a time where cars were really freedom and now they make us slaves of astronomical repair bills, pxxornographic parts prices, insurances and so on. Lets keep the cars we can still service and repair!
@@hennessy4666 I picked up an 02 Dodge Durango a few months back for $6K with only 68K miles on it- same thing. ' Nothing in it but radio and cassette player. Touch Screen? Haha, what's that? Doesn't even have digital outside thermometer. It's practically still brand new that gets me from A-B with no bullshit. LOVE IT.. KEEP IT SIMPLE- ITS THE WAY TO GO..NO HEADACHES..
I'm not quite there but I sought out a low mile 1999 Grand Marquis and the lack of tech is such a relief. I can bluetooth into the cigarette lighter (and I have the actual push in lighter) and that's enough tech for me. Super easy and cheap to work on and super reliable. Great hwy MPG for a V8. I get into my new work truck and the tech is infuriating. Pop ups on the screens, a fake voice every 5 seconds about the seatbelt, it's always trying to hook up to your phone, it rumbles when you get near a line, it slams on the brakes if it thinks you are too close. Radio knobs have been replaced with on screen buttons that are impossible to hit when driving. LEAVE ME ALONE AND LET ME DRIVE!
The fact that she drives without glasses at 90 years of age is amazing. She is full of energy. She drives herself in car with no power steering, a/c, no ABS and not even automatic. Long live MIMI
@@Puddycat00 .. YOUR COMMENTS ARE JUST RUBBISH UPON RUBBISH. HOW ON EARTH WOULD A 90 YEARS OLD WOMAN DRIVE DANGEROUS? HOW? THEIR LIKES DRIVE MORE CAREFULLY AND ACCURATELY. IF SHE AT 90 SHE USES NO GLASSES, IT MEANS HER HEALTH COULD BE BETTER THAN SOME 50 YEARS OLD MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE HEALTH HAVE BEEN RUINED WITH DRUGS, ALCOHOL, SMOKING. YOU SHOULD PRAY TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT SHE IS DOING AT 90 IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO LIVE UP TO 90 YEARS OF AGE. CONDEMNATIONS WILL TAKE YOU NOWHERE
@@thomasgentry6201 it was the way he held her hand, engaged with her, didn't talk to her as a child. he is a good man. plus the info on the car's. all around the perfect set up on showing integrity and decency.
@@SergeantExtreme Still quite a few originals in Phoenix, AZ where I'm from. Many 50s cars were still in daily use into the 70s & 80s until other drivers became more reckless and road rage later entered the picture.
@@muffs55mercury61 Here in the Midwest, it doesn't matter how careful you drive. There's a reason they call us the "Rust Belt". 2023 models already have rust on them, and they're not even a year old! Nothing stops the onslaught of salt.
@@SergeantExtreme Yes I know as I lived in Ohio for a little more than ten years (late '02 to early '13) and the steel they use now is so thin. Guy I knew bought a new "03 Chevy S-10. Started to rust by '07 and by 2010 things like the body mounts were starting to break due to rust. In the junkyard after just seven years. I've seen some videos showing frame rust out. Some are likely driving riding coffins on those roads.
Wow! What a lady! An inspiration to us all! Amazing she doesn’t look or act like an 90 year old person! She looks like in her 70s! Her driving her stick shift classic beetle is amazing! I hope I’m still driving at her age! But I doubt I be here in this earth before 90.
Whenever the day comes when Ms. Mimi is gone (and looking at how vivacious she is, hopefully thats not for a long time) her car needs to go in a museum and be named after her.
In all honesty, the Bug was not meant to last. It was built to be affordable basic transportation. This one still exists because the owner did all of the things that were needed to keep it in as-new condition.
Not quite.... all vehicles in the southern US will always last forever since they are not in the rust belt. Meaning, if you have the means and ways of fixing it mechanically and avoid crashes and fires and are so inclined otherwise, *any* vehicle can be made to last this long or more.
@@canuckfixit7722It was madeto last much longer than other cars! We must recognise it. At that time cars were rusting much faster. Also the mechanics was very solid. The cooling system was unbeetable😉 The 1966 from my mother lasted 13 years in Belgium with salt on the roads every year... compare it to an Italian car...
Man, time sure gets going in a hurry. 1969 was 54 years ago. This means Mimi was 36 or 37 years old when they bought this car. 1970 just doesn't feel that long ago.
I hear you we met a neighbor when she was 70 and she passed recently at 100 years old. She reminds me of our neighbor friend. She is was amazing too and didn't slow down until she was 95. Loved her like a grandmother.
Sorry but no. This thing puts out more pollution than 100 Hummers ! Real kill you pollution not what we all exhale and trees and plants need to live co2.
