Volkswagen UK Warms Hearts with Beetle Story and Restoration

The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the best loved cars in the history of automobiles and that’s because of stories like Barry Openshaw’s.

Volkswagen UK recently sent out a call on social media to hear people’s fondest memories with their VWs. Barry submitted his, and it was chosen as the most meaningful, so VW got a crew together to surprise Barry with a blast from his past.

Barry’s story starts in the 1973 when his dad brought home a new Beetle. “It was a unique color because it was gold!” he says. “It felt quite special.”

According to Barry, the family had never bought a new car, so getting this one felt great, and from a young age Barry couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel.

“[My dad] used to take me to Southport, sit me on his lap and I used to steer the car – just up the beach,” says Barry. “My oldest brother, Keith, courted his wife in that car. He got married and moved to Canada, it’s got to be over 30 years ago. There’s just something about it that takes me back to my childhood.”

With Barry’s mother passed away, and his father struggling with dementia, Volkswagen UK decided to reunite Barry with his brother and his Beetle, on the beach where they drove with their father.

“It’s absolutely gorgeous, and it looks like new!” says Barry. “It really takes me back to my time as a kid in the ’70s.”

Although they couldn’t find Barry’s exact Beetle, they did find a 1300 from the same year, and set about restoring it and painting it gold to match Barry’s.

“It was incredible to see his reaction when we presented him with the 1970s Beetle, and well worth all the hard work in sourcing and restoring the car,” says Thomas Brady, VW communications manager.

Barry says that he wants to keep the car and show it calssic car events as often as he can.

The post Volkswagen UK Warms Hearts with Beetle Story and Restoration appeared first on VWVortex.

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