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NVLife_SeptOct_2014

Hellooooo, Dolly Before Beloved bug gets an extreme makeover from Lito Auto Body 62 www. n A PAVA L L E Y L I F Emagaz ine .com Life takes us on interesting paths sometimes, and we often have to go with the flow. Believe in yourself and things begin to happen. I have always loved classic cars. There is something romantic about them. It doesn’t matter the vintage, make or style. When I see them my creative mind drifts into a historical vision with wonderment about what life was like when that particular vehicle came out. Then there are the classic Volkswagens, whether the bug or the split-window bus that practically everyone has a story about – at least those who grew up in California. I remember coming to Los Angeles from Michigan in the early ’80s to visit my cousin. There were Volkswagens on every street. Thus began my love affair with the classic Volkswagens. Late last year a relationship I was in ended. Much of our free time involved the Volkswagen world, whether racing, off-road adventures or long road rallies in a vintage bus. My romantic Volkswagen world was ending, or so I thought. Instead, I was given a gift—I was left with a 1962 Volkswagen bug all in its original condition. The years hadn’t been kind to her; her paint was oxidized, crumbling off, the seats were worn, cracked and most of the horsehair-filled cushions were deflated. The headliner was rotten, as was the carpet. The windows leaked and I would get sprinkled with water when it rained. I drove her for about four months in her original condition, envisioning her new again. I debated whether to restore her in her original colors or go with something that suited my personality. I drove my friends nuts, polled my Facebook friends with by Kari Ruel After


NVLife_SeptOct_2014
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