Bless her heart ,,Its amazing she been able to keep it so nice for so long. No radiator, No power steering, cheap on gas, manual transmission Had a VW bug back in the late 1960's growing up and we took that bug to work to school, to beach to , drive in movies ,,everywhere ,
This lady is amazing! Wished i had a granny myself like her. She is charismatic, young and a great example for young people today. Such an inspiration! ❤️
Bless your heart ma'am. My first car was a 1967 Beetle and I wish I would have kept mine. I always get a charge out of folks that still own cars they bought back when.
…now that’s fabulous! What an amazing lady. I have to show this to my Mother who is now 88 and drives a 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar which is an absurdly fast wagon that she absolutely love and treasure. My father ordered the car in November 2015 as a surprise for my Mother for their 50th anniversary on June 2016. The car arrived the following February, Valentine’s Day. It was like he planned the perfect gift but sadly he wasn’t able to share that moment for on Christmas Eve 2015 after a long and brave battle with 3 types of cancer he couldn’t fight no more but his legacy goes on. That’s why Miss Mimi’s story gave me hope that I got a little more time with my fabulous Mother.
Imagine being 90 and having that mental clarity, eye sight, movement, etc. Amazing! And that bug with 500k is like the car equivalent of her, you couldn't believe it has so many miles 👏
@@julianbrelsford Well, she did state that the wheels were a dealer option. Most likely, the dealer has some after market options. The bill of sale will have that detailed since she has kept the all original documents. Would be interesting to see where the rims came from. They are very cool, and probably enhance the drive of the car.
She mentioned the original paint did not hold up well, so they had it repainted a couple of years into the life of the car. Typically, a repaint is far inferior to the original... but in this case, it seems to have held up amazingly well. Whoever did the repaint job, did it right! 👍
The paint back then was better. It contained lead and other very toxic chemicals that made it last and are outlawed by the government today. I am sure that this car is kept in the garage also when not driven which helps greatly in the longevity of it.
@@zachsheffield1325 I refinish cars for a living (32) years. Most paints back in these days 1960's-1970's were non catalized (hardener) most were non clear coated and would fade and get chalky quickly but would remain solid and not peel. There are great products available today for restoration purposes that will last a very long time if applied properly. The cost of paint materials today is insanely expensive for quality products. To strip and repaint that bug today would cost around $2-3k for materials alone not including any labor which could easily be around $10-15k. I don't think that you would want to add any lead to the modern paint that we have today, It is a whole different chemical makeup.
I could not wipe the smile off my face watching that interview. I live about 5 miles from that dealership and I was born in October of 1969. I swear I have seen Mimi driving around town before and we go to the same Costco:)
She was right about driving it within it's limits, my parents took 2 trips in their 1960 bus, once to Canada and one time to Yellowstone, thats when the national speed limit was 55 , perfect speed for VW'S.
My mom had a Beetle, we both drove it like we stole it. Nobody ever believes me that its top speed was 85 mph. I once got a ticket doing 80 back when the speed limit was 55. If you check the forums driving at 75-80 mph isn’t uncommon on later year models.
@@LuckyCharms777 our shop rebuilt lots of engines in the 70's, and after seeing the damage, I didn't want to rebuild mine all the time, I built an 1835 and it ran forever, and had the " Git up and go" when I needed it!
I love Mimi … her attitude and love of her special car resonates with so many of us. She’s proof that with proper care, a car can look amazing for many years!!
What a WONDERFUL story. This is the way car ownership should be. I know of people who trade their cars every year. When you think of the cost over a lifetime, it is incredible. Mimi is in the rare scenario whereby she could actually sell her car for more than she paid for it more than 50 years earlier. Good on her. Greetings from Ontario, Canada.
I'm living in motor valley in Italy (near Maserati, Ferrari, Pagani, Lambo, Ducati ecc.) and all we love our cars, this is the testimony that if you love a car it will pay you back faithfully. Thanks for your video and greetings from Italy.
This is great! Thank you Hot VW Magazine for honoring this lovely woman. I own a classic VW dealership and repair shop in Bend Oregon and I too have had the honor of meeting folks who have bought their classic VW's brand new. The stories are priceless! Cheers!
What a great story! I love it. My Dad had a 68 Baby blue Beetle that carried all five of us to Arizona from Illinois in 1969. My two teen sisters were in the back with the seat laid down, and I rode on my Mom's lap the entire way! (different times) We left a day after my Aunt and Uncle who were driving a new Buick Skylark and we actually beat them there! That was a story shared at every holiday and the Aunt and Uncle never got over it! lol I was only a toddler and my folks said I cried everytime we went near the car after that trip! ;) Dad wanted a new Beetle or Kharmin Gia or Bus and I remember all of them sitting in our driveway for a test drive circa70-71 but he ended up buying a brand new Caprice with a 396 and a trailer package to tow our 21' Scamp. That thing was junk it puked out all of the oil and trans fluid on it's maiden voyage and since Dad had paid cash for it new GM wouldn't do ANYTHING about fixing it. We ended up with a 70 Mercury Monterey with a 429 INterceptor in it. We never had another VW but I've alway had a soft spot for them!
