greg aronson /jim holmes ragtop for sale ???

[Jim Ratto]

So it is not in time capsule condition, but it looks like it is the original car.  Most of the significant hot rods that are restored now were in similar condition.  This is the most iconic cal look car there is. The Hirohata Merc / McGee roadster of our hobby.  I really hope you get it Russell, you have the means to make it right. It would make a great bookend to Tar Babe.

This is pretty cool news. I always assumed this car was gone forever. So this is like unearthing the Ten Commandments or something. To me, the coolest thing about owning this, despite whatever state of affairs it's in, is to just sit in its presence, or in it, and think about all this car has seen and the fun those that have been part of existence, have had. All those stories Sarge has shared with us about prowling around in it, the different incarnations of wheels, motors, etc. I wouldn't care so much about the clip-job. At least the car wasn't given up on and left for dead. If it were up to me, I would make sure of one thing.... not to overdo the return it to its former self. If it were me, I'd pretend it was 1976, and forget about techniques and technology that's come to be since.

this is worth raising a beer for- later tonight

Jim

[Nico86]

Awesome find, let's hope it ends up into good hands!

[javabug]

This is pretty cool news. I always assumed this car was gone forever. So this is like unearthing the Ten Commandments or something. To me, the coolest thing about owning this, despite whatever state of affairs it's in, is to just sit in its presence, or in it, and think about all this car has seen and the fun those that have been part of existence, have had. All those stories Sarge has shared with us about prowling around in it, the different incarnations of wheels, motors, etc. I wouldn't care so much about the clip-job. At least the car wasn't given up on and left for dead. If it were up to me, I would make sure of one thing.... not to overdo the return it to its former self. If it were me, I'd pretend it was 1976, and forget about techniques and technology that's come to be since.

this is worth raising a beer for- later tonight

Jim

Jim's post speaks to my feelings about this as well. It's just plain cool that it still lives, such as it is, despite years of use. Face it, iconic or not, it was still used as transportation by just about all of its owners, including surviving a wreck. The rumors that had been circulating always gave me hope it would pop up one day, and here's that day. I'll drink to that; nothing less or more.

[Zach Gomulka]

The 10 Commandments reference is spot on. It is the VW38 of the Cal Look VW world (and it carries only slightly more of its originality than that project did).

[Bill Schwimmer]

So it is not in time capsule condition, but it looks like it is the original car.  Most of the significant hot rods that are restored now were in similar condition.  This is the most iconic cal look car there is. The Hirohata Merc / McGee roadster of our hobby.  I really hope you get it Russell, you have the means to make it right. It would make a great bookend to Tar Babe.

This is pretty cool news. I always assumed this car was gone forever. So this is like unearthing the Ten Commandments or something. To me, the coolest thing about owning this, despite whatever state of affairs it's in, is to just sit in its presence, or in it, and think about all this car has seen and the fun those that have been part of existence, have had. All those stories Sarge has shared with us about prowling around in it, the different incarnations of wheels, motors, etc. I wouldn't care so much about the clip-job. At least the car wasn't given up on and left for dead. If it were up to me, I would make sure of one thing.... not to overdo the return it to its former self. If it were me, I'd pretend it was 1976, and forget about techniques and technology that's come to be since.

this is worth raising a beer for- later tonight

 All of this I totally agree with , no powder painted pan, stainless button heads holding the fenders on etc..
But something built by a young man to the best of his abilities to use and abuse.
 As a side note when I was about 9 or 10 yo in the early '70's my brother Randy brought home a white ragtop bug that he had borrowed from a friend in the Yorba Linda / North OC area. It had chromies on it & a plexiglass dash. I remember it being really fast. It was'nt until I was an adult & saw the pics in HVW's that I realized that it was probably that car.

[Frank LUX]

So it is not in time capsule condition, but it looks like it is the original car.  Most of the significant hot rods that are restored now were in similar condition.  This is the most iconic cal look car there is. The Hirohata Merc / McGee roadster of our hobby.  I really hope you get it Russell, you have the means to make it right. It would make a great bookend to Tar Babe.

This is pretty cool news. I always assumed this car was gone forever. So this is like unearthing the Ten Commandments or something. To me, the coolest thing about owning this, despite whatever state of affairs it's in, is to just sit in its presence, or in it, and think about all this car has seen and the fun those that have been part of existence, have had. All those stories Sarge has shared with us about prowling around in it, the different incarnations of wheels, motors, etc. I wouldn't care so much about the clip-job. At least the car wasn't given up on and left for dead. If it were up to me, I would make sure of one thing.... not to overdo the return it to its former self. If it were me, I'd pretend it was 1976, and forget about techniques and technology that's come to be since.

this is worth raising a beer for- later tonight

Jim

Amen Bro!!!!

