21 Oprah Winfrey Show audience members get their new Beetles

Most folks in any audience for The Oprah Winfrey Show had followed the routine ever since the talk show queen first gave cars away to her audience in 2004: Check the bottom of the studio seat for a car key.

She had hidden them there in the past for the big giveaways. So thats exactly what Ken Nix, 58, and his wife, Jane, of Olympia Fields, did as they took their seats for an episode in November during the shows final season.

But there were no keys.

Eventually, Oprah told the audience she would give them a car.

Nix recalled: the [2011] Volkswagen Beetle came out, Oprah and Santa Claus came out, and I was like, Oh, my God, we are getting a car.

On Thursday, Nix, his wife and 19 others who were in the audience that day took possession of their brand-new 2012 Volkswagen Beetles at Volkswagen of Orland Park, 8920 W. 159th St. Thursday marked the first disbursement of the Beetles to the Oprah show winners. Of the 275 audience members who won a car, the 21 in Orland Park formed the biggest gathering in the country.

It didnt cost them a cent, not even in taxes.

All the taxes are paid; I havent had to write a check for a penny, said Anita Swift-Meyers, 57, of Dolton. Ive watched Oprah for years, and I always wanted to be on the Favorite Things episode.