Synchronicity

began at the age of 7, when my Mom and I were to take a bus from Boston to Halifax Nova Scotia, where I would spend the summer with relatives and my Mom would return to go back to work after her  brief two week vacation was up. Since my Mom only had 2 weeks, she did not want to lose so much as a single day. However, the night before we were to leave, she came down with a splitting headache, so bad that she was forced to postpone the trip. By that mid-afternoon shortly after the bus had departed, her migraine headache disappeared as fast and mysteriously as it came on, and not to return....

Though I had many other cars and trucks since 1969, I never viewed them in even remotely the same way as my VW Beetle. All the others were nothing more than cars  or a glorified collection of parts....   The 67 VW was something far more.... I kept it as my primary vehicle until 1984. It had 237,000 miles on it. I never had to touch it. Just the standard maintenance.

I suppose many of us "car nuts" love their vehicles for a number of different reasons, but I think in most cases it's because it triggers fond memories of our youth and sharing adventures with someone special. In a sense, they have become virtual time machines that transport us not only in body, but also across the voids of time. For me, that magical time machine, was a 1967 VW Beetle.  Yet it was even far more than that... This is the rest of the story....

In 1967 fresh out of college, I decided it was time for my first new car. I considered nearly everything, but it finally boiled down to either a new VW Beetle or a "muscle car" in the form of a Dodge Charger (quite an extreme in tastes at the time I suppose). Ultimately, practicality won out over the glamorous vehicle in favor of the "wimpy" Beetle, for subtle reasons I no longer recall - perhaps no doubt, synchronicity in action - though I wasn't aware of it at the time... Never once regretted the decision though, as it opened a doorway to some wonderful adventures... In fact it changed life's pathway..

Before the new car smell had disappeared, we headed off to explore Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  Never having been there before, we spied this long beach on the map and drove off to explore it. Turns out it was Nauset Beach that ran for perhaps 10 miles. It was pristine then, and turns out that beach buggies were allowed. Took only a New York second to observe that most of them were VW Beetles.  So after acquiring some advice from others far more experienced, we let some air out of the tires and the Beetle had been instantly transformed into a  beach buggy of sorts !  We had a blast !   From then on, most summer weekends were spent exploring the Cape.

Come winter, our attention switched to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, though an occasional winter trip to Nauset Beach to traverse the beach sands was also in order.  That winter diversion aside, perhaps our favorite winter "haunt", was exploring the logging roads off the Kancamangus Highway in the White Mountains of  New Hampshire.  The road was always closed in the winter months due to heavy mountain snows.  But no matter....

The VW's traction in snow was legendary.  As any Beetle owner in the northern winter climes can attest, the Beetle would just plow thru it just as long as it didn't bottom out. The "rule of thumb"  was that so long as the snow depth wasn't over the top rung of the front bumper, you were good to go. That made the Kancamangus and the logging roads for all but the deeper snows, all fair game !

In those days, there wasn't a padlocked gate to block access - just a small bank of snow where the plowed road ended.  If the snow appeared to be of a powdery consistency, we'd get a running start and bash thru it in a great explosion of flying snow, then head off for miles into the wilderness. We'd  occasionally get stuck, but the VW was so light in the front, that we'd both grab the front bumper - pick it up, and re-position the little car back on the path.  In retrospect it was stupid.  Had we experienced a breakdown, or a mountain snowstorm moved in and we got really hopelessly stuck, they wouldn't have found us til spring. No matter: ....... At that age, the thought never occurred to us.    I'm absolutely certain we kept both our guardian Angels hopping to the point of sheer exhaustion.... Both were wondering no doubt, when we'd outgrow it !

There were 100's of similar adventures in that little car such as flying a kite out thru the sunroof on the Kancamangus in the dead of winter, that I won't bore you to tears with. Suffice to say, those experiences are the ones that life'- lasting memories are made of, and of which that little car was an integral part of...

That little car never left us stranded - ever.

The engine finally seized right in the office parking lot after returning from a trip to Maine many years later in 1984 . - the poor little thing simply wore out - far outliving it's normal life expectancy. It billowed out clouds of blue smoke and clattered unmercifully the last 10 miles - my little car was in agony. But even then, it got me safely home for the final time.

I was going to rebuild it, figuring it was only a broken ring.... but it was not to be. The broken ring and scored cylinder was the least of its' problems. Guess the salt at Nauset Beach on Cape Cod, took its toll - the floor pans, sills and shock towers were shot. I hadn't the time then to deal with it all. God, did I hate to part with it. We shared a lot of wonderful adventures in that little green car. But the initial thought at the time, was only that it was only a collection of rusty parts in need of a better home....

