PHOTO COURTESY REMNANT CITY

Remnant City’s Rug Bug, a carpeted-on-the-outside Volkswagen Beetle, has been flooring Pittsburghers since 1970.

Founders Frank and Betty Lou Dorfner rolled out the promotion shortly after opening their South Hills business in 1970; current owner Lisa Talarico says her parents got the idea from a store in California, and it didn’t take long for the Steel City version to achieve celebrity status. Over the years, three different Beetles have donned a variety of costumes, including a Twister mat, a Rubix Cube, a football, a taxi, a rainbow and — of course — a lady bug.

For America’s bicentennial in 1976, and again in 2008, the Rug Bug was decked out in red, white and blue. At press time, it was a colorful bird equipped with speakers that play the Remnant City jingle. Carpet installer Randy Richardson has been the driving force behind the bug design for more than 15 years.

With carpeting, contact cement and a lot of patience, he’s able to transform the humble hatchback into a motorized landmark. The car is usually parked in front of 2855 Saw Mill Run Blvd., where 40,000 motorists pass it each day. You also can see it in print ads, billboards, commercials, parades and Touch-A-Truck events.

The Remnant City staff doesn’t call Stanley Steemer when they need to clean the iconic car before an appearance; they use a leaf blower. Sadly, the current Rug Bug is on its last six legs. It won’t start, so the third-generation, family-owned business bought another vintage VW to take its place soon. “It’s a happy source of advertising,” Talarico says. “It brings a smile to everyone’s face.”

Find It!
Carrick: Remnant City, 2855 Saw Mill Run Blvd.