Sometimes things just go right, especially for our Vdubber of the month, Rick Dieter. You see, August is also Rick’s birthday month! If you have been around the club even just a few months, you have probably laid an eye on Rick’s fine orange 74 Westy Bus.

But if you are like me, you often confuse it with Tim Key’s orange 74. Tim’s is the one with those intense driving lights on the front, though. You know what? They SHOULD look alike. They are almost twins! You see, their VINs are only 12 digits apart! I’m getting chills! ha! Read on for more weirdness.... if you dare.

Rick has owned his Westy for about 3 years. He picked it up from one of those title loan (shark) places for the whopping sum of $500. But it took a little sugar to make it as sweet as it is today. It was a little rough... mainly needed cleaning up. The previous owner was a follower of the group, FISH. It appeared that he had been living in it with his dog. So, it looked a lot better after a couple days’ steam cleaning. Oh, just one other little issue. Rick and his dad also had to put a motor and transaxle in it. But it was all more than worth it. You see, it also has ALL the options, except automatic and air. Oh well. Who needs air conditioning when you have an air-cooled engine?

He only entered it in 2 car shows. But he won 1^st Place in both. Reliability? Yes, it has that too. Since he mainly only drives it for camping trips, he does have to charge the battery once in a while. But that’s about it, other than routine maintenance. That is why he has been able to take it to "Busses No Where Near the Arch" a couple of times, near Hannibal, MO.

For a guy like Rick, everything probably seems normal. But he did provide some humor at the 2001 Spring Campout at Mac Jones. You see, Rick and some of his friends had pulled a prank on Herschel and tied his bug doors shut while Herschel was sleeping in it. Well, Herschel got his revenge. He tied EVERY one of Rick’s doors shut. The laughter was intense as Rick attempted to escape to no avail. At least he didn’t have to worry about "getting his doors blown off!" heh heh

In closing, I would like to remind Rick that I am still watching for that "middle seat" for him. But that’s a whole other ($5) story.