HAHA!! Awesome! Great to see that Mimi is the type who finds what she wants and sticks with it (husband, VW, etc.). I was quite surprised that the wheels were new '70s... Fun, fun stuff!!! Many more years of enjoying life, Mimi!
Kinda hope the dealership owner buys it and puts it in the showroom with all its documentation and a picture of Mimi. It needs to be preserved now and not run the risk of being out on the road and involved in an accident. God bless her
What a character! The love Mimi has for her Beetle is clear for everyone to see. Lets hope they both enjoy a few more years together.....well done Mimi! ❤😎
So here's the thing. Like everything in life there's a balance, you're not quite off but you're not right either. These engines had to be rebuilt and replaced every 100k kilometers, because they would become junk with use. If you went into an accident, you were basically in a thick metal coffin which was compacting on your body. Does that mean I'm defending the horrible cut costing, consumerist built, low quality parts and over-engineering with unnecessary sensors of the modern era cars? Heck no, I never owned a new car, and I will never buy one. But to idealize what we had and was offered back then is also wrong.
@@steve8803I'd agree with you up til about 2010-2011. Depending on the manufacturer, shortly after 2011, there isn't a car engineered to last longer than 15 yrs tops. Troubleshooting & diagnosing let alone doing the job itself (assuming one can properly diagnose) sends the modern sh*tbox off to the crusher, because it's simply not worth it anymore for 90% of people. Electronic dependence for the sake of electronic dependence has assured modern cars ALL become bricks. No one is spending $15-20k in electronic garbage replacement, reprogramming, coding, cloning, etc with dealer only software (which is now becoming cloud based & you & I will NEVER own or have access to it) on a 13 yr old car that is worth $15k itself. Modern cars do NOT get rebuilt, they get thrown away because they are GARBAGE. Fast, shiny, gimmicky GARBAGE.
Cars now are much safer and reliable, as others have said. Where I do agree 100% with you was simplicity. These cars were SIMPLE, so that when things needed fixing they were extremely easy to repair. Cars now? NO. They’re nightmares to fix and cost a fortune to maintain. Doesn’t matter what brand, even Toyota isn’t the same as their 80s and 90s models. Simplicity in engineering makes a better car overall. The cars now are more reliable for sure - but you must do the maintenance. Many don’t.
"I just take my time..." What a sweet lady. The world needs a lot more drivers like her on the road, and off the road, too. It would be a much nicer place.
What a delightful interview with such a sweet lady! She is adorable and so is her beloved 1970 Beetle! It is a pure joy to see someone take meticulous care of her car for all those years. May she be blessed with many more years of life and joy with her Beetle. 😊🚗❤
Sure is an incredible story mimi she loves her beetle has given her many years of service 400 thousand miles and so well cared for you can see its her baby amazing story
What a fantastic story and what a lovely lady! "I drive it with love". Very well said. As a VW Bug owner myself, I say this is the only way they should be driven. Congratulations, Mimi and Lovey.
Please do an article on her and the bug, I think she deserves a front page issue. My first car is a 70 bug that I’ve had for 17 years and people like Mimi are the reason I’ll never sell mine.
Never sell it. If you do, you’ll eventually regret it. Always keep some spare cash saved to keep it running. Most cars get parked because people can’t afford to fix them, then next thing you know, years have gone by and it’s in worse condition than it was when it was originally parked.
Yay Mimi! You remind me of Charles Phoenix’ mom ha. Wow the original US mags? Beautiful period glass etching - yeah that was a mod back then lol. Wow for any of us having a bad day or feeling sorry for ourselves - you are truly an Inspiration! 🏁✨ Go #Lovey 🏁 OG Love Bug ha
Reminds me of my neighbor back in the late 1970s. She had a 1951 Split Window VW Bug that she bought new. She litterally only drive it 2 miles a day to her job. 5 days a week. Garage kept - mint condition. Light blue / white interior
I've Been A Mechanic Since 1973. I Worked For Volkswagen And Audi Dealers For 33 Years. I Loved Working On The Old Air Cooled Vw's. I knew Those Cars inside And Out. Still Have All The Special Tools For Servicing And Repairing Them.
This is an incredible testament to how good of cars VWs can be. 400k miles...wow, that's something you'll normally see on their diesel cars! What a wonderful person Mimi is
She is adorable with her car! This is California I seen a 85 years old guy driving a Miata by the Stinson beach road like a racer, I was amazed by that! Age is just a number as long as u take care of yourself and your car will bring u timeless happiness!!
