This might bore most, but like every Volskwagon Beetle, there is normally a story and fond memories that come with it. I wanted to share our story.

Prologue

When I turned 16 all I wanted was an old VW beetle. I searched the newspapers for months looking for one in my price range. A couple of months after my birthday, I finally found what I had been looking for! It ran great and was so much fun to drive. Bright red 1968 bug with cow print seats. After a couple of months we realized the floor pans were starting to erode from the rough mid-west winters... but to me it was all an adventure. My friends thought it was great! Just like the Flinstones! You could stick your whole foot through the bottom! But I was attached to the little old thing, so we fixed her and she went to college in TN with me. My second year there, my sister borrowed my car against my warnings.... and after towing her back to Kansas City we were lucky to find this beautiful 1974 orange bug right down the street!

The Beginnings

When we bought the orange car she was in absolutely fantastic shape. Great interior... but the engine was blown. Luckily, I have a fantastic father and great friend in my old high school soccer coach. As my dad put it, Dave deserves most of the credit for the hard quality work that was put into the engine. He works as an air traffic controller but also does a lot of the mechanic work on planes as well. He builds dune buggy racing engines in his spare time. Between the two of them, they built a great engine. Being a girl, my first response was, "It is sooo loud!" This simply prompted proud grins from both of them. The car was running on May 1, 2004 at 46,227 miles. Currently, she has approximately 66,500 miles on her and runs great! I always think it is funny to take her to the shop, even if it is just for an oil change.

I can't tell the number of guys whole have tried to convince me the car does not have a carburetor, let alone two! One time I had brought the shop the oil filter knowing that half that time they don't keep the type it needs in stock. (Even though it is basic and can be bought anywhere.) When I came back to pick it up, the guy handed me back the oil filter and told me, lady, your car doesn't have an oil filter. I know he felt pretty dumb when I hopped onto the ground and pointed it out! It was humorous!

I would have to say, I don't really know how to work on any other car, but I have enjoyed working and learning with her. My dad had three girls, so without any sons, he had fun teaching us how to work on cars instead. My little sister... he could barely get her to change the oil! She would rather call someone else. My older sister and I enjoyed it. I guess I was more the brains and she was the brawn, but I don't think my dad could have convinced me to work on any other car. It is so simple and mechanical. Something will break for you, I promise you that. But thankfully, most of the time, if there is anything wrong, it is a simple $5 part, 30 minutes of time and you are on your way!

She has taught me patience, but there is always someone willing to stop and help, normally someone with their own story from long ago. I remember my first time ever driving my red bug without my dad... somehow the wheel came off! It almost hit a poor guy on his motorcycle. He chased the tire down for me, helped me find the lug nuts and then a couple more people helped put it back on. No damage was done to the car surprisingly and I couldn't help but find humor in the whole situation later! Life is just like that sometimes!

This car made the trip from KC to Tennessee with no problem and I feel it has many road trips left in her. With only about 20,000 miles on the engine, she runs great! I have been driving her a couple times a week for the past year and just enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having. I can't tell you the number of times we have piled a group of friends in the car and just gone for a drive with the sun roof down. I has been fun and I will miss her! I hope she finds a great home with fun people ready for an adventure of their own.

The Future

To be continued... it's up to you!