Hello! "So I finally own my first Beetle, and I killed it... :("

I was posting over at The Samba and was referred to this forum. Just figured I would tell you guys my sob story too

"So this is my first post, but I have been lurking here at Samba for a couple weeks now, looking over posts and researching.
I grew up in Orange County and my whole life I have loved the 50's and early 60's Volkswagens. Several of my friends had them back then, Beetles, 21 window buses, the Type II trucks, love them all.
So I sold my Jeep and finally have a chance to get something for myself and low and behold I find a '64 Type I, all original and faily unmolested (besides being lowered). It has never been repainted (although someone did put a little primer on some ares, no idea why), the body and pan numbers match, has the original motor and runs great and the price was reasonable, at least for what I have seen here in Georgia over the last couple decades of casually looking. Just the little project I was looking for.




All is well and I had a great day yesterday driving my new car. Then, hell this morning. I couldn't drive my Beetle today, have a few hundred miles of driving to do and I don't feel like doing 60mph all night, so I drove my truck. I hope in my truck to leave and proceed to back over MY DAMN BEETLE! I have a steep driveway and a Ford F350, couldn't see the Beetle in the mirrors when I checked them and since I am totally not used to having another vehicle, totally forgot that there was something back there.
Now the hood is crushed, fortunately that is all, but damn I am pissed at myself.

Anyways, anyone know where to find a early Type I hood in Ga?

Well that sucks. My dad once ran over his corvette with his Scout. That was worse!
I'm sure someone will chime in with a hood solution for you. Great guys here.

BKiller wrote:Well that sucks. My dad once ran over his corvette with his Scout. That was worse!
I'm sure someone will chime in with a hood solution for you. Great guys here.

Bah, a 'Vette, that's nothin to my sweet Beetle. LOL. Just kidding.
Yeah, I am pretty ill, really mad that it was my own damn fault. I hope someone can help, this is killing me. Can't stop thinking about it.

The hood now after my F350 giving it a little kiss.

Years ago when I had my 67, a friend had come over to my house and we were going to go bowling. We hop in the bug and I put it in reverse, completely forgetting where my friends car was. He was parked behind and to the left of me, so as I backed out, I side swiped his car. I was so upset, so after sitting there saying a few choice words, I decided to put the bug in first and pull back into the garage. I got a few feet and the car just stops moving, like it's stuck or something. So I just jump on the gas, and we hear a loud POP, and the bug takes off. We then get out and realized that the outer curve of my rear bumper had hooked his front bumper (which is why I felt stuck), and the loud pop was his plastic front bumper busting loose and landing about 20 feet into my front yard.

That was all I needed to turn my frown into a smile. His car was already a beater, so we spent the rest of the night laughing about his bumper and re-installing it back on his car.

Crap happens! You'll find another hood, there are plenty around, though it may not match quite as well.

Personally i say keep that hood, roll out the big wrinkles and roll as is!! Unless you plan on a paint job real soon, you'll never find a hood to match that patina. And another color hood would draw more attention to the front end than what I see as not to bad wrinkles in your pics. Just my opinion!!

I agree, that's why I'm so ill. I'm good with the patina as it is and wasn't planning on painting any time too soon, but now that plans kinda shot to hell.
I guess we'll see how much I can get it straightened out for now, but I think a hood and a part job is in my near future.

Bang that thing out. It's not that bad. You could hammer and dolly that back out and keep that awesome patina going on.

I agree with these guys, just smooth it out best you can, replace the trim with another "aged piece" and roll.

agreed ...... awesome patina...... least it didnt screw a door up where it was major damage ..... i waiting to get mine going lol seems like i have more new parts in my shop than old ones just cant get out there

Yep, roll out he dents the best you can, and keep it...that's really not bad at all! Nice looking car too!

I agree. That ain't too bad at all. Bug looks good.

From your original post, it sounded really bad. Fortunately it's not that banged up. I too vote for banging it out and saving the patina.

It was TERRIBLE, but I banged it out some prior to these pics being taken.

and thanks for the input guys.

Just adds character. . I try to use my Fords for rescue though.lol havent destroyed any VWs with mine.....yet:)

redneck_davis wrote:Just adds character. . I try to use my Fords for rescue though.lol havent destroyed any VWs with mine.....yet:)

Cause that's one thing old VW's need.....more character

dlandvw3 wrote:

redneck_davis wrote:Just adds character. . I try to use my Fords for rescue though.lol havent destroyed any VWs with mine.....yet:)

Cause that's one thing old VW's need.....more character

Yeah, totally