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The Ultimate VW Bug!
74I have dreamed of owning one of this little classic bugs since I was a young girl. I did not want just any bug. I wanted the ultimate 1971 convertible Volkswagen. Once day I will have one if it is the last thing I do!
I remember the first time I saw this baby, it was1971. My dad and I stopped at this new car dealership. They had the new bug on display. It was lime green with white upholstery. I stood there for the longest time just staring at this cute little car. It was love at first sight. I begged dad to buy me one and of course I was half kidding, knowing that would never happen. My dad was the type of dad that believed you work for what you get. So needless to say it stayed in my dreams.
I saw them from time to time and would always pick them out on the highway as they passed . I would yell, "there goes my bug!" It would pass, and I would give a big sigh... sit back and dream of me driving the bug down the highway. My hair would be blowing in the wind and I would have the radio cranked up to Chicago or Bee Gee's latest song. It was the best dream ever. It is strange that my first love was a car..but sad to say it was.
I graduated high school, joined the army, got married, had kids, then grandkids, and this little car is still in my dreams. The little bug was never far from my mind and to this day, I get excited about the prospect of seeing one or owning one. I doubt my hair would blow in the wind, as in my younger days. Stopping at a red light may be rather a scary sight for on lookers to see my hair standing on ends. But if I had the chance, I wouldn't care! I would be one proud grandma sporting around in this super car.
I do have a rather sad story to tell. I came so close last year to owning an orange 1971 Volkswagen convertible. I was heading to work one day and wouldn't you know, there was one sitting beside the road with a big for sale sign on it. I thought I was dreaming. I almost ran off the road trying to take a look. I couldn't stop at that moment, as I had to get to work but I was going to stop on my way home! I prayed like never before, "Oh God, please let my little bug be there when I get off, I will sell my first born..oh God please!"..Surely I would have to make a mad dash after work, as I know every one and their brother want to own one.
After work, I hurry out the door, almost in a strut to have a look at my little bug. This man comes out from the house and asks if he could help me. I told him my long sad story of how I loved this bug, I dreamed of this bug, and I would sell my first born for this bug. Tears fill my eyes as I walk around this adorable piece of machinery. I cannot believe I am standing in front of it.
Then the most wonderful thing happens. He asks me if I would like to drive it. No.... he did not just ask me that? I almost feel like a giddy, little, school girl and I scream with delight, “you bet I do!" I get in and adjust the seats. My heart is beating so fast. I turn on the radio and it actually works. Chicago is playing, "You’re my Inspiration". Okay maybe not, but it was in my head. This fine little car had new black seat covers, and all original parts. The top was already down and it was calling my name. I start the car and I hear the neatest little putputputput sound coming from its engine. The man asks if I know how to drive a stick and I so proudly say," Yes!" We head down the road and I knew at that moment, this car was mine. I just knew God had finally answered my prayers.
I owned a very nice minivan at the time. Okay I can hear the snickers! My parents gave it to me. There are no car payments,it is top of the line, and has been a good car to me. My dad always kept his cars in mint condition. Anyway, the man said he was selling the bug for $8,000 dollars. He was looking for a second car for his wife and may trade for my minivan and I pay the difference. The blue book on my van was 4800. When we returned from driving the car he went in to talk to his wife. He turns to me before going in and gives me the biggest hug. He says, "Darlin, I really want this to work out for you". I say thank you for the opportunity to drive my dream car and if it does not work out, at least I can say I drove one. He brings his wife out which is not the warm fuzzy kind. I hand them the keys and they take the van for a test drive. While they are gone, I talk to the bug telling it how much I loved him. I stroke his short, stubby, hard, orange body and promise I will take such good care of him, if he will just come home with me.
They soon come back from the test drive and the wife walks in the house without a word. It was definitely chilly outside all of a sudden. The man asks for my cell phone number and tells me he will call me tomorrow with their answer. I could not sleep all night. I knew this bug was mine.
The next day I had to run to the store with my mom. While I was there, the phone rings. I can see it is this man calling me back. My mother knew I was waiting for this call and was so excited for me. I say hello just knowing the answer is yes but then the gut wrenching answer came. "I am sorry darlin; my wife does not want the van!" Tears fill my eyes right there in the middle of the grocery store. I look at my mom and tell her it did not go through. I felt like a stupid fool, crying in the middle of the grocery store over a dumb little bug. My dream went out the window that day.
I know I could have financed it with a loan but we had worked so hard to be debt free, I just did not want to make an $8,000 dollar debt. I think I cried all afternoon. It seems silly to cry over a car. I have never been much about material things but this car was the one thing I have ever wanted so badly. I never wanted the fancy house, expensive clothes, just give me my bug and I will be happy the rest of my life.