[Trent B]

Sold to Russell Ritchie......

[So.Cal.Life]

We have the technology...  [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

(Note lack of bumper cut-outs in the rear fenders and filled rear apron...)

,,,(Note) The lack of long hair, The lack of Fleming&Aronson sticker on fan housing, Leads me to think pic was taken prior to F&A becoming a business,,,,Can you date that pic Keith?,,,,also The (one carb method) for speedy engine removal.  Congrats to YOU Mr.Ritchie you're The Man!,,,,WARNING!!!,,,Leave those Rossi headlights behind, you don't want to poison Europe!!!

[2manytoys]

Send it to Drag Day and Bug-O before it leaves. Congrats on the find and look forward to the re-birth.
P-

[Bill Schwimmer]

Congrats Russell!!!,
You could probably make your money back charging everybody on here 5 bucks a head to sit in the thing.  Classic is coming up....

[Zach Gomulka]

Congrats Russell!!!,
You could probably make your money back charging everybody on here 5 bucks a head to sit in the thing.  Classic is coming up....

For The Classic do a quicky on it, similar to Doug M's Ghia a few years ago. Shoot some white on those panels, bolt up the T bars, IDA's and some BRM's

[deano]

When I think about this Bug's heritage, and how it disappeared for 30 years, I am reminded of the recently found Mustang fastback which was one of two used in the Steve McQueen movie Bullet. It was lost in a wrecking yard in Mexico for years, and basically forgotten about, until someone took a close look at the remains. While the rest of the automotive world goes crazy over that Mustang that Steve sat in, us VW guys, or more importantly us California Look guys, this is THE car to have in your garage. Barrett Jackson would have an orgasm with this one! It is certainly a museum piece, as it would be something the Wolfsburg Museum would want for their collection (but all of us would say hell no!). It is easily THE most prized custom VW Bug street car of all time. No, it's not Herbie or the Inch Pincher, but a real street car driven daily by its creators, Greg and Jim. I am so glad that it finally came out of the garage after such a long time hiding.

I remember talking to his guy many years ago, and everything he told me about this Bug then, matches up pretty closely with how it looks today; aluminum dash, different seats, different engine, Centerline wheels, original door panels and back seat gone, decklid is supposed to be louvered, but can't tell in these photos. And he lived in Hesperia. Back then, a buddy of mine ran the VIN on it with his used car lot connection, and it matched up with Jim Holmes and the blue CA plates. I never bought into the story it was turned into a Baja Bug.

[So.Cal.Life]

Hi Deano,  Cristy Duda sold THE CAR to the guy in Hesperia shortly after she rear ended another car AGAIN, I pulled the front end back out so she could at least drive it,,,shortly after that it was gone! When I asked her where it was ,she became very evasive .She started The Baja Bug story ,,But she told many stories about it's devolution,including The, it got rolled,cut up, and scrapped.  Years ago when I heard somebody tell your story about seeing THE CAR, I kind of said to myself (wishful thinking),,,,BOY am I glad to see your story is right , and Cristy was blowing smoke. I did alot of work on that car for three different owners ,so knowing all of this is happening is Heart Warming,,,,,,,,,,Keith

[Fastbrit]

This is awesome news! To me, the two cars which are the Holy Grail are this car and Inch Pincher Too. Now let's keep our fingers crossed that somehow surfaces one day.

Russell, I have over 40 different photos of the Aronson/Holmes car ready for when you start the resto... 

[Doktor]

Incredible story, just wow ! 

Please, keep us posted on news about this !

[j-f]

Who would have imagine this car could have survived this long!
This is awesome and can't wait to see it back to his former glory.
Last car that make my hearth pumping was Rhoad's car. This one will certainly makes me have a tear...
Go go go Russell!

[RockStock]

COOL story
Seems like the right guy has got it - true fan, good contacts, deep pockets, long arms!

