Texas to California and back in a formerly derelict 1966 VW Beetle
- Thread starter slowlane
- Start date
Roverchef
Adventurer
Thank you for reminding me of all the places I have already been and all the place I have yet to see. You were completely correct in taking(drive'n) this adventure in an old piece of history. I think that's the only way to really be able to experience all the wonders you just did…@ 55mph. Thank you again for the write up!
Sleam
Explorer
Slowlane- thanks. Very inspiring, great details, amazing photos. Makes me know that the long road trip in my 72 Land Rover with the dogs and a tent really is doable. Take the back roads like you did, stop as often as I like and eat out occasionally, why not? Thanks again and yes, let us know if you take another trip. You're always welcome to drop by in NM on the way, Sleam
Thanks everyone for the kind responses. It certainly was a memorable trip. Currently the VW is laid up in hibernation while the New Hampshire roads are covered in salt, but spring is hopefully around the corner.
You should definitely make an effort to go cross-country in that Land Rover. It looks like it would be a blast. I am heading out from late May to mid August for another back road adventure this summer. I am planning on taking my 1985 Chevrolet C20 pickup. It has a cap on the bed so I will be able to sleep right in the vehicle which will be nice compared to the VW. It only gets about 1/2 the gas mileage of the VW though. The only real destination is the Grand Canyon. I am taking my dad there from Wisconsin and then he will be flying back. After that I will continue on by myself for the remainder of the time before making my way back home to New Hampshire. I have been working on my photography skills for the past year or so and plan on documenting this trip as well.
You should definitely make an effort to go cross-country in that Land Rover. It looks like it would be a blast. I am heading out from late May to mid August for another back road adventure this summer. I am planning on taking my 1985 Chevrolet C20 pickup. It has a cap on the bed so I will be able to sleep right in the vehicle which will be nice compared to the VW. It only gets about 1/2 the gas mileage of the VW though. The only real destination is the Grand Canyon. I am taking my dad there from Wisconsin and then he will be flying back. After that I will continue on by myself for the remainder of the time before making my way back home to New Hampshire. I have been working on my photography skills for the past year or so and plan on documenting this trip as well.
bobdirt
New member
Very inspirational!
I hope to enjoy some trips with my rescue bug as well. It was a nice little bug till the previous owner crashed it, I drug it home and have been slowly getting it ready for some adventures. I have wanted a bug for over 20yrs and I've not been disappointed, great little cars and ridiculously capable offroad for what they are.
Looking forward to your next trip report
I hope to enjoy some trips with my rescue bug as well. It was a nice little bug till the previous owner crashed it, I drug it home and have been slowly getting it ready for some adventures. I have wanted a bug for over 20yrs and I've not been disappointed, great little cars and ridiculously capable offroad for what they are.
Looking forward to your next trip report
I am glad you finally got your VW. I always liked them but wasn't really looking for one when I fell into this one. I saw this '66 sitting in such a sad, neglected state that I sort of felt sorry for it. They are great little cars off road. I have driven mine down many of New Hampshire's class VI roads, basically old unmaintained logging roads, and it never complains. Enjoy your bug.
SheepnJeep
Active member
Wow, what a great road trip. It reminded me of my journey that I made a couple of years ago from Fairbanks to Minneapolis in a '79 Toyota. In fact I went through my photos and relived the trip all over again! Thanks so much for posting!
-Jesse
-Jesse
IthrowWrenches
Adventurer
Wow. I can't believe I missed this post when you started it. I am also an owner of a 66 Beetle and have been thinking of combining my love for overland and aircooled VWs for a little while now. When it comes to long distance travel, it's the only car I would really feel comfortable in. It's so simple to understand mechanically and the engine, although underpowered, is tough as nails. There's only so much that can go wrong and a small emergency kit will almost cover any situation. I've seen guys JB weld the engine case together and the thing run for months afterwards. Not to mention, for a regular passenger vehicle, they have great clearance and with the engine and transaxle centralized over the rear wheels, GREAT traction.
The 1966 model IMO is probably the best for travel. It was a one year only vehicle and it was made in the middle of the transition between the classic Beetle and the more modern version. It was the last year of the "classic" look Beetle but, you got a couple of great improvements for the model year like ball joint suspension, higher hp engine, and a vent for the front windshield defrost. So, still looks damn good and has the perfect mix of simplicity and a few modern improvements that only aid the vehicle.
My 66 has been stripped down from a restoration I started over a year ago. I had fell into the whole "slammed" trend and it really hurt the little car. I decided to strip it and found it hard to find the time to finish between work, school, and kids.
Here's of pic of it before I took it apart.
