Hippie Limo is in service from April 1st through October 31st in the Denver and Boulder areas.
Learn and See More
Check out our Limo Packages & Rates and Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours to learn what we offer. You can reserve a ride or ask us a question through Contact & Booking. Otherwise you can learn more about The Hippie Limo using the links below:
- Check out our activities in Current Events & Musings on the right sidebar.
- See more of the Hippie Limo in the Photo Gallery.
- Be inspired by pictures of celebrations featuring other vintage VW limos on Pinterest.
- Take a look at The Experience to see what a ride is like in our classic limo.
- Go over to In the Press to see what the blogosphere and press are saying about us.
- Find reviews on our service at Wedding Wire.
- Visit our YouTube Channel to see videos of our Samba in action.
- Follow us on Twitter if you want real time updates on our adventures.
- Like us on Facebook and make a friend smile!
The Hippie Limo Donates Magical Mystery Tour Packages to Local Charities
The Hippie Limo believes that it is both a responsibility and a privilege to support its local community. In particular, we feel very much drawn to organizations that help children and under-privileged and distressed families. That is why we have donated several three-hour Magical MysteryTour packages to local fundraisers for their silent and live auctions.
Take a look below at the organizations we have donated to and consider supporting them through monetary and volunteer opportunities.
Children’s Hospital Foundation
Children are among our most precious resources as well as the most vulnerable. Because of this we have donated four packages to support each of the following Children’s Hospital fundraisers. To find these events and others follow this link to the Children’s Hospital Foundation’s events calendar.
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Caruso Family Charities Gala – March 2, 2013
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Children’s Hospital Colorado Gala – October 5, 2013
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Creating Ties Burn Camps Dinner – November 1, 2013
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Morgan Adams Concours d’ Elegance – August 24, 2013
The Children’s Museum of Denver
Engaging children’s minds, supporting their creativity, growing their curiosity, and inspiring their minds are among the best ways to help children grow mentally and personally. Check out the Children’s Musem of Denver’s events calendar.
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Children’s Museum 40th Birthday Bash – May 31, 2013
Sister Carmen Community Center
Sister Carmen is a non-religious family resource center supporting individuals and families in East Boulder County. We volunteer and donate to this organization regularly. You can learn more about the Sister Carmen Community Center on their home page.
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The Big Event 2 – April 6, 2013
Consider learning more about these events as well as other opportunities to support you own favorite charities and organizations.
More Benefits & Fundraisers!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Benefits & Fundraisers for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend one of these events? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
The Hippie Limo Prepares for its 2013 Season with Adam’s Premium Car Care and the VWEC Show & Shine
People who love cars check their schedules (and occasionally make abrupt turns) whenever they spot an auto club’s “Show & Shine” event. For those unfamiliar with this pilgrimage for car aficionados, a Show & Shine is where owners of remarkable classic and modern vehicles gather in public alongside casual observers to admire each others’ rides, learn how to add that extra sparkle to a shine, bring back life to a faded finish, or fix blemishes made while attempting any of the above.
If you want to take the experience of a Show & Shine to a whole new level, make it a point to attend an event hosted by Adam’s Premium Car Care, a purveyor of the finest (and arguably the most dummy-proof) exterior and interior car cleaning and polishing products made in the USA. The company’s president and founder, Adam Pitale, is a master detailer and apparent stand-up comedian whose informative, entertaining, and interactive presentation on revitalizing and maintaining your car’s finish turns any show and shine into a Shine with a Show!
During his detailing clinics, Adam calls upon 20+ years of experience, an impressive combination of industry knowledge, product awareness, and daily practice, as well as possible insights into the little-known apocryphal auto polishing references in the Dead Sea Scrolls, to provide both novice and nuanced detailers with an array of tips, tricks, and techniques. Not only will Adam show his audience what to do while using a real customer’s car as an example, he will give them the chance to practice what he preaches by asking volunteers to step up and get true hands-on experience with his products and processes under his guidance.
The Hippie Limo had the chance to experience all of this first-hand at Adam’s German Made Detail Clinic and Auto Show, co-hosted by the Volkswagen Enthusiasts of Colorado (VWEC). As part of our preparations for our new season of adventures as well as our membership in the VWEC, I took our Samba to Adam’s World Headquarters in Louisville, CO for his clinic and was so impressed by what I saw that I decided to leave the Hippie Limo in the capable hands of his staff for a nose-to-decklid auto spa day.
If you want to experience one of these clinics for yourself check out the Events page at the Adam’s Premium Car Care website. If your schedule is a bit tight you can have the virtual experience of meeting Adam and learning from him and his staff on his Videos page where you will find dozens of professional-quality video tutorials that will help you rejuvenate (or even resuscitate) your car’s finish on your own. The company’s Forums page provides a great way to interact with Adam’s staff and other amateur and professional detailers to get and share advice over the inter-webs. To purchase any of Adam’s products you can go to his Online Store or visit the company’s Dealer page to find a local retailer. (I get my Adam’s fix at McGuckin Hardware in Boulder.)
More Parade & Show Adventures!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Parades & Shows for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Jim’s 70th Birthday at Frog Belly Farm: Longmont, CO – 10/27/2012
Cheryl and Jim Hogan saw the Hippie Limo at the June G’Knight Ride in Longmont’s inspirational Prospect New Town. We were beside The Daily Cake, a cupcake company based in Longmont. This spot gave us the opportunity to get the attention of vintage VW fans and those with a sweet tooth for quality confections. Unbeknownst to Jim, the moment Cheryl saw us she was inspired to include the Hippie Limo in her husband’s upcoming 70th birthday celebration.
The theme for the party was the 60′s, and the location was Frog Belly Farm, a local all-natural, organic farm committed to restoring the bond between people, food, and nature. Cheryl wanted the Hippie Limo to collect her husband, select family and friends, and herself at their house and take a short cruise before arriving at the venue. When I stopped in the driveway and shut off the engine I could hear whoops of laughter rise from the house. Shortly I saw Jim open the front door. He was wearing a tye dye bandanna, a hand-weaved vest, a shirt bearing the imprint of a split-window bus, and a smile.
He walked up to me, gave me a firm hand shake as we exchanged introductions, and off-handedly remarked, “Well, that’s just about right” nodding in the direction of bus. I agreed and told him that our Samba has been restored to exactly as it sat on the dealer floor in 1965, every color, fabric, and trim . . . with the exception of a 1000-watt sound system. That prompted another smile from his kind face. Soon the family had filed out of the home, each in their own take on 60′s garb. There were more than a few photo flashes before we managed to board and begin our journey to Frog Belly Farms, but each shot was a piece of gold (as you can see from a selection of them below).
The route was pretty much split evenly between paved and dirt roads, and my guests got to feel the difference between modern and vintage suspension systems quite personally (one of the reasons I do not allow beverages in the Hippie Limo – what feels like going over a pebble in modern car feels more like a boulder in a bus). When we made our grand entrance at the farm there was only one person lingering at the door to the barn where the party was to take place. I saw the loiterer’s eyes blossom wide when he saw us and then quickly open the door and shout inside. In less time than it took for me to stop and come around to the passenger side to open the doors a crowed had gathered.
Each party-goer was dressed in a version of 60′s clothing, from full-on hippie to swingin’ ultra mod. Both Abbie Hoffman and Dean Martin would have been proud of the wardrobe selections. The crowd slowly transition from bashful to bold as they posed for pictures next to our Microbus along with Jim and Cheryl. Drinks began flowing freely and the scent from the outdoor smoker signaled that the real party was about to begin. I again shook Jim’s hand, wished him a happy 70th birthday, and commented that I hoped I would look as good as him when my 60th birthday came!
More Birthday & Anniversary Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Birthdays and Anniversaries for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Myah’s Sweet 16 Birthday Celebration – 10/27/2012
Myah’s mother Pam called me about a month ago and began the conversation with, “My daughter Myah loves everything about the 60′s! She and her friends are an eclectic bunch and I think it would be great to surprise them with a ride in Hippie Limo for Myah’s 16th birthday.” I asked Pam what sort of ride she had in mind. After a long pause she said, “Let me get back to you on that.”
A week or so later Pam called back with a great idea. She would take her daughter and her friends to the downtown Denver edition of The Cheesecake Factory for dinner followed by a visit to the best, scariest haunted house her husband could find – Denver’s very own The Asylum. When I arrived to pick up the gang for their evening out I could see that Pam had done a very good job of keeping the Hippie Limo a surprise. “Ohh myyyy GAWD!” exclaimed Myah. “No way! That is so cool!” echoed her friends. A quick glance at the smile on Pam’s face confirmed that she felt rewarded by the crowd’s reaction. While the girls were exploring the bus I loaded the bags containing Myah’s birthday presents into the back of our Samba. I couldn’t help but notice that one of the gift bags had an imprint of The Avengers on it. Yet again confirmation that only people with the best tastes choose to ride in the Hippie Limo.
The evening went by extremely fast despite it being a four-hour booking. It was filled with good tunes and joyful laughter. I discovered that Pam was right about her daughter’s tastes. Before meeting Myah I cannot say I would have imagined a 16-year-old who could carry on a discussion with her peers about the unique sounds of Cream or the merits of Eric Clapton, not to mention one who would immediately recognize Donovan and know all the words to Sunshine Superman. At the end of the evening I let the birthday girl and each of her friends take a moment to pose behind the wheel of the Hippie Limo for photos before I headed home from what was the final gig for the Hippie Limo’s 2012 season. I considered how fortunate I had been to have given these young women a chance to experience a bit of the era that they apparently appreciated so much.
More Birthday & Anniversary Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Birthdays and Anniversaries for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Wagner Family Reunion & Mark’s 60th Birthday: Golden, CO – 10/20/2012
James contacted me in July to reserve the Hippie Limo for what I knew was going to be the most rewarding ride of the season. James, his eight brothers and sisters, their father, and some friends were planning a reunion in their home town of Golden, CO to coincide with their brother Mark’s 60th birthday. The plan was for everyone to spend a day revisiting all the places that had played an important part in the family’s history and hearts. It was a plan with a twist.
The Wagner family’s primary transportation for many years was a split-window VW Microbus similar to our Samba. Their bus was piloted first by their father and then by several children in succession as they received their respective learner’s permits and licenses. As is the case with most families who have grown up with an air-cooled v-dub as an extended family member, many of the Wagner’s fondest memories often included their bus, sometimes as a center-stage lead, other times as a minor supporting character. It was James’ thought that any driving tour of their family’s old haunts would have to take place in a VW bus like the one their dad ferried them around in.
James’ first question to me after presenting his plan was, “How many passengers does your bus hold?” I felt my heart sink as I responded, “Only six.” I could not imagine a better or more fulfilling day for the Hippie Limo than taking the Wagners on a reminiscence tour in the very kind of vehicle that had shuttled them around 50 years ago, but I didn’t see how I could accommodate them all. “Hmmmm,” James said as he turned over an idea emerging in his mind, “I guess I’ll hire another van to follow along behind and we’ll stop every now and then to change out people.” Now that, folks, is a man of foresight and vision.
