I first got bit by “the bug” my second year in the Marine Corps. A buddy of mine purchased what I now know to have been a ‘72 Super Beetle. I had my first ride in it when I was scheduled to go to the rifle range, which required 2 AM drives to the range and 8 PM drive from the range, in the middle a South Carolina winter. The vehicle itself was in horrible shape and I could actually see the road below my feet passing by, but, it got us from point A to point B. Riding around in freezing early mornings / late nights became the highlight of my day!
Although, I hadn’t desired purchasing one YET! It wasn’t until one evening when the beetle broke down on the side of the road and both my buddy and I got out of the beetle to inspect the engine. It turned out that the throttle control spring and the belt broke. At this point I realized I was just standing there, thinking how far of a walk it would be until I reached my warm bed. My buddy then pulled out a spring from his pen, jerry-rigged (pun intended) it to the engine and taped, (YES TAPED, with heavy duty 100 mile an hour tape) the belt together!! Needless to say, I thought this guy was crazy…BUT IT WORKED, well at least enough to chug back to base. From that moment I was sold! I had to get one for myself.
Fast-forward 12 years, I finally got my own! I had been searching on the Samba and various other sites when I stumbled upon ClassicVWBugs.com. I contacted the owner Chris Vallone, and after some long discussions with my wife, placed an order. Chris was able to find me a ‘67, original black, with a solid body and components. What was going to be a quick clean up turned into a complete body off and engine rebuild. I even had the interior redone from standard red to tweed gray with white piping. This really turned into a project, for Chris, not to mention my constant phone calls, which I am sure he appreciated! LoL. I received my ‘67 in January and have amassed, what I believe to be, an impressive tool collection and a library of books and videos. I use my ‘67 as a daily driver and I have even volunteered to go grocery shopping, EVERY WEEKEND, in order to fire it up. Although it is conventional to name your beetle a female name, I went a different route and named it IronSquishy, which I think fits nicely (I even got a small name decal)!
My future plan is to pass down my ‘67 to my daughter when she turns 16, many, many years down the road. The intention is to teach her everything I have and will learn about these vehicles and maybe take on a rebuild myself, with her right by my side, learning how to care for and respected these classics.
Well, this pretty much sums up my story, and I wanted to again thank 1967Beetle.com, for all of your insight and willingness to pass along your knowledge.
Regards,
Frank Weber
Thanks, Frank, for sharing your ’67 with 1967beetle.com.
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Semper Fi, my Brother Marine! Nice bug.
Frank,
That’s my Dad. He’s a Marine as well!
Thank you and Semper Fi!
Are you the Frank Weber from CAP 2-3-2? I think my husband served with you.
Nice story, Frank … nice ’67; your daughter is a lucky girl! And, thank you for your service – Semper Fi!
I would of kept the original red interior.. but nice one year only
Congratulations!
Great story, great times in and around the car; also a great car to be passed on, someday…
Am I ever jealous! An original black ’67 Beetle! Pretty scarce, to say the least. Thanks for this exciting story, Frank. And, I echo the thanks of many others–Thank You For Your Service To This Country!
jay
PS: You found a great shop for your restoration. Chris and Crew are wonderful!
That is a great story . And a VERY nice car. I like all original, but I think I’m in need of that shifter head you have. For sure a unique piece iv never ran across. The choice of material used on the interior, although not original is top notch. Looks classy, comfortable, and a really nice high end look to contrast the black exterior. You got my vote Frank.
Your little girl will have a quite the car for her own some day. I’m sure it will become like a family member to her as the years add up.
Richard.
Semper Fi from another Marine (1/69-1/70)! I named mine “Papa’s Slugbug” shrugging the tradition also (kind of a Marine thing)! My Grandkids started calling my car Papa’s Slugbug! I adopted the name and I have it on the license plate frame and a decal in the rear window!
I have looked at some of Chris’s restorations and watched some of his videos so I agree with Jay that Chris puts out some nice stuff! Your ’67 is definitely a nice car!
As for 1967beetle.com, I can tell you they are there for you as a resource! I was on the phone today with both Eric and Jay trouble shooting a fuel problem! I am been on the phone and emails with them before and I can tell you they never tire of talking VW’s! Thank you for your service! Dick
We’re here for ya! 24-7. 1800-1967 Beetle.
Nice 67. Vallone dod you right on this one!
That was “did” not dod. Also had my daughter by my side when she was little working on VWs and when she became a driver she had her share of VWs and could tear down an engine like the best of them! Great way to share garage time for many years.
Dod!
Frank,
I looked at purchasing this same car from the original owner just before Chris found it for you. I was looking for a “get my hands dirty” project and this one was just TOO nice. I did purchase a different ’67 but often question my sanity in letting that black beauty pass. Congrats, you got a great car!
Doug
Beautiful car! Trust me that 16th birthday will come quicker than you think. As a father of two girls the first indication is the head spinning a full 360 degrees, generally followed by something along the lines of “Dad, you just don’t know.” Don’t worry, it passes.
I drove a 1962 Volkswagon convertible off the showroom floor in 1962, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I have also, driven a brand new 1973 Super Beetle Convertible off the showroom in Racine,, Wisconsin. I still own the 1973 one. I am the original owner.
Karen,
Fantastic history there. I own my Grandpa’s ’67 which he too also bought new.
Hello, Karen…Your history with Volkswagens is, indeed, note-worthy! Kudos. Now…don’t you think that it’s time to add a ’67 Beetle to your list of VW Accomplishments? LOL jay