By random drawing, this month’s Vdubber and VW is Mitch McReynolds and his sweet ’66 Baja. Mitch joined our club in May of 2001 and immediately "raised the bar" that measures Vdub quality and attention to detail.

So, from whence came this gringo (we’re friends, so I can talk like this) and the Road Toad? It goes way back to somewhere in Arizona in the ‘80s, almost like a family lineage. Mitch’s Granddad (Tucson?) was the first family owner of the Toad, when it was a pea green color. He was all over the country with it. Mitch monkeyed with it for about a year in 80-something before giving it back to Granddad. He must have gotten grounded, or something. From there, it went to Mitch’s dad, Don, who painted it the present color (Orange Sherbet); before Mitch inherited it again. But he kept it this time, with plans of passing it on to his daughter Alexandra. Yup! That would make it a true, four generation VW. Talk about heritage! He’s trying to set a record. I’m guessing that he got Carolyn’s approval on this (?).

Although the Road Toad has had a bout of daily-driverism or two, it is mainly a weekend cruiser. But don’t sell it short. With a MOFOCO Project Street Wise 1776 engine, drawing through twin Kadron 40s, while huffing through custom Jet-Hot coated exhaust, and all those "Mitch tweaks," it has won its share of shows and Best Engine trophies. If you have seen it, it speaks for itself. And, oh, yes; he likes big tires and whip (antennas)... with Patriot team flags. Don’t ask, because I have no idea where lies the connection between Arizona and New England. Must be an opposites attracting deal.

Like a lot of our VWs, the Toad is in a constant state of change. One unique item is what Mitch calls the safest seat in the house. Somehow, he talked a salesman out of one of those miniature sample (bucket) seats you see at car shows. After bolting it into an empty rear seat area, he added a 5-point harness quicker than Alexandra could say "baja." Voila! Presto-chango! It’s a Captain Kirk lunar command seat for the future Road Toad owner!

Mitch has to set a good example for "Poopy". So I am sure he will never tell her about the medium to high speed "cruise" up Summer, along with yours truly, right past a gas station full of Shelby County’s finest. Can you say "Pucker?" Or those evenings after managing the Radio Shack all day long and messing with the "Rice Burners" on I-240. "Sir. Get out of the car with your hands on your head!" So, come on. How did he REALLY break those transaxle mounts? Defective materials; sure...

I cannot close without saying, "The Road Toad is one bad lizard!"

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