I found myself counting down the days until October 20th, and then ticking off the hours of that morning until 1:00 when I was scheduled to pick up the Wagner clan following their lunch at the Blue Canyon Grill. While waiting for the group to emerge from the restaurant I had the opportunity to meet the driver of the “overflow” van. Her name was Bonnie and she was a long time family friend who had agreed to pick up the modern, full-size passenger van that Mark had rented to track along behind the Hippie Limo. I learned from Bonnie that nearly all of the family had moved away from Golden some time ago, and that only recently two of the brothers had returned to the area. “It’s amazing that they were able to pull this all together,” she said, “but here they are!” And with that observation we both received the message to pull into the alleyway behind the Blue Canyon and pick up our nostalgic revellers.
I am fairly sure that the Wagners and their friends were already well-informed about the part our WayBack machine was going to play in their day, but despite their foreknowledge their faces beamed with nothing less than joyful disbelief and stunned exuberance when the Hippie Limo arrived. It was as if the sight of our Samba had popped the cork on a fresh bottle of fond memories and everyone was raising up a cup to share in them. I opened the Samba’s doors and stood aside to let the family explore the interior and was rewarded with an excited rush of many voices in different conversations recalling moments in their lives that had taken place in or around their bus. One memory in particular that stood out to me was that of a younger sister who pointed to the small, raised cargo area over the engine in the back of the bus. Through equal measures of tears and giggles she recalled being a baby and having been placed in a makeshift crib there during family trips to St. Louis. Another sister commented that she just wanted to smell the bus and let the memories wash over her.
Amid all of the story telling one of the family members produced a stack of shirts and brochures and began distributing them to the group. Guffaws and cackles erupted as people realized that the shirts were baseball jerseys that bore the numbers 6 and 0 (for Mark, the birthday boy), and that each number was filled to the edges with expertly cropped family photos. The brochure featured pictures of Mark in his pre-CPA youth and a list of all of the locations the family would be revisiting during the reunion drive. After a short exercise in herding cats, the family was sorted between the two vehicles and the tour began. Though I had faithfully entered and ordered all of the addresses and stops into my GPS a few nights before, I learned quickly that no guidance system can track the well-worn travel routes favored by a family’s collective memory. I turned off the GPS and let the family be my guide.
The tour consisted of drive-bys of several schools and parks that the children had gone to over the years, as well as slow cruises around the houses and neighborhoods that the family had called home at one time or another. On the short list of places the group actually planned to stop was the family’s very first home in Golden, situated on Table Drive. I imagine the area’s Neighborhood Watch received a bit of an unexpected jolt upon seeing two buses pull up and disgorge over a dozen people, most wearing matching shirts, who immediately began inspecting and surveying the area with the crime-scene-like intensity that only adults returning to a childhood home and neighborhood can project. After a short time exploring, the Wagner clan gathered together on the curb in front of the old family home for a group photo before once again loading into the vehicles. As fate would have it, just as we were about to leave for the next destination an SUV pulled up and into the driveway of the former Wagner residence. A small, unsuspecting family got out and headed towards their front door.
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck bristle as two separate but distinct desires quickly charged the air inside our Samba and in the other passenger van. A family united only moments ago was in a sudden and utterly silent struggle of wills between those planning to stay seated and drive to the next place and those plotting to pop out of the vans as quickly as possible, catch the new family before they could reach the safety of their home, and explain that “We used to live here and we were wondering if you wouldn’t mind letting us in to look around.” As is usually the case, the plotters set the pace for the planners. In a few moments even the more reserved family members joined the boulder ones already at the doorstep for a tour of the old homestead. Fifteen minutes later found both sides reconciled as they emerged from the house talking about what they remembered and what had changed. The point on which all agreed: Everything seemed so much smaller than they remembered it.
We continued on to the other parts of the tour, pausing now and then to switch out passengers and once to allow the family to stop at the Lakewood Bar & Grill, an old favorite watering hole, to partake of something called “Birthday Cake Shots.” When we reached the end of the tour and returned to downtown Golden I felt both inspired and grateful to have met a family that shared such a strong connection to each other and to their home. In the four hours we travelled together I do not think we passed a single structure or even geographic feature that did not evoke a deluge of wonderful memories. Nor was there ever a moment of silence in our Microbus. If everyone wasn’t sharing memories they were sharing the chorus to the songs on the Hippie Limo’s sound system . . . with delightful results.
Before driving away I encouraged the family to come together for one final photograph featuring their father in the driver’s seat of our Samba. As you see from that photo and the others, October 20th was a great day for reliving old memories and making new ones. I am so happy that the Hippie Limo was there to add to their joy. Happy birthday Mark and happy reunion Wagner clan.
More Birthday, Anniversary & Reunion Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Birthdays and Anniversaries and Reunions and Celebrations for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Miriah & Dale’s Wedding: The Chapel at Red Rocks and The Curtis Hotel – 10/19/2012
The Hippie Limo has long been hoping for a chance to visit the ultra-swank, mid-century mod The Curtis Hotel in downtown Denver. Miriah’s call asking the Hippie Limo to ferry her and her bridesmaids from The Curtis to The Chapel at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO and back was just the opportunity we had been waiting for.
Miriah’s call came as I was walking with my children to the local Isabelle Farm to pick some carving pumpkins as part of the day’s art project. She told me that she was thrilled to have found the Hippie Limo and couldn’t wait to have it as part of her wedding. “The pictures,” she said, “were going to be amazing.” When I pulled up to The Curtis to await Miriah and her entourage I found myself in line behind three stretch limos waiting to take Miriah’s guests up to the beautiful and intimate Chapel at Red Rocks for the wedding ceremony. A few last-minute arrangements and wardrobe checks along with a couple of wonderful photo ops meant that we were heading away from The Curtis well after the other limos had departed. However, we somehow still managed to arrive at the venue a good ten minutes before them.
As I helped Miriah out of our Samba I noticed her fine selection of shoes for the occasion, a pair of white, purple, and orange Nikes. She smiled at me and remarked, “There’s no reason why a bride should be uncomfortable on her wedding day, is there?” I couldn’t agree more. While the wedding party prepared and the guests milled about outside, I took advantage of a small cloister alongside the chapel to sit, reflect, and read a book. The ceremony was short and benefited from one of the most amazing views of the Red Rocks themselves I have seen short of the Red Rocks Trading Post within the park. Miriah, her new husband Dale, and their photographer were in our Microbus quick as a flash (if you’ll pardon the pun) to travel up the road a short ways from the chapel to take advantage of the fading light for a few more photos.
As quick as we were up we were back down at the chapel and saddling up for the ride back to The Curtis for the reception. Though the booking was for the standard three-hour minimum, I felt like the whole affair had been a whirlwind of activity. Our best wishes to the new couple in their lives together.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Juliet’s Sweet 16 Birthday – 10/1/2012
Juliet’s mom Cathy was looking for something special to do for her daughter’s Sweet 16 birthday. She decided she would give Juliet a special night-on-the-town with her friends in Boulder, but somehow getting there via a ride in the family SUV just didn’t seem to have that special touch. Enter the Hippie Limo! One call and Cathy had booked our WayBack machine (a Way, Way, Way Back machine for the birthday girl) as part of the surprise for Juliet and her friends Madeline, Julie, Daria, Dustin, and Sophia.
When I pulled into the family’s driveway I was greeted by Cathy who explained that Juliet and her friends were inside but hadn’t seen the limo yet. In a few moments the group emerged from the back door and their eyes lit up in admiration, appreciation, and in one certain case, a bit of confusion indicating the “what the heck is that?” look the Hippie Limo sometimes gets from people who have never seen a Microbus before. The crowd headed down the stairs, Juliet identified as the birthday girl by the pink tiara she wore with a mixture of joy and embarrassment.
Cameras, camera phones, and the eyes of amused and intrigued neighbors and passers-by were all on Juliet and her friends as they posed for a few photographs before climbing into our Samba. “Where IS Dustin?” asked several of the young women insistently. A barrage of frantic texting ensued, but no one appeared. “We’re going without him!” said someone, followed by a series of “Whoo hoo’s!’ that were an expression of excitement about the coming ride rather than at the absent Dustin. I have to admit I was confused by Dustin’s choice not to join his friends. An all-expenses paid evening including dinner at The Med, a ride in the Hippie Limo, and the company of five beautiful women . . . a not-to-be-missed occasion, if you ask me.
Wind from our five-foot open-air canvas sunroof was in their hair and a 1000 watts of Beatles music from our sound system was in their ears as the ladies sang and danced in their seats on the way to Boulder. I am not sure if the young women noticed all of the smiles and acknowledgements they received on their trip, but the occasional laughter accompanied by pointing out the windows told me that they had seen enough to know they were the center of attention on the road. I dropped Juliet and her friends off in front of The Med and headed off to park on Pearl St. to await their summons.
The group had a long dinner, but it was a school night after all, so they were on their way home well before the wee hours of the morning. On the way back to Juliet’s house I let her plug her iPod into our sound system so the crew could jam to their own favorite tracks. After having provided transportation for clients from 16 to 64, I think I can confidently say that the children of the 2000′s and the children of the 1960′s are the only passengers who are guaranteed to test the limits of the Hippie Limo’s speakers. I think it is a derivation of the adage “If it’s too loud, you’re too old” and a corollary “If you’re older, it’s not loud enough.” 
More Birthday & Anniversary Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Birthdays & Anniversaries for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Juliana & Brian’s Wedding: Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater – 9/29/2012
Every wedding has a moment or characteristic that defines it, that makes it stand apart from any other wedding that came before or will follow. For Brian and Juliana I would offer that the defining characteristic was the passion between them clearly evident in one of the photos (see below) taken in the Hippie Limo.
The trip began at the Hotel Boulderado where we picked up Juliana and her bridesmaids Adriana, Diana, and Alissa, along with the wedding photographers. After a short photo session we were on our way up the familiar Flagstaff Mountain road headed for Boulder‘s beautiful Sunrise Amphitheater, a local favorite for weddings and other ceremonies. The novelty and corresponding smiles on the wedding party’s collective faces at climbing up Flagstaff in our Samba flowed palpably into the front of the bus. One of the bridesmaids repeatedly remarked that the ride was “SOOOO cool!” Each time she said it she intoned a little more enthusiasm and appreciation.
Once at the amphitheater the bridal party disembarked and began their final wardrobe and logistics checks before the main event. Most of the guests were already seated when we arrived, so it was rewarding for me to see the faces of the friends and family blossom as they crested the amphitheater’s steps after the ceremony and saw the Hippie Limo. It seemed like no time at all before Juliana and Brian were again in the Microbus, the photographers documenting the experience through dozens upon dozens of shutter clicks. As is often (but not always) the case, the groom was understandably a bit more eager for the photo session to end and the reception party to begin, whereas the bride and photographers were focused on this one-and-only chance to record one of the most meaningful events of the couple’s lives.
