Author |
Message |
Just us buses Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2004 Posts: 195 Location: Where the nuthatch winters
|
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 12:49 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Hey now, just found this thread. While due to age and experience I can't agree with all his methods (like using hammer and chisel on axle nuts and flywheel bolts) I still love John Muir. I met him once briefly (thread in stories forum "famous people...) I can't believe the hobby would be what it is without him. God bless John Muir; RIP _________________ It doesn't matter where you start, it all comes together; it all falls apart. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Randall Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2004 Posts: 1403 Location: Orange County, Alta California, El Norte
|
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 11:05 am Post subject: A novel modeled after Muir's book |
|
|
An author named Christopher Boucher wrote a novel with the title, "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive".
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-keep-your-v...ctInfoTabs
Quote from Barnes & Noble website --
"It’s hard being a single-dad raising a son—especially if your kid is also a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle.
"Because How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive is not only a dizzyingly beautiful novel, it’s also a handy manual with useful chapters on “Tools and Spare Parts,” “Valve Adjustment,” “How To Read This Novel,” and, most important of all, “How Works a Heart.”
Welcome to Christopher Boucher’s zany literary universe, a place where metaphors shift beneath your feet, familiar words assume new meanings, objects talk, trees attack, and time actually is money. Modeled on the cult classic 1969 hippie handbook of the same name, How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive is an astonishing tour-de-force that tackles some of life’s biggest questions: How do you cope with losing a parent? What’s the secret to raising a child? How do you keep love alive? How do you get your car to start?" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Spezialist Banned
Joined: July 01, 2005 Posts: 1941
|
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 11:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
diy570 wrote: |
john muir also wrote a book called "the velvet monkeywrench". instead of telling you how to fix your dub, he talked about how to fix the gov't system and start a new republic called the Republic of North America. its a great book and lays out plans to build a society to fit everybody's needs. too bad it didnt take off like he had planned. its illustrated by aschwanden also. |
The problem with the government is its orchestrated by the rich and run by the poor.
It's a human problem, not a running problem. _________________
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34003 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
|
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 12:27 pm Post subject: Re: A novel modeled after Muir's book |
|
|
Randall wrote: |
An author named Christopher Boucher wrote a novel with the title, "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive".
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-keep-your-v...ctInfoTabs
Quote from Barnes & Noble website --
"It’s hard being a single-dad raising a son—especially if your kid is also a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle.
"Because How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive is not only a dizzyingly beautiful novel, it’s also a handy manual with useful chapters on “Tools and Spare Parts,” “Valve Adjustment,” “How To Read This Novel,” and, most important of all, “How Works a Heart.”
Welcome to Christopher Boucher’s zany literary universe, a place where metaphors shift beneath your feet, familiar words assume new meanings, objects talk, trees attack, and time actually is money. Modeled on the cult classic 1969 hippie handbook of the same name, How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive is an astonishing tour-de-force that tackles some of life’s biggest questions: How do you cope with losing a parent? What’s the secret to raising a child? How do you keep love alive? How do you get your car to start?" |
Existing thread on this...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=474488 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Randall Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2004 Posts: 1403 Location: Orange County, Alta California, El Norte
|
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: A novel modeled after Muir's book |
|
|
That proves you haven't lost your memory. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ach60 Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2001 Posts: 4139 Location: Santa Maria
|
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 11:36 am Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
A family member gave me John Muir's Idiot Guide when I was 12 or 13 years old.
I read it from cover to cover on our family's summer vacation that year, my father thought it was pretty strange thing to read,
but told me much later in life, that it was better than my brother Jeff's stupid comic books.
I'll always have a warm spot for John Muir's Idiot Guide.
The thing is that later as an adult I read John Muir's resume, he had worked 1 year for the same company I have worked for 32 years.
His resume made me suspect he was a bit of a know it all ,and a flake, guys like this when I meet them in real life are often a disappointment. _________________ Good Luck
Al |
|
Back to top |
|
|
amishman Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2004 Posts: 3215 Location: California
|
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Did you know he also made a cassette tape of VW engine sounds to help diagnose issues? I happen to own one. For sale btw (shamless plug lol).
Kinda of a neato somewhat rare item that goes nicely with his manual.
I still dig the book and gave me some confidence to tackle some work myself.
That and the cool BugMeVideos of course made by someone else.
TJ
[email protected] wrote: |
Can anyone tell me about John Muir? Who was he? Was he a mechanic, writer or just a enthusiest? Where did he live? Any info on the history of him or his Idiot's Guide would be greatly appreciated!!!!!
I have been fascinated with his Idiot's Guide for for a very long time. I used his book to rebuild my first engine on my '67 bus about 16 years ago. I loved the info., how it was written, the photos of Muir working on his VW's and the 'Dr. Suess like' drawings. Anybody know anything about the artist??? I have never seen any of the VW mags do a story and bio on him. I wonder why??? He was a great contributor to the VW Industry.
