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Purchase of a life-long friend-1961 beetle
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carcrazed
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:55 am    Post subject: Purchase of a life-long friend-1961 beetle Reply with quote

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.

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GtiKyle
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very cool story!

I'd love to see that long lost bug. Congrats.
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Snydr
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great stoy by the way, can't wait to see pictures!
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Snydr
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Wink
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Last edited by Snydr on Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:05 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Jon65
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Awesome story. I'm guessing that the "go navy" plate will be the final touch to the restoration. Cool
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carcrazed
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

since I have to have plates on both front and back...it will definately be kept inside the car.
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dcheek
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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carcrazed
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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bobnorman
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great story! The car clearly wants to be with you! Best of luck with it.
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gt1953
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice and interesting story.
Glad to see you are gonna take it to
stock condition and 6 Volt to boot.
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dcheek
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 6:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

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62 Dave
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 7:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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)
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stale air
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

carcrazed wrote:
I am restoring it back to stock...even the 6 volt system will stay intact as far as I plan right now.


Dancing 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. Cool
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62 Dave
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.


Dancing . . .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. Cool


Exactly ! Even though my 62 is high tech in comparison since it has a gas guage Smile, 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.
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Buscowboy
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice score, great story just don' t let it go this time.
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laneven28
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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!
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flyboat
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 8:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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carcrazed
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 4:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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EA812
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 7:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like a nice project. How’s Herbie doing?
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oldsouls
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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!
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