1967 Volkswagen Beetle Restoration
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- Опубліковано 20 сер 2024
- Kathleen Brooks bought her first Beetle in December 1966 in Riverside, Calif.-a red 1967 model she quickly named Annie. Ever since, Annie has been Kathleen’s daily transportation, racking up more than 350,000 miles over 51 years, or enough to circle the globe 14 times, and Kathleen, now 73, still drives Annie to work.
After hearing about Kathleen and Annie’s special relationship last year, Volkswagen’s North American Region undertook a unusual project-offering to restore Annie at the North American home of the Beetle at the Puebla, Mexico, factory. Over the past 11 months, a team of some 60 Volkswagen employees and trainees reworked Annie back to factory-quality specs, with several custom touches that celebrate Kathleen’s dedication. This week, Kathleen and Annie were reunited, and Kathleen met key members of the Volkswagen team that led the restoration.
We often hear stories of dedicated Volkswagen owners, but there was something special about Kathleen and Annie that we felt we needed to honor, said Derrick Hatami, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. The original Beetle launched our business in the United States. This isn’t just a Beetle, it’s a member of her family, and after all the time our employees have spent with this special vehicle, we feel Annie is a part of our family as well.
Brooks works with breast-cancer patients and survivors to provide comfort and cosmetic care during treatment and recovery. A three-time breast cancer survivor herself, Brooks says for over five decades Annie was a constant conversation starter with Beetle fans and owners, but also always there for me. I’ve said many times she and I are so much alike because she’s old, she’s faded, she’s dinged, she’s dented, she’s rusted, but you know what? She keeps running, says Brooks with a laugh. And as long as I take as good care of her as I can, she’s going to continue to run.
Even with Brooks’ best efforts, Annie had several needs when her restoration began in Puebla early this year, from a floor pan rusted through to the ground in spots to suspension, transmission and electrical challenges. Over 11 months, the Puebla team replaced roughly 40 percent of Annie’s parts and restored 357 original pieces, down to recreating the stickers that Brooks had added to the body and windows over the years. To properly restore her faded red paint, the team matched the original shade from the inside of the glovebox, sandblasted the body, repaired with a mix of period-correct and updated parts, and then reassembled.
Several parts of the vehicle were restored with better than their original factory parts, from the disc brakes that were an upgrade on later Beetles produced in Mexico to the AM/FM/Bluetooth stereo designed to mimic the look and feel of original Beetle radios. The wiring was completely redone; the transmission rebuilt and suspension upgraded. The engine was completely disassembled, cleaned, updated and rebuilt. Even the seats received a special touch, with Kathleen and Annie embroidered in a classic VW font over new leather. And to tie the car to the modern era, the car’s toolkit and jack was painted in deep sea teal metallic, the color of the 2018 Beetle Coast edition.
The goal, says project manager and mechatronics engineer Augusto Zamudio, was not to create a museum quality Beetle, but to bring Annie back to a state where Kathleen could drive and enjoy her for many more years to come.
When Annie arrived, our team members quickly understood the connection Kathleen had with her car and embraced this project wholeheartedly, said Steffen Reiche, CEO of Volkswagen of Mexico. Restoring this car posed a number of challenges, but also provided a demonstration of the dedication we put into every Volkswagen we build.
When Brooks parted with Annie, she wrote a heartfelt note to the Puebla team members thanking them for their efforts and asking them to take care of her special car. Zamudio says the feeling is mutual - and the team wrote Brooks back a note of their own.
Hi Guys, Where are you from? :)
hello brazilian
Indonesia, love what you work there
It's all pretty now, but if you think you did a good job, TEST IT OUT: Put it in water and see if it floats! LOL!!
Momma said to not tell strangers.
Ukraine
Annie is just like I am- old and imperfect! She is my one and only car. I drive her to work and tootle around town on errands etc. I had no idea of what to expect but was thrilled to be reunited with her. She is beautiful! She may not have all the original parts, but I’m not a purist (except when it comes to my coffee). The fact that her license plates and a few other features were kept the same is nostalgic. And for something being crooked, well, you should see me! All the best to you VW Beetle enthusiasts! Kathleen
Annie is a Beetle through and through. You take care of her, she'll take care of you. The fact that she's lasting this long is a testament to how well you maintain her. She's well and through a part of your family, and I find that beautiful! I'm sure you'll take good care of her from now on too! It makes me proud to own a Beetle as well!