THANKS |
_________________ tj (the Amishman)
Come visit my web site!
http://www.vwhippie.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kmuir55 Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2016 Posts: 1 Location: Florida
|
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 11:56 am Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Hello, everyone. I just finished reading this forum and found it very interesting, even though I'm not a vw mechanic. I do love Volkswagens because (1) it was my first car that I learned to drive, (2) they have been in my siblings' lives and (3) I am actually the youngest of John Muir's original four children. I am 60, my brother is 70 and my two eldest sisters are gone now. John and my mother divorced while she was pregnant with me and I was almost born in Guanajuato, Mexico. I never knew him, although I have always been fascinated by him. I've been told that he visited me when I was young, but unfortunately, I don't recall. I have read the VW book and the Velvet Monkeywrench. I made contact with his wife Eve prior to her passing. I think I would have gotten along famously with him. I think I got the "hippie gene". It's on my bucket list to have a 1969 VW bus someday. Just wanted to say hello and thank you for all the kind comments about him. I wish I would have known him. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
amishman Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2004 Posts: 3215 Location: California
|
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 2:51 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
kmuir55 wrote: |
Hello, everyone. I just finished reading this forum and found it very interesting, even though I'm not a vw mechanic. I do love Volkswagens because (1) it was my first car that I learned to drive, (2) they have been in my siblings' lives and (3) I am actually the youngest of John Muir's original four children. I am 60, my brother is 70 and my two eldest sisters are gone now. John and my mother divorced while she was pregnant with me and I was almost born in Guanajuato, Mexico. I never knew him, although I have always been fascinated by him. I've been told that he visited me when I was young, but unfortunately, I don't recall. I have read the VW book and the Velvet Monkeywrench. I made contact with his wife Eve prior to her passing. I think I would have gotten along famously with him. I think I got the "hippie gene". It's on my bucket list to have a 1969 VW bus someday. Just wanted to say hello and thank you for all the kind comments about him. I wish I would have known him. |
Cool. Welcome to The Samba since this was your first post. TJ _________________ tj (the Amishman)
Come visit my web site!
http://www.vwhippie.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34003 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
|
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
No better time than now to live the dream and buy your Bus!
You know the impact John had on millions who never met him, either. His works live on in most of us since we started with his book and still carry the enthusiasm he inspired us to find. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Chris in Pineville Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2020 Posts: 1 Location: NC
|
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 5:51 am Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
John Muir's Compleat Idiot manual has been one of my favorites for decades.
I was exactly his targeted reader: blue-collar hippie in 1976 with a '68 bug,
no money and limited mechanical skills!
Got the book at the Tampa public library and it guided me through a rebuild of the '68 then later through ownership of a 67 bug and a 67 samba.
I never returned the book. It is on the table as I type this, well worn and grease stained. After I developed a conscience in the 80s or 90s, I bought a new copy and mailed it to the Tampa library with a letter of explanation.
Muir's book and my experiences with it sowed the seeds that led me to become a skilled Model A Ford mechanic and enthusiast over the past 35 years. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31361 Location: Hot Arizona
|
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 7:27 am Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Chris in Pineville wrote: |
Got the book at the Tampa public library and it guided me through a rebuild of the '68 then later through ownership of a 67 bug and a 67 samba.
I never returned the book. It is on the table as I type this, well worn and grease stained. After I developed a conscience in the 80s or 90s, I bought a new copy and mailed it to the Tampa library with a letter of explanation. |
Good for you !!! Great story. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Fish Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2000 Posts: 5559 Location: OB. It's beside the point.
|
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
Weatherly wrote: |
John Muir was the grandson of conservationist: John Muir of the 19th Century. |
Thank you for this little bit of information. I admire both of these individuals and now can see the connection in thier Philosophy of life and why I was drawn to them. _________________ Prosit!
.·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..><((((º>
.·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..><((((º>
# 303 and #156
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Joe 20 Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2005 Posts: 655 Location: Ohio
|
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Just referred to one of my copies (the grease stained one) today when doing some work. It is still my go to VW book when my memory fails me. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
finster Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2012 Posts: 7935 Location: north o' the border
|
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2020 7:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
Fish wrote: |
Weatherly wrote: |
John Muir was the grandson of conservationist: John Muir of the 19th Century. |
Thank you for this little bit of information. I admire both of these individuals and now can see the connection in thier Philosophy of life and why I was drawn to them. |
I've often driven past the john muir country park in east lothian and the idiot's guide always comes to mind - now at last I know the connection.
I remember getting hold of the first edition and for somebody like me, working in technical documentation and used to the dry haynes style, it was a revelation. _________________ "we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut
nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zundfolge1432 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12467
|
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2020 11:24 am Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Around 1975-6 when I first started working on VWs John Muir’s book was it besides, Haynes or Chiltons or Henry Elfrink. I certainly didn’t have money for a Bentley manual and it was too technical for me to follow. So I studied Muir and it did help me along with a friendly VW shop which took pity on me and allowed a kid to hang around and empty the trash, sweep floors. Hopefully people are smart enough to overlook using chisels to tighten bolts and disabling all choke mechanisms. Muir’s work will stand the test of time.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
iowegian Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005 Posts: 9829 Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
|
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2020 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
Funny how the opinion of Muir's book has changed over the years on tehSamba.com. When I joined, a lot of folks said it was only handy if you ran out of toilet paper or needed to start a fire. Ah----the Days of Yore. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
pyrOman Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003 Posts: 12408 Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
|
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2020 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
iowegian wrote: |
Funny how the opinion of Muir's book has changed over the years on tehSamba.com. When I joined, a lot of folks said it was only handy if you ran out of toilet paper or needed to start a fire. Ah----the Days of Yore. |
Teh good ol' days!
Hi Wegie _________________ Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zundfolge1432 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12467
|
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2020 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
I’ve always liked that book because it’s designed for the layman with zero experience. I’d imagine more than one person found courage and self esteem following a successful rebuild using it. The section on what to look for when buying a used Volksie is worth the price of the book alone. Rap on timing😀
Sadly there is always a contingent of nattering nay bobs of negativity.
Not my words credit Spiro Agnew. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
oprn Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016 Posts: 12709 Location: Western Canada
|
Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2020 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: The mystery of John Muir |
|
|
It's an awesome read at the very least and a Godsend to anyone maintaining a STOCK VW. Non acceptance here is mostly due to this being predominately an aftermarket performance based site. John wrote his book when VWs were German made and slowed down the traffic. Today's VWs are Chinese made, American assembled and go like stink.
Two different cars. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|