I sold it for only $200 and just stood outside the office and watched as it was hauled away. It was only then that it hit me....  I couldn't go back in the office for that entire day after seeing it disappear out of sight for the final time - - didn't want anyone to see me "misty".  Never thought it would affect me that way and caught me by total surprise.....

I was in the "dumps" for some time afterwards, - kicking myself - wishing then I'd never sold it . . . . . 

Many years had passed, but I never forgot that little VW.

In the summer of "97", I decided to look for another "67" Beetle to restore. Out of a sense of nostalgia I suppose.... I looked at everything from $500 "heaps" that were beyond restoration (they needed a "resurrection"), to even an $11,000 restored one. That one was beautiful !  It even had a sunroof and was painted Java Green - a "carbon copy".  Gawd, it looked virtually brand new......  (til I crawled up underneath and saw the severe rusty structural "sins"). I was beginning to think I'd never find one (at least here in the northeast).... But figured if I were patient, one would turn up sooner or later - even if it meant going to the west coast to locate one... Two years had passed since commencing the search - and nothing viable was turning up.

At the time I was driving 18 wheelers and spotting trailers in the Boston area for AMI. They had no fewer than 15 truck repair facilities in the area, and I put the word out to all the mechanics, I was looking for a rebuild-able 67 VW . If anyone knew of one, it would most likely be them !

The road one travels, can sometimes make unexpected twists and turns. The story of the same exact "little green car" that began August 10, 1967 when I first brought it home, was not yet over - - - it was to continue. On July 11, 1999 at a little past 8pm, the search finally ended. But it ended in a manner I NEVER expected......................... 

That Sunday nite, the phone rang. He said his name was Glen. The name didn't "ring a bell" - didn't know anyone by the name of Glen from NH......   But his mannerism was like we were old pals from way back ! (Thought at first he was just another "sleazy" salesman). All he said at first is that he had a partially restored 67 Beetle for sale, and wanted to know if I was interested. Well, this got my attention !  Figured that he must have got wind of my search, as I put the "word out" where ever I traveled. What he said next, stunned me.... ....... He said "perhaps you don't remember me, but I'm the person you sold it to" back in 1984" !   He wanted to know if I were interested in buying it back !  (He had kept my phone number all those years). Never would I have guessed, that the little green 67 VW , the same exact one we shared so many wonderful adventures in, was still traveling the roads. . . . . Our paths had crossed again !

By now, you've already guessed how the story ends ! - - - No need to tell what happened next - - - - your guess is correct ! (I brought my little green car back home. . . . . . . This time for good.)  But here are the details....

The next day I took off from work and drove to NH. As I pulled into the driveway, my heart sank. There was a Beetle, but it was a somewhat faded ruby red - not java green, nor did it have a sunroof. The headlamps and fenders were of an earlier 1966 design...  He wasn't home from work yet, so I naturally took a closer look. It appeared to be in excellent structural condition - it was apparent it had been fully restored earlier. Yet, there was no sunroof. This couldn't have been mine. The front quarter panels and headlamps were clearly from a 1966 or earlier model.. The front bumper was new, but as I walked around to the rear, I knew I had found it.  The rear bumper though badly corroded, still had the bright red reflective bands I had placed on it many years ago when I first got it, along with the DEC parking sticker. (Both a little faded and cracked though). I still clearly remember putting them on - - - - - offset against the java green color, they sort of made it look "Christmas'y"..... The front apron still had the dents from us "bashing through" the snow banks on the Kancamangus.  At least these pieces were off mine. Then I checked the VIN # - it matched !   It was now confirmed that I had found my little green (now red) car !  When he got home, the mystery was solved..

Turns out my little VW had kind of a "checkered" history. When I sold it to Glen in 1984, he completely re-built it - - - - as a dune buggy !!!   Had I known this was his intention, I never would have sold it to him !

As it turns out, it was a blessing in disguise ! - For to survive as a dune buggy, it needed to be expertly and ruggedly rebuilt. Some years later with that out of his system, he bolted the original green body back on. (Only 18 bolts secure the body to the chassis).    Several weeks after having done so, Glen related that he hadn't yet gotten the dune buggy "thing" fully out  of his system - - - he sadly rolled it - - - - - ("bye bye" sunroof and front fenders !).

So the fenders and roof section & headlamps were not original  (those were from a 1966 model) and now re-painted a bright ruby red !        But I didn't care - it was our Beetle........

I still and always will have it. Other than some photos and my Mom's treasured items, it is my most prized tangible possession. I can't even begin to describe or put into words the feeling of just seeing it, or of driving it for the first time in many years. So I won't even attempt it !  - I haven't the writing skills to do so....

