This is a tale of two Beetles, a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But I am getting ahead of myself. About a year ago, my wife Mary, concerned about my lack of enthusiasm to do anything but watch television, suggested that I find something to do to occupy my time in a more constructive manner. Knowing my passion for automobiles, she suggested that perhaps we should buy a car of some sort and “fix it up”. We had just been discussing a friend of ours who was selling his ‘73 Beetle. Since we both had an interest in Beetles (Mary had bought one for her brother when he was in college), the search was on for the right Beetle.
Shortly after the search had commenced, I
passed a used car lot in Pompano Beach. Enter Mr. Hyde, a ‘71 Beetle. Its
previous owner had lowered it, added a whale tail and it had just been painted
(bright yellow). This was the Beetle for me. I had to have this Beetle
(instantaneous gratification brought about by impulsive buying). Nobody was
going to convince me that this was not the “right” car for me.
Artist
rendering of Mr. Hyde
(but don't touch with your mouse!)
After haggling with the owner, I bought Mr. Hyde for $800. I was told that Mr. Hyde had an electrical problem (generator light would not go out). Okay, no big deal. After the deal was consummated, I started to drive Mr. Hyde over to West McNab Foreign Car to have Bruce check out the electrical system. At the first right hand turn, the passenger side turn signal departed the fender. At the railroad tracks, a kidney belt would have been better than the seat belt. Finally, I made it into Bruce’s parking lot. He looked at Mr. Hyde, then me and back to Mr. Hyde. I am sure he thought I was crazy for even driving that Beetle. He was kind enough to take the time to point out some of Mr. Hyde’s weaker points, not counting the ones that fell off on the way to his shop. He called me the next day and suggested that I come to the shop and he would show me what he had found (or not found). In a nut shell, Bruce told me the Beetle of my dreams was a nightmare, not even road worthy. I was crushed. After all, what’s wrong with a Beetle with rusted floor pans, no torsion bars in the torsion tubes, no shocks, no lights and major electrical problems. Mr. Hyde had to go. Ultimately I did get my money back and the Beetle too, but that’s another story.
Bruce
explained to me in an hour what I should know before buying a Beetle. He
suggested that if I wanted to tinker with it, partially restore it
or just drive it for the fun of it, I should be looking for a Beetle on which I
could build. As an example, he showed me a ‘68 Beetle that he had just received
from Atlanta. He put the ‘68 on the lift and showed me the pans, the shocks and
the ball joints. I received a crash course in “what to look for in a Beetle.”
This car was the foundation on which to
build. He told me that he would have the Beetle at Show N Shine XVIII.
Mary and I went to Show N Shine to see the ‘68 Beetle next to some of its brethren. As Bruce had said, it was a good foundation. After Mary haggled with Bruce, enter Dr. Jekyll.
Since
that day in April, 2001, Bruce replaced the headliner and I have replaced the
dash pad, bumpers, bumper impact strips and the headlight rims. In November of
last year, I drove Dr. Jekyll to Bug Jam in Tampa. I placed fourth in Daily
Driver-Stock. Last February, at Volksblast in Miami, I placed third in Daily
Driver. Dr. Jekyll is still being perfected. The seat cushions and upholstery
are next.
Mary was right. My ‘68 Beetle is just what the doctor ordered for my lack of enthusiasm. Now, what is the prescription for “Beetle-itis”.