She is a beauty!! May ya'll have many many more years together. God Bless.
Peace and love Miss Brooks. ✌️
Fantastic story Kathleen, cheers to both you and Annie.
Happy birthday Annie and Ms. Brooks!
My Dad drove one when we 4(!) kids were little. He, my mom and us could all fit as long as I sat in the cramped luggage area! Now, whenever I hear one coming down the street, it’s sound brings tears to my eyes. I’d LOVE to own one similar to this one!
Better than the day it rolled off the production line. Beautiful, detailed restoration, well done to the team 🙌🏼
Restoring a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle is more than just reviving a classic car; it's a labor of love that connects enthusiasts with a piece of automotive history.
That's a beautiful car. It would be great if we could still build cars like this, simple, affordable, reliable. One good thing about Beetles is if you do have a problem with it, no matter how mysterious, you know it won't be a glitch in one of the engine computer boxes!
I'm a cancer survivor myself and to me, there isn't someone more deserving than one who works with cancer patients and is a survivor herself. I hope you and Annie have many more years together.
Perfect. This is just perfect. I wonder how much it has costed. The result however is remarkable. Absolutely stunning.
4:30 the guy wearing the black t-shirt at the left corner. That's me during my college group projects.
You must have had a great time.
I so much envy you!
Woosh
So where are u now
GUYS HE'S MAKING A JOKE HE ISNT SAYING THAT WAS HIM
Beautiful restoration - the choice to go with the pre-67 headlights threw me a little as one of more iconic aspects of the '67 was then new headlight treatment. Still - what a labor of love. Bravo.
Congratulations Ms. Brooks!! You can't know how much this video delighted me. My first car ever was a 1967 VW just like this one, only differences were the color (mine was pearl gray) and I had the rear windows that can be opened a little bit, all with a 1500 cc engine that made her (name was Cleopatra) super agile and reliable. I still miss her simplicity and trustworthiness. Long and happy life for you and for Annie!!
What a beautiful restoration from the last vintage vw plant in Puebla. Muchisimas gracias a todo los trabajadores Mexicanos. Vive el vocho!
The front fenders are not the originals
Thanks again for sharing your experience with great results...I purchased the 1967 model brand new off the showroom floor & it was the best car I owned it was Polar White in colour...only sold because family size grew & needed something larger... cheers from Australia 😀
Damn, this story, the video, and the music made me cry. What a wonderful job to all involved. Thank you for sharing the story.
@@RickPiper1 Aqui no Brasil 🇧🇷 tenho um Fusca 1974
One of the greatest cars ever made. Loved by many and still seen on the streets today and hopefully tomorrow.
yes
My Dad bought a brand new Ruby Red bug just like this, when I was a small boy!
Beautiful!
My first car was ‘69. When he started the engine I almost shed a tear. That sound. I can almost smell the Bug interior. So pretty.
My first car was a 1974 VW Beetle. I do appreciate the craftsmanship of Volkswagen. Especially the older Beetles.
Woe Annie is absolutely breathtaking now!
So glad Volkswagen did this for Kathleen!!!
My Friends Son has a 67 like this, they just finished rebuilding the engine & trans!, the body is in good shape! Easy cars to work on!
From Chicago. I remember my late Uncle had a beige one. My sister and I sat in the back seat. Always loved that car. ( now this was back in 1974) good memories.
that was my first car I owned. 67 Beetle. Paid $150 for it and the same to get it certified road worthy. For $300 bucks I had a lot of fun with this car at 16 years of age. Thank you for the memory's! And watching your video!
My FIRST car was a 1957 VW bug - man I loved that car -so many great memories.
was that the last year when it had the little rear window?
I had a 59, I miss that car. Sold it for 500 bucks. If only I knew what it would have sold for today lol
Great memories for me and my wife. 1967 Beetle (Fusca), 6 volts, was our first car in Brazil, just after we got married in 1984. We had to restore it and it was our daily commuter. Great restoration project. Thanks for sharing.
