Summary
Highlights
Jim Douglas, owner of Famous Driving School, is struggling financially. He's trying to secure a loan to expand his business but is repeatedly denied. His employee, Bo, is frustrated with the lack of pay and Jim's insistence on using Herbie, rather than a more conventional car, for lessons.
Jim gives a driving lesson to an 85-year-old woman, Mrs. Gurney, in Herbie. Despite her inexperience, Herbie performs perfectly. Later, while giving a lesson in a different car, Jim and Herbie intervene when a bank robbery causes a car to lose control. Herbie, acting on his own, expertly stops the runaway car, saving its occupant, Susan.
Susan, grateful for Herbie's heroic act, recognizes Jim as her daughter Julie's driving instructor. She arranges for Jim to give Julie private lessons. Jim, smitten with Susan, goes to her house with candy and flowers. Susan's ex-husband, Randy, shows up and takes the children out, leading to Herbie sabotaging Randy's car and Jim getting a date with Susan.
Jim takes Susan out to a drive-in. Susan reveals that her ex-husband, George McLean, is a race car driver still on the circuit in Europe, a past Jim also shares. Herbie, seemingly out of gas, stalls, leading to a romantic moment between Jim and Susan.
Randy, jealous of Jim's interest in Susan, vandalizes Herbie by painting 'Tiger by the Tail' on him. Later, Jim gives Julie a driving lesson, and her friends tease Herbie, calling him 'fat, slow, and over the hill'. This leads to Jim explaining Herbie's racing past and current 'retirement'.
Julie expresses her concerns to her friend about Jim being a race car driver, reminding her of her father's past. Jim calls Susan for coffee, which Bo encourages, hoping it will lead to Herbie racing again to impress Susan. Julie, influenced by an unknown party, tells Jim that Susan doesn't believe he's retired from racing, leading to Herbie taking matters into his own hands.
Jim, feeling pressured by Julie's comments, accidentally implies Herbie is an 'old timer'. Herbie, seemingly offended, drives off alone. Jim catches up with Susan, who is waiting for him at a cafe. As they try to get coffee, Herbie arrives, followed by a car wash truck, making it look as though Herbie is 'washed up' to passersby.