Like some of us, Ron purchased the car for his son who was in school in Arkansas. Fortunately there was no rust on the pans due to a good undercoating at one time or another. After some basic maintenance, his son cruised around Hot Springs, Arkansas for about a year; but grew tired of it. (Hmmm, this story is sounding familiar.) He wanted something else to drive.  So Ron brought it back to Memphis and has now replaced most of mechanical parts, making it a nice weekend cruiser.

Since it returned from Arkansas, Ron has had the brakes redone, new ball joints,  shocks, and CV joints.  It has new running boards and all cosmetic chrome replaced.  In an effort to delay a total rebuild the front main seal was replaced and an electronic ignition installed. He totally gutted the interior and replaced everything, including the dash, steering wheel, carpets, and swapped out the 1972 beetle seats with (correct) ’68 seats.  And what would weekend cruising be without a new stereo system? The radio/CD is installed in a special glove box insert from Innovations in Fiberglass in California.  Ron went with two speaker kick panels in the front and a speaker shelf behind the rear seat.  The new interior also includes a new headliner, along with all new window rubber.

His ’68 Beetle brings back memories of his first car, a 1966 VW that he had in college. 

Ron says, “The most vivid memory of the 66 is driving down the interstate in the middle of winter with no heater.” (Notice: Bugs do not have controlled environments. They are “environmentally controlled.”)

I also asked Ron to tell us something about him and his family. Here is what he had to say.

“I work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and have lived in Memphis for six and a half years.  Actually, I live in Fayette County.  My wife, Barbara and I both had VWs while in school, so we both like them.  I am still looking for a VW convertible that is in fair shape to restore.  My wife has her sights set on a new VW convertible (maybe next year).  My son is grown (that is a subjective term) and still lives in Arkansas.  He has asked for the VW back a few times but I’m keeping it for now (at least until I can find that vert).   My other hobbies include golf and keeping the 5 acres mowed.”