Wawa, my 15-year-old daughter, decided she wanted to drive her 1971 VW Super Beetle to Bug-A-Paluza, a Volkswagen-only car show in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Now, this was no ordinary trip. It’s her first time driving to a car show by herself and also her first time driving out of our town. Of course, we couldn’t just go to a show without making some last-minute upgrades to her beloved Beetle, so we got to work!
Getting Ready for the Big Show
- Replacing Carpet and Door Panels: We started by replacing the Beetle’s carpet and door panels, which had definitely seen better days. The new carpet kit was a bit tricky, especially since it came in seven pieces – way different than what I’m used to with American cars. But we made it work, gluing and fitting each piece with care.
- New Bumpers: The Beetle’s old bumpers were banged up from past accidents, so it was time for an upgrade. It took six months for the new bumpers to arrive, but they were worth the wait. Installing them wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped – some brackets were bent, and we had to break out the torch and straighteners. But in the end, they looked fantastic.
- Adding Fog Lights: Fog lights are always a fun addition to any ride. We installed some cool ones that Wawa picked out. Of course, things didn’t go as smoothly as expected – I ended up drilling a triangle-shaped hole by accident (don’t ask me how that happened), but we eventually got it sorted.
Tuning Up for the Road
- Distributor and Carburetor: I noticed the Beetle wasn’t running quite right, so I swapped out the distributor and cleaned the carburetor. Turns out, the carb was full of dirt – probably why the car wasn’t idling properly. After cleaning it up and setting the timing, we were ready for the road- or so I thought.
- Throttle Issues: On our test drive, the throttle cable hung up, and the Beetle kept revving like crazy. We ended up replacing the throttle cable, and after some adjustments, it seemed to be running smoothly again.
The Big Day
Saturday morning, we hit the road early. Wawa was in the driver’s seat, and I was riding shotgun, feeling like a proud dad. It was her first time driving out of town, but she handled the Beetle like a pro. She even downshifted on hills like a seasoned driver!
We stopped for Krispy Kreme donuts (a family favorite) and then continued on to Chattanooga. The road was smooth until the throttle started acting up again near the end of our journey – old cars, right? But we made it, parked in the last available spot, and took in the sea of Volkswagens. From Beetles to buses, it was like VW heaven.
At Bug-A-Paluza
The show was packed with incredible VWs, from meticulously restored classics to rat rods and quirky custom builds. Wawa loved it, especially a Beetle that was low to the ground with custom white-wall tires. I think she might have found some new inspiration for future projects.
We also hit up the swap meet and grabbed some tail light screws and other small parts we needed. And of course, we spent the day chatting with other VW enthusiasts and checking out all the unique cars.
Conclusion
The trip home was just as memorable, with Wawa at the wheel again. Despite a few mechanical hiccups, she did an amazing job. I couldn’t be prouder. Bug-A-Paluza was a blast, and I think Wawa’s Beetle stole a few hearts at the show. Can’t wait for the next one!
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