So with saying all this, I do know one day, I will have my little 1971 Volkswagen convertible. I hope it can hold my cane, wheelchair, or any other adaptive device I may need, but one day it will be mine.
Sunnie Day 2011
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greetings thank you for sharing so many useful interesting hubs, i also see a beetle in my neighborhood that i love, it is a biege/cream color and a convertible !
Thank you alocsin I am hopeing one day...yes you are right it is a good price for sure for a classic..Take care and thanks for stopping by.
Sunnie
Good luck to you. I know $8,000 is a lot, but that's a bargain for a classic car that you love. Voting this Up and Interesting.
I am still hopeful Doug even if it means no air..I may keep the van though for the air..lol Thanks for reading about my dream car..
Sunnie
When I was a kid we had all sorts of VWs--Beetles, Super Beetles, vans, camper vans, you name it. But never a convertible. And then we moved back to TX. No AC = No VW.
And then Volkswagen never seemed to make another decent car for decades. Everything that followed the bug seemed to be a disaster.
My sister's 2nd car was a red '73, I think. She totalled it quickly, but had to keep driving it 'cause we didn't have the money to fix it. It did outlast her first car. She destroyed a little Toyota the first night she drove it.
I've always wanted one of those Thing convertibles.
Doug
Thanks Micky, If I see a couple will let you know!;) With gas prices think they would really be great about now! They are great cars arn't they? Thanks for stopping by.
Sunnie
Nicely done Sunnie Day. I've always loved that car. I'd like one now. Thank you dear.
lol wow I never knew that..Thanks Dave for reading and stopping by..Have a great day.
Sunnie
They are cute cars. when they first came out they were referred to as "Hitler's Revenge" with the following explanation; first they are a German made,and second when you saw earlier photos of Hitler in an auto, it was a convertible VW.
Mark I think that is an excellent idea! Hummmm..will have to convince Dusty..lol Thanks Mark, Your so sweet! I really think it will happen one day...just got to keep looking if the Lord wills..our passions are placed within us and God does give us the desires of our hearts....Thanks for stopping by..have a great Tues.
Sunnie
Okay, here's the deal. Dusty needs a hauling vehicle, you want a bug and I need to get rid of my wagon but want it to go to a good home. How about you give Dusty the van in exchange for fixing up an old bug, and I'll donate my wagon to Dusty if you let me drive your convertible once in a while :-)
Sunnie, you said you have a Windstar right? Hey Dusty, you know that 3.0 V-6 is probably the best Ford engine ever and Sunnie is ex-military so she probably takes great care of her vehicles, so wadda ya say? I know you want my wagon too ;-)
Okay, enough of that silliness. Sunnie, great hub, I love this story about the bug. Recently I have learned to pursue what you love in order to find true happiness in the world. For eternal and spiritual happiness we can't replace Jesus of course - and I believe that God wants us to pursue our earthly loves as well. But I also see a warning in this hub that we may not get everything we ask for or want, so thank you Sunnie.
However, your story touched me, I love how you love cars and that you understand being sentimental about a certain VW rabbit I used to own. I sincerely hope you get your bug, so keep looking and praying.
There's something about driving an old VW that captures the spirit. I miss my old buses, and like Dusty said, they used to be super cheap to own and maintain, but lately everyone wants them for show and prices for parts have sky rocketed :-(
I may own another someday. But I hope you get your bug first! Keep your eyes peeled Sunnie and thanks for the great hub.
Good Morning Sharyn,
I am holding out until the last breath in me that I will own one one day..don't laugh but i had one as my screen saver once..haha..Thank you for reading as always and have a great Tues.
Sunnie
Sunnie,
This was so fun to read. I feel bad for you and do hope your dream comes true one day.
p.s. I love that last 2 lines. Great job!
Sharon
Fay we only pass through this life once right? My kids tease me all the time. However my oldest son says he will buy me one, oneday if he ever becomes rich. I love the thought. I hope you get yours too. Thanks for reading as always.
Sunnie
Whew! I saw the title and was really hoping this was about a car. :) Thanks so much for this. When I recently told my girls I might get one they howled. But I happen to think they are very cool.
voted up/awesome
Good Morning Eiddwen,
Thank you for stopping by! The bugs are just as cute as can be..I think my love for them comes from the hherbie day too..Fun car! Have a great Monday.
Sunnie
Hi Sunnie,
I loved this one and even though I have never driven a car I am very interested in them.
Dai is mad on cars so we do follow many of the car/truck shows.
A friend of mine had a bright yellow Beetlebug and I am sure that my interest in them goes way back to the 'Herbie' films.
