Author |
Message |
carcrazed Samba Member

Joined: November 15, 2007 Posts: 958 Location: Ohio
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:55 am Post subject: Purchase of a life-long friend-1961 beetle |
|
|
I thought everyone might enjoy this story. When I was around 8 years old, there used to be an old bug sitting in a parking lot near my childhood home. This car got me stuck on old bugs! I used to ride my bike around and around this car looking inside etc. One day the owner came out and talked to me about the car and gave me the "Go Navy" front license plate off of it. A couple of months later the car disappeared.
The bug obsession continued throughout my childhood years and when I was 28 years old, I went on the hunt for a bug of my own. I saw an ad in the local paper for a 1961 bug for sale. I went to look at it and...wow...IT WAS THE SAME CAR!! It was still in the same condition from when I remembered it. I had to pass on the little car since the lady wanted too much for it. Meanwhile a year had gone by and I found another bug to restore and turn into a Herbie replica. I got a call a year later from the same lady wanting to take what I offered her for the 1961. I had no room for the car and already bought and restored my 1965. I did find a friend to purchase that 61 from her which had been sitting outside for all that time. It was pretty rotted and needed a lot of attention. My friend purchased the bug and it disappeared for the next 13 years.
This past month, I saw an ad on craigslist for a 1963 bug for sale. I emailed the person back asking some questions and it just happened to be my friend from years back that bought the 1961. He still had the car and due to family obligations and his successful restoration business, the car had been put on the back burner for restoration. He asked if I would like to buy the car...this time I figured it was fate and I purchased the 61. This car was like Christine...it just kept coming back!!
I still have that "Go Navy" license plate after all of these years and have since talked to the owner that had that car when I was a child. The car is apart and I am working on the restoration as we speak. I guess you just can't let some childhood memories go without some part of them coming back to you.
_________________ 1965 Herbie Replica. 1776cc dual Kads.
1961 Beetle 33,000 Original Miles
"Just When you think you are getting ahead, you're always wrong." |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
GtiKyle Samba Member

Joined: March 27, 2008 Posts: 211 Location: Tacoma, WA
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Snydr Samba Member

Joined: July 07, 2011 Posts: 466 Location: Gig Harbor, WA
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
Great stoy by the way, can't wait to see pictures! _________________ - e
'63 Beetle Ragtop - (Build in progress)
'00 Jetta 1.8T |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Snydr Samba Member

Joined: July 07, 2011 Posts: 466 Location: Gig Harbor, WA
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
carcrazed wrote: |
I got them in the gallery under Life-Long friend 1961 Beetle |
NICE!
Edit: Thanks forum gremlins for cleaning things up a bit.  _________________ - e
'63 Beetle Ragtop - (Build in progress)
'00 Jetta 1.8T
Last edited by Snydr on Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Jon65 Samba Member

Joined: September 29, 2012 Posts: 2417
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
Awesome story. I'm guessing that the "go navy" plate will be the final touch to the restoration.  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
carcrazed Samba Member

Joined: November 15, 2007 Posts: 958 Location: Ohio
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
since I have to have plates on both front and back...it will definately be kept inside the car. _________________ 1965 Herbie Replica. 1776cc dual Kads.
1961 Beetle 33,000 Original Miles
"Just When you think you are getting ahead, you're always wrong." |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
dcheek Samba Member

Joined: January 07, 2007 Posts: 520
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Great story. I too own a bone stock '61 with 51,000 miles that I bought from the original owner. It looks like it was originally Pearl White L87. Are you restoring it stock (I hope)? If so, if you need to ask questions or need photos to help you bring it back to original, just let me know.
Good luck with your new project!
Dave _________________ 1961 Bug
1965 Bug
1966 Sunroof Bug
1966 Westy
1976 914 2.0
1989 911 Carrera
1982 Diesel Rabbit Pick Up
1982 Diesel Vanagon
2014 Golf (last year German mfr for NA)
2023 Jetta Gli, Autobahn Black Edition 6 speed |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
carcrazed Samba Member

Joined: November 15, 2007 Posts: 958 Location: Ohio
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I am restoring it back to stock...even the 6 volt system will stay intact as far as I plan right now. It seems strange that this beetle seems bare bones compared to my 1965 since this one doesn't have a fuel guage, radio or even the windshield washer connected to the spare tire! It is a long road ahead, but well worth it in the long run. Thanks...and I probably will have a few questions for ya later. _________________ 1965 Herbie Replica. 1776cc dual Kads.
1961 Beetle 33,000 Original Miles
"Just When you think you are getting ahead, you're always wrong." |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bobnorman Samba Newfoundlander

Joined: August 09, 2010 Posts: 1393 Location: Newfoundland
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Great story! The car clearly wants to be with you! Best of luck with it. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
gt1953 Samba Member