I’m 59 now. Originally from Germany, I was a apprentice for VW/Audi from September 1979 to May 1982. I actually do miss the simplicity of this Volkswagen. No hassle with electronic or sensors. Just start and drive. The engine was taken out of the body in 30 minutes. Now these days, mechanics need a couple hours on some cars to replace the spark plugs. And I am not starting with electric problems….. Love the old Volkswagen cars!
This lady is a true inspiration - and delightful. Full marks go to the guy doing the interview too - he conducted it with respect and enthusiasm. Thank you both!
Great story about a very cool car and a lovely special lady who owns it. She was very wise to hold on to it for all these years. I still have the red '67 Beetle that my father bought new at Holbert's VW in Warrington PA. It's not on the road anymore and has been stored in a barn since 1995, but hopefully someday I will get it running and rolling again.
No computers, no heated seats, and an engine that can be taken out in like five minutes. Mimi's keeping life simple.
a time where cars were really freedom and now they make us slaves of astronomical repair bills, pxxornographic parts prices, insurances and so on. Lets keep the cars we can still service and repair!
if u think , do we really need all those features?
@@hennessy4666
I picked up an 02 Dodge Durango a few months back for $6K with only 68K miles on it- same thing. '
Nothing in it but radio and cassette player.
Touch Screen? Haha, what's that?
Doesn't even have digital outside thermometer.
It's practically still brand new that gets me from A-B with no bullshit.
LOVE IT..
KEEP IT SIMPLE- ITS THE WAY TO GO..NO HEADACHES..
@@farmoboy83yep I'm keeping my 04 jag xj8
I'm not quite there but I sought out a low mile 1999 Grand Marquis and the lack of tech is such a relief. I can bluetooth into the cigarette lighter (and I have the actual push in lighter) and that's enough tech for me. Super easy and cheap to work on and super reliable. Great hwy MPG for a V8. I get into my new work truck and the tech is infuriating. Pop ups on the screens, a fake voice every 5 seconds about the seatbelt, it's always trying to hook up to your phone, it rumbles when you get near a line, it slams on the brakes if it thinks you are too close. Radio knobs have been replaced with on screen buttons that are impossible to hit when driving. LEAVE ME ALONE AND LET ME DRIVE!
I'm 75. This Lady has 15 years on me and is twice as sharp as me! God Bless her. And her VW.
53, (years) wasn't that Herbie's No. in the movies?. This woman's a national treasure. Volkswagen should get in touch.
The fact that she drives without glasses at 90 years of age is amazing. She is full of energy. She drives herself in car with no power steering, a/c, no ABS and not even automatic. Long live MIMI
Yes! I went to get my license at 19 and the lady told me not to come back until I had glasses!😂😂
She is awesome. My father at 88 doesn’t wear glasses either.
@@Puddycat00 .. YOUR COMMENTS ARE JUST RUBBISH UPON RUBBISH. HOW ON EARTH WOULD A 90 YEARS OLD WOMAN DRIVE DANGEROUS? HOW? THEIR LIKES DRIVE MORE CAREFULLY AND ACCURATELY. IF SHE AT 90 SHE USES NO GLASSES, IT MEANS HER HEALTH COULD BE BETTER THAN SOME 50 YEARS OLD MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE HEALTH HAVE BEEN RUINED WITH DRUGS, ALCOHOL, SMOKING. YOU SHOULD PRAY TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT SHE IS DOING AT 90 IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO LIVE UP TO 90 YEARS OF AGE. CONDEMNATIONS WILL TAKE YOU NOWHERE
It has Italian A/C the wing vent windows!
Open those puppies all the way and you get a nice breeze on you!😉
Cataract surgery ( almost every senior has had it) fixes the need for glasses 😊
She is one in a million. Her husband was a fortunate man.
That’s right. ✨
Lucky Fellow!
Yes he knew he had the right woman and stayed with her for 70 years
NEVER would have thought 90...wow. the car doesn't look it's age either. Well done Mimi
A paint job would be refreshing and enhance it's looks.
I loved the way you interviewed Mimi, someone definitely raised you right , it shows and says a lot about you Sir.
Great point that woman is a huge inspiration for all! Respect is earned and she deserves it in spades!
@@thomasgentry6201 it was the way he held her hand, engaged with her, didn't talk to her as a child. he is a good man. plus the info on the car's. all around the perfect set up on showing integrity and decency.
Yep. Very respectful!
Only car? Dang it... Imagine the money she saved all these years... HUGE RESPECT GRANDMA!
Only possible in California. That thing wouldn't have lasted five years in Wisconsin.
@@SergeantExtreme Still quite a few originals in Phoenix, AZ where I'm from. Many 50s cars were still in daily use into the 70s & 80s until other drivers became more reckless and road rage later entered the picture.
@@muffs55mercury61 Here in the Midwest, it doesn't matter how careful you drive. There's a reason they call us the "Rust Belt". 2023 models already have rust on them, and they're not even a year old!
Nothing stops the onslaught of salt.