During the drive down the mountain the couple and their photographers relaxed and readied themselves for the celebrations to come. I envied Juliana and Brian the delightful combination of elation and exhaustion of the evening to come. The reception is one of the biggest opportunities a couple will have to bask in the glow and possibility of their new life’s journey and it is a time to savor.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Lana & Allen’s Wedding: Mount Vernon Country Club – 9/22/2012
The Hippie Limo‘s most recent late-night excursion was to the Mount Vernon Country Club to pick up Lana and Allen for their ride to the Hotel Monaco, the official starting point for their honeymoon. The newlyweds were ready to go the moment we arrived and their guests were already collecting outside to give them a warm farewell despite the comparatively chilly evening temperatures.
On spotting the Hippie Limo’s approach, one of Lana’s bridesmaids sprang into action and organized the guests and wedding party into mirrored exit lines on either side of the red carpet leading from the venue’s polished oak and brass entryway to our Samba’s gleaming red and white doors. I caught a glimpse of the couple as they navigated (and occasionally dodged) the crowd inside and noticed that they did not have coats. Having not seen any warm clothing at hand among the items I had already loaded for them, I quickly slipped inside the Microbus and laid out two blankets for Lana and Allen in case they wanted to ride with the five-foot canvas sunroof rolled back.
When I turned around I was startled to see several dozen large sparklers suddenly ignite above Lana and Allen’s heads as they dashed down the swelling gauntlet of well-wishers. Specks of bright, white light fell everywhere as I helped the breathless and smiling couple into their seats. Just as I was about to introduce myself, a photographer ushered me to the far side the bus’ doorway and began snapping pictures. Soon he was joined by another and suddenly amid all the flashing lights I began to wonder if these were Paparazzi instead of wedding photographers and whether I had accidentally picked up a pop music duo rather than a pair of newlyweds. A quick glance in the couple’s direction after the cameras withdrew revealed the flushed faces of a young couple a bit torn between their immense and sincere appreciation for the love and support they were receiving and their eagerness to exchange the constant limelight of the day for the gentle candlelight of the evening to come.
I made eye contact with Lana and Allen and wordlessly pointed first to the open sunroof and then to the blankets before giving the pair a questioning look. Knowing I would not be able to hear their words from their seats, they both motioned that they wanted the sunroof open and would very much appreciate the blankets. I indicated for them to buckle their seat belts and then unfolded the blankets. Suddenly the action-oriented bridesmaid from earlier appeared and gave her bride one final inspection. She gingerly reached down and tucked in the hem of her bride’s wedding gown far beyond the reach of the door, smiled sweetly to her, then seemingly just to herself, and then asked in an uncertain voice filled with bitter-sweet tremors, ”Is she ready?” At that moment she sounded and looked like every mother who has ever sent her little girl off to her first day of school, week at camp, or semester at college. I smiled. For no reason I can completely explain, I said, “She’s fabulous. Thanks to you.”
At last we pulled away into the near-moonless night. The chilled air, relative quiet, and lulling darkness that followed was as much of a contrast to the maelstrom of activity that had preceded as one could ask. I could both hear and feel Lana and Allen melt into the seats and into each other’s arms in the back. Lana asked if we could keep the sunroof open until we reached the highway and then close it until we were in the city. I said of course. The two exchanged stories about the day in quiet revere for the rest of the trip . . . until we reached downtown Denver when their energy levels rebounded.
Noting their newfound vigor, I suggested that we take some time to make a few passes through LoDo with the sound system cranked before we went to their hotel. Their response was enthusiastic! The next 20 minutes found us inching our way through the throngs of revelers in the streets and becoming the focus of attention for every bar with a patio and every pedestrian with the ability to turn their head. Camera phone flashes winked in the shadows and smiles glinted in the street lights all of the way through the district. Lana and Allen took it all in, waiving and smiling to the strangers as if they were royalty on parade. When at last we reached the entrance to the Hotel Monaco the streets were quiet as were Lana and Allen. After I unloaded their belongings into a bellhop cart, the couple thanked me for an amazing ride, remarking that they had both done the “limo thing” lots of times before, but that this trip had been something special. I bid them farewell and headed home, happy that even amid the amazing sendoff they received, Lana and Allen still felt that their ride in the Hippie Limo was something special.
Images below courtesy of James Ellison Photography.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Adriana & Ryan’s Wedding: Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater – 9/22/2012
The Hippie Limo was operating in stealth mode for Adriana and Ryan’s wedding at the Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater. Ryan called me the week before to arrange for the Hippie Limo to be the surprise getaway car for his bride Adriana and himself. He cautioned me not to arrive before 6:00 pm to ensure that Adriana would not see the Samba until the ceremony was over. The best laid plans . . .
I made the trip up Flagstaff mountain a bit in advance but pulled the microbus into a spot far away from the amphitheater and away from prying eyes. I parked on a downward-facing hill so when the time came I would simply let the Hippie Limo roll down the road and around the bend separating me from the amphitheater. My intent was to make sure that there would be no engine noise to either interrupt the ceremony or spoil the surprise in case the ceremony was running a few minutes late.
At 6:01 pm I released the parking brake, pushed in the clutch, and let our Samba do it’s impersonation of a silent-running hybrid. I had just begun to round the bend when a woman who I would later learn was Adriana and Ryan’s wedding coordinator darted out from behind a large van and waved me back out of sight. I could see a group of women who were obviously bridesmaids lining up on the stairs to the amphitheater and one of them had caught a glimpse of the bus as I came into sight. In one quick motion born of years of crisis management, the coordinator distracted the bride, silenced the bridesmaid, slipped out from the crowd, and let me know in broad gestures that I should disappear. The wedding hadn’t even begun!
I started the engine and backed up the hill. Luckily the coordinator’s distraction was a good one and I was able to scurry out of sight before the surprise was ruined. Later the coordinator walked to my parking spot around the bend and told me that the ceremony was running about 30 minutes behind and that she would come up and get me when I was needed. Shortly I was joined by two large shuttle coaches who were arriving to collect the guests and take them back into Boulder for the reception. I waived them to stop before they were able to make my mistake (their loud diesel engines would have certainly interrupted the ceremony).
When the coordinator finally did give me the all-clear I rolled down to the parking lot and was greeted by the beaming and ecstatic face of a new bride, the relieved and joyful expression of a novice groom, and the amazed and appreciative gazes of the guests and wedding party. Ryan shook my hand and introduced his wife while the amateur and professional photographers took their positions around the Hippie Limo. The couple looked so glamorous, yet carried themselves with such a playful grace that I had to smile as I watched them effortlessly transition from pose to pose for the photographers. Looking at the picture below of Ryan leaning in to gently steal a kiss from Adriana I think you will see something of that playful grace I saw, as well as catch a glimpse of a type of gentle appreciation and admiration that the most loving couples share.
Before long we were heading down Flagstaff en route to their reception at the Boulder Theater. By the time we reached the neon-drapped marquee, twilight had settled around Boulder and the nightlife was getting underway. I bid Adriana and Ryan farewell and a good life together. I hope Ryan’s surprise delighted Adriana. I am sure the Hippie Limo will be only one of many happy surprises they share together in their lives.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
The Hippie Limo’s Award-Winning Labor Day Weekend – 2012
Festivals and car shows are mainstays of the Labor Day Weekend. Last year when the Hippie Limo was only in its first year of business, we attended both the 2011 Louisville Labor Day Fall Festival and the 2011 Boulder Creek Labor Day Hometown Festival and showed our amazing Samba. Unlike last year when we barely knew what we were doing – to the point of forgetting to pick up our registration packet to be considered for judging, as an example — this year we had our act together. And it paid off. The Hippie Limo brought home two more awards that now adorn our mantel alongside our Best of Show award from the Denver Modernism Show‘s Motorama Car Show.
- Best Classic – Louisville, CO 17th Annual Fall Festival & Motorfest: This particular show hosted by the City of Louisville was judged by local news anchor Mike Landess who made several good choices in winners, including a beautiful 1924 Ford Model T, best popularized by the character Lizzy in the movie Cars.
- 1st Place Original/Restored 1960-86 – Boulder, CO 15th Annual Boulder Creek Hometown Festival & Car Show: This car show was sponsored the Starlite Diner & Lounge, Boulder Creek Events, Adam’s Premium Car Care, Valley Chrysler-Dodge, Rose Hill Wine & Spirits, and Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Colorado. Members of the The Rocky Mountain Nova Club took time out of their holiday weekend to judge this show.
Take a few moments to watch the slideshow below to see a bit of what you may have missed. After that you might consider going over to In the Press to see all the awards we have won as well as the media and blogosphere coverage we have garnered.
More Parade & Show Adventures!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Parades & Shows for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
The Hippie Limo Wins “Best of Show” at the 2012 Denver Modernism Motorama Car Show
As our dedicated follower(s) know, the Hippie Limo recently blogged about it’s plans to attend the Denver Modernism Show as well as set up a display at its automotive cousin, the Motorama Car Show. Little did I know what mojo was at work in those plans. Not only did I discover some treasures of retro-mod art, furniture, architecture, and culture in the Denver area, the Hippie Limo won the popular vote for “Best in Show” at the motorama!
The award was presented by the Denver Modernism Show’s Compère-beyond-Compare, Charles Phoenix. Apparently Mr. Phoenix is quite popular among today’s crazy kids who are obsessed with their Dungarees, J. D. Salingers, and 45 RPM records. This explains why he was completely unknown to me. Having now visited his website, learned a bit about him, and explored his NPR street cred, I wish I had taken more time to chat with this sommelier and self-described ambassador of America’s kitschy-pop past, present, and future. As it was, I only snapped one solitary image of the lanky time-traveller in his polyester stripped suit before moving on (and nursing a day-long, inexplicable craving for Beech-Nut Gum afterward).
As long as you are here you might consider going over to In the Press to see all the awards we have won as well as the media and blogosphere coverage we have garnered.
Take a look below to see who else stopped by to visit with the Hippie Limo.
While exploring the wares and exploits of the various vendors at the Denver Modernism Show I happened upon a few below that commanded my special attention (and yours as well, I hope):
- Stevotomic - Atomic Metal Art Sculptures
Fabulous fifties inspired dimensional metal sculpture. Put these on your walls and you’ll make Matt Helm look square!
- Mid Century Mike – Home Furnishings & Accessories
Meet Mike, an artist who is ‘crazy’ about mid-century furniture, architecture, cars, food, apparel, and everything that made up the 1950′s and 1960′s.
- modmood – Gallery of Modern Furnishings
Unique retailer selling old and new modern, contemporary, and vintage furnishings and finishes.
- Gestalt Collectables – All Things Mid-Century Modern and More
Michael Parks – Owner – 303.249.3315
- Modern in Denver – Architecture, Design, Art, People
Celebrating modern design and living in Colorado.
- Y.Rosemary Fivian, Architect, Inc. – Green and Graceful Modern Design
Architects creating award-winning design solutions for residential and small commercial projects.
- Mid Mod & More – The Urban Gallery
A funky-cool retro gallery for home furnishings with an emphasis on mid-modern and vintage pieces.
