The vocho, as the Volkswagen Beetle is known in Mexico, is a staple of modern life throughout the country. While many are old and run-down, others are preserved and maintained with stunning attention to detail. The photographer Rodrigo Gaya Villar spent five years chasing vochos all over Mexico, resulting in the new coffee table book Vochos Unidos by Carrara Media.
Whatever their state, the vocho is an undeniable part of the fabric of Mexican life and culture. Here are five photos of vochos that stood out to Gaya Villar as perfect representations of what makes this such a special relationship between car and country.
A sparkling blue Volkswagen Beetle, or vocho as they’re known in Mexico, shoots flames for the crowd. Photo by Rodrigo Gaya Villar. [/caption] 1. Air-Cooled Dragster: The Art of the Custom Vocho
Gaya Villar: Here, I was able to capture something as ephemeral as a community's collective spirit. With a project like this you end up discovering fine details that may have been under your nose the whole time. While this image stood out for obvious reasons, it wasn't until I shared it that I realized how much joy it brought.
A black and white Volkswagen Beetle, or vocho as they’re known in Mexico, rolls through rain-soaked streets in CDMX. Photo by Rodrigo Gaya Villar. [/caption] 2. The Collector’s Grail: Preserving Rare Vintage Volkswagens
Gaya Villar: A camera in a bag is useless. If you get caught in a heavy rainstorm, hide under an awning in the Centro Historico. It's not that I was expecting this specific view, but luck favors the prepared.
A white Volkswagen Beetle, or vocho as they’re known in Mexico, wiggles through the narrow mountain streets of Taxco. Photo by Rodrigo Gaya Villar. [/caption] 3. Working Class Hero: Vochos in Taxi Service
Gaya Villar: Having proverbially climbed many mountaintops just for the views, you begin to pick out the best viewing spots. In Taxco, it was simply walking up to the terrace of a hotel just on the other side of this view.
A bright red Volkswagen Beetle, or vocho as they’re known in Mexico, is bathed in light while the surrounding street lies in shadow. Photo by Rodrigo Gaya Villar. [/caption] 4. The Timeless Vocho: Mastering the Streets of Mexico
Gaya Villar: Stuck between the sunset, street shadows, busy streets, and the cathedral of its hometown, Puebla. This weekend involved a long exploration of the historical downtown streets, with this red cherry on top.
A twisted and bent black Volkswagen Beetle, or vocho as they’re known in Mexico, rests on the edge of farmland beneath a mountain range between its agricultural duties. Photo by Rodrigo Gaya Villar. [/caption] 5. Cultural Canvas: The Vocho as Mexican Art Form
Gaya Villar: Like an actual bug walking the corn fields, I came across this vocho in the milpa of the Tepoztlan center valley, a Pueblo Magico. I peeked between a large fence and saw this moment.
The Collector’s Definitive Archive: Preorder Vochos Unidos
Preorders are open now for Vochos Unidos. Copies will begin shipping at the end of April with full release to follow.