1970 Volkswagen Beetle: Reader Ride
When Molly started searching for her first car, she didn't want something 'new' and ended up with this 45-year-old VW Beetle. It even has a catchy name to match its bright, modern 'apple' green colour
Molly Wibaux's 1970 Volkswagen Beetle
I was told that, for my 18th birthday, my parents were going to help me look for a car. We knew that depending on the type of car, older cars sometimes last longer than newer cars. I thought, ‘Why not splash out a bit?’ So I looked for something a little older than something from 2010. This one’s 45 years old now, but Beetles are known for lasting a long time so I’m holding out hope it could last me another 45. That would be really cool.
I bought it fully restored by a guy called Pete in Carina, but I did put in the radio myself. Other than that, it hasn’t needed any work since I’ve owned it, everything was worked on before. It wasn’t always this green either. It used to be more of a mossy green, but the previous owner wanted something that would stand out. So they stuck with green but just made it a bit more modern and funky. Sometimes I’ll be out on my break from school and get a call from mum asking why I’m driving around during the day, because she spots me so easily!
People do look at me when I drive past; I’m not going to lie. It’s something I can be proud of though. In terms of learning how to drive it, it’s a daily experience. This is my daily drive, I don’t have another car and I don’t save this for weekends. Every day I learn something new about it, whether it’s the way it drives or the car itself. The other day in a car park someone was trying to tell me that I could drive it on water and that it would float for a long time, but that’s not happening with my car. The everyday learning isn’t always helpful.
As a P-plater I know that owning a car like this can be expensive with insurance and things like that, but I’m glad I have it because I think it’s the best car I could have chosen. Maybe an earlier model like a ’62 would be cool, though. Paying for fuel is probably the only issue I have with it. Being a student and having to work to afford it is a bit difficult sometimes. Learning to drive without power steering is up there, too. It’s a very different car to the one I learnt in.
The only changes I’m considering are whitewall tyres, but only if they’ll go with the green and the black trim. If not, a bigger stereo with more than one little speaker would be a nice addition. The stereo in it now is right behind the steering wheel, so it’s fine for me. If anyone else in the car wants music, they can listen to an iPod. Or the exhaust note.
My next car will be secondary to the Beetle, which even has a name. It’s Mrs. Smith, after the apple.
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