67 Was the first year of the 12 Volt......
Congrats. You got yourself Bumblebee.
Im a child from India. Ive always loved the beetle since childhood, It was such a unique car. Sad to know that there aren't many in my country. But still ill try my best to get one when i grow up
Awesome video and restoration. I learned how to drive in a 72 Beetle, so this brings back fond memories. 👍
Very cool!
I learned how to drive in a '68 Beetle, eventually graduated to a '72 Super-Beetle, which I bought in 1984. I still have it, lovingly restored by me and "a little help from my friends". This video brings back memories of that project, although without the help of all those guys! :)
I am literally crying. Love the TLC put into this VW's restoration back to its glory.
Chrome valve covers prone to leaking oil
Wow! These have to be THE cleanest,best manicured mechanics I have EVER seen! :)
My thought exactly
The way it should be. Love it.
When I was a youngster in Germany, I would watch the VW mechanics at the dealership service my Dad's car -- they all wore gray labcoats and were meticulously clean, and they worked in teams. Impressive even to a six year old.
Agreed. I always respect engineers who dress the part. Black t shirts and an armful of tattoo's do nothing for me.
It's for the video don't ya know.
Thank you for the video. This was my first car in 1978. I was still at school and felt like a king, beside another guy who had a mini cooper. Over the years i had other cars, faster and more expensive ones. But for me this ist still the greatest. I regret that I sold it in 1980.
"Alice was a '73 model. Couldn't keep her had to let her go I miss her! I am glad your beautiful Annie is back home!
S7b2
Absolute fabulous restoration for a car which was built for the working german people after war which have not much money to buy.
For me still a car a car that has survived decades and in my view, one of the best cult cars what is still worth a smile to people as soon as you see a VW Beetle
Rudi Schulz It has truly stood the test of time! You put that all very well! I’ve been hook on them for 40 years
Thanks VW of Mexico! Your Team did very well repairing her Beetle. Nice Car, hold on to her a long as you can, she is part of you now Kathleen.
The VW & the Mini. Classics that will outlive all of us. My dream is to own one of each one day. Thanks for saving this beautiful car.
I owned a 67 Beetle in the late 60s. Absolutely awesome year.
Love the restoration! The beetle looked loved finally. You could see it in his face! ( yes cars have feelings).....
Volkswagen should resume production....I would buy this car over any "Modern car".
I had a 2017 VW Beetle Turbo
Truth Filter For UA-cam If they truly put it back out, the original air cooled, I believe it would sell like crazy!
@@franciscogallardo5224 A beetle in name only.
the classic beetle is a stinker pollution wise. and it uses more steel than a vw rabbit. that's why it will never be produced. classic beetles are cool, always will be.
They tried the modern version and no success. It's not made any more. Don't get in a crash with a new one. I know some folks who did and they are not here anymore. No tensile strength in the steel whatsoever. I'm a huge fan of the 66 models and older.
I owned a 1967 Bug back in 1971-1973, I knew when I sold it I would regret it, and I have. An amazing restoration. BRAVO ZULU
Absolutely stunning. The selected permutation of red is, without exception, quite possibly THE most beautiful "red" I have ever witnessed, period. Folks.........., you are owed a massive applause. I would ditch the whitewalls, though...............
such an amazing story...old VW's are family members they bond with the special folks that love them and love driving them!
Yes your exactly right.
i love how this lady care for her. i also admire those builders. kudos to you all. fans from the philippines.
To see a restored VW is magic... coming back to life!
These people are so skilled, passionate and full of knowledge! Respect for your great work. Especially the rechromed rear fender is a great detail!
Absolutely gorgeous! They did a beautiful job making the old Beetle better than new :). Miss my old Beetle, simpler times.
The most sensible consumer friendly car the world has ever seen , a design masterpiece .
I agree. I have owned 9 so far in my life.
A deathtrap though...
