A Lifelong Companion
In a world where cars come and go, it is rare to still own the first one you ever bought. But over three decades later, I still have the very car I purchased at 17 years old in 1993. A 1972 Volkswagen Beetle 1300 Spar Käfer. It was my daily transport through school, college, and even university. And more than just a car, it became a faithful companion through the most formative years of my life.
A Family Workhorse
Back then, it was our family’s only vehicle. It drove me and my brothers to work, carried my parents to countless hospital appointments, and eventually served as the pack mule for graduation trips, loaded to the roof with my university friends’ bags. The memories etched into the worn steering wheel and creaking floor panels are irreplaceable. It was more than transport. It was part of the family.
A New Look for an Old Soul
Originally painted a flat shade of Texas Yellow, the Beetle was anything but glamorous. But I always envisioned it in blue. Years later, I had it resprayed in a period correct Gemini Blue from the 1972 VW Porsche color palette. It transformed the car into what I had always imagined, giving it a character and charm it had long deserved. That new color brought out the curves and presence of the Beetle in a way the old paint never could.
Subtle Upgrades with Big Impact
Over time, the car received some subtle but meaningful upgrades. It now runs on classic Porsche 911 Fuchs wheels and features lowered suspension, which gives it a purposeful stance without sacrificing too much of its ride comfort. It is still unmistakably a Beetle, just with a bit more attitude. The wheels add a touch of motorsport flavor and the stance sets it apart while keeping true to its roots.
A Car for Every Chapter
I took this car everywhere. It was there for early morning school runs, college pub trips, beach holidays, and late night drives through quiet city streets. There is something so simple and pure about driving an old air cooled Volkswagen. The sound of the engine, the mechanical feedback through the wheel, the way it makes you work for every bit of speed. You are never detached. You are always part of the process.
Other Cars Came and Went
My passion for cars eventually led me to own a string of Porsches in my twenties, and while they brought speed and sophistication, they never replaced the bond I had with the Beetle. So I put it into long term storage, knowing I could never let it go. I always knew I would return to it when the time felt right.
Future Plans for a True Classic
Today, the plan is to give it the restoration it deserves. A full body off, floorpan up rebuild. I want to equip it with air suspension at the front for better usability and stance, and slot in a strong 2110cc high performance engine that will finally give the car the power its personality has always hinted at. A modern classic feel, but with the mechanical soul intact.
More Than Just a Car
This Beetle has outlasted trends, survived time, and carried stories only a few ever get to tell. It is more than metal and paint. It is a part of who I am. There is a story in every scratch, a memory in every panel, and a smile every time I turn the key.
And that is why I still own my first car.
And always will.
