Nana Bug
Added to the Fleet on October 27, 2002
Here she is...the 1967 VW Beetle aka Nana Bug. I purchased her for my mom (who doesn't drive). It's kinda like driving Ms. Daisy but with Ms. Pomares. Enjoy the pics!
I bought the car from Mark. He purchased the car in the summer of 2001 down in Tennessee from a dealer (no other previous owner is known). However due to a growing family & other car projects, he felt he didn't have enough time to dedicate to her (he races on the strip). Mark & his wife were very nice & it was a pleasure to buy the car from them. They were very honest & happy to see the bug go to a good home.
The car is rust-free with a nice paint job and fresh interior. By comparison to some of my Buicks, she needs little. Basically, this was a car Mom & I could enjoy while hanging out. Mom has always liked Bugs (and Cadillacs) but never had the opportunity to drive (luckily for the rest of us). We have some plans to modify Nana Bug and convert her into a Ladybug-looking car - - - more on that in the Spring!
Above: A scary site - my mom behind the wheel! Don't worry, I'll do all the driving (is that a good thing?).
The interior is in nice shape!
Above: The engine Nanabug came with. Mark had this used engine installed since the other one checked into Junkyard Heaven shortly after he bought it. I think this one won't last long, I have plans...
Above: Mark threw in a bunch of spare parts & a spare long block motor. I plan to rebuild the motor & give Nana Bug a bit more power. The current motor in the Bug is a used one Mark installed since the previous engine crapped out on his way from Tennessee when he bought the car!
Well, she's not a left-lane car like the Vette, but she's still fun to drive! Check back shortly - I will be adding more info about Nana Bug below!
Nana Bug Restoration/Modification Progress Report:
This is the plan: Nana Bug will be modified to look like a giant Lady Bug! Why? Because! Rather than paint, I plan to make magnetic black "spots" to replicate the bug's back. I will also add a magnetic "face" but I need to think about that some more.
October 2002: So I purchased front & rear lady bug floor mats - just like my sister had in her '79 Toyota Corolla. See the pic below:
May 5, 2003: Just ordered a bra for the front end. I am also working on magnetic vinyl for the lady bug spots.
May 24, 2003: Rain has kept me from working on my Corvette today so I ventured into some bug work. I found some nice lady bug patches & buttons for interior work. I also discovered that magnetic sheets will work ok on the car for lady bug spots.I tested a piece on my driver car in the rain & it held well. I will test a bit more but I think I've got the solution. magnetsource.com. Lady bug...here we come!
May 28, 2003: I won (yes, on Ebay) a lady bug cd case, some lady bug material and two 6 inch lady bugs.
May 29, 2003: I won another bug bra (very cheap) on Ebay.
May 30, 2003: I ordered a sheet of magnet from magnetsource.com. It is black measureing .030 in thickness, in the form of a 2 x 10 foot roll. This sheet will allow me to make the "spots" for the lady bug design, the black line (wing seam) on the roof. The bra should cover the nose sufficiently to simulate the lady bug's face, with the eyes being the headlights. More details to follow...
June 3, 2003: Just got abot 10 feet of a cute lady bug flannel. I suppose Mom will make a matching dress so ride in the car to shows.
June 4, 2003: Just in: two 6 inch plastic lady bugs (actually they are garden decorations) for display behind the rear seats (visible from the rear window) and a 10 foot roll of black magnetic vinyl to make the lady bug spots all over the car.
June 5, 2003: I cut 32 black vinyl magnetic round "spots" to make the ladybug come alive.
June 6, 2003: Today was her maiden voyage with the ladybug spots on. The magnets held well at highway speeds! Pics coming soon!
June 8, 2003: Nanabug at her first show:
Mom models the car like Vanna White...
It was a fun show & mom had a great time. The car attracted a lot of attention, especially from kids. It seems that just about everyone who stopped by to talk had a Beetle at one time - many having owned several!
July 9, 2003: Wahoo! Parts came in: eyebrows and window rainguards.
July 12, 2003: Mom & I added some cool ladybugs onto the seatbacks. We used clothing patches meant for kid clothing & pinned them into place. Turns out that the black pinheads add a 3-D look by highlighting ladybug eyes. We are surprised how good it looks! Pics to follow shortly.
July 24, 2003: Bug bra is in! Now the lady bug face takes better form!
July 30, 2003: A sad day. The very last old-style Beetle is made in Mexico, click here for pics & story.
May 17, 2004: After not starting (sometimes), I repaired the loose battery cables & added a new battery.
May 23, 2004: OK - she starts when cold - but sometimes after running, she won't restart. Perhaps a deadspot on the starter? Looking into that now...
August 12, 2004: Just got some black material for the permanant spots on Nanabug. Thanks to my buddy Tony from Triumph Graphics I got the same type of "Billboard" material that is used on buses and other large vehicles. Ever see buses with those large ads splattered on 'em? Well - that's the stuff and it's very durable. OK - here's my plug: check out triumphgraphicsllc.com for all of your printing, signage and banner needs. My friend Tony is a genuine guy and he will look out for your interests! Thanks Tony!
September 12, 2004: The bug got a car wash & wax job today, followed by a repainting of the once-chrome exhaust tips (now sporting a glossy black paint). The tips look cool! Nana also got a new ladybug steering wheel cover along with matching liscense plate frame, interior trash bag and decorative rear-view mirror thingee.
----- Last Updated on September 13, 2004 -----