You’d think a guy who sells out Dodger Stadium would be rolling in a gold-plated Ferrari or some space-age Bugatti, right? Nope. Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias went the other way. He basically bought every high-end Volkswagen bus he could find.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a flex. Most celebrity car collections feel like a brochure for a luxury dealership. Fluffy’s collection? It’s more like a nostalgic fever dream held together by air-cooled engines and some really expensive chrome.
He calls his spot the Fluffy Museum. It’s tucked away in Long Beach, California, and if you walked in without knowing who owned it, you might think you’d accidentally teleported to Wolfsburg, Germany. The whole warehouse is designed to look like the original Volkswagen factory. It’s got the lighting, the signage, and even the "Wolfsburg" feel that makes a VW purist weak in the knees.
The $3 Million Garage That Started With a $700 Beater
The Gabriel Iglesias VW bus collection isn't just a random hobby. It’s an obsession that’s currently valued at over $3 million. That is a lot of money for vehicles that were originally built to haul hippies and camping gear.
But why?
Basically, it’s Jay Leno’s fault.
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Leno told Gabriel that if he was going to spend his money, he should put it into something he could enjoy—an investment that actually appreciates. Most cars lose value the second you drive them off the lot. Vintage VWs? They’ve been skyrocketing. Fluffy took that advice and ran with it. Hard.
He didn't start rich, though. His first car was a 1968 Transporter that he snagged for $700 when he was just 17. He eventually had to sell it to pay bills, which is the classic "car guy" origin story. Now that he's got Netflix money, he’s basically spent the last decade buying back his childhood, one 21-window bus at a time.
What’s Actually Inside the Fluffy Museum?
It's not just a bunch of rusted-out vans. Most of these things are pristine. He has around 80 vehicles in the collection now. Here is a breakdown of the stuff that really matters:
- The 21-Window and 23-Window Sambas: These are the holy grails. If you find a 23-window bus in good shape, you're looking at six figures. Gabriel has several. They are famous for those little skylight windows on the roof and the massive retractable fabric sunroof.
- The Iron Man Bus: This is a custom 21-window bus that’s been restored to a level that's honestly kind of insane. It’s got a bare-shell restoration and looks like it just rolled off the line in 1967, only better.
- The 1950 Beetle: He doesn't just do buses. He owns one of the first Beetles ever imported to the U.S. by Max Hoffman. It’s one of only three known to exist.
- The Fish Tanks: Okay, this is where it gets weird. He has two VW buses that will never drive again because he turned them into literal aquariums. It’s a bit controversial for the "keep it original" crowd, but hey, it’s his museum.
- The ID. Buzz: He recently became the first owner of the electric ID. Buzz in the United States. It’s like the collection has come full circle—from $700 oil-leakers to high-tech EVs.
Is This Really a Good Investment?
You might wonder if spending $100,000 to $200,000 on a single bus is smart.
In the world of car collecting, the Type 2 (the Bus) has become a blue-chip asset. While Ferraris are great, there is a massive global community for Volkswagens. They are easier to work on, the parts are available, and the "vibe" is unmatched.
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Gabriel isn't just buying them to look at them, either. Most of his buses are "turn-key." They run. They drive. Some have been upgraded with Subaru engines to make them actually usable on California highways without overheating.
Why the Location Matters
The museum is currently private, located in the Signal Hill area near Long Beach. But Fluffy has been pretty vocal about the future. He’s said that once he’s gone, the whole thing is being donated to the city of Long Beach to become a permanent museum.
He calls it "Disneyland for VW lovers."
The Muscle Car Side-Quest
I should mention that while the Gabriel Iglesias VW bus collection is the star of the show, he’s got a wandering eye for American muscle too.
He’s got some modern Mopar beasts—Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcats. He also owns a "Bandit Edition" Trans Am, which is basically a modern Camaro converted by Trans Am Depot to look like the Smokey and the Bandit car. It’s even got Burt Reynolds' signature on the dash.
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But at the end of the day, those are just toys. The buses are the soul of the garage.
Actionable Tips for Aspiring Collectors
If you're looking at Fluffy's collection and thinking, "I want in," don't go out and drop $150k on a 23-window Samba tomorrow.
- Start with a Bay Window: If you can't afford the "Split Window" (pre-1967) buses Gabriel loves, look at the 1968–1979 "Bay Window" models. They are more affordable and actually drive better.
- Check for Rust: This is the VW killer. Check the floors, the "dog legs" (behind the front wheels), and the battery tray. Mechanical stuff is easy to fix; rusted frames are a nightmare.
- Join the Community: Before buying, hang out on The Samba (the definitive VW forum).
- Watch the Auctions: Keep an eye on Bring a Trailer or Barrett-Jackson. Prices for the 21 and 23-window models are currently the benchmark for the market.
Gabriel’s collection works because it’s authentic. He didn't pick VWs because they were trendy; he picked them because he loved them when he was broke. That’s usually the secret to a collection that actually holds its value—passion over profit.
Whether it’s the rare 1950 Beetle or the custom-painted buses with modern engines, the Fluffy Museum is a testament to what happens when a kid with a $700 dream actually makes it big.