It's an original Sea Sand 66 and still has its OG engine and trans. I plan to restore it to a more stock form. There's been a feeling brewing in the basement of my mind and soul. Almost a sadness since I haven't driven the car in so long. This post really has inspired me to get back out into the garage and get on with it.
Quick question...You said early in this thread that the car had a 1200 in it? Was the original 1300 gone?
I have had a 1200, 1300, 1500, and a 1600DP in some different VWs I've owned. I can tell you this, the 1300 is the way to go. (Although, you can't go wrong with a 1500SP, or 1600SP or DP. That 1200 is for the birds. The 1200's cant even get out of their own way and, atleast for me, always were incredibly frustrating to drive because of the absolute lack of power.) The 1300 always had a low end grunt that the other engines didn't have and sounded kinda raspy at times like they were revving faster than they actually were. You might say they had a certain "fun factor".
For the OP and those inspired by this post, I suggest watching this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdjRhk6USR0 It features probably the first guy to ever overland a Beetle. It's a touching video and absolutely worth 27 minutes of your time.
The 1966 model IMO is probably the best for travel. It was a one year only vehicle and it was made in the middle of the transition between the classic Beetle and the more modern version. It was the last year of the "classic" look Beetle but, you got a couple of great improvements for the model year like ball joint suspension, higher hp engine, and a vent for the front windshield defrost. So, still looks damn good and has the perfect mix of simplicity and a few modern improvements that only aid the vehicle.
My 66 has been stripped down from a restoration I started over a year ago. I had fell into the whole "slammed" trend and it really hurt the little car. I decided to strip it and found it hard to find the time to finish between work, school, and kids.
Here's of pic of it before I took it apart.
It's an original Sea Sand 66 and still has its OG engine and trans. I plan to restore it to a more stock form. There's been a feeling brewing in the basement of my mind and soul. Almost a sadness since I haven't driven the car in so long. This post really has inspired me to get back out into the garage and get on with it.
Quick question...You said early in this thread that the car had a 1200 in it? Was the original 1300 gone?
I have had a 1200, 1300, 1500, and a 1600DP in some different VWs I've owned. I can tell you this, the 1300 is the way to go. (Although, you can't go wrong with a 1500SP, or 1600SP or DP. That 1200 is for the birds. The 1200's cant even get out of their own way and, atleast for me, always were incredibly frustrating to drive because of the absolute lack of power.) The 1300 always had a low end grunt that the other engines didn't have and sounded kinda raspy at times like they were revving faster than they actually were. You might say they had a certain "fun factor".
For the OP and those inspired by this post, I suggest watching this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdjRhk6USR0 It features probably the first guy to ever overland a Beetle. It's a touching video and absolutely worth 27 minutes of your time.
4x4x4doors
Explorer
Thanks. Thoroughly enjoyable video link of a guy who circumnavigated 3x in that Beetle!
Thank you for all the replies. SheepnJeep I really like your Toyota. I would like to get to Alaska someday as it looks beautiful. I also look through my pictures from this trip occasionally to remember the adventure.
IthrowWrenches you have what looks to be a solid start with your '66. Keep at it. I never was into the whole lowered VW thing and am glad to see a VW going back the other way. They are so much more useable and reliable when at stock height. The original 1300 in my '66 was long gone, and someone had replaced it with this '65 model 1200. The semi-cobbled aspects of this particular car is part of what drew me to it, so I preserved most of them when rebuilding it. My VW must have quite a story to tell though unfortunately I don't know much of its history. The 1200 is slow but I am slow paced as well so it suits me just fine.
That video was great by the way!
IthrowWrenches you have what looks to be a solid start with your '66. Keep at it. I never was into the whole lowered VW thing and am glad to see a VW going back the other way. They are so much more useable and reliable when at stock height. The original 1300 in my '66 was long gone, and someone had replaced it with this '65 model 1200. The semi-cobbled aspects of this particular car is part of what drew me to it, so I preserved most of them when rebuilding it. My VW must have quite a story to tell though unfortunately I don't know much of its history. The 1200 is slow but I am slow paced as well so it suits me just fine.
That video was great by the way!
twopoint6khz
New member
This has done nothing to diminish my hugely romanticized idea of the West of America. Thanks for the write-up!
Flat_Lander
New member
Just happen to run across this trip and was scrolling through the pictures, turns out the Victory school is just a few miles east of where I live. The school closed in the mid 60's and the students transferred to Davidson where I live. The school was first bought by a local farmer who turned it in to a house for his hired hand and his family. I went to school with those kids. Each kid had a whole classroom for a bedroom! And a gymnasium to play in. Years later was purchased by the now owner who used it as a headquarters for his farming operation. He has since retired from farming and has just let it go. Sad to see. Thanks for sharing your trip.
Craig Gaines
Davidson, Oklahoma
Craig Gaines
Davidson, Oklahoma