My 1969 Bug

Summer 2010: my Bug sporting a Yakima bike rack at work.

This 1969 Bug has been in the Slider family since it was brand new. Yes, my parents purchased it straight from the dealer, Economotors (yes, that Econo!!) in January of 1969. They had just gotten married the previous fall, so it was their just major purchase together.

I grew up in this car. I have a lot of fond memories being driven around in this car. Things like being picked up from school, sleeping in the back seat area (when Dad took out the back seat) coming back late from my aunt and uncle's house. It has always been a part of my life. When I get to high school, my parent rejuvenated it a bit and got it running again so that I would have transportation to/from school and my swim/water polo practices.

When I graduated from high school, my parents' gift to me was signing over the pink slip to this family member to me. It was a monumentus moment to a teenager! Of course all during high school I dreamed of the things I could do to "fix it up". Of course I didn't have the money, so nothing much got done. It wasn't until I took a job with a VW parts place in Redlands, CA that things started to change.

A Selecta-Bug rendition of my vision.

At Unique Supply, I developed a keen interest and respect for the Cal-Look scene and the style. It was there that with the help with a co-worker (Jim Bangs), I developed my vision on how the Bug was to be.

Here's the basic description: stock body (no custom changes), stock Diamond Blue (light blue) paint, lowered front suspension, period custom wheels (EMPI Sprint Stars, 2 piece 8-spokes, or other such wheel), a built transaxle, and a beefy engine. Over the years, I've migrated from the standard Type 1 engine to the current plan: a 2056cc(96mm x 71mm) Type 4.

So follow along here at The VDubGeek's Garage for the latest work on my Bug!