How did I “End up With Current Cars?”
Asa kid I would go to the VW dealer when their bug needed servicing, and over in the corner of the showroom there were Porsches, my Dad would go over and look at them and I sat in a few. Fast forward about 11 years to 1967, I bought an almost new VW Bug, for $800, it needed a clutch, and tuned up. The bug was wonderful, 18 years old and good wheels, however 18 months a lady pulled out from a driveway and so hit her, crushed the nose a little, one fender came off, but i was able to get it home. Insurance gave me $1300 and I kept the car, went to All Foreign in Berkeley CA, forerunner to EASY. Found a same colored bug that was hit in the rear. Used bumper, hood, fender, headlight, running board and a few other parts $300. It took a couple days to put it all back together, touched up the nose paint and shimmed the front axle beam so it was straight with the rear. Got the bug back on the road, plus had about $900 left over.
Meanwhile on the way to school I had spotted a red Porsche coupe sitting in the back of Import Motors, that sold Volvos, and BMWs and advertised as the “Sports Car Dealer for the East Bay”. Second hand sports cars filled the rest of the lot. I stopped in to see about the Porsche, he owner said he couldn’t sell it as it wasn’t running, no brakes, bad tires and wanted to use it to keep the two man shop busy during the slow winter.
About a month later I drove by and the Porsche was gone, stopped in, not anywhere to seen. Just then a Dieter drove it in the shop, it ran, but noisy, the muffler was loose, he said it was ready to go after he did few more things. I went and saw Ralph, he wanted my Bug, and told me I could have the Porsche for the bug and $300, plus tax and license. I didn't hesitate long, the next day was Friday the 13th, but it didn't stop me from making the deal and drove the Porsche home. This was 1968, 20 years old and driving a 1959 356A Coupe.
Still have the car, had it repainted a few times, seats recovered, some new carpet, rebuilt the engine a couple of times. After 48 years, 245,000 miles it still is my favorite car.