And thought up by a maniac.
made me cry. I had a '67 Bug. Oh did I love that car! I could tell endless stories of love and adventure her!!! 🙂
After watching this it warms car mechanics heart to see the end result! I started my passion for cars & learning with a 72 beetle when i was only 4 years old :]
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. What a joy to see this "Bug" in such a condition. Great job guys. 👍👏👏👏❤
That might just be the most laybour intensive restauration I have ever seen! Amazing
Excellent paint work! Wet sand after clear coat (probably 800 grid or even 1000 sandpaper) and then polish it out and glaze it. That's why even brand new cars today out of factory will never shine like those which had that work done.
I bought a brand new Bug in 1971 for $1,865. The dealer wanted $1,895 but I got mine from a man that won it from a school fair raffle. He was rich and had no use for it. I was getting married and needed a new car to start us out right. I was happy to save $30.
Wonderful restoration! I want to congratulate all those involved.
wow beautiful thank you all for keeping it alive
I saw the original version of this with the sad good-bye and the happy reunion! It was beautiful!
That castle logo in the middle of the steering wheel brings back memories!
Hermoso Bug, yo tengo un 1967 y tengo varios años buscando quien haga este trabajo perfecto como este en el.
Felicidades
Wonderful video and very nice work. The car is beautiful again. It was pretty nice to begin with. I bought a brand new bug in 1971 for $1,865. VWs were everywhere back then. I told my wife that the VW would become a collector's item some day and here we are full circle seeing that come true. The old busses and campers are out the roof lol!
What a joy to watch this old girl become beautiful again! The only thing better would've been to see the reaction of Kathleen Brooks when they were reunited!
I owned a 1967 VW back in the day and loved that car! It was quite, heater worked, fit & finish was superb and ran like a swiss watch. It seemed so much nicer than my friends VW beetles. I worked part time at night at a metal pressing shop. The owner ( German) called me out one night to the parking lot and in broken English told me to open the hood and remove the spare tire. I though I'm in trouble now as he thinks I'm stealing stuff! I removed the spare and he looked at the brass plate that contained the vin and where the car was made. All he said to me in his broken English " GOOD CAR, MADE IN GERMANY!!
He was right it was the best VW that I was ever in. Hey I now own it's cousin, a 78 Porsche 911 SC
I so wish this crew could help me with getting my beetle to look this sweet again, I really liked what i saw in the video great job you did on saving the beetle!!!
Annie is a beautiful restoration! I wish they would continue making Beetles (officially VW 2-door Sedan) so more people could own and drive them. They are great little fuel efficient cars that just keep running.
I drove a 67 back in the late 70s...always needed something, but never left me stranded.
I learned to drive on my Dad's 1967 VW. She was and will be my one true love.
They were all disassembling and assembling it like it was the space shuttle. It's a Volkswagen Beetle, the simplest car on planet earth!
Most are trainies, learning the trade under a watchful eyes of trainers.
This touched my heart not sure why but its BEAUTIFUL!!!! What An Amazing Restoration!!!
not beautiful
my first car was a 67 bug. Sold it for a Buick Skylark, then bought my second 67 Bug and it was red. Wish I could post a picture!
Amazing & wonderful restoration of this VW car. Can remember when many college kids had these cars and finished Grad school in them. They were by today's standards simple to maintain, and many owners did their own repairs. SMOG and noise regulations eventually caught up w them and changing consumer tastes. Still a classic and wonderful look.
Beautiful!!! The way this video was presented was almost perfect!!! Hats off to all those involved. Very well done
Now if we humans could work together like this to repair the damage we have done to our planet! Stunning work!
I loved my 1968 VW green Beetle. Had it when I lived in Chicago and never got stuck in the snow! Plus, you can do amazing reckless sporty driving with a rear-engined car!
Huge props to the team from Puebla Mexico for the superb restoration work!
Meus parabéns a toda equipe ficou excelente mesmo a restauração deste Volkswagen Fusca 👍👍👍👍👍
imagine uma oficina q tenha esta mesma qualidade técnica aqui. seria um ótimo negócio comprar carros abandonados no tempo e fazer a mesma coisa; eu ia comprar um Chevette 73 abandonado e fazer o mesmo tipo de reforma. :)
De 0 a 100 km/h en apenas 10 minutos, y aunque no lo alcansara, amo ese vocho.
