Story & Images: Mark V

The Beetle, The Bug, and Love Bug are just a few of the names known to the Volkswagen Beetle!  Did you know that during its original run of 65 years of production more then 21 million of these little guys were built worldwide.  Know in Germany as the “people’s car” this ride over the years, and still today is a true cult classic.  From Hippies right down to Disney, this car has been loved by all! My family was one of the many proud owners of one during my childhood in the 70’s and I have to say, what a fun beach ride! 

Those were truly the days of the endless summer and being jammed in the back with my brothers made even more fun.  I truly believe there will never be another car that that spells fun like the Beetle.    

Just recently while at a local art show I ran into Rob, owner of USA Auto Body in East Patchogue, NY.  Having never met Rob before we just started talking about cars and bikes as he admired my exhibit, while all along me not knowing he was a car guy at all.  As time went on as we were talking, he takes out his phone and tells me to have a look.  Low and behold!  To my surprise he shows me a picture of his 1972 VW Beetle. 

I suddenly went back in time to those days of summer, baseball cards, stickball in the school yard, and a very much simpler life.  Oh, and yes, my parents VW Beetle!

When I tell you this ride, and of course see for yourself looked like a matchbox car from days gone by the only thing I could think of was I wanted it for the site.  So I asked Rob to share his story on the Bug and this is what we got..

the tale

This 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle convertible began its life with a red body, black interior, and black top.  Being a “cheap guy”, I always wanted to restore a. bug, but it had to be a convertible.   In August of 2018 I finally found what I was looking for.  I knew I wanted to do a different paint scheme that would stand out from the others. 

Being the owner of USA Auto Body in East Patchogue, New York did kinda help.  I knew I wanted to do an orange car with a twist.  And that color has always been right in my hand. 

One day at the local deli I saw an Orange Crush bottle and in the label was the color was the color I wanted!  Problem here is that the label goes from orange to completely white.

I called my paint rep Eric from Single Source and together we got to work on perfecting the color.  The final results, the perfect orange with white pearl, just as I envisioned in my head from the start.  Now I needed the whitest of white interiors and top to pull my dream bug together!  Thanks to John and his crew over at Miller Place Auto Upholstery.  I was gifted with total perfection!  A custom white steering wheel, white and orange dashboard, along the killer with seats and interior door panels killed it! And let’s not forget “Crushed” label on the glove box door.  Just like the bottle label but I added the “D” to make it my own.  Dressed in three-inch-wide whitewalls on four spoke wheels was the finishing touch to a labor of love.  Nothing was left to spare.  I’m a happy man in the end and maybe not as “cheap” as I thought!  It’s a cool classic, eye turner, and I have to admit I love every minute as I sit in this ride

There you have it, a blast from the past that rivals any ride at any car show.  What makes it even better is Rob got exactly what he envisioned.  Anyone who walks past this car smiles, as it is truly a feel-good ride, a ride for some of us that just reminds us of the way things were and the way things still can be…. I’m going to go have a cream sickle now!  Enjoy the view.

stay in touch!

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