Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce myself. Chig, from Georgetown, Texas, VW Corporate Blue and born December of 1966. My chauffeur is Russ Salisbury.
It was around 2010 when we started our search for a 1967 beetle–but let me go back to my first ‘67.
It was during the summer of 1977, when I found a Savanna Beige ‘67 Beetle sitting behind a garage in Santa Monica, California, where I grew up. I had a part time job working with Jerry Hahn at Yuko International on Pico Blvd. This was a VW shop that sponsored the SoCal Bug In’s! I cleaned-up this ‘67 Beetle and drove it around Southern California for a few years. I sold it to a young lady who lives in Santa Monica. Would you know, she still was driving it in 2015!”
Moving forward to Chig, he was found in a Craigslist ad in Marble Falls, Texas. Sad- looking with the interior door cards falling down, very dirty and the tires were flat. But!!! Chig was VW Blue, had all the correct ‘67 parts like the rims, original bumpers, no rust, good glass, pop-out windows and cloth seats. The only damage among the normal door dings was a small dent on the left fender. Chig found a home!!!
Since Chig was to be my daily “corporate” driver, we had the original engine rebuilt, all the window rubber gaskets replaced, new door panels and tires installed. The brake system was rebuilt and the rims painted correctly.
I drove Chig into Austin, Texas, and back, every day until I retired from IBM in 2014, averaging 60 miles a day on my commute. Chig loved one thing–cruising at 70mph.
After corporate retirement, I have had a variety of fun jobs, with Chig taking me to every one of them.
Our latest adventure is working at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. I park Chig under the same tree on the campus parking lot and see students walking by and taking pictures with Chig. One day all the “New Generation” Beetles, about 15 or so, parked around Chig for a photo shoot. That was great!
Chig has been to many car shows and VW events around central Texas. When at home on the ranch, he sits in the barn next to his big brother, a 1967 VW Bus.
I’d like to thank Eric, whom we’ve had the pleasure to meet while he was in Austin, Texas, and to Jay, that I have used as my technical expert.
Keep up the good work and God Bless our VW community.
Russ Salisbury
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Great to meet you back then, Russ. We had a short run in Austin, but enjoyed all of the kind vintage VW folks.
Personally, I’ve always enjoyed listening to talking Beetles. I’ve owned two and they both spoke to me. Great story Chig; and Russ’ pictures aren’t bad either.
Great story. Hope you and Chig keep chugging together for a very long time.
Chig is awesome, as is his big brother! I’m not brave enough to drive mine out on the highway. I think the car would do fine, but it is all the other crazy driver’s I’m concerned about. As much as we love them, they aren’t very safe!
Enjoyed your story, Russ. I have never owned a Beetle but have been thinking about getting one. I live an hour north of you and am interested in joining a Beetle club. There seems to be a good VW crowd in Austin.