- Craig Patterson Fine Photography - Automotive, Car Shoots, Astrophotography
Well-executed photoshoots that can make your dream car or collection be a part of you forever.
More Parade & Show Adventures!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Parades & Shows for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Kendra & Justin’s Wedding: Crooked Willow Farms – 8/26/2012
“We saw the Hippie Limo and right then it was a done deal!” That is what Kendra told me after I dropped her and her new hubby Justin off at The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Englewood, CO. The couple had hired our Samba to make a classy getaway following their wedding and reception at Crooked Willow Farms in Larkspur, CO. By all indications, it was one heck of a party!
When the Hippie Limo arrived at Crooked Willow Farms the evening’s festivities were just getting under way. I heard the DJ announce the first dance from the second-story window of the U-shaped building that was the venue. The building looked like it had formerly been a very large stable that had undergone such an elegant and dramatic remodel that it was hard to recognize it as such. The courtyard inside the arms of the U was beautifully landscaped and immaculately manicured and looked like an English garden nestled within a stone terrace. I crossed the courtyard and climbed the corkscrew stares up to the rustic dance area where I let the bride know the Hippie Limo had arrived.
Kendra was in such a state of flustered joy that I hesitated to even approach her. I could see the whirlwind that must have been the events of the day still spinning in her eyes, but I also saw the combination of elation, fulfillment, and relief that defines nearly every bride as she sees the finish line approaching to that happiest but also most draining of days. After simply introducing myself I stepped back outside to wait in the courtyard. I did take a quick detour to the other side of the building to take a look at the dining hall that was currently being cleaned by the staff. It was lined on both sides with large windows and had French doors at the end. The inside looked liked it had been outfitted by an expert in fine, vintage restaurant design.
In a couple of hours the guests began to trickle out. A few lined up in front of our Microbus, thinking that perhaps it was the bus that had been hired to take them to the hotel. In this particular case I had been retained just to be the livery for the lucky couple. Only moments after I explained why I was there a very large luxury charter bus rolled up on the other side of the Hippie Limo creating quite the visual contrast. Another half hour saw Kendra and Justin and their remaining guests flowing down the stairs and into the courtyard. The bridal party formed a canopy for the couple to run through on their way to the bus.
A few poses for photographs was all that separated them from their final getaway. It was close to midnight before we were off and cruising the back-country roads on our way to Kendra and Jusin’s hotel. The couple had their playlist going on our sound system at about half the system’s capacity (which is pretty loud) and settled into gentle cuddles and enthusiastic reminiscing about the day as they finally had some precious time just for themselves. I could almost feel the warmth from them radiating all of the way to the front of the bus, despite the cool air flowing in through the sunroof (which I suppose was technically now a moonroof since it was letting in the lunar glow from outside).
The couple had about a half-hour to themselves during the ride, and when we pulled into the Inverness driveway I could tell it had done them a world of good. As I opened the door for them and began unloading some of their baggage from rear hatch Kendra and Justin came around to the back of the bus and thanked me profusely for an amazing trip. Kendra offered me a pastry from the box the caterer had brought out to them prior to departing and told me that the couple would definitely tell others about the Hippie Limo. Then the two of them once again entered the fray of guests and photographers, happy and ready for the next stage of the evening.
We wish all the best for Kendra and Justin, and are particularly glad that we had the chance to meet them and be part of their celebration.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Lauren & Brent’s Wedding: Red Rocks Park & Trading Post – 8/25/2012
When Lauren contacted me she told me that her beau-to-be was a lifelong fan of VW buses and that he wanted more than anything to own one. In anticipation of that day she wanted to give him a ride in the Hippie Limo for their special trip from the ceremony at Red Rocks to the reception at the Boulder Country Club. Of course, I jumped at the chance to give another VW lover a taste of the very best VW had to offer in the 60′s.
When I arrived at the venue I tucked our Samba discretely behind a catering truck to await a text from Lauren’s mother that would signal my surprise arrival. The couple’s big day coincided with the 2012 edition of Reggae on the Rocks, a music festival showcasing the best of legendary and upcoming artists in the genre. There was no shortage of good music to listen to or shouts of appreciation from the crowds as I waited. When the time came I rolled up to the large event space with The Beatles song Love Me Do reverberating from the sound system. A wave of smiles washed across the faces of Lauren and Brent’s wedding guests and several of them broke out into dance.
On hearing the music, Lauren ushered Brent around the corner of the Trading Post to see the surprise she had arranged. From the driver’s seat of the Hippie Limo I could see his eyes widen and jaw drop. Brent then drew Lauren in for an embrace and a kiss, obviously deeply touched. Brent had to content himself with simply adoring the Microbus from afar for a bit longer as their photographer, the very personable and obviously talented Penny of Penny [O] Photography, had to pull them away for some group photos. The time passed quickly for me as I was very busy answering their departing guests’ questions about the couple’s sweet getaway car, but it must have been an eternity for Brent.
Finally we were off to the Boulder Country Club via a beautiful ride down Highway 93. Lauren and Brent split their attention among the lovely Foothills scenery outside and the music and conversation they shared on the inside. Lauren requested a custom playlist of Rock and Motown hits for their ride, which I gladly provided for them. The trip passed all too quickly and soon the couple found themselves entering their reception (but not before several poses with the Hippie Limo ). I bid them farewell, their smiling but exhausted faces full of appreciation. Best of luck to them on the ride of their lives – marriage!
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Megan & Brad’s Wedding: Lyons Farmette – 8/18/2012
The Lyons Farmette was the site of Megan and Brad’s big day (and evening) as well as the starting point for the Hippie Limo‘s latest wedding adventure. Megan and Brad wanted a safe and special way to transport their guests (and the two of them) from their big celebration at the Lyons Farmette to the “after party” house on the banks of the St. Vrain river. What transport could be more special than the Hippie Limo?
I pulled up to the venue at 9:30 pm and found a party in full swing. The loud and surprisingly clear music from the DJ stand echoed down the bridge that connected the hillside above to the parking area below. I could immediately tell a lot about the bride and groom from their music selection – 80′s to early 90′s hits. My first impressions were confirmed when I found the bride, Megan, swaying in perfect rhythm to the bass line of The Knack’s My Sherona as she talked with some of her guests. She didn’t even skip a beat when I introduced myself and let her know that her ride was here. She continued to move to the music as she told me the plan for the evening. These were going to be some pretty cool clients!
I walked down the bridge away from the music and the romantic glow of vintage-looking Italian Christmas lights circling the hillside and prepared the Samba for my first passengers. Unknown to me, the groom and a few of his friends were following behind and quickly came up and introduced themselves. They were dressed in white shirts with purple paisley suspenders and bow ties. The groom, Brad, was wearing the additional adornment of what I can only describe as a cross between a “Little Dutch Boy hat” and a railroad Engineer’s cap (though I later learned it was a Pageboy hat, like the early 1900′s “newsies” pageboys wore). On him it looked both dapper and whimsical, an impression furthered by the classically wax-curled tips of his moustache.
Brad and his party chatted with me a bit about the Hippie Limo and its history while six happy-go-lucky guests lined up, ready for the first trip up Highway 36 on its climb to Estes Park. The destination was a bit hard to find, but luckily the landmark of Shelly’s Cottages made it possible to find the turn-off in the dark. A couple more round trips and it was time for the happy couple to make their getaway. Megan and Brad made a special request for The Beatles to be their soundtrack during their ascent up the canyon. As we cruised through Lyons we saw crowds just starting to make the long trudge to their cars from The Rocky Mountain Folk Festival at Planet Bluegrass Ranch. Smiles lit up everyone’s faces as we made our way through the departing spectators. Soon we were winding our way up to the house with the twilight outline of rocky cliffs and a blanket of beaming stars flowing in through the sunroof.
Megan and Brad stepped out of the Hippie Limo into the awaiting revels of their friends and family. After one more quick round trip I was off to home at the nearly unheard-of hour (for me) of 12:30. My eyes may have been a bit blurry but I could tell by watching Megan and Brad that the two of them were going to be great companions for one another during their life together.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest.
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Advice for Using the Hippie Limo as a Shuttle for Your Wedding or Commitment Celebration
Starting the Hippie Limo has been a learning experience, and the last year has yielded some best practices in making the Hippie Limo a part of a couple’s big day. Below are suggestions for using the Hippie Limo as an oh-so-special shuttle service for their wedding or commitment. Remember that we have a six passenger maximum, which means you will have to do some planning if you want to shuttle a number of guests during your wedding or commitment.
- Estimate total time for each one-way or round trip for the shuttle (pickup to dropoff and/or return to pickup location, for example) using something like Google Maps or Mapquest. Then add between 3-5 minutes for each estimate to be on the safe side.
- Create a shuttle departure timetable for each specific location or event and provide it to the guests at their respective lodgings as well as post it on every reception table and at the bar or catering table (if there is one) so that all guests have a way to see when a ride will be arriving or departing from a location. Make it clear which part of the timetable is for trips from one location to another. Be sure to indicate the maximum number of passengers per trip and highlight the time of the last trip to or from any location.
- Go a step further and create assigned seating for each shuttle trip (based on the seating chart at the reception tables or some other existing ordered list of guests to make things easier for you to plan and easier for your guests to remember). In conjunction with the timetable this should make sure that all guests are transported before the start of an event and at the end of the evening in workable numbers. If this is not done there is a risk that at some point (usually just before the ceremony or at the very end of the evening) there will be a line of guests waiting transportation and no room for them.
- Make an announcement about the shuttle, schedule, and assigned seating at the beginning of the reception as well as at least two or three times throughout.
- Task your wedding party, coordinator, or other reliable persons to round-up guests at the departure times and help them get to their ride. You can be tech-savvy about it and in addition send out texts to each party’s cell phones to give them a 10-15 minute heads-up on the time they will be leaving. For those with smart phones you can send out emails with schedules for each part of the evening in advance. That said, don’t rely on technology to be sure your guests make their departure times. Nothing substitutes for a friendly reminder from a person.
- Decide on and reserve a specific spot for pickups and dropoffs and then provide signage to help direct guests to the location. Also post a copy of the timetable at the location. Establishing a consistent pickup point is critical, especially in cases where guests may have enjoyed themselves a bit more than expected and could end up getting lost. You can kick it up a notch and include a kitchen timer or other battery-powered clock at the pickup location to really help keep the guests on track.
- Last, but surely not least, check all event calendars for the city and local venues (concert halls, hotels, festival pavilions, etc,) to be sure there are no events that might impact travel times to the venues, hotels, B&Bs, or other lodgings. All it takes is one unexpected event and the associated traffic or road closures to turn a five-minute trip into a 25 minute trip.
If this much planning doesn’t sound like your cup of tea or you just have too many guests in your entourage, you could consider choosing another limo service that offers vehicles with larger seating capacity or can provide more vehicles for the event. There are several limo companies in Denver that can provide both of these benefits. Take a look at our article on Denver & Boulder Limousine Options, Rates, and Advice for Weddings and Special Occasions – Making the Decision to help you find just the right service at the right price for you.