@@SergeantExtreme Yes I know as I lived in Ohio for a little more than ten years (late '02 to early '13) and the steel they use now is so thin. Guy I knew bought a new "03 Chevy S-10. Started to rust by '07 and by 2010 things like the body mounts were starting to break due to rust. In the junkyard after just seven years. I've seen some videos showing frame rust out. Some are likely driving riding coffins on those roads.
The assault of salt
Mimi is a wonder... And sharp as a whip
@@myspace_forever neither is the one who posted this 😀😅😁
Tears in my eyes watching this, what an incredible story and what a sharp, young lady! God bless her heart.
Wow! What a lady! An inspiration to us all! Amazing she doesn’t look or act like an 90 year old person! She looks like in her 70s! Her driving her stick shift classic beetle is amazing! I hope I’m still driving at her age! But I doubt I be here in this earth before 90.
Once some people reach a certain age, it seems like they don’t age anymore.
Apparently driving a stick-shift is the fountain of youth.
Whenever the day comes when Ms. Mimi is gone (and looking at how vivacious she is, hopefully thats not for a long time) her car needs to go in a museum and be named after her.
She is the sweetest, loveliest woman I have seen on this platform...ever. Her beetle is a dream!
Love it. Both the beetle and the lady ARE IN TOP SHAPE.
What a sweet young lady! So humble and inspirational. God bless her 😇
She seems like a busy woman. Adorable
Great story! When cars were made to last! She sets an example about non having to change car every so many years! She is loyal to her car.
In all honesty, the Bug was not meant to last. It was built to be affordable basic transportation. This one still exists because the owner did all of the things that were needed to keep it in as-new condition.
Beetle’s definitely weren’t made to last! They were quite awful in many ways. She just took amazing care of it.
Not quite.... all vehicles in the southern US will always last forever since they are not in the rust belt. Meaning, if you have the means and ways of fixing it mechanically and avoid crashes and fires and are so inclined otherwise, *any* vehicle can be made to last this long or more.
When cars were made to last? Lmao.
@@canuckfixit7722It was madeto last much longer than other cars! We must recognise it. At that time cars were rusting much faster. Also the mechanics was very solid. The cooling system was unbeetable😉 The 1966 from my mother lasted 13 years in Belgium with salt on the roads every year... compare it to an Italian car...
Our family had the beetle, bus and station wagon. After I was born in 1967 I came home in a 1966 VW bus. This lady is amazing!!!!!
Man, time sure gets going in a hurry. 1969 was 54 years ago. This means Mimi was 36 or 37 years old when they bought this car. 1970 just doesn't feel that long ago.
I was thinking the same thing! I'm 62 and was still learning to ride a bicycle when she took delivery of this car!
Yeah 1970 was a long time ago. In 1970 people were saying damm 1916 wasn't that long ago 🤣 puts it into perspective doesn't it
@@user-fn2cm2ow4n landed on the moon ?? Debatable
In 1970 I was entering the military and my body is telling me that was a long, long time ago.
I hear you we met a neighbor when she was 70 and she passed recently at 100 years old. She reminds me of our neighbor friend. She is was amazing too and didn't slow down until she was 95. Loved her like a grandmother.
She’s the definition of young spirit I love her aura ♥️
Most eco friendly and green thing I've seen so far this year. One car, taking care of.
far better than all this pseudo green battery crap...
Sorry but no.
This thing puts out more pollution than 100 Hummers !
Real kill you pollution not what we all exhale and trees and plants need to live co2.
Bless her heart ,,Its amazing she been able to keep it so nice for so long.
No radiator, No power steering, cheap on gas, manual transmission
Had a VW bug back in the late 1960's growing up and we took that bug to work to school, to beach to , drive in movies ,,everywhere ,
A dear dear sweetheart driving a VDub sweetheart! Thank you for this touching interview!
Great show great car and a verry verry verry nice LADY thanks guys.
This lady is amazing!
Wished i had a granny myself like her.
She is charismatic, young and a great example for young people today. Such an inspiration! ❤️
Yep how fun would it be to ride shotgun with your Grandma shifting away in a classic Bug!
She's 90? Wow, amazing strength - both mentally and physically.
Absolutely amazing! Mimi is incredible and Lovey is a dream machine. Thank you for capturing this story and sharing the car with us!
This is the best video ever! I want to hug Mimi!!!😍
Mentally This woman is sharp as they come. I love this story.
SHE FITS "IF IT IS NOT BROKEN DO NOT FIX IT" LOVE FROM DENMARK
2 gems on camera! What a lovely woman and a great story. Mimi made me smile and warmed my heart.
What a wonderful story......Thank you for sharing..................
Bless your heart ma'am. My first car was a 1967 Beetle and I wish I would have kept mine. I always get a charge out of folks that still own cars they bought back when.
Little did she know at the time that this wonderful car would become her fountain of youth. What a special bond these two have.
