Punch buggy is a car game

Car game

Car games are games played to pass the time on long car journeys, often started by parents to amuse restless children. They generally require little or no equipment or playing space. Some such games are designed specifically to be played while traveling Car games are games played to pass the time...

 generally played by children in which participants punch each other in the arm upon first sight of a Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...

 while calling out "Slug bug!" or "Punch buggy!" in reference to the Beetle's nickname, the Bug.

History

Most references about the game originate from unofficial sources and personal accounts from players. Estimates suggest that it has existed since the 1960s.

As part of the Punch Dub marketing campaign run by Volkswagen, a man named Zachariah Davis was presented as "the guy who made a game out of seeing VWs and punching his friends." This campaign, launched in 2009, claims that the game was started "over 50 years ago." Though provided by the company itself, this history of the game presented in this ad is purely humorous historical fiction created by the ad agency Deutsch Inc.

Deutsch Inc.

Deutsch Inc. is a notable American advertising agency.Founded in 1969 as David Deutsch Associates, Inc., in 1989 the founder's son Donny Deutsch took over the agency and led it through a period of growth and creative accolades, including:...

Variants

Some players consider Volkswagen's 1998 reintroduction of the New Beetle

Volkswagen New Beetle

-Specifications:*Dimension:**Length: **Width: **Height: **Wheelbase: **Curb weight: *Max speed: 177–210 km/h *Acceleration : 6.5-13.2 sec-Body styles:-Engine choices:-Safety:...

 invalid for game purposes but, as older models become more rare, some players may choose to include the new Beetles. Others allow "classic" bugs to count for two punches. One author suggests similar games with station wagons, convertibles, trucks and buses. Another variant allows a convertible to count for two punches. A "non-physical" variation of the game, called "Beetle," simply awards the participants points for spotting Beetles driving by. Games of this type have been suggested for use in helping to engage autistic

Autism

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...

children during car rides.