I push all the buttons on this one.
Take care
Eiddwen.
Dusty,
Now that is one cool van..yes the dogs need a window to stick their heads out and ears to flap in the wind..a road trip is always awesome..now that looks like your style..:) My van is great and I am thankful it is a good running vehicle..I can not complain..So one day that bug will present itself again and that time I will be ready..lol...That is one neat looking van though..good shape too. If you ever head over to Texas on your road trip we have a place for your head..:) and puppies too.
Sunnie
A.A. I am laughing so hard...I just could picture you on the autobahn..that was not the place for that to happen..My dad did the same with my brother..he is a musician and never became the mechanic..I am suprised he did not have me under a hood. He always was restoring cars. Thank you for a great story and laugh today! I bet you can not look at a bug to this day without breaking a sweat.
Sunnie
My father was a cav scout, but for some reason he thought he was a mechanic. It's a genetic trait that my father felt was a hispanic trait, and did everything he could to force me to work on cars. When we worked on cars togethor, when he asked for tools, I would give him the wrong tool on purpose. He asked for vice grips, I gave him a hammer. He would get mad and throw them at me, and yell at me to get lost. I gradly complied.
I was going to high school in Wuerzburg Germany, and he told me I could use a car that he "fixed." It was a VW beetle, the very car that you pine away for. Little did I know it was a lemon; my dad purposely gave me a car that would break down. Not every father would do that to his son, but my dad always wanted to teach me life lessons. I digress. Anyhoo, the car started normally once, every other time I had to push or roll it down a hill and start it in first gear. One time while driving down the autobahn, I stepped on the floor board, and my foot went through! I actually lost my shoe! I kept driving the car though, and refused to fix it. After the engine fell out it, my dad had enough. He parted it out, and I caught the bus everywhere.
Sunnie, those Ford vans with the regular oil changes I've seen commercial use that has many with 450,000 miles on them with few problems at all. Good vehicles. I was thinking you had a VW van as they are a cool van in my thoughts, like these with the "V" shaped paint and the fold out windshield and rear glass for air conditioning that would let each of my dogs to have the wind in their face, he he
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Pictures-c13258-1966- park my jeep at a friends gas station and switch to the van for doing road trips and then back to the jeep to go home. Still thinking, dusty.
It is a 2003 ford windstar with 90,000 miles but it is top of the line. My dad owned it and it is mint condition. I get the oil changed every 3000 miles..it is a good van for sure.No rust at all :)
Sunnie what year is your van? You got me thinking and itching around in my head about a hauling veedub for the critters on a road trip. If your in the dry hot spots of Texas your van probably has no pan rust. Hmmmmm dusty
Ahhh Pandagirl..you do know me Huh? You have only heard about this the last twenty years...lol..maybe one day I will get to go to that car show..but will have to have a few dollars in my pocket because just maybe..my bug will want to come home with me..Love you!
Sunnie
AS you know, my first car was a 1958 black VW bug, but not convertible. Your dream is one I knew about and I still smiled as I read it again. Feel better, the 1971 bug you saw and seemed to want was not the original paint color and was probably in a wreck previously and not that reliable....does that make you feel any better? Hope so that bug was meant NOT to belong to you. There are others out there!...Think they still have the BUG weekend in Roswell, NM where hundreds of 'Beetle Bugs' come from all over the USA and world? Yoiu would love it!
thanks for sharing your dream.
Dang Dusty,,you could build me a bug and I would give you my van..but your are right..my van is too fluffy and would not make a good rover for sure..I just love them..there is one guy down the road who restores bugs and he seems to have an endless stream of customers. I think they come from out of town though..Thanks for reading..and if you ever get a thought to restore another one..give me shout.:)
Have a great day!
Sunnie
Sunnie, those bugs are a grown ups go cart, I love them, I can tear one down to the frame in my sleep and put it back together. I've owned convertibles, vans, hard-tops, Baja Bugs and VW powered sand rails. I build BIG cc engines for them, I guess I've been butt deep in VWs since I bought a 64 model from a guy that was getting out of the marines and wanted to go home in a new Camero. I went to the Marine credit union and borrowed the 800 for it. Low maintenance, easy to work on, cheep parts I love them, they kept me riding in the poorest times of my life, now you just can't seem to touch one at a decent price. I'd like another van to haul the dogs around but I know one wouldn't cross my sand wash or go up the hill. A Baja bug with a hot rod motor would, I never figured out how to Baja a van! 50 voted all up!
Thank you so much McGilwriter for stopping by and reading. I will be you wifes advocate and say this, if there is anyway you can buy her this bug, she will forever love you in a whole new light..not that she doesn't love you now or she will not love you more if you do not buy this bug..but it will touch her heart on a whole differnt level..okay Im done..your wife can thank me later..hahaha..I hope she will have her dream come true soon.