Did you note that she had the engine "rebuilt" so the car's heart was not transplanted, it was repaired.
@@mikejohn0088 Great observation!
So true
…now that’s fabulous! What an amazing lady. I have to show this to my Mother who is now 88 and drives a 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar which is an absurdly fast wagon that she absolutely love and treasure. My father ordered the car in November 2015 as a surprise for my Mother for their 50th anniversary on June 2016. The car arrived the following February, Valentine’s Day. It was like he planned the perfect gift but sadly he wasn’t able to share that moment for on Christmas Eve 2015 after a long and brave battle with 3 types of cancer he couldn’t fight no more but his legacy goes on. That’s why Miss Mimi’s story gave me hope that I got a little more time with my fabulous Mother.
❤
Imagine being 90 and having that mental clarity, eye sight, movement, etc. Amazing! And that bug with 500k is like the car equivalent of her, you couldn't believe it has so many miles 👏
Grandma's got wide tires and mag wheels on her ride. You go grandma.
I saw that. There's no way those wheels and tires are 1970 factory spec for this car :D
@@julianbrelsford Well, she did state that the wheels were a dealer option. Most likely, the dealer has some after market options. The bill of sale will have that detailed since she has kept the all original documents. Would be interesting to see where the rims came from. They are very cool, and probably enhance the drive of the car.
My favourite type of video. A one owner car and a great owner.
She mentioned the original paint did not hold up well, so they had it repainted a couple of years into the life of the car. Typically, a repaint is far inferior to the original... but in this case, it seems to have held up amazingly well. Whoever did the repaint job, did it right! 👍
Not paint jobs back then.
The paint back then was better. It contained lead and other very toxic chemicals that made it last and are outlawed by the government today. I am sure that this car is kept in the garage also when not driven which helps greatly in the longevity of it.
A professional can make you some old-fashioned lead paint if you want!!
Then you can spray it on your car yourself!!
@@zachsheffield1325 I refinish cars for a living (32) years. Most paints back in these days 1960's-1970's were non catalized (hardener) most were non clear coated and would fade and get chalky quickly but would remain solid and not peel. There are great products available today for restoration purposes that will last a very long time if applied properly. The cost of paint materials today is insanely expensive for quality products. To strip and repaint that bug today would cost around $2-3k for materials alone not including any labor which could easily be around $10-15k.
I don't think that you would want to add any lead to the modern paint that we have today, It is a whole different chemical makeup.
Your precious government mandated that too.
She is driving the same car! So sweet ❤❤
Bless Mimi'what a loverly lady and her love for the VW Bug
I could not wipe the smile off my face watching that interview. I live about 5 miles from that dealership and I was born in October of 1969. I swear I have seen Mimi driving around town before and we go to the same Costco:)
She was right about driving it within it's limits, my parents took 2 trips in their 1960 bus, once to Canada and one time to Yellowstone, thats when the national speed limit was 55 , perfect speed for VW'S.
old european standars are like 70,80, 90 kmt on highway. 90=55 (55,9) for the mentals
My mom had a Beetle, we both drove it like we stole it. Nobody ever believes me that its top speed was 85 mph. I once got a ticket doing 80 back when the speed limit was 55. If you check the forums driving at 75-80 mph isn’t uncommon on later year models.
@@LuckyCharms777 our shop rebuilt lots of engines in the 70's, and after seeing the damage, I didn't want to rebuild mine all the time, I built an 1835 and it ran forever, and had the " Git up and go" when I needed it!
@@donaldbrittsan984
Nice. She had a good mechanic, but it never needed a rebuild that I knew of.
Hey correction, I owned two VW busses[I must have been nuts} 55mph is on LEVEL ground. Try ANY hill and its '5.5' mph
I love Mimi … her attitude and love of her special car resonates with so many of us. She’s proof that with proper care, a car can look amazing for many years!!
I like the way these old mums cherished their husbands, unlike today, she can't forget my husband.
What a WONDERFUL story. This is the way car ownership should be. I know of people who trade their cars every year. When you think of the cost over a lifetime, it is incredible. Mimi is in the rare scenario whereby she could actually sell her car for more than she paid for it more than 50 years earlier. Good on her. Greetings from Ontario, Canada.
I'm living in motor valley in Italy (near Maserati, Ferrari, Pagani, Lambo, Ducati ecc.) and all we love our cars, this is the testimony that if you love a car it will pay you back faithfully. Thanks for your video and greetings from Italy.
yes it uß eveñ new nidèñîñes
What a sweet lady. It's cool that she's had this car for 53 years. I love the original Bugs.
im only 5 years into the car i will own for the rest of my life.
Bugs
what a precious woman. i hope she lives another 90 years.
This is great! Thank you Hot VW Magazine for honoring this lovely woman. I own a classic VW dealership and repair shop in Bend Oregon and I too have had the honor of meeting folks who have bought their classic VW's brand new. The stories are priceless! Cheers!