Interesting related threads from the past
http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,123.0.html
http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,3644.0.html

[j-f]

Celebrating time 

[deano]

Hi Deano,  Cristy Duda sold THE CAR to the guy in Hesperia shortly after she rear ended another car AGAIN, I pulled the front end back out so she could at least drive it,,,shortly after that it was gone! When I asked her where it was ,she became very evasive .She started The Baja Bug story ,,But she told many stories about it's devolution,including The, it got rolled,cut up, and scrapped.  Years ago when I heard somebody tell your story about seeing THE CAR, I kind of said to myself (wishful thinking),,,,BOY am I glad to see your story is right , and Cristy was blowing smoke. I did alot of work on that car for three different owners ,so knowing all of this is happening is Heart Warming,,,,,,,,,,Keith

Keith, I wonder who was there that day I saw the Holmes car for the last time, you or was it Bill Rogers? At that time, the BRMs were gone, the rear seat was missing, the engine had been sold off and replaced with a basically runner stocker, and on and on. Not even sure what city that was in, just at a house she was living at. We need to find our beloved Christie now, and see what she remembers...

[So.Cal.Life]

Deano ,I was not there the last time you saw it , The last time I saw it was about a week after I "tugged" the front end away from the tires,,at that time it was still ALL THERE, nothing missing, I think Clyde or Doug bought the BRMs,,,,,,I think Cristy will be evasive ,she always is when it comes to this topic, she just changes the story or starts blowing smoke ,"not Tony Stewart".  She always felt alot of GUILT for being the owner that caused the demise , It all happened due to "young dumb and so on"  kind of thing ,,,,After maturing a bit she realized the loss, she "DID" always care a great deal for THE CAR , she just did not know "HOW" to care for it, if ya know what I mean,,,,,,,,I sent you a PM ,if you want to know more,,call anytime ,we could catch up.

[vwcab]

Awesome news         ........hope to see it for real,WHEN brought back to former
glory.   

[jick]

Wow.......
 what a fantastic turn of events, it's great to know that this car will,
 in time be restored to its former glory and never be forgotten again.....

I'll look forward to seeing it!

[Nico86]

Great to know this going into good hands! Please keep us updated about how things/work are going on the car!

(moderators should probably pin this thread on  the top of the Cal-look forums  )

[Russell]

Yes today the deal was completed not Friday as previously suggested.

So I am the new very proud and privileged custodian of the very special 63 bug aka as "the car". I thought the excitement would be too much but it feels like I've been entrusted with a family airloom that has to be treated with respect which slightly worries me that I and my trusted friends, craftsmen and hopefully some advisors have to do the right thing with this car to restore it as it was on the front cover in 1975

As I have said before I was always willing to save this car if it turned up, and now it has, it will be restored to its former glory.

I'm currently working on the story of where its been and how it has arrived too today and in it's current condition.......

Thanks to all who have supported me in getting this car, thank you.

Russell

[deano]

Soon.... Tar Babe and the Aronson/Holmes car will be reunited once again. How many years since that happen?

[2manytoys]

Yes today the deal was completed not Friday as previously suggested.

So I am the new very proud and privileged custodian of the very special 63 bug aka as "the car". I thought the excitement would be too much but it feels like I've been entrusted with a family airloom that has to be treated with respect which slightly worries me that I and my trusted friends, craftsmen and hopefully some advisors have to do the right thing with this car to restore it as it was on the front cover in 1975

As I have said before I was always willing to save this car if it turned up, and now it has, it will be restored to its former glory.

I'm currently working on the story of where its been and how it has arrived too today and in it's current condition.......

Thanks to all who have supported me in getting this car, thank you.

Russell

Glad to hear it has found its way into your passionate and caring hands. Look forward to following the progress of it's re-Birth. Congratulations Russell!

[Neil Davies]

Excellent news Russell. It certainly is in safe hands. With regards to the front clip not being correct to the year of the car, I don't think that matters as it is part of the car's history - after all, it wasn't changed last year by some random guy, it was done many years ago by Keith Goss if I've read the history right, and that is quite cool in its own right.
The '63 is the car that put me onto the right path. I'd got my first Beetle (a stock '68) in early 1995, and didn't know much. It ended up lowered all round, it nearly had a horrid graphic paint job until I saw the issue of Volksworld with the Bill Taormina replica. Within a couple of months my car was dechromed, painted appliance white and had the back end put back up to stock height. Definitely inspirational!

[Fastbrit]

Fantastic news. Well done Russell! 

[Gaz1]

Such great news , the car couldn't be in better hands , and will be returned to it's former glory 

[Worm]

I am definitely excited to see how this turns out....