So where is it today , you ask ?     It sits but 30 feet away in the garage here as I type this in Maine...  

I had to rebuild the engine . So today, it has new brakes, carburetor, an updated alternator and a brand new interior. The original engine block and crankshaft  is original, but most other internal engine components including the heads, have been replaced....  But now it "purrs" like new again ! Mechanically, everything is now perfect. I located a replacement sunroof and the final major project is to do some final body work, then  re-paint it back to its' original Java Green color. - Glen had done 100% of the primary structural restoration, so my task is far simpler...  I'm in the process of restoring it to virtually new condition (or as close as anyone can ever hope to come within reason), by doing the final phases...  Even so,  It's a slow time consuming process.  　

In the meantime, I drive it most summer weekends !  

Amazing how many people honk & wave - guess just seeing one still on the road in it's "natural element", is also a "nostalgia trip" for them as well.  Wherever I stop, a conversation will almost always ensue.

I've met many really nice folks who also fondly remember their beloved Beetles !   No doubt they also shared some wonderful adventures as well.... Only two months after getting it back, I've had no fewer than a dozen offers to sell it, and nearly every weekend drive, results in at least another offer.

But that little car will never be for sale at any price ! 

Looking back, I'm somewhat still amazed by those turn of events. Should Glen have waited but another year before selling it, I would have moved to Maine by then, and that call  most likely, never would have come....... Some call it fate perhaps.......   Instead, I believe I just got another rare opportunity to witness synchronicity in action...

Update !

Many years ago, the gal with whom I shared so many wonderful adventures with in that little car, tied a strand of her long hair around its' mirror post. It remained there til we went our separate ways in 1972; at which time she removed it for good. Had to repair a bad fuel line that ran inside the center tunnel. To gain access I had to remove the rear seat and an inspection panel. There stuffed up and wedged under the rear seat near the battery, was an old, somewhat grimy envelope. No markings on it or any enclosed notes. But upon opening it, to my amazement I found two strands of long hair I obviously saved.  Don't even recall having done this over 35 years ago, but I guess I obviously did. (Little did she ever suspect: I kept "spares").  No doubt now,  this was the same little car !

- - - - - - -

Today, we remain in touch and close friends.

Though we have gone in different directions on life's pathway, we both share the wonderful memories of those literally 100's of adventures....

In the year 2000, we finally met again as friends, after some nearly 40 years..... 

First order of business was to take the VW out for a spin .....

I haven't the writing skills to relate that experience either, so neither will I attempt it.......

Turns out that little car was far more than just a transportation vehicle...  It also had become a life teacher.......

To this very day, I thank my lucky stars, I never opted for the Dodge Charger...

Aside from anything else, don't think the Charger would have handled the sands of Nauset Beach nor the snows of the Kancamangus, all that well....

The most recent encounter occurred when it was time to take Kishka (one of our cats) to the vet to have spayed. 

It began almost as soon as I got her in the cat carrier. Once I went to lift it,  3 clips that secure the top and bottom halves of the carrier, finally separated as now did Kishka - not to be found til later that evening. (She's not stupid !)....  So that vet appointment had rescheduled for the next day. I have no fewer than 10 pet carriers, so 1 in 10 chance of grabbing the one ready to break. Didn't think too much of it at the moment - I suppose it had to happen sometime.....  just chalk it up to "luck of the draw" sort of thing.

Day #2 started off much better. Though I replaced the plastic clips with 10-32 screws and captive nuts so that would never separate again, I grabbed a new carrier just to be safe.

Got Kishka in the carrier & into the car, buckled in and turned the key.....be damned now if the battery wasn't flat dead. How could it have gone flat since I was only driving it several days earlier and it was a relatively new battery ?  (interesting that after charging it that time, it never went flat again).

No matter - project for later, plus the Ford Van was ready to roll !  So loaded her in the van...  Though it turned over briskly, it failed to start - even with starting fluid. Must have been frost inside the distributer cap, but no time to deal with it then.  I can't win......  So, back into the Toyota and got out the heavy duty battery charger and hit it with 150 amps for about 3 minutes !  (It sure started then !). By that time I was only going to be 15 minutes late.

As I was heading out the driveway, then the right front tire goes flat...  I couldn't recall having a flat in many years.       What are the chances ???

Two weeks later after some heavy snows were done with, I rescheduled. This time everything went smoothly without incident.

Make of it what you will, but by then I came to the conclusion that Kishka was not destined to go to the vet either of those days - I was not meant to venture out on the roads or something else not even related to my little world but to someone else's whose future direction synchronicity had just set into motion. 

Just a hunch, but had I fixed the flat in time, I'm certain another improbable coincidence would have come in to play.

More to come......  (added in a piecemeal fashion)