Of course, should you choose another company it will certainly not be able to give you the one-of-a-kind experience in riding in the icon of an era, nor will your guests be able to boast about having been in one of the most unique rides in Denver or Boulder. As one group of passengers observed on a night out in our Samba, “A Hummer sure doesn’t get you the smiles, reactions, or peace signs like you get in the Hippie Limo!”
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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What did you think of this article? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Denver Modernism Show – 8/24-26 and Motorama Car Show – 8/26/2012
When I was in graduate school in the mid nineties I had a critical theory class in which we studied the Modernism Movement in literature (1900-1965). Funny thing about calling something “modern” is that by the time enough experts agreed on the name and identifying characteristics of the movement, the movement itself was already over! And if “modernism” is something that happened in the past, where does that leave us now? In the 90′s the answer was Post-Modernism, so does that mean Post Post-Modernism will follow? This makes the term “modernism” particularly unwieldy in my opinion.
The critique not withstanding, I am a real fan of the “modern” design aesthetic ranging from Art Deco to American Craftsman to 60′s Mod. Of course one look at the lines and styling of the Hippie Limo makes these design preferences pretty evident. It is worthwhile noting that the VW Split-Window Microbus was designed and built from 1949-67, which means it has a foot in all those periods.
For any of you with similar tastes you should attend the Denver Modernism Show on August 24th, 25th, and 26th 2012 at the National Western Complex Expo Hall in Denver. If you have an interest in mid-century, art deco, retro, pop, or modernist furnishings, artwork, objects, and artifacts, you will find your heart’s desire met in the 50,000 square feet of vendor-packed show space. You will also find the Hippie Limo there!
The Hippie Limo will be setting up shop alongside over 100 other cars as part of the Motorama Car Show on August 26th 2012 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, a show organized for the Denver Modernism Show by the Sunday Afternoon Car Klub (SACK), a Colorado affiliate of Lambda Car Club International (LCCI). You will find the Motorama’s selection of “post-Atomic American and European cars” in the National Western Complex’s adjoining Hall of Education (that’s right “in” – meaning an indoor show!). Admission is $8.00 which includes admission to the Denver Modernism Show!
We hope to see you there and we promise to post all of the photos we can get of the main Modernism show and it’s internal-combustion next-door cousin when we have them.
More Parade & Show Adventures!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Parades & Shows for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Buffalo Bill Days Parade and Car Show (and Justine’s Birthday!): Golden, CO – 7/28/2012
July seems to be a busy month for the Hippie Limo just as it was last year! Last week we displayed our Samba in the 1st Annual Starlite Diner‘s Classic Car Show to benefit Colorado Special Olympics. There the Hippie Limo won its first show award – 3rd Place for Orignal Stock Restoration 1960-84! Right on the heals of that event was the famous Buffalo Bill Days celebrations in the old-west’s Golden, CO.
The Hippie Limo was lucky enough to be selected to roll in one of the main events, the Buffalo Bill Days Parade. We had a wonderful spot in the middle of the parade and showcased four professionals from the Colorado School of Mines who danced and waved from the Hippie Limo’s sunroof to the 12,000+ spectators. The moment the crowds saw us coming they collectively smiled and then burst into laughter when they saw our Hippie Limo.com – Weddings & Special Occasions signs. I love how people react when they discover we are an actual limo service.
The parade went by all too fast but we still had more on our plate the following day when the Hippie Limo opened its doors for Justine Davis, Chelsea Walzack, Robin Braa, Karen Bolis, and Kathy Smith for their ride to Golden for a day of shopping and fun. Justine’s parents had given her one of the Hippie Limo’s gift certificates for a free ride for her birthday. This particular gift certificate was from our donation to the Crescendo! Big Sound Fundraiser to benefit Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts. We all enjoyed our ride along the Front Range mountains as we gazed through the 21-windows of the Microbus and watched the sky roll by through the 5-foot canvas open-air sunroof. I dropped off the crew in Golden for a shopping spree and then joined the Buffalo Bill’s Car Show on Washington Street presented by the Colorado chapter of the Antique Automotive Club of America.
The Hippie Limo played meet-and-greet to about 5,000 car fans while it waited to spirit the ladies back home. You can imagine the delight on their faces when they unexpectedly saw their personal chariot being the subject of so much attention. Right in the middle of the show I opened up the doors and helped the ladies board, much to the envy of all of the onlookers, and then took them on their music-filled ride back home. All in all, a great day for everyone!
More Birthday & Anniversary Adventures!
Curious about the fun others have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Birthdays and Anniversaries for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Denver & Boulder Limousine Options, Rates, and Advice for Weddings and Special Occasions – Making the Decision
Choosing the right limo service for your wedding or special occasion – the combination of amenities, quality and type of vehicles, good service, and budget-friendly pricing – can be difficult. Denver-metro residents have a host of limo services to choose from, especially if they are looking for the standard stretch towncar, SUV, or party bus. On the other hand there are only a handful of services that offer classic, antique, unique, and vintage limos like the Hippie Limo.
Most limo services offer the modern limo experience – partial or full bars, lots of neon in the interior with nightclub styling, and the cache of a sleek machine for your ride. Though the Hippie Limo’s completely period dealer-showroom restoration does not allow for these sort of extras (nor would we want them to spoil the experience), it does have its own appeal for those with retro-mod tastes. If you want to jump over and see what the Hippie Limo charges for service, go over to Limo Packages & Rates.
The Chase
If you are the kind of person who just wants the basic information (without all of the details that will likely explain the variation between published and actual pricing), then here you go:
On average, for a 6-passenger regular luxury SUV “limo” (not stretched) in the Denver Metro you can expect to pay a base $200 for a standard 3-hour minimum and $65 for each additional hour NOT INCLUDING taxes or a mandatory 20% gratuity.
The Details
Now read below to learn more about pricing factors and variations and to find links to the published pricing for specific companies.
If you are doing web searches to find out just what sort of hit to the pocket-book a limo will mean for your wedding or special occasion, you will often find yourself having to call the service for a quote as pricing is dependent on several factors, including but not limited to:
- Season
- Vehicle
- Time of day
- Occasion
- Gratuity
- Fuel prices and other ever-changing operating costs
Still, there are several companies who publish and presumably regularly update their hourly rates, a few of which I will list for you below. A common misconception is that limos bill similarly to taxis, meaning they bill by the time it takes to make a trip. Mostly this is not so except in the case of airport or concert services. It doesn’t matter if you will only physically be in the limo for a couple of hours, if you plan on having a 6-hour night on the town you will be paying for 6-hours of service. This is because the limo will be at your command for those hours and is unable to service other customers during that time. As I said, this is not always the case but it is how the vast majority of companies work their billing.
Considerations in Pricing a Limo Service in Denver
To help you the savvy consumer try to get some idea of just what you will pay for a limo ride in our area I have collected a few of the Denver sites with rates pages below. Before you take them at face value you should be aware of the following restrictions that may apply. Or put another way, the lower rates they list are based on limitations on service that may not actually apply to your specific occasion or situation:
- Season: Prom, Wedding, and Concert seasons (May-ish to October-ish) are more expensive than off-seasons because of demand.
- Note: The Hippie Limo only operates from April to October and only has one price structure.
- Weekday, Weekend, or Time-of-Day: Rates will vary depending on the days and times you want service. Obviously the more popular days and times (weekends and evenings) command the more expensive rates.
- Note: The Hippie Limo’s rates are the same regardless of day or time.
- Occasion: Limo companies know that some occasions warrant a more premium price on service because people are just willing to pay more for their special occasion. A limo for a wedding or prom is usually more special than a night out. Funerals are usually another matter.
- Note: The Hippie Limo is “agnostic” when it comes to occasion. Meaning it doesn’t matter what you want to use it for, it is one price.
- Distance: Limos have their lowest rates the closer they provide service to their respective garages. Obviously it takes longer and costs more for a limo to provide service to a suburb or rural area than it does to downtown locations where most companies are based. The posted rates usually are for the metro area and can vary depending on pickup and drop-off destinations.
- Note: The Hippie Limo includes travel charges in our base hourly rate provided pickup and dropoff locations are within a 30-mile radius of Boulder City Center (that’s radius, not actual road miles – see Contact & Booking for more details). Any travel to mountain towns and as well as travel to areas outside this radius will incur an extra charge to cover our additional costs (again, see Contact & Booking for details). The Hippie Limo is also limited by our insurance to operation within a 50-mile radius of Downtown Denver (again, radius, not miles travelled).
- Amenities: Most limos have some level of luxuries such as bars and decor. That being said, the lower priced limos will have less stylish or extravagant presentations. Generally, the larger the vehicle the more indulgent and impressive the perks you get.
- Note: The Hippie Limo lacks pretty much all of these luxuries as I mentioned above. Some “luxuries” you might expect, such as air-conditioning or heating, are also lacking. The former was pretty rare on any car in 1965 and the latter was never much on the old Microbuses in the first place. Even so, this is almost never an issue regarding the comfort of passengers as the 5-foot open-air sunroof and front opening Safari windshields usually keep the temperature very moderate.
- Hourly Minimum: Most services have an hourly minimum, usually about 3-4 hours. When you look at their page they will use a grid to distinguish between the type of vehicle and its associated hourly rate and minimums.
- Note: The Hippie Limo has a 3-hour minimum, which is pretty standard.
- Vehicle Selection: You really have a range of options to meet your desires with most companies (save for classic cars). You can have a basic towncar (which will still be very nice) that seats 2 passengers; a van, stretch towncar, or regular SUV which usually seats 6-8 passengers; and finally a stretch SUV or bus which can seat anywhere from 12-26 or so. As you go up in vehicle capacity you go up in price. Towncars usually bill out between $65 and $85 and hour, whereas the coveted stretch dual axle Hummer behemoth can run $180 an hour or more.
- Note: The Hippie Limo is our one and only vehicle. I am a full-time at-home dad of two children. In an effort to fill that pesky income gap that results from having a devoted at-home parent, I am trying to find a way to make some money with my classic car.
- Classic or Modern: Newer limos are surprisingly less expensive to acquire and maintain than older ones, so classic, antique, and vintage limos demand a premium over modern cars. Though price is a consideration, you just cannot beat the photos at a wedding or other occasion that come along with hiring a car such as a Rolls Royce, Bently, or similar (a 1965 21-Window Deluxe VW Microbus, for example . You can easily expect to pay between $130-$180 an hour for one of these beauties (and you are often charged for roundtrip travel from/to their garage in addition to your actual hours of service). I you can stretch your budged to include a classic limo, you won’t regret it when it comes to the general “wow” factor in your guests’ reactions as well as in the “pop” you will have in your photographs.
- Note: The Hippie Limo bills out at about the same rate as a stretch towncar with most companies (sometimes a little higher), which is quite a bit less than one of the more ritzy options – though admittedly less prestigious. Check out our Weddings & Commitments page as well as our Photo Gallery to see what sort of photos you might expect to have if you hire the Hippie Limo.
