Woman Reunites Owner With Beloved Beetle

Why this is here: Tree Palmieri specifically bought Herbetta in 2003 to share with her father, a Marine, because he was obsessed with the movie Herbie the Love Bug.

Trisha Rosado of Philadelphia discovered a heartfelt letter while cleaning a Volkswagen Beetle she purchased at auction. The note, signed “Tree,” was a farewell message to the car, affectionately named Herbetta. Rosado located Tree Palmieri in New York through a viral TikTok video and began restoring the vehicle.

Palmieri had owned Herbetta for 22 years, purchasing it to share with her father, a Marine, who loved the original Herbie the Love Bug film. Her father passed away three years after she bought the car, making it a treasured connection to him. A GoFundMe campaign helped fully restore the Beetle before its return.

About one in eight car owners report a strong emotional connection to their vehicles, according to an Aviva survey. Rosado intends to continue restoring vintage Beetles and pairing them with new owners, extending the cycle of care and connection. The full extent of Rosado’s restoration plans remains to be seen.