From horsepower to kidpower

by Reagh
(Coombs, BC, Canada)

From a 1970 red and white, SS 396 Nova to a 1972 Yellow Super Beetle. From a single 20 year old drag racer, to a 22 year old husband and father of his first of three sons. From wild and carefree, to proud and practical.
And so it began with my first Beetle. Surprisingly, they were both a lot of fun to drive.
One son soon became three sons, and the Beetle gave way to the 1969 T2 blue panel van. A weekend in my little garage and it became our family traveling van, complete with a home built back bed and lots of red shag carpet. A full inch of good under-cushion everywhere and it was good and quiet. All the better for the kids to sleep on long trips. The longest being from Edmonton, Alberta to Burlington, Ontario and back one summer.
During the next 20 years or so, the blue van gave way to the 72 squareback, that took me to Los Angeles and back. How I remember the hills around Sault Lake. Then it was onto the 64 rose colored, sunroof beetle, just for me, and a 1965 15 window microbus for the family.
Then my sister gave me her 1965 blue Beetle as she tired of roll starting it each day before work. After the seat fell through the floorboard it was retired and a 1969 green nothback joined our family. What a concept, a trunk in the front and the back. I fooled a few people into believing it didn't have a motor.
I guess it is obvious that the first Beetle infected me with a lifelong illness, I call, "VOLKSITIS".
Good to know there is a very large support group worldwide. Apparantly there are hundreds of thousands all over the world with the same affliction, and it is incurable. Cheers everyone, love your VDUBS. If you ever get to Coombs BC, Canada, I have put my present collection on display. We call it Funbugz Gallery and Gifts. Join us and help me build it bigger and better.