Air Cooled People are just...Well - COOL!

I Bought the Beetle a week ago, and was just thinking back on that day when I first saw Dan pull the cover off the car. Dan J. (previous owner I bought the Bug from) was just a real stand up guy. He's also got a killer 1960 Type I 1200 in his garage with a one-off dual carb setup he built himself! He really worked with me as far as making time and giving me the chance to see the car. Once Dan started showing me the car I knew I had to have it. Once I drove it and layed down a deposit, Dan and I must've spent 2 hours just talkin' cars. My daughter came along for the ride and just had a ball checking out all the neat automotive stuff Dan had parked all around. Dan is also a die hard VW guy and was even helpful in giving me info for some of the guys I needed to get in touch with involved in the local air cooled scene. I'm looking forward to getting involved in doing local cruises, car shows, and just hang out with other air cooled - cool people!

Time To Start Diggin' In!

Everytime I buy a car I get it home and go through it, check everything out the best I can. I make a list on things to do, possible repairs & maintenance. I also get it down to my mechanic for things I can't quite do myself yet and really just get it up on a lift and check everything out to make sure it's safe. First things first, having the valve adjustment checked and done if needed, check timing, etc. I noticed right off I will need an axle boot replaced, and possibly a rear wheel bearing - nothin' too bad. I ordered a horn last night since it isn't functioning. I also noticed that the cables to the heater boxes were not attached and are needing to be replaced. So since I don't need the heat right now during the summertime in Georgia, I will put new cables, hardware and also heater boxes on the to-do list. The previous owner mentioned that there was an aftermarket radio installed at one point so the original Sapphire radio is disconnected. I will be taking a look at getting that up and running too since it's the OG radio and I'd like to keep it there. Well, I'm getting ready to take the Bug over to the shop to get a check up. I'm sure I'll have more to post tomorrow.

Daily Driving a Vintage Bug

It's been 8 or 9 years since I last owned my first Beetle - a 1968 1500. I drove it just about everyday and even took it on two 8-hour round trips to Syracuse,NY from Philly, PA.

My '67 Beetle is a Euro Spec version not sold in the US. It was purchased by a US Marine Sgt. and shipped here to the US in 1991. The 1966 front fenders and headlights would be the first thing to tip you off about it being a Euro spec. US spec Beetles had more of an upright headlight style. The "VW 1300" on the decklid is also another tip - US spec cars just said "1300". The speedometer also only reads in KPH instead of MPH.

Other than the Empi polished aluminum 5-spoke wheels, Empi dress up trim, Scat shifter, Monster Tach, and front suspension being dropped 2.5" it's all OG. It would be very easy to put the car back to 100% stock. The exterior/interior color combination is what really caught my eye with this car as well as the fact that it's a euro spec bug with 20 years of paper work included with it's purchase. I have all the paperwork documenting it's overseas shipment from Germany in 1991, stacks of receipts from the last 20 years, and the last German registration decal is still on the original windshield. I even have the original owners manual that's printed in German. The pan is soild and clean, the interior is as close to perfect as you can get aside from a concours restoration. The Scat shifter operates not only flawlessly but makes going through the gears in the bug a blast. The monster tach may be a little overkill for this Bug, but it's still pretty cool and looks great next to the shifter. The stance is a 2.5" front drop with a stock rear ride height which gives the car a cool rake, nice hot rod stance. The Empi 5-wide polished 5-spoke wheels also help give this Bug an attitude.

I found the car on Craigslist and had to have it. It was located in Sharpsburg, GA, so I drove it 2 hours north back to the Buford, GA area. I've owned the car 3 days and I get more looks, more thumbs up, and offers to buy the car in the short time I've owned it than either of my Mustangs. It really amazes me at how many people relate to these little Type I Volkswagens and how many stories people have to tell you about having a Beetle or learning to drive on one, etc.

Having had a vintage 1968 Beetle 1500 8-9 years ago as a daily driver, I'm sure I'll have plenty to blog about on here. I'm just looking forward to the drive.

For more pictures and info check out my FQuick page: http://www.fquick.com/garages/Volkswagen/Beetle/1967/30298/