- Gratuities, Taxes, and Charges: Published pricing for many services may not include a mandatory 20% “gratuity,” a 5% fuel surcharge, or other applicable taxes and charges. These can add up if the service uses them. Usually the service will have a disclaimer near the pricing grid that lets you know these extras are not included in the base pricing.
- Note: The Hippie Limo has all taxes and charges (other than mentioned above for some travel) included in its base rate. Gratuities are never expected or required (but they are sure appreciated!)
- Special Note on the term “Gratuity:” Most limousine companies book their vehicles at a rate plus a 20% gratuity, also called a “chauffeur’s fee.” The use of the word “gratuity” is misleading as it leads most customers to think they are tipping the driver in advance. In fact, the 20% is the driver’s base wage. This is what the company pays the driver for her or his hard work; drivers rarely get an hourly wage.
The above points cover most considerations you will have in pricing a limo service for your wedding or other special occasion. The bit of guidance above is not meant to show how the Hippie Limo is better than other services. Indeed, we don’t offer much of what they do — other than a one-of-a-kind experience in a 60′s icon, of course.
Some Denver and Boulder Area Limo Rates and Services
As promised, below are links to some companies in the Denver and Boulder area that publish their limo rates in some form on the web. Though it is not possible to compare “apples to apples” when considering our Limo Packages & Rates along with theirs, it should give you some starting point on pricing.
On average, for a 6-passenger regular luxury SUV “limo” (not stretched) in the Denver Metro you can expect to pay a base $200 for a standard 3-hour minimum and $65 for each additional hour. This pricing DOES NOT INCLUDE taxes or a mandatory 20% gratuity. Nor does it account for extra charges for high-demand days, hours, or occasions.
The companies below are presented in no particular order and the Hippie Limo does not endorse any service nor does it know whether or not the rates on the pages are up-to-date or if the considerations listed above apply in all cases.
- Denver Crown Limousine
- A Century Limousine Denver
- American Eagle Limousine Denver
- Colorado Luxury Limousine Denver
- Pearl Limousine Denver
- Denver Limo Service
- Global VIP Limousine (Denver VIP Coach)
- Denver Limo, Inc.
- Sunset Luxury Limousines
Denver and Boulder Area Classic, Vintage, Antique, or Unique Limo Services
Our area does have a few choices when it comes to renting an unusual limo for your wedding or special occasion. Check out the ones below.
- Excursions Limousine Service
- Rolls Royce Rentals Denver
- The Ambassador’s Rolls: Classic Rolls Royce Limousines (R.I.P)
- Colorado Movie Cars (Facebook)
- Silver Elegance Rolls Royce Limousine Service
- Rolls Royce Weddings
Other Advice When Hiring a Limo and Denver
Visit the sites below for good advice and “gotchas” to watch out for when renting a limo. To see the Hippie Limo’s operation credentials go to Contact & Booking and scroll to the bottom of the page.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest.
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Do you have a company or other resource to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Peace, Love & Misunderstanding (and The Hippie Limo) – 6/4/2012
I love film. I adore indy film. As a college and then graduate student I always made it a point to go to every art house showing, film festival, and film program exhibition I could. However, as a full time at-home dad of two wonderful children under three, I have pretty much no time to go to movies anymore. Given this, I was estatic to be contacted by IFC Entertainment to see if the Hippie Limo would be intereted in doing a co-promotion for their production Peace, Love & Misunderstanding.
Here is an overiew of the film from it’s website: Directed by two‐time Academy Award nominee Bruce Beresford, Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding stars Academy Award winning Jane Fonda, two‐time Academy Award nominated Catherine Keener, international heartthrob Chace Crawford, and Sundance’s “breakout star” Elizabeth Olsen. It is comedy about an uptight New York City lawyer who takes her two spirited teenagers to her hippie mother’s farmhouse in the countryside for a family vacation. What was meant to be a weekend getaway quickly turns into a summer adventure of romance, music, family secrets, and self‐discovery.
A night out, an indy flick, and a chance to share the Hippie Limo with a hundred or more film lovers . . . a win-win, don’t you think? Even better for you, attendees will have the opportunity to win a ride in the Hippie Limo! How can you beat that?
If you can make time in your schedule, block off a couple of hours and buy a ticket on June 4, 2012 for the Denver special advanced screening of Peace, Love & Misunderstanding. The show starts at 7:30 PM at a local Denver theatre (one of which will be the award-winning Landmark Chez Artiste theatre where you can meet the Hippie Limo in person before the show!).
Enter to win tickets to the show by texting the word WOODSTOCK and your ZIP CODE to 43549 AND you could also win a four-hour Magical Mystery Tour in our 1965 VW Samba Microbus limo! (Example text: WOODSTOCK 80246; Entry deadline: Thursday, May 31 at midnight). See ya there!
More Event & Promotion Adventures!
Curious about the fun we’ve had at other events and promotions? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Events & Promotions for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images others have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your other special occasion!
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Do you have a marketing activity or other resource to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
How to Market a Hippie Limo 101
Since posting my article Like Minds – Other “Hippie Limo” Businesses Around the World I have been contacted by several bus-based businesses (or those wanting to start them) asking what the Hippie Limo is doing to drum up clients. I thought I would take a moment to describe my marketing strategy for the benefit of all those aspiring individuals out there as well as anyone with suggestions regarding other activities I might do (I am talking to YOU marketing majors looking for a project). First, a little context:
Constraints
- As a full-time at-home dad of two young children, at most I have about 10 hours in a week free (that’s a 7 day week, not a 5 day week) to work on the business. That doesn’t mean just marketing. That includes maintenance, repair, and cleaning. This is not going to change anytime soon.
- I operate only from April 1 to October 31. This is because the Samba would take too much damage from rust and deterioration during winter months. Also, these old buses have little in the way of heat, so it is also a comfort factor for clients.
- I have a total budget of $200/month during my 7-month season, not including commercial insurance which is $2000 for 6-months!
- Note to those considering doing such a business on a personal insurance policy: All non-commercial insurance, which is what you have if you do not have a business policy, is void if you accept any money for transportation or use the vehicle in a business. In other words, if you get into an accident driving as a limo with a non-commercial, personal policy, you will NOT be covered. Furthermore, without a license from the state to operate you are subject to heavy fines and seizure of your vehicle.
Goals
- I do not expect to make a lot of money doing this. Rather, I need just enough to pay for the business plus make up some of the income gap that results from having a parent stay at home. (There is no way I can make up the entire gap, but I need to at least slow the decline)
- I want to have about 3 jobs a week so as to accommodate my wife’s busy schedule and to spend the quality time with my children that they need and deserve
- I want to tax-deduct bills I would incur anyway for having and maintaining a classic car
- I want to use my business to contribute to a few worthwhile causes in my community as I am unable to do so with any direct financial support
MY MARKETING STRATEGIES/ACTIVITIES
Below is a pretty good list of all of the things I have done to try to get the word out about my business and draw in clients. You can assume that I have done all of these for the Denver and Boulder County areas. Keep in mind my constraints as you read.
Industry Professionals
For each of these groups I have made contact using email, telephone, and postcards.
- 164 Wedding and/or Event Planners
- 203 Venues (including hotels, event centers, golf courses, art galleries, and parks)
- 34 Related Local Businesses (such as retro bars, home decor shops, mod magazines, etc.)
- 36 Marketing and Publicity Firms (that would tap me for retro ad campaigns or events)
- 18 Vintage Car Clubs and Museums
- 312 Local Photographers (there are way too many to contact all of them, but I am always trying to expand my contact list)
- 36 Concierge Services, both corporate and personal
- 81 Coffee Houses in trendy, upscale neighborhoods (bulletin board postings)
Wedding Shows, Car Shows, and Parades
I exhibit at as many of the wedding shows locally as I can, which is difficult since they range from $300-$1000 apiece, but they do have between 400-900 brides and their entourages attending any given show. Besides the physical presence, I also receive mailing lists of the brides who attend these shows. As for Car Shows and Parades, one of the benefits of having such a unique vehicle is that I am able to use both of these events to market my service. Due to time and money constraints (even car shows and parades have entry fees ranging from $40-$270), I do the following in a year:
- Exhibit at 1-2 Wedding Shows
- Display at 4-5 Car Shows
- Roll in 2-3 Parades
Benefits and Fundraisers
There is a two-point goal in offering packages for silent and live auctions at fundraisers. First, since we have negative cash flow, offering these packages is a free way to build awareness of my business among organizations and the many relatively affluent and well-placed individuals who attend such events. The number of attendees to these events range from 300-1800. Likewise, I am able to contribute to my community in monetary ways that don’t require me to spend actual money. I donate 7-9 packages a year. Some of the organizations I have donated to include:
- Children’s and Community Hospitals
- Children’s Museums
- Art and Science Museums
- Community Health and Social Support
- Human and Animal Rights Groups
- Environmental Causes
- Senior and Disabled Citizen Groups
Local and National Blogs and Related Businesses
When time allows I try to find blogs and businesses that have even the slightest connection to either what I do or to the articles I write and make comments to create a cross blog posting. The purpose of this is that the more presence I have on the web as a whole, the higher rank I receive in search engines as they index the web. In fact, combining this activity along with my Search Engine Optimization, blogging, and multi-site presence (see below for more on these), I can say I am now on the first or second page of most search engine results for the following search strings for Denver or Boulder:
- Classic Limo
- Vintage Limo
- Unique Limo
- Wedding Limo
Business Directories and Wedding Planning Websites
I am on all of the (free) business directories and referral websites. As for wedding planning sites, most of you are familiar with The Knot, the biggest wedding planning site for brides. Well, that one is prohibitively expensive, but I do advertise on the other affordable ones listed below:
- WeddingWire
- Project Wedding
- Martha Stewart Weddings
- Brides
- Wedding Bee
- Wedding Aces
- EventWire
- BirthdayWire
- PromWire
- MyWedding
Website Optimization
Beyond website content and search engine optimization and indexing, which I have done for all major engines, I write blog posts on my trips and events. These have generated better than half my web traffic. A high percentage of that traffic has come from people searching terms other than limo or wedding (such as the names and organizations of the fundraisers in which I participate or the venues involved in my wedding trips). On average this generates 60-80 hits a day. You can look at all of our postings using the following:
- Current Events & Musings (in the right sidebar)
- Past Events & Musings (dropdown menu and search field beneath Current Events).
Social Media
I have a Hippie Limo Facebook page where I post all of my updates (as well as on my personal Facebook page) and use both my mailing lists and friend lists to ask people to talk about or like our business. I have also taken out several months worth of ads on Facebook, which offers such delightful targeting options as recent relationship status changes and engagement periods between 6 months and 1 year.
I have a Hippie Limo Twitter account where I send updates on all of my activities as well as cross-post my blog articles. I also have a Pinterest board where I pin beautiful wedding and special occasion photographs from other VW business around the world. Lastly, I have a video on YouTube. All of the above are designed specifically to build my web presence, increase my ranking in the search engines, and give examples of how amazing it would be to include a vintage VW in a wedding or special occasion.