What a Lovely old Lady, the car too 😁😁😀😀💓
WOW that's so rad ! Mimi is the real deal. What a great lady. She's classy and a VW queen.
What a beautiful lady! 😍 Great interview.
What a great story! I love it. My Dad had a 68 Baby blue Beetle that carried all five of us to Arizona from Illinois in 1969. My two teen sisters were in the back with the seat laid down, and I rode on my Mom's lap the entire way! (different times) We left a day after my Aunt and Uncle who were driving a new Buick Skylark and we actually beat them there! That was a story shared at every holiday and the Aunt and Uncle never got over it! lol I was only a toddler and my folks said I cried everytime we went near the car after that trip! ;) Dad wanted a new Beetle or Kharmin Gia or Bus and I remember all of them sitting in our driveway for a test drive circa70-71 but he ended up buying a brand new Caprice with a 396 and a trailer package to tow our 21' Scamp. That thing was junk it puked out all of the oil and trans fluid on it's maiden voyage and since Dad had paid cash for it new GM wouldn't do ANYTHING about fixing it. We ended up with a 70 Mercury Monterey with a 429 INterceptor in it. We never had another VW but I've alway had a soft spot for them!
That is super cool. The car and the beautiful soul named Mimi.
Those wheels really make it stand out!
I'm a 1970 model year as well.
❤ to Mimi & the 🪲
HAHA!! Awesome! Great to see that Mimi is the type who finds what she wants and sticks with it (husband, VW, etc.). I was quite surprised that the wheels were new '70s... Fun, fun stuff!!! Many more years of enjoying life, Mimi!
Kinda hope the dealership owner buys it and puts it in the showroom with all its documentation and a picture of Mimi.
It needs to be preserved now and not run the risk of being out on the road and involved in an accident.
God bless her
What a character! The love Mimi has for her Beetle is clear for everyone to see. Lets hope they both enjoy a few more years together.....well done Mimi! ❤😎
Delightful lady!
Salt free and warmer temperatures really are good to vehicles.
What an amazing story! We need to see more stories like this!
" And it's my car" I know the feeling.✌️👍
I'm in awe of Mimi, she truly is the GOAT VW owner.
Someone might need to explain GOAT but yes she is! Good human! ✨
God bless you Mimi.
These legendary cars were made to last. No electronics. Simple to maintain, with little care. No recalls. Every thing back then was honestly made.
Until they start rusting🤣🤣
@danialk8387 that's just false. Modern cars need less maintenance and last longer than ever.
So here's the thing. Like everything in life there's a balance, you're not quite off but you're not right either. These engines had to be rebuilt and replaced every 100k kilometers, because they would become junk with use. If you went into an accident, you were basically in a thick metal coffin which was compacting on your body.
Does that mean I'm defending the horrible cut costing, consumerist built, low quality parts and over-engineering with unnecessary sensors of the modern era cars? Heck no, I never owned a new car, and I will never buy one. But to idealize what we had and was offered back then is also wrong.
@@steve8803I'd agree with you up til about 2010-2011. Depending on the manufacturer, shortly after 2011, there isn't a car engineered to last longer than 15 yrs tops.
Troubleshooting & diagnosing let alone doing the job itself (assuming one can properly diagnose) sends the modern sh*tbox off to the crusher, because it's simply not worth it anymore for 90% of people. Electronic dependence for the sake of electronic dependence has assured modern cars ALL become bricks. No one is spending $15-20k in electronic garbage replacement, reprogramming, coding, cloning, etc with dealer only software (which is now becoming cloud based & you & I will NEVER own or have access to it) on a 13 yr old car that is worth $15k itself. Modern cars do NOT get rebuilt, they get thrown away because they are GARBAGE. Fast, shiny, gimmicky GARBAGE.
Cars now are much safer and reliable, as others have said. Where I do agree 100% with you was simplicity. These cars were SIMPLE, so that when things needed fixing they were extremely easy to repair. Cars now? NO. They’re nightmares to fix and cost a fortune to maintain. Doesn’t matter what brand, even Toyota isn’t the same as their 80s and 90s models. Simplicity in engineering makes a better car overall. The cars now are more reliable for sure - but you must do the maintenance. Many don’t.
Mimi is a national treasure!
I hope I can do so many things when I'm 90
Much love and respect for the beautiful and energetic elderly. She is so humble and with a sharp memory. This is the definition of BLESSING
"I just take my time..." What a sweet lady. The world needs a lot more drivers like her on the road, and off the road, too. It would be a much nicer place.
You should do a long interview on this woman. Even if it's only a small audience.
She's got some secrets to happiness.
