My journey with the Bugs began in childhood, cradled by the gentle purr of our '55 Volkswagen Bug’s engine. It was more than a car; it was a member of the family. My siblings and I spent countless hours in the snug luggage space, lulled to sleep by the warmth of the engine.

At the tender age of ten, a jarring accident left the car’s chassis severely damaged, beyond the skills of any mechanic we knew. Yet, my father couldn’t part with it, and the Bug found a resting place in our garage, a silent witness to a decade passing by.

In 2010, hope rekindled when a garage owner, a connoisseur of Bugs and Kombis, proposed a trade. Our beloved Bug would embark on its final journey, not to the scrapyard, but to a place where it could give life to others as an auto salvage.

In exchange, we welcomed a '66 Bug into our lives, a vehicle yearning for a second chance. Its mechanical state was dire—on its maiden voyage to the gas station, it hemorrhaged fuel due to a loose hose. Subsequent trips revealed a faulty gas pump, halting fuel flow at every bump and jolt.

The car’s interior was a testament to neglect; seats wobbled, chrome flaked, and brakes screeched in protest. It was a Frankenstein’s monster, pieced together and yet, somehow, endearing.

Thirteen years have since passed, and the Bug has undergone a transformation. Opting for a custom ‘Cal look’ over the classic, I’ve infused it with my personality. The rims gleam anew, the windows don a mysterious tint, and the engine, a 1600 stock, boasts subtle yet stylish tweaks.

Proudly, ‘Volkswagen’ adorns the sides, a personal touch from my amateur foray into car painting. My father’s hands, my adventures partner, helped me laying the carpet, a fabric interwoven with our shared history

Embracing the electric era, I’ve ventured into the world of automotive electronics, installing a modern radio and bright for lamps with my own hands. The satisfaction of working on my car is matched only by the joy of driving it, feeling the hum of the engine as I share the road with friends who cherish their classic cars as much as I do.

And then there’s Pinky, my '66 Bug with a hue that whispers of sunsets and laughter. Named for its spirited attempts to ‘take over the world’ every night, Pinky is more than a car—it’s a dreamer, a rebel, and a cherished companion on the road of life.