Being Sociable
As I said, I try to get references or mentions on as many blogging or article sites and Facebook pages as I can. Also, anytime I go to a restaurant or business, go grocery shopping, visit or call a business to manage some aspect of our family life, or come anywhere near anyone who might even have a chance of being interested in the Hippie Limo they get an elevator pitch and a business card. I also post cards in coffee shops and other venues with public bulletin boards (and make a special effort to do so in trendy areas). Even pesky telemarketers ask me to take them off of my list because I always give them my pitch after they are done with there’s. This is no exaggeration. I talk to everyone.
Traditional Media
A few times a season I send an current version of my Press Release to local media (Newspapers, TV & Radio, Magazines, Websites) and even national media (NPR related shows mostly) about my activities. A few have taken hold as you can see at In the Press on our site. I chose to advertise in one of the more affordable local magazines called Colorado Brides, which is a co-publication of Yellow Scene Magazine. They had a great customer support and provided full ad design service. I have also asked former customers and friends to vote for the Hippie Limo in the write-in category for the “Best Of” editions of Westword, The Boulder Weekly, and Yellow Scene as well as make regular plugs about me to the media.
Arts, Architecture, and Lifestyle Organizations
It occurred to me that the more artsy minded out there would be a likely audience for the Hippie Limo and more likely to use and tell others about our service. I have already contacted many art galleries as part of my venue mailings but I am now contacting organizations and sponsors behind art events like Film Festivals, Art Shows, and Drama Expos and their associated audience groups. I have also been making connections with architecture and design firms, such as Roth Sheppard, and local culture and lifestyle sources, like Modern in Denver, to arrange cross-promotional opportunities. The best recent example was when I heard about the Micro Housing Ideas Competition in Denver and contacted the sponsors to have our Microbus have its own presence at the event.
Would-Be Marketers and Marketing Veterans
I have contacted the undergraduate and graduate marketing program chairs and individual faculty members at all of the local private and public universities inquiring as to whether or not a professor or student would be willing to take on our little experiment as a project. I have also sent out similar requests to community colleges and even some local and national marketing firms to see if any of them would be willing to lend a hand in return for good Karma and a lot of laughs at their next cocktail party.
What’s Next?
Well that covers all of the major things I do to market my business. There are probably others, but they don’t pop straight into mind and my time for writing a blog post is over. If you have anything else to offer please see the Leave a Reply area below. If you want to know some specific things that YOU can do to help promote the Hippie Limo, take a look at our post Keep Boulder Weird (Make Denver Weirder): Take a Ride in the Hippie Limo. Thanks for looking!
Also, since you took the time to read this post, would you please consider liking us on our Facebook Page, following us on Twitter, liking our video on YouTube, following or re-pinning us on Pinterest, and telling your friends about us?
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Do you have a marketing activity or other resource to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Like Minds – Other “Hippie Limo” Businesses Around the World
In 2000 when I had the idea of using my classic VW as the Hippie Limo there was no one who seemed to have a similar thought. Now it appears that there are many like minds . . . nearly all of them in the UK (United Kingdom/Great Britain) and IE (Ireland). There are 55 and still counting, though I have been told by one of the companies that there are over 100 and each with multiple vehicles to choose from!!! Just how can a couple of islands support so many vintage VW bug, bus, and camper rentals? Check out some of the Hippie Limo’s competition around the world. But remember, think global; shop local!
If you contact any of the businesses below please be sure to tell them that you found them via the Hippie Limo!
You can also be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
1. Splitscreen Dreams - Classic VW Campervan for Hire – Lake District, Cumbria, UK
Splitscreen Dreams is a family run business specializing in hiring chauffeur-driven Classic VW Campervans for Weddings.
2. Volkswagen Weddings – 1969 Deluxe Bay Window Bus – Dudley, West Midlands, UK
Poppy is a 1969 Deluxe bus with seven seats (all with seat belts) that loves nothing more than being part of a couple’s big day.
3. Beetle Drive Ltd – VW Classics for Special Occasions – Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK
A full fleet of classic Volkswagen wedding cars for hire in the Nuneaton and surrounding areas. If you are looking for something different for your big day then why not arrive in the coolest cars on the road.
4. Volkswagen Funerals – Classic VW Herse and Funeral Cars – Nationwide, UK
Volkswagen Funerals offers a completely unique service to provide an alternative funeral transport. We may also be able to assist you in finding suitable suppliers and Funeral Directors who can help you plan a fitting funeral, find some amazing coffins, and explore what you can do with your loved one’s ashes.
5. VW Brides – Providing a Smile with Every Mile – Kent, Bexley, UK
VW Brides is an established classic Volkswagen wedding car hire company providing vintage VW Beetle Cabriolets and Saloons as well as iconic Vdub Campervans for wedding hire and promotional events throughout Kent and the South East.
6. Dub Tails - VW Weddings, Holidays & Occasions – Yorkshire, UK
Dub Tails likes to help make your wedding in Yorkshire a little bit more fun, quirky, original and memorable with our fantastic VW Campervans. Arrive in style, surprise your guests, and create once in a lifetime photo opportunities with one of our retro chic Campers.
7. Deluxe Kombi Service – Sunshine Coast – Queensland, AU
Deluxe Kombi Service offer a unique chauffeur driven 21 Window Splitscreen Kombi servicing the whole of The Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.This beautifully restored 1965 Splitscreen Kombi is available for all Special Occasions from Weddings to Formal events to Special Scenic Tours of the beautiful Sunshine Coast.
8. I Love VW Weddings – Camper Van Hire – Lincoln, UK
I Love VW Weddings is where you will find a cool, stylish ride for your wedding party in our fantastic 1963 Volkswagen Splitscreen Van.
9. Princess Limos – Mild to Wild – Highland, California, US
When a regular limousine just won’t do, the “VW Party Bus Limo” will turn heads and get you noticed as you roll up in this 10 passenger one-of-a-kind limo. An all time favorite for bachelor(ette) parties and other occasions requiring an unusual vehicle.
10. Retro Rides – Iconic Vehicle Services – Ottawa, CA
A 1966 Volkswagen Transporter Deluxe for nearly every occasion that requires a special touch of vintage class.
11. VW Love Bus - VW Splitscreen Love Bus – Colchester, Essex, UK
Molly, a 1967 VW split screen bus, is available for weddings and hire for any special occasion you have planned.
12. Vintage VW Weddings – Show winning Vintage Volkswagens – South Wales, UK
Vintage VW Weddings provides wedding couples with the finest collection of vintage, classic and contemporary Volkswagen car and campers for wedding and civil ceremony hire.
13. VW 4 Weddings - The Ultimate Wedding Experience – Bingly, West Yorkshire, UK
Offers the most beautiful wedding vans for hire in the UK, featuring Faith, a 21-Window deluxe bus. Have faith!
14. Vintage Safari Wagons – The Ultimate Wedding Experience – Los Angeles, US
Offers restored VW camper buses for rent/hire from a Los Angeles area location
15. VW Classic Camper Van Hire – Self-drive Volkswagen classic Campers – Yorkshire, UK
Specializing in hiring out the very best Campers we can find for camping, touring, weddings, and special occasions
16. All Cool Classic VW Camper Hire – Campers from the ’60′s and ’70′s – North Yorkshire, UK
A company with a mission to provide a cool, relaxing, and retro experience for holiday, publicity, or special occasions
17. Camper Amber - Classic VW Camper Hire – Glouchester, UK
Yours for a week long family holiday, a romantic weekend break, a festival extravaganza or simply a day out!
18. Sam’s Campers and Karmann Ghia - Family owned VWs for Trips and Holidays – Workingham, Berkshire, UK
Available for flexible short term rental for those who would like a day trip, weekend break, holiday, wedding or prom
19. Hire a VW – Travel in Ultimate VW Surf Style – Bristol, UK
Classic VW camper van that is well equipped and looking cool for adventure
20. VW Camper Van 4 Hire – Experience the VW Camper Life – Midlands, UK
Hire a VW Camper that is 100% original and it will provide you with an unforgettable holiday or festival experience.
21. O’Conner’s Campers - A VW Campvan Means Freedom – Okehampton, UK
Create your own holiday. What will you do in yours?
22. Camperbug - Cool Campervan Hire – London, UK
Travel the countryside in a VW camper
23. Kombi Rocks - Fleet of Awesome-Condition VeeDubs - Serangoon, SG
We want to share our love and enjoyment of “old things” such as the iconic VW Bus aka ‘Kombi.’
24. Kuste Kombis – A Specialty Service for All Occasions – Perth, AU
A business created with a recipe that includes the love for Kombis and the joy they bring to people.
25. VW Camper Hire - All Genuine Early Type 2′s – Smallfield, Surrey, UK
All beautifully presented with cooking facilities and four seatbelts suitable for child seats and booster cushions.
26. Vanilla Splits - Historic VW Campers Will Take You There in Style – Barnham, Sussex, UK
We can help you put together the adventure of a lifetime, and you’ll be joining an extremely happy bunch of people who have hired a bus from us.
27. Classic Campervan Hire - 19 Classic VW Campervans for Hire – Tavistock, Devon, UK
Gifts, rides, and fantastic times.
28. Winewagen Tours – Finger Lakes wine tours, Volkswagen style – Geneva, NY, US
Tour the Finger Lakes Wine Region in a fully restored 1971 classic Volkswagen Bus.
29. Vintage Tours of Texas – Austin’s fun wine tour – Austin, TX, US
Guided Texas wine tasting tours from Austin to Fredericksburg.
30. Florida Oldscool Campers - Travel Florida the Oldscool way – Tampa Bay Area, FL, US
Oldscool campers will help you plan the perfect Florida holiday.
31. Flo the VW Bus – 1971 VW Bus – Dallas, TX, US
Hang with Flo for photo shoots and bride and groom transports.
32. Lazy Days VW Camper Rental - Wedding and Debs Hire – Wicklow, IE
Family-run VW camper rentals with both bay windows and splitties for hire.
33. Strawberry Leisure - A Magical Way to Start Your Special Day - Hayle, Cornwall, UK
Chauffer-driven VW wedding and special occasion hire.
34. Camp in a VDub – More Than Just a Holiday – Woking, Surrey, UK
Experience the adventure of camping in a brand new retro VW Type 2 campervan.
35. Happy Campers Hawaii - Experience Hawaii in a VW Camper - Hilo, Hawaii, US
Cruise the Big Island in laid back Hawaiian style and comfort. (This is a family business with a fleet of 80′s Westy campers and a 1979 vintage model for those with more retro tastes).
36. East Coast Campers - Cool, Funky, and Very Chic VW Rentals - Rendlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK
Go back in time with our classic and retro camper vans.
37. South West Camper Hire - The Specialist Camper Hire Company - Exeter, Devon, UK
The place to rent a camper for your cool, stylish, and romantic holiday.
38. Rainbow Camper Hire - A Great Escape from Life and the Fast Lane - Keswick, Cumbria, UK
Put the color and fun into your holiday with a classic Volkswagen Camper rental .