Joined: May 08, 2002 Posts: 13907 Location: White Mountains Arizona
|
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nice and interesting story.
Glad to see you are gonna take it to
stock condition and 6 Volt to boot. _________________ Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
dcheek Samba Member

Joined: January 07, 2007 Posts: 520
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 6:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
carcrazed wrote: |
I am restoring it back to stock...even the 6 volt system will stay intact as far as I plan right now. It seems strange that this beetle seems bare bones compared to my 1965 since this one doesn't have a fuel guage, radio or even the windshield washer connected to the spare tire! It is a long road ahead, but well worth it in the long run. Thanks...and I probably will have a few questions for ya later. |
Glad to hear you are going completely stock. As far as having no fuel gauge, you can get one of these period correct accessories. I have one and it works great!
Dave
_________________ 1961 Bug
1965 Bug
1966 Sunroof Bug
1966 Westy
1976 914 2.0
1989 911 Carrera
1982 Diesel Rabbit Pick Up
1982 Diesel Vanagon
2014 Golf (last year German mfr for NA)
2023 Jetta Gli, Autobahn Black Edition 6 speed |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
62 Dave Samba Member

Joined: August 31, 2012 Posts: 128 Location: SoCal
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 7:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
Very cool story, and cool car also. Looking forward to watching the restoration process...assuming you will be posting progress shots, eh?
What part of Ohio are you in? (I'm in the Cinci area) _________________ Dave
62 Type 1 sunroof
64 Ghia hardtop
69 Type 1, 68 Type 1, 73 914 2.0, 76 911S Targa....all gone but not forgotten  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
stale air Samba Member

Joined: August 23, 2007 Posts: 5451 Location: Senoia Ga, formally NorCal
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
carcrazed wrote: |
I am restoring it back to stock...even the 6 volt system will stay intact as far as I plan right now. |
Glad to hear that, and congrats, it looks like you you have a nice solid start!
Having a no frills dash, ie, radio block off, and no fuel gauge, is actually one reason I dig the early big windows so much. The dash is so simple , and yet eloquent at the same time.  _________________ WANTED: Henry Veale Santa Rosa plate frames
WANTED: Brittsan Motors Fresno plate frames
WANTED: Any Georgia plate frames
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
62 Dave Samba Member

Joined: August 31, 2012 Posts: 128 Location: SoCal
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
stale air wrote: |
carcrazed wrote: |
I am restoring it back to stock...even the 6 volt system will stay intact as far as I plan right now. |
. . .Having a no frills dash, ie, radio block off, and no fuel gauge, is actually one reason I dig the early big windows so much. The dash is so simple , and yet eloquent at the same time.  |
Exactly ! Even though my 62 is high tech in comparison since it has a gas guage , looking at my dash brings a smile to my face every time I get in the car. All that painted metal and chrome is just cool. _________________ Dave
62 Type 1 sunroof
64 Ghia hardtop
69 Type 1, 68 Type 1, 73 914 2.0, 76 911S Targa....all gone but not forgotten  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Buscowboy Samba Member

Joined: October 29, 2004 Posts: 421 Location: South Coast, England
|
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nice score, great story just don' t let it go this time. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
laneven28 Samba Member

Joined: January 09, 2007 Posts: 314 Location: Cedar Hills, Utah
|
Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Great story, glad you finally got ahold of it after all these years. Please keep us posted throughout the restoration. It'll be fun to watch another one brought back to life! _________________ 1950 Pearl Grey Hoffman Standard Split Window
1954 Iceland Green Euro 3-Fold Oval
1955 Strato Silver Transitional 3-Fold Oval
1956 Iris Blue Convertible
1958 Pearl White Lowlight KG Convertible
1961 Turkis Ragtop |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
flyboat Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2010 Posts: 2752 Location: Bath NC
|
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 8:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
I wish I had a story like that. I traded a pristine 64 sunroof car back in the 90's that I'd love to get back. _________________ 79 super Vert
62 Ragtop Bug
66 tintop Westy
Porsche 914
09 Z06 Vette track car |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
carcrazed Samba Member

Joined: November 15, 2007 Posts: 958 Location: Ohio
|
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 4:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
ok...probably think I am weird, but you know what brought back memories...I remember when I was a kid, the smell of that bugs paint when it baked in the sun. I was sanding off some of that paint to weld some supports in before I cut out the heat channels and BOOM...that smell hit my nose and I was instantly snapped back in time. Funny how that works huh? _________________ 1965 Herbie Replica. 1776cc dual Kads.
1961 Beetle 33,000 Original Miles
"Just When you think you are getting ahead, you're always wrong." |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
EA812 Samba Member

Joined: December 07, 2008 Posts: 1229 Location: North central, CT
|
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 7:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
Looks like a nice project. How’s Herbie doing? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
oldsouls Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2013 Posts: 93 Location: N. Az.
|
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
That is kool! Keep us posted on the build! I think a Bug is one of the only cars in the world that is kool stock, good choice! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|