Sunnie
Those are just awesome! You and my wife share a dream. She's always wanted a convertible VW bug!
Good Morning Frog,
They are awesome arent they? Thanks for stopping by! Appriciate your comments very much..see ya soon.:)
Sunnie
Hello there Ken,
I bet that was fun! They have such character of their own..I am amazed how many have memories of this little bug..I thought I was the only one..haha Thanks as always for stopping by..oh by the way I loved your hub this morning, it was just awesome..sent it to my face book.
God bless,
Sunnie
Sweet! I learned how to drive using a VW bug. Over time I learned how to make that puppy sing too!
Nice work SD. Keep em coming and stop by to see me!
The Frog
When I was a kid, an uncle had a regular Bug & I remember how much fun it was riding with him in the wintertime, especially in empty parking lots where he'd fishtail at will. I always wanted to get one, but never have.
Voted up & awesome.
Good morning Will. Thanks for the good luck wishes..one day maybe..Thanks for stopping by and reading. Take care.
Sunnie
Good luck Sunnie! I hope you get your wish.
Oh I am so jealous Marellen..you actualy owned one..how lucky you were...well maybe one day soon we both will get to drive one around...Thank you for stopping by and so glad you enjoyed reading about our little bug.
Thanks again,
Sunnie
Sunnie...my first car was a green 1970 super beetle. No convertible though. I loved that car...can't remember why I still don't have it or what happened too it but like you, when I see any VW, I think the same thing. Someday, I will own one again. I know exactly how you feel. Great hub...you brought back a good time in my life.
Hello Hyphenbird,
They are just wonderful! I am realizing I am not the only one who loves those little bugs.Thank you so much for reading. Have a restful night.
Sunnie
okay I am back..I think I have composed my self...I know big shocker huh? I try to not let that slip...whoops! People laughed at school when they found out..I had to bring pictures to prove it..haha..I was quite young then but i did indeed wear the boots and was one of the first woman to train with men..So......not only am I your non wacko christian friend..I am your army vet, non wacko, christian friend....right?
Oh my gosh...I am laughing so hard that I have to stop..be back in a minute...
You were an ammunition specialist?
What's the matter with you, Woman?
Go back to the house; ask the guy to come out and drive the van for one more time, because you have a great deal for him that he won't be able to refuse. While he goes around the block, you go into his house and blow his selfish wife away. Don’t forget the papers for the bug. They’ll be lying around somewhere. He won’t mind when he finds out; she sounds as if she dominates him anyway.
Then when he comes back, you can tell him that his wife changed her mind, and while he is looking the other way, you can drive off. If he sees you driving off, wave nicely. You don’t want to give a bad impression.
Don’t leave any of your papers; address or phone numbers in the van. He might get suspicious.
No one will ever suspect you… you’re school nurse.
I love them also. We used to have a hardtop and my husband sold it. I still miss it. I love a convertible anything and a bug would be a dream come true.
Oh did I forget to mention that small detail about the army..uh..yes ..now for the kicker...I was an ammunition specialist..haha..Yes my hair blew and blew and blew somemore..haha..I will keep dreaming for sure...Thanks for reading as always..
Sunnie
Good afternoon Sunnie. "Joined the Army?". Great Hub, seems you have the memories of the wind blowing through your hair even without having the bug. Keep on dreaming!!
Lol I say the same thing...
Hi Sunnie...I don't play it either. But it's a general cover for the "if I ever got a load of money" dream.
Good Morning Mark. I hope your dream comes true too..I am hopeful about the lottery but sense I don't play I guess my chances are slim..lol
Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by. A harley is awesome..my dad always had a bike..I hope you get one one day!
Sunnie
Hi Maggie, Thank you, I am still hopeful..I know now adays we are blessed to have our needs meet first. We do only live once..so just maybe it will happen..:) Thank you for stopping by and reading..Happy Sat.
Hugs,
Sunnie
It is good to have wants, but unfortunately the wants never make sense to obtain.... I say, we only live once... Those herbie bug cars are awesome..I use to want one as well...Thanks for sharing, I do hope you will own one day,..
MM
It's good to have a dream Sunnie, and hopefully yours will come true. I have a small list of stuff which I will probably never own, but just in case I win the lottery at least I'm prepared. A Harley-Davidson is probably at the top.
Sunnie Day Hub Author 2 months ago
Hello Jamila,
I love the beige color too..and a convertable? WOW!!! If it was in my neighborhood I think I would go nuts..hahaha
Thank you for reading..have a nice night!