A common sight on the streets of the capital, the durable vehicles are workhorses for some, a part of the family for others, while enthusiasts restore them to their former glory
Words and photographs by Fred Harter in Addis Ababa
When Yared Agonafer, an Ethiopian gold and silver merchant, set out to buy a car five years ago, he settled quickly on the model: a 1977 Volkswagen Beetle. The low price was its main draw, but nostalgia motivated him too.
“My father had a Beetle when I was a kid,” says Yared, who recalls being ferried to school and family parties in the car. “Whenever I drive mine, I have these memories. I love it.”
A child plays in a parked Beetle during a gathering of City Cruise enthusiasts in Addis Ababa
