Trials and Tribulations: My 1969 Beetle and maybe the longest, most drawn out restoration in history?
Where our story begins. In the summer of 1996 my Dad bought me the Beetle in anticipation of my forthcoming 17th birthday. Also seen here, my best friend Chris with his mk2 Fiesta. This photo was taken in spring 1997 by Chris' dad and recently resurfaced much to our amusement. The Beetle was my daily driver for 2 years until I went to Uni in a slightly sketchy area of Birmingham, so the Bug stayed at home for the duration, getting used when I was home in the holidays.
One advantage of having a new daily was the opportunity it afforded to start messing about. Seen here with Ford Mondeo wheels of all things!
In this picture you can just make out the XR3 seats... I know, but this was the early 2000's after all.
Of course, once you start poking around, it turns into a slippery slope...
First job... move it up to the midlands where I stayed after uni to start work. My ever supportive Dad towing it here with a minibus he borrowed from the school where he was Chairman of Governors.
IRS Gearbox and suspension purchased... somewhat prematurely as we will see...
WTF has been going on here?!?
Mmmm crusty...
Evidence of prior bodgery!
Photos slightly out of order but this is when I realized that it was all or nothing!
And here, dear reader, is where it all goes to curse word. In 2003 my Grandmother passes away. I try to spend some more time with my family. In 2004 my Grandfather passes away. My Grandfather was the true engineer of the family. He designed aircraft seats at work and tinkered with everything else besides at home. As I grew up MS took hold of him and we only ever managed small projects. One of which was a Tamiya Blackfoot which he, my Dad and I built together. To this day it is one of my most prized possessions. By this time, my wedding preparations were in full swing and the beetle had hit the back burner. In 2005 we got married and then 3 months later my Dad passed away at 51. I won't lie. It hit me hard. Very hard. I have virtually zero memories of anything that happened in 2006. I think I was in a daze for the entire year. Eventually in early 2007 I started to get my life together. The beetle went to a guy in Redditch who was recommended by a friend. And I spent a LOT of money on genuine VW repair panels.
Work initially went ok, with some decent progress being made.
And then he started cutting more out
And more...
Somewhere around here it all started to go wrong. Every visit resulted in promises being made and zero progress. His business went bust and he took it back to his house, promising to finish it. Somewhere around 18 months later, I went over mobhanded and reclaimed what was left of my car...
Thousands of pounds spent, and I had half a car. I pushed it into the garage, shut the door and didn't open it again for several years, utterly dejected and broken about the whole thing.
Where our story begins. In the summer of 1996 my Dad bought me the Beetle in anticipation of my forthcoming 17th birthday. Also seen here, my best friend Chris with his mk2 Fiesta. This photo was taken in spring 1997 by Chris' dad and recently resurfaced much to our amusement. The Beetle was my daily driver for 2 years until I went to Uni in a slightly sketchy area of Birmingham, so the Bug stayed at home for the duration, getting used when I was home in the holidays.
One advantage of having a new daily was the opportunity it afforded to start messing about. Seen here with Ford Mondeo wheels of all things!
In this picture you can just make out the XR3 seats... I know, but this was the early 2000's after all.
Of course, once you start poking around, it turns into a slippery slope...
First job... move it up to the midlands where I stayed after uni to start work. My ever supportive Dad towing it here with a minibus he borrowed from the school where he was Chairman of Governors.
IRS Gearbox and suspension purchased... somewhat prematurely as we will see...
WTF has been going on here?!?
Mmmm crusty...
Evidence of prior bodgery!
Photos slightly out of order but this is when I realized that it was all or nothing!
And here, dear reader, is where it all goes to curse word. In 2003 my Grandmother passes away. I try to spend some more time with my family. In 2004 my Grandfather passes away. My Grandfather was the true engineer of the family. He designed aircraft seats at work and tinkered with everything else besides at home. As I grew up MS took hold of him and we only ever managed small projects. One of which was a Tamiya Blackfoot which he, my Dad and I built together. To this day it is one of my most prized possessions. By this time, my wedding preparations were in full swing and the beetle had hit the back burner. In 2005 we got married and then 3 months later my Dad passed away at 51. I won't lie. It hit me hard. Very hard. I have virtually zero memories of anything that happened in 2006. I think I was in a daze for the entire year. Eventually in early 2007 I started to get my life together. The beetle went to a guy in Redditch who was recommended by a friend. And I spent a LOT of money on genuine VW repair panels.
Work initially went ok, with some decent progress being made.
And then he started cutting more out
And more...
Somewhere around here it all started to go wrong. Every visit resulted in promises being made and zero progress. His business went bust and he took it back to his house, promising to finish it. Somewhere around 18 months later, I went over mobhanded and reclaimed what was left of my car...
Thousands of pounds spent, and I had half a car. I pushed it into the garage, shut the door and didn't open it again for several years, utterly dejected and broken about the whole thing.
-end of Wales to collect these, but I do rather like them!
