12 Steps From Wolfsburg
Hello, my name is Mr. BaliHai, and I'm a recovering VW addict. When I was 13, my mother bought an olive-drab, 1968 Volkswagen Beetle which I immediately developed an unhealthy obsession with. I bought it from her when I was 16, and then proceeded to spend the next 12 years converting it into a classic Cal Looker. I had it repainted, de-chromed, installed single-piece side windows, replaced the original bumpers with nerf bars, and lowered the front.
It looked great, but quite frankly, it was still a terrible car with an unreliable, underpowered air-cooled engine, and a heating system that totally wimped out in the face of brutal Wisconsin winters. Chicks dug it 'cuz it was "cute" (link NSFW), but that claustrophobic interior really put a crimp in backseat romance. I toyed with the idea of switching to the sportier-looking Karmann Ghia, or even (God help me) a VW Bus, but common sense eventually prevailed.
After spending several thousand dollars, and many an evening in the garage removing the engine by myself, I finally came to the realization that far from experiencing pure Fahrvergnugen, I had a serious problem. I gave my beloved Beetle to a friend who was in dire need of a car. He totalled it in a collision less than two weeks later.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm feeling a bit verklemmpt thinking about my old Bug. Talk amongst yourselves.
Comments
When I drive on interstate 40 crossing North Carolina and I take note that if you do not maintain a 75 MPH you are run over, I realize the day of the Bug has come and gone. The hell with terrorists the most dangerous place on the planet right now is the US interstate. People tailgaiting at 80 MPH, passing in the right lane. Croch rockets racing between cars at 120 MPH. Driving a Bug now is a reminder of simpler times, that we will never see again.
Posted by: Fritz | October 13, 2004 1:04 PM
ah...the old bugs...I had two in my day. I don't think I paid more than $100 bucks for them. The heat was crazy - wire it on in the winter and off in the summer. I did not try repairs myself and they both developed the rusted "Fred Flintstones" floor disease...
Now my neighbor has a restored bug from the 70's vintage. I haven't had the nerve to ask for a ride. But it smells just like I remember!
Posted by: Dean | October 13, 2004 2:18 PM
it smells just like I remember!
In my case, that would've been the smell of cheap Mexican pot wafting up from under the false floor panel.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | October 13, 2004 3:04 PM
Oh Mr Bali Hai... what a coincidence. I've just spent the last two weeks looking at pictures of used Beetles and Karmann Ghias on the net... Cute as hell, aren't they?
Posted by: lili | October 13, 2004 3:04 PM
Lili, yes they're adorable, but I'd steer clear of buying one unless you're willing to sell your soul to the Devil to find a reliable German mechanic...:-D
Posted by: MrBaliHai | October 13, 2004 3:27 PM
I never did own a Bug, but I had its bastard half-brother, the Thing (aka der Kübelwagen). What a lot of fun driving it around with the doors off, the top down, and the windshield down, too. It was daygloish orange.
Posted by: jim | October 13, 2004 4:51 PM
my first car was a '67 bug. To start it I had to jump out(often at red light) and touch two wires together. I loved that car!
Posted by: michelle | October 13, 2004 6:35 PM
Jim, I'm so envious. I lusted after the Thing when they first came out, but I wanted its amphibious cousin, the VW Schwimmwagen even more!
Michelle, when my bug used to stall, I had to restart it by crawling underneath and shorting a large screwdriver across the solenoid switch on the starter motor.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | October 13, 2004 7:42 PM