Episode 45 -
The Jenkins' Volkswagen Bus
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Preserving a piece of history: 'Most vehicles that sit outside unattended for four decades aren’t destined to ever move again. But this 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 Deluxe Station Wagon isn’t just any Bus – it’s a piece of civil-rights history, and a memory of a family that spent decades working to make the country a better place.'
Travel through the history of 'The Jenkins' Bus'--beginning with VW origins in WW2, through the role the bus played in the Civil Rights Movement, and to its current resting place in the records of The Library of Congress. With excerpts of previous interviews (with Russell Hayes, Brian Howard, and Diane Parker), this special episode also features new interviews with Elaine and Bill Jenkins, children of Esau and Janie B. Jenkins, and Braeden and Collin Howard, two of the conservationists who spent the most time working on the historic vehicle.
Episode Notes:
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(0:05) Prologue - Robert introduces 'The Jenkins' Bus' and introduces some of the key figures in this episode.
(2:20) The History of Volkswagen - Russell Hayes explains how Volkswagen survived World War 2 and how its image was reshaped when it came to America
(9:45) The Jenkins - Elaine and Bill Jenkins share the story of their parents and the microbus, explaining the purpose of the car in the community, and the meaning behind its famous slogan: "Love is Progress, Hate is Expensive."
(23:48) The Conservation Process - Braeden and Collin Howard join Diane Parker to explain the conservation process and the future of the car.
(34:10) Epilogue - Robert ends the episode with some final thoughts from The Jenkins.
Special thanks to: Russell Hayes, Brian Howard, Braeden Howard, Collin Howard, Abraham "Bill" Jenkins, Elaine Jenkins, Diane Parker
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Hosted by: Robert Ross
Produced & Edited by: Chris Porter
Theme Music By: Celleste and Eric Dick