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Spotlight - July 2003 Dave Thode

This month's spotlight (pressure) is on Dave Thode.  My history with VW's, dates back to August of 1970. First VW – 1967 Beetle.  This bug took me up and down the East coast while I was in the Navy.  I only drove it home twice in two years.  Both times it needed roadside assistance (wrecker). Somewhere, around Feb. 1978, the Beetle was replaced with a 1966 Squareback.  It was retrieved from a snow bank in Peoria and driven home.  It lasted for a few years before time, money, patience and a valve became short.     I eventually found my way back to having an adult toy.  It turned out to be a 1977 TR7, Triumph.  That is a British car for those air-cooled people only speaking German.  It ran fine but had a lot of electrical problems.     I currently have a 1969 Beetle that was reported to have come from Oregon.  It was not running when purchased and only needed some valve work.  Never trust a mechanic standing under a shade tree.  The lifters need full support, but two, only had the low cut housing style.  After a short block purchase and failure, from a well known, Midwest VW machine/parts/show sponsor, it was back to the garage.  With a re-cut crankcase from Wagonworks and an assortment of leftovers it seems to be running fine.  Did, I mention the transmission?     I have no immediate plans to do a restoration on this vehicle.  It is just for driving while I try to get started restoring a 1970 Beetle.  It came from San Francisco and was in running condition when purchased.  It needs a lot of attention and should be under construction by the time this letter hits the streets.