If you close your eyes and think about the psychedelic, mojo-fueled world of Mike Myers, you probably see a lot of velvet, some questionable teeth, and a very bright car. Most people immediately picture the "Shaguar"—that 1967 Jaguar E-Type draped in the Union Jack. But there’s another vehicle that confuses the heck out of fans and car collectors alike: the Austin Powers pink car.
Wait, was it actually pink?
Technically, it was a swirling, kaleidoscopic mess of 1960s fever dreams. Most fans refer to it as the "Shag Mobile." It wasn't a vintage British roadster, though. It was a 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle. Universal Pictures and Volkswagen had a massive promotional tie-in when The Spy Who Shagged Me hit theaters. The car was everywhere. It was in the movie. It was on the red carpet. It was even in your Happy Meal.
The 1999 VW Beetle Shag Mobile Explained
The "Austin Powers pink car" isn't just one solid shade of Pepto-Bismol. It’s a custom-painted 1998/1999 VW Beetle that looks like a lava lamp exploded on it. The primary colors are pink, orange, and blue, swirled together in a "psychedelic" pattern that was supposed to scream "Swinging London," even though the car was actually a German-engineered time machine issued by the Ministry of Defense.
In the 1999 sequel, Austin needs a way to get back to 1969. Since he’s in the "modern" 90s, he gets a "modern" car. The New Beetle had just launched in real life, so the product placement was aggressive. The car even had a personalized license plate: SWINGER2.
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Why Everyone Thinks It’s Pink
Human memory is a funny thing. When we think of "groovy" or "feminine" 60s aesthetics—like Felicity Shagwell’s wardrobe—our brains often default to pink. While the car features heavy swirls of magenta and hot pink, it’s a multi-colored wrap (or paint job, depending on which prop version you saw).
There's also some confusion with other cars in the franchise.
- Felicity Shagwell’s Corvette: Heather Graham drove a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. It was red, white, and blue (stars and stripes), but in certain lighting or on faded posters, people misremember it.
- The Goldmember Pimp-Mobile: In the third movie, Austin drives a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado. That car actually does have a lot of pink. Specifically, a pink and grey fur interior that would make a Muppet jealous.
- The Shaguar: The E-Type is red, white, and blue. No pink there.
So, the "Austin Powers pink car" is almost always the New Beetle. It was the "hero" car for the middle of the trilogy and represented the bridge between the 60s and the 90s.
Where is the Shag Mobile Now?
You can't just go to a VW dealership and buy the Austin Powers edition anymore. Believe me, people tried in 1999. The main screen-used Beetle ended up in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles for a long time. It’s one of those iconic pieces of movie history that survives because it’s so distinct.
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Interestingly, there wasn't just one car. Movie productions use "hero" cars for close-ups and "stunt" cars for the heavy lifting. The one at the Petersen is the pristine version.
Recently, the other famous car from the series—the Union Jack Shaguar—made headlines because it was headed to the Mecum Kissimmee auction in January 2025. Authentic movie cars are big business. While the Beetle isn't worth the "one million dollars" Dr. Evil might demand, it's a massive piece of millennial nostalgia.
Specs of the Movie Beetle
If you strip away the crazy paint, what are you actually looking at?
- Engine: Likely the 2.0L four-cylinder that came standard in the late 90s.
- Body: Custom convertible conversion. (The production New Beetle convertible didn't actually hit the market until a few years later, so the movie cars were custom-chopped).
- Interior: Usually matched the exterior craziness with bright colors and floral patterns.
The Cultural Impact of a Psychedelic Bug
Why do we still care about a 25-year-old Volkswagen? Honestly, it’s because the Austin Powers pink car represented a very specific moment in pop culture. It was the peak of "Cool Britannia" and the retro-revival of the late 90s.
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Volkswagen used the movie to prove the New Beetle wasn't just a "chick car" or a "grandma car"—it was a "shagadelic" icon. It worked. For a few years, everyone wanted a Beetle with a flower vase on the dashboard.
If you're looking to recreate the look, you're basically looking for a "Psychedelic Wrap." Many car enthusiasts still do this for car shows. Just don't expect it to actually travel back to 1969.
Reality Check: The Other Cars
Let's be real—the car situation in Austin Powers is a mess of brands. You've got Jaguar (British), Volkswagen (German), and Cadillac (American).
If you are searching for the "pink car" because you want to buy a die-cast model, look for "Johnny Lightning Austin Powers Beetle." They produced a 1:64 scale version that is still all over eBay. It captures that pink/orange swirl perfectly.
Actionable Next Steps
To truly dive into the history of these vehicles, you should check out the Petersen Automotive Museum's digital archives. They often rotate their Hollywood car collection, and the Shag Mobile is a frequent star. If you're a collector, keep an eye on Mecum or Barrett-Jackson auctions; these props surface every few years when private collectors decide to cash in on their "mojo." Finally, if you're a DIYer, look into hydro-dipping or custom vinyl wraps—that's how modern fans achieve the swirling "pink car" look without spending a fortune on a custom 90s paint job.