Latest news with #MeganKrystleWeinraub
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volkswagen to restore minibus seen in iconic photo of LA wildfires
Volkswagen has stepped in to save and restore a blue and white VW camper minibus that miraculously survived the deadly Palisade fires near Los Angeles in January of this year. The T2 bus was left intact on a street in Malibu amid homes destroyed by the flames although its paintwork was badly scorched. At least 30 people were killed in the blazes and many made homeless. The German manufacturer said the van had become a beacon of hope as residents picked up the pieces of their lives as the flames subsided. An AP photo of the lone van in a desolate landscape was circulated widely on TV and social media at the time. "Like the rest of the world, we couldn't believe our eyes," said Mark Gillies, the company's PR head in the US. "But regardless of how good it looked in photos, we knew it was in dire need of a check-up." Volkswagen contacted the vehicle's owner, Megan Krystle Weinraub, who refers to her bus as Azul, about assessing the damage and determining whether it was still in road-worthy condition. If not, VW offered to restore Azul to pre-fires form if deemed possible. "Getting that call was such a relief," Weinraub said. "I knew Azul was becoming a symbol of hope and that people wanted to see more of her, but I had so much to work through at the time that I wasn't sure how to approach it." Once the area was accessible again, Azul was loaded onto a transport bound for Volkswagen's nearby Oxnard Campus, which houses and maintains VW's US collection of historic vehicles. Volkswagen team members said that while Azul's "good side" was impressive, the bus would require extensive mechanical fixes and bodywork to be fully operable. Work on the restoration has now begun and is expected to be completed later this year.
Hypebeast
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hypebeast
Volkswagen Restores "Magic Bus" That Survived California Wildfire
Summary Volkswagenof America is honoring the third annual International Volkswagen Bus Day by restoring a remarkable survivor of California's 2025 Palisades Fire — a 1977 T2 Bus known as 'Azul.' The white-over-blue van captured national attention after an AP photo showed it seemingly untouched amid the charred remains of a Malibu neighborhood. Now dubbed the 'magic bus,' Azul belongs to Megan Krystle Weinraub, who was relieved when Volkswagen offered to assess and restore the beloved vehicle. Following clearance to access the area, the bus was transported to VW's Oxnard Engineering Campus, home to the brand's historic fleet, where a thorough inspection revealed the need for extensive repairs despite its photogenic 'good side.' Restoration efforts are underway, with work expected to be completed later this year. The project reflects Volkswagen's ongoing support for California communities impacted by wildfires. Earlier this year, the automaker donated to the California Fire Foundation to aid first responders and their families. 'Getting Azul back on the road will let its magic and message of hope continue,' said Rachael Zaluzec, SVP of Marketing for Volkswagen Group of America.
