50' convertible, bad weather, and sellers remorse...

[Telephunken]

This is true and a classic among my friends and I: Around 1999, I sold my project 1950 cabriolet to Bob Koch in Southern california. I sacrificed the car in order to finance my almost complete 58' ghia convertible. In hind site it was a bad decision) The car was not only complete with all parts, but had 2 and 3 sets of very rare irems such as vert semiphores, NOS 25HP pistons, etc. Part of the deal was that I would deliver the car for an extra fee. About 300 miles from my home. So we trailered the car to Bob's shop and the weather was bad with rain, etc. While crossing the "grapevine" (for you california guys), I was waved over by a car passing us. It seemed that we had lost something. I stopped got out, checked the car, etc., everything looked secure....except,...i realized that the decklid was missing. Now remember, this is a 1950 "w" CONVERTIBLE decklid with louvers, NOS popes nose light, AND....rare locking "L" handle all attached. Well, after walking the side of the raod for about 30 minutes, I found it. I had walked by it a couple times before realizing what it was. An 18 wheeler had rolled my MINT rare decklid in to a taco bell special. The lid was the size of a football. When we arrived at the destination, I had to negotiate a chunk off the price for the loss. (about $1,000) to be exact. In hind sight, I should have said "take it or leave it", but after traveling 300 miles, you want to be done with all of it. So the car was sold, I kept the lid. I hear the car :cry: was restored and is now in Belgium now. I however still have my $1,000 momento as a reminder of my adventure, my regret for selling the car, and that this is the closest thing I may ever have agin of owning a split convertible. Hope you enjoyed the story.

[DurocShark]

<sniff>

Sure, I was in a good mood till I read this.



Hindsight is 20/20. We all look back at decisions that weren't so great. But that's how we learn.

Thanks for the read.
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No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow.

[Skim]

Man I would have never gotten rid of that vert. Thats the holy grail.The end of the Volkswagen line. Its the American dream. What every hardcore VW enthusiasts dreams about. You got rid of it to finish an early ghia vert. Im sorry but you really fuc$ed up.


Sucks about the decklid. I bet Koch made a killing off that car.
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GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

[vintagevolks]

would love to have the decklid

[2Kabrios]

What a story and bad decision.Must be 1 nice ghia vert
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55 Kabriolett
55 23 deluxe
55 ragtop
60 kabriolett
59 double cab
64 bug
65 notch
67 ghia
67 chevelle
70 181

[twinwindows]

Oh yeah I remember that day.. There we were a nasty day cold rain and waiting in suspense for you guys to show up with that vert , I just want to make one thing clear you never trailer`d the car you brought it with a TOW BAR witch I was in shock to see you guy pulling it in the rain NO tail lights what so ever, man what if some big rig hit the ass end of that thing?So anyways we get a call we are on oure way! cool........ few hrs later another call ( We lost the decklid on the frwy and it got smashed!) So the car shows up ALL WET on the floor poor thing looked like a herbie reject car. So I ask where`s the rear lid? and there it was Pulverized with the popenose now looking like a sheet of paper ,GONE! But there was a ton of stuff on that car when it came to the shop NOS almost everything in-fact thats the only time I have ever seen a NOS wire-harness for a early vert. it was like a boxing match trying to come up with a price for the car minus the rear lid.. But they finally did. We gathered all the parts that came with the car took a good look at the body and all was good. Car was restored to perfection and sold off to I believe flat four not sure.The people selling it drive away and I yell out HEY!! they took the rear lid? The next thing I here is Who cares they paid for it well!! DOH!!

I would have never sold that thing for a GHIA!
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CRG
My builds
BAD TEMPER 11
CHRISTINE
GFK LIFER!

[Skim]

Man that has to be the sillyest reason to sell in the world if you ask me. "Operation Hustle Backwards"
_________________
GFK
Samba since before the towers collapsed. Still here.
1953 Kabriolet
1954 Sunroof
1959 Lowlight Ghia vert
1960 Lt Grey Double Cab SMZ LEGIT
1963 Deluxe Turkis Walk Thru 15 Window OG Paint

[2Kabrios]

Im thinking of selling my 50 kabriolett to restore my 66 square back............................................









NOT
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55 Kabriolett
55 23 deluxe
55 ragtop
60 kabriolett
59 double cab
64 bug
65 notch
67 ghia
67 chevelle
70 181

[bmtx]

Its been so long since a 66 square, its been like 14 hours. I'd get on it if I were you. I'll even take that 50 off your hands to getcha started.

[70 140]

I hope that you still have the 58 vert at least.

you should have posted this in the "stupid things I only did once" thread.

[Erik G]

[vdubinit]

[Ragman]

Let's see a picture of the football

[vdubinit]

shit lets see a pic of the vert before and after or just anything

OMG YOU SOLD IT FOR A GHIA WTF
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**WANTED** ONE 4 1/2 EARLY FUCH

[Cabriothusiast]

I currently own that car in question and have heard the story a few times. The vert is actually a 52' and with no disrespect...it never was a 50' I guess Bob found another early vert decklid and now after a half decade plus residing in Japan at Flat4's, it has been repatriated to the US!

Enjoy the pic

Todd

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=213181

[53 0val]

Didn't Lenny also do a '50 vert that ended up with Flat 4?
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"What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." Dobee, Dobee, Do

[Cabriothusiast]

He did. It was finished in early 2005 and shipped. A few rare parts from my 52' were lifted to be used on the 50' prior to my buying it (unknown to me of course). In any event....the freeway flying split vert decklid relates to my car as I have been told by a few sources. I could be corrected but it is highly unlikely that 2 split cabrios in CA lost their rear lids on CA freeways on their way to Bob Koch's shop. I have not heard that Flat4's 50' was owned by Koch's either.

[53 0val]

VW stories.........they never end. Regardless, you have beautiful cars.
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"What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away." Dobee, Dobee, Do

[70 140]

Thats just awesome!

[Cabriothusiast]

Thank you very much. I am proud of my 2 cabrios. They are awsome cars!!