Toll gemacht besser als früher, schön das es Leute gibt die diese Autos zu schätzen wissen
Sweet love bug restoration! Love the shine & color. Superior craftmanship!
Simply Breathtaking !
Just beautiful!!!! Mine was the same year and color.....😁❤️
Love ghis car. Owned a ‘65 and about a ‘71 or 2 model. ‘65 was my favorite. Learned to drive a stick on that baby! Oh the places we went!
Beautiful! I just bought a 69. Needs some work and can’t wait to start fixing her up!
I can feel the love they put into it.
a nice restoration of the people's car.
Wow amazing rebuild by compassionate hands. Like cutting the perfect diamond
I had a 1967 Beetle the same color as that one. I loved that car, It was my only car for several years, When I moved from Missouri to Texas I brought it with me and drove it for several years after that until I sold it to a friend. I wish I still had it. I shouldn't have sold it.
Una maravillosa, a mi parecer, obra de arte, gracias por compartir, abrazos desde Colombia.
Espero um dia ver meu Fusca tão belo como esse, adorei...
Espero un día ver mi vocho tan bello como ese, adore...
Desde Brasil un grande abrazo para ustedes
Back in the mid 80s, me and a friend did almost this restoration to a 67, except the painting, we did all the work all ourselves in a two car garage and he won various shows with the bug, and was daily driver. It was sano like this one, except the wide wall tires and chrome wheels. We went stock, black walls and beauty ring. Took us like 6 months. Challenging on a 67 because being a one year only car. Great bug.
My uncle owned at least two of these when I was a kid - one a 60s model and his next one was I believe a '73 or '74. Awesome cars.
Belíssimo trabalho, extremamente profissionais !!
Brazileros invadiram o UA-cam, kkkkkk
Great job by the factory guy's they really were meticulous and professional in every detail.
Video was so good I had to watch it again!
I had to watch it three times myself!
If you think that was detailed you are sadly mistaken and don't know what you're looking at
Great job!!! Heart warming. Now when your ready my 1986 Toyota x-cab LB 2wd truck needs a complete makeover as well.
I restored many of these myself. A 63 Beetle, A 65 Safari Van, A 65 Transporter, A 66 Squareback station wagen.
Ummm... Is there any specific reason you guys went through all that excellent effort, but still put the front bumper on skew?
First thing i noticed too - along with the wrong headlights.
Hahahahha i literally came to the comments to ask that exact question. This video was edited to make this look super professional. Bunch of amateurs
I noticed that. I thought it was leaning slightly, I didn't think of it being the bumper!
I've just watched a video on the car before it was restored. The bumper was skewed the same way.
*askew
Great restoration project. Money controls everything...even restoration...I spent a lot for mine 1971
They did a great job to restore this Volkswagen.
My first car (in 1984) was a 1967 VW Beetle, light blue (sky blue?), and we restored it. It turned out mostly original. Parts came from Germany, painted locally. I loved that car. Her name was Henrietta. Good times! Good times.
Great story and work!
Que obra PRIMA.. 👏👏👏
🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
I learned to drive one night when my older sister was babysitting me and took me to a party. She was in no shape to drive home. I was 14 years old and never driven a car and I got us home in her Volkswagen Beetle. 1970 , the good old days!.
The best restoration ever!! Nice car..
What a beauty!! This is magic!!!
porsche 356 weels of 67 beetle?????good work-greatings from germany.
You act like it is not normal? We have been using 356 caps since the 70's lol
I wish you would have kept the original vertical headlights since that is one of the many reasons a '67 is so special. Otherwise, it's a beautiful bug.
THANK YOU!!! ☹ First thing I noticed too. Never saw the decklid after, Not even sure that's the same car. Might have replaced her rare '67 with a '66???
@@kandbsdad I think the 66 was the only year with the overriders on the bumpers. If I'm not mistaken. It's been a while. A long while.
My first car was a baby blue 68. Bought it in 75 for $300.00 The best car I ever owned, for the money. Wish I still had her.