What a delightful interview with such a sweet lady! She is adorable and so is her beloved 1970 Beetle! It is a pure joy to see someone take meticulous care of her car for all those years. May she be blessed with many more years of life and joy with her Beetle. 😊🚗❤
Sure is an incredible story mimi she loves her beetle has given her many years of service 400 thousand miles and so well cared for you can see its her baby amazing story
Older people take care of their cars a lot better than the younger generations. They know the value of a dollar.
What a fantastic story and what a lovely lady!
"I drive it with love". Very well said. As a VW Bug owner myself, I say this is the only way they should be driven.
Congratulations, Mimi and Lovey.
And I bet she is a better driver than most! She said she looks around which clearly most people don't do!
I had a friend that had one but he drive like he stole it. fun times!
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Nice looking car. I like original cars and trucks good job keeping it in such good condition
Please do an article on her and the bug, I think she deserves a front page issue. My first car is a 70 bug that I’ve had for 17 years and people like Mimi are the reason I’ll never sell mine.
Never sell it. If you do, you’ll eventually regret it. Always keep some spare cash saved to keep it running. Most cars get parked because people can’t afford to fix them, then next thing you know, years have gone by and it’s in worse condition than it was when it was originally parked.
Yes hopefully they do a cool little feature! Put a 1970 picture on the cover! She was probably a cutie and a looker in that Bug with mag wheels ha.
Yay Mimi!
You remind me of Charles Phoenix’ mom ha.
Wow the original US mags?
Beautiful period glass etching - yeah that was a mod back then lol.
Wow for any of us having a bad day or feeling sorry for ourselves - you are truly an Inspiration! 🏁✨ Go #Lovey 🏁 OG Love Bug ha
Mimi is also in wonderful condition for 90 years old ❤
That was fantastic!
Reminds me of my neighbor back in the late 1970s. She had a 1951 Split Window VW Bug that she bought new.
She litterally only drive it 2 miles a day to her job. 5 days a week. Garage kept - mint condition. Light blue / white interior
I love this History and the Lady too❤
What great story and what a great lady!! Looks fantastic for 90, and the car looks amazing for 53!!
I've Been A Mechanic Since 1973. I Worked For Volkswagen And Audi Dealers For 33 Years. I Loved Working On The Old Air Cooled Vw's. I knew Those Cars inside And Out. Still Have All The Special Tools For Servicing And Repairing Them.
What an incredible story, much health and miles to Mimi! Greetings from Brazil
What a absolute sweetheart of a woman 90 years old and driving her original bug Her and her husband brought new God bless you sweetheart👏👏👏
I love the way gramma's bug has wide alloy wheels in the back.
Whoever gets this car after Mimi better take care of it like she did in honor of this wonderful woman.
Super cool to be the original owner, what a lovely woman too. I'd read a full feature on that bug and Mimi's stories about her adventures driving it!
Great idea - yea a little sit down feature. She must have some old vacation pics and around Capo!
This is the best video I've seen on UA-cam. What a wonderful lady still enjoy life.
Great interview Eddy! THANK YOU! Meeting Mimi was definitely the highlight of the day for me on Sunday!
Me too!!! Absolute pleasure!!
This is an incredible testament to how good of cars VWs can be. 400k miles...wow, that's something you'll normally see on their diesel cars! What a wonderful person Mimi is
VWs are great cars. You have to maintain them properly. Lots of people don’t and wonder why they break.
Mimi is the coolest grandma ❤
Just being cognizant, and still driving at her age, impressive in their own rights.
She is adorable with her car! This is California I seen a 85 years old guy driving a Miata by the Stinson beach road like a racer, I was amazed by that!
Age is just a number as long as u take care of yourself and your car will bring u timeless happiness!!
Positive thinking and living. I'm 67 and she makes my pulse rate go up. What a gal.
Fantastic story 🥰👏👏
She deserves to be on Jay Leno 😉👍✌️
This indeed is a perfect Jay Leno story. Original and unrestored with the original owner! 👍
That’s right!
I’m 59 now. Originally from Germany, I was a apprentice for VW/Audi from September 1979 to May 1982. I actually do miss the simplicity of this Volkswagen. No hassle with electronic or sensors. Just start and drive. The engine was taken out of the body in 30 minutes. Now these days, mechanics need a couple hours on some cars to replace the spark plugs. And I am not starting with electric problems….. Love the old Volkswagen cars!
what an amazing story!
This lady is a true inspiration - and delightful. Full marks go to the guy doing the interview too - he conducted it with respect and enthusiasm. Thank you both!
Great story about a very cool car and a lovely special lady who owns it. She was very wise to hold on to it for all these years. I still have the red '67 Beetle that my father bought new at Holbert's VW in Warrington PA. It's not on the road anymore and has been stored in a barn since 1995, but hopefully someday I will get it running and rolling again.
There's NO WAY that that lady acts like a 90 year old let all ne LOOKS 90!
That lady looks and sounds totally amazing
Lisa UK xx