39. Buttercup Bus – Vintage VW Camper Hire for Weddings & Holidays – London, Croydon, Surry, UK
Original, classic VW Camper hire from within the M25.
40. LoveDub Weddings – Premier Vintage VW Campervan and Beetle Hire – Cardiff, Wales, UK
Oldest and most experienced supplier of VW wedding vehicles in South Wales.
41. Nomad Living – VW Camper Bus Hire for Getaways, Holidays, & Wedding Days – Aldham, Clochester, UK
Offering a very high standard of VW Campervan hire.
42. Solent Bug & Bus – Stunning VW Vehicles for Your Wedding or Holiday – Hampshire, Dorset, UK
Personalized chauffeur VW service from a family owned business.
43. Cornwall VW Wedding Hire – The Unique Experience of a 60s Volkswagen on Your Wedding Day - St. Ives, Cornwall, UK
Injecting fun, style and innovation into the wedding vehicle industry.
44. Nick Connah Ltd Camper Van Hire - Cheshire North Based Camper Hire - Cheshire, North West, UK
Small limited VW camper hire company based near Chester
45. Shore Hire VW – Classic VW Wedding Hire in Dorset – Poole, Dorset, UK
Wedding vehicle hire specifically to your needs.
46. Let’s Do Weddings – VW Wedding Hire – Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Be the envy of all your friends when you arrive in classic comfort and style.
47. Comfy Campers VW Camper Van Hire - Lovingly Restored VW Campervans for Hire - Gloucestershire, UK
Character and charm that makes driving and holidaying fun for everyone.
48. Mr. Bo Jangles – Chauffeur Driven VW Wedding Hire – North Devon, UK
Our desire is to fulfil your every wish regarding your wedding transport.
49. Vintage Wedding Day - VW Hire in Brighton on the Beautiful South Coast – Brighton, UK
Classic VW vehicles portray romance and fun, they are the perfect way to travel on your big day.
50. Wacky Weddings - Fabulous Alternative in Wedding Day Car Hire – Redcar, UK
Retro and non traditional wedding day car hire services.
51. Kombi Limousines – Sydney’s New Luxury Limousine Service – Sydney, AU
A stretch VW party bus for weddings, special occasions, formals, corporate events, concerts or day tours.
52. Kombi Celebrations – Hire Florence and Black & White for Your Celebration – Freshwater NSW, AU
Living the dream! A seriously stylish, fun ride!
53. Tour de Brews – Durango’s Original Microbrewery Tour – Durango, CO, US
Tour four fabulous breweries in Durango, CO
54. Revesby Garage – Service, Parts, Restorations and Camper/Wedding Rentals - Revesby, Lincolnshire, UK
Offering the best terms in the country.
55. California Campers – Go Where Large RVs Dare Not – San Franciso, CA, US
See the beauty of California and the Western US in a VW Westfalia.
56. Pacific North Westy – Welcome to Your Next Adventure – Seattle, WA, US
Explore western Washington in comfort and convience in a VW Westy Campervan.
57. Maine Campers – Rent a VW Camper and See the Northeast – Kittery, ME, US
Travel Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New England in a pop-top camper.
58. Summer Lovin’ VW Camper Hire - Family Camper Hire in West Sussex- Warninglid, West Sussex, UK
Book your retro camping holiday in one of our gorgeous 1970′s Volkswagen camper vans.
59. Snailtrail – VW Campervan Hire & Sales – Edworth, Biggleswade Beds, UK
Classic 60′s and 70′s looks in modern VW campervans.
60. Fistral Bays VW Camper Hire - Vans for Weddings, Proms, and Camping - Newquay, Cornwall, UK
Adventure, freedom, and miles of smiles in a VW Campervan.
61. Split the Difference – The Vintage VW Camper Hire Company – Flintshire, North Wales, UK
Your holiday, with a difference!
62. Cornish Campers – VW Camper Hire in Deavon and Cornwall – Bodmin, Cornwall, UK
Experience camping in a stunning VW camper.
63. VW Weddings – VW Bug and Camper Van Wedding Rentals – Co Tipperary, IE
Pristine classic VW vehicles for your wedding in the Munster & Leinster areas.
64. Canny Campers - VW Wedding Hire Company - North East, UK
A retro wedding experience designed to suit your requirements.
65. VW Splitscreen Camper Van Hire - Splittys for Wedding and Holiday Hire - Bishop Auckland, County Durham, UK
Stand out from the crowd in one of our lovingly restored ‘splitty’ Volkswagen camper vans.
66. Harold 4 Hire – VW Campervan Wedding Car Hire – Ashford, Kent, UK
Your wedding day or occasion with a real twist of the iconic VW campervan flavour.
67. Beetles About Wedding Car & Camper Hire - Something Unique for Your Wedding Day or Holiday - Prenton, Wirral, UK
Old and new VWs available for wedding car hire and holidays.
68. Calico Moon – Classic VW Wedding Hire – Northamptonshire, UK
Turn heads on your big day and arrive in true retro style!
69. Vantastic Weddings - A Distinctive Look on Your Wedding Day - SW London, UK
Try a vintage VW Campervan as an alternative to the typical wedding car.
70. Mojo & Co. – Wedding Transport with a Difference – Norfolk, UK
A perfect choice for those who love the retro look.
71. Open Road Classics – Wedding Transport with a Retro Feel – Northamptonshire, UK
A quirky alternative to the conventional wedding vehicle.
72. Lake District Vintage Wedding Cars - Unique Experiences for Special Events - St Bees, Cumbria, UK
Family run business that was created out of a passion for classic Air-cooled VW’s.
73. Big Day Buses (and Bugs) - Dare to be Different - Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK
Make a statement with your choice of transport on your wedding day.
74. Timeless Classic Beetle Wedding Car Hire – Make Your Wedding Day Unique and Fun – Yorkshire, UK
Unique holidays and special days.
75. Dorset Dubhire – Travel in Style in a Vintage VW – Wimborne, Dorset, UK
Arrive at your wedding in a beautiful classic VW camper van that will really turn heads.
76. The Bugster - Experience San Francisco in a Vintage VW Beetle - San Francisco, CA, US
Offering self-drive, self-guided tours of over 40 great destinations in the San Francisco area.
Other Bus Businesses or Mascots
The history of using VW buses as work horse vehicles for companies is a rich and long one. Before you look at some of the newer incarnations below, check out the wonderful collection of VW Split Window Logo Buses from the 60′s at Cartype and get a glimpse into yester-year.
Da Lupo Pizzeria – Get Real with Simple and Delicious Pizza – Boulder, CO, US
Cheba Hut – A pot-themed sub chain – Boulder, CO, US
Corrido Tequila - The Bently of Tequilas – Scottsdale, AZ, US
Campaccino – A Mobile Coffee Bar with a Difference – Woodbridge, Suffolk, GB
Rolling Coffee Shop - Caffeeine on the Go – Chiang Mai, TH
Hi-Lo’s 15th St. Cafe – Good. Food. Fun – Bremerton, WA, US
Java Bean Coffee – Seattle’s Original Organic Coffee Shops – Seattle, WA, US
Monkshood Coffee - Specialty Gormet Coffee to You – North Marston, Bucks, GB
Cafe Konvertible – A Collaborative Art Project – Somerset, GB
Lova Lava Land Eco-Resort - A Green Resort featuring non-moving VW Campervans as accomodations – Hawaii, US
Tillamook Cheese – Cheddar Cheese Loaf Love Tour Buses - US
Peace Frogs – Clothes and apparel out of a VW Van Kiosk – US
The Coffee Can – Coffee on Wheels Out of a VW Bus – Rapid City, SD, US
The Cozy Bean – Nomadic Coffee and Smoothies – Denver, CO, US
Volk Bar Bangla – VW Van stretched and made into a mobile cocktail bar - Patong, Phuket Island, TH
Rudi’s Organic Bakery – VW bay-window mascot for toasting to good health – Boulder, CO, US
VW Bug Grill-to-Go – VW Beetle reformed as a grill and condiment bar – Grand Rapids, MI, US
Honorable Mentions
Though not all limo businesses, the buses below deserve some consideration:
Hippie Hauler – The Samba
Here is a discussion on the daddy of all VW websites, TheSamba.com, about someone’s effort to create a limo from the combined bodies of three VW Buses and one Beetle.
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Stretch VW Microbus Limo - Carscoop
It is not a business, but it is an amazing example of what someone can do with a couple of buses and A LOT of money and skill. From what I know this bus was started by Derrek Gregg in Lancaster, CA but didn’t take on its current form until it ended up in the hands of Bob Koch of Koch’s VW in Santa Clarita, CA. After a few years in the states the bus jumped the pond and ended up in the stable of Bob Van Heyst (BBT) in Belgium.
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Dave’s Classic Limousine Pictures
Well, I guess some people will stretch anything. Not sure how many of these are photoshop rather than structural stretches. Still, they are all neat to look at and there are several VWs mixed in the pile. (Clicking this link will open the page in this window.)
1962 Splitty 39-Window Deluxe Microbus Limo – Kombi Limousines – Sydney, AUS
It is hard to imagine who would have the time or money to put this beauty on the road, but there it is. Next time you are in Sydney, AUS be sure to look them up.
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Now that you have looked at all of these, be sure to take a look at the Hippie Limo, as well!
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Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Volkswagens on the Green: Golden, CO – 5/22/2011
Sunday was the first ever car show for the Hippie Limo, and we were fortunate enough to have a friendly audience in the form of air-cooled and water-cooled VW lovers. Volkswagens on the Green is a yearly gathering of olde skewl and new speed V-Dub owners and fans that features several hundred of the best specimens of VW engineering, current and past, that can be found in Colorado (and even a few states beyond). The show is the brainchild and ward of the Volkswagen Enthusiasts of Colorado (VWEC), and is one of only two major gatherings for old and new VWs in the state, the other being the NuVintage Bandimere Bug-In.
The Hippie Limo got to reminisce about all of the miles since the 60s with several of its bretheren (and sisteren) in a lineup of split and bay window buses that stretched at least 35 long. It is not often that you see splittys on the road at all, much less all lined up in a row. My son was particularly impressed by this as when he and I did a walk down the line to look at the bus branch of the V-Dub family, he would regularly stop in his tracks, point to the car just ahead, look up in a mixture of delight and surprise, and say “Another one!” When we returned from our stroll down microbus lane, my son spotted our Samba and took off running toward it, exclaiming “Our bus!”.
We really enjoyed all of the spectators and admirers that stopped by to say hello and pick up some of our promotional materials, but best of all was the welcome I received by the senior members of the VWEC. I haven’t been part of a club in a while, and it is nice to know that the old Woody Allen line doesn’t always apply:
“I’d never join a club that would allow a person like me to become a member.”
The Hippie Limo is glad to be part of the VWEC and the air-cooled VW community at large.
Miles of Smiles!
More Parade & Show Adventures!
Curious about the fun we have had with the Hippie Limo? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Parades & Shows for a complete rundown of all of our related activities
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images groups have shared
- Be inspired by pictures from celebrations around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
