Iconic car up in flames

Surf instructor and real estate agent Roz Johnston was driving her daughter Maddy to school along Mitchell Parade in Mollymook just before 9am when her white VW bug suddenly lost power.

“I thought that was weird,” she said.

“I had fun in it and it never missed a beat, but it missed a beat today.”

She turned into Clyde Street and as she stopped the vehicle Maddy realised the engine at the back of the car was on fire.

Both managed to escape the vehicle and call for help before the fire spread.

Fire fighters from Ulladulla Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze in the car, that was adorned with logos for Pam Burridge’s surf school.

Roz said the fire appeared to have been caused by a worn fuel line.

The car was well known in the local area and had been used in many promotions, but Roz was uncertain whether it would be repaired or sold to an enthusiast.

Pam agreed the car was “famous”, and said she had also had problems with her yellow VW.

“Many, many times I thought it was catching fire because it was producing so much smoke,” she said.

“But that’s what you get when you drive these fabulous old cars.”