My "New" 1966 Pearl VW - My Dream Car

MissHilda · Post by **MissHilda** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:58 am

Dear VW Folks:

I'm very excited to show you a pic or two of my ultimate car! I've been dreaming about buying this car, from the original owner, for about 6 years!

The orginal owner, Mrs. Garman, is 95 and her son doesn't want her to drive a stick shift anymore. As you can see, Mrs. Garman is too cute for words. Please don't feel sorry for Mrs. Garman as she now happily drives a brand-new white Jetta!

I finally have my dream car! After a few sleepless nights, I've decided to name her Miss Hilda.

Miss Hilda was always kept in a heated garage. There is no rust or damage and it has the original engine. (1300) Miss Hilda was undercoated. The only thing that is not original is the sunvisor, which I'm not that crazy about, tires, and the running boards that were replaced. And the bumpers were "re-chromed" a few years ago. Oh, and the window rubber gaskets were replaced & a bit of the carpeting was replaced, but it still matches the original dark red carpeting.

(I'm considering taking off the sunvisor. But perhaps someone on this forum could give me some advice, before I proceed.)

I have all the orignal papers (owners manual, service records, etc.).

My only concern is that I have to get it inspected next week and some buzz-kills in my office are warning me that I'll have to install seat belts. (I plan to put a regular license on my car, not classic or antique tags, because I want to drive my new car regularly.) Miss Hilda never had seat belts before, so I'm confused as to why I should need them now.

I plan to take Miss Hilda to a reliable, local mechanic who specializes in VW repair & inspection.

If anyone has advice about whether a 1966 VW (Pennsylvania) would need seat belts after all these years, I'd love to hear from them!

It's a very sweet car. And I hope you enjoy viewing!

Post by **jmartini** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:47 am

Hi MissHilda and welcome to the forum!!! Sounds like you found a great Beetle. Not many are still as origial as MissHilda!
For some reason the pictures are not attached so you may want to try again! I'm sure everyone would like to see them!

couion · Post by **couion** » Sun May 11, 2008 3:00 pm

What a jewel. I say keep the visor.

Post by **jmartini** » Sun May 11, 2008 3:26 pm

Gee what a beautiful car - what a great and lucky find! I'd probably keep the visor on as well! She sure is a beaut!

RobM · Post by **RobM** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:42 pm

Sweeeet! I wouldn't bother removing the sunshade.

SeeBlauKafer · Post by **SeeBlauKafer** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:40 pm

Oh by all means keep the sunshade! I also like the chrome eyebrows.

To me, owning a car in original condition is far superior to a restoration any day. Good job locating such a jewel.

exprof · Post by **exprof** » Sat May 24, 2008 7:27 pm

Beautiful car!

That's quite a find; I hope my Pearl White '66 looks half as nice once I've finished it.

Welcome to the forum!

empiracer1966 · Post by **empiracer1966** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:41 pm

MissHilda!

Welcome to the forum!! and Beautiful car!!!

I too live in Pa, 'bout 10 miles south of York!!

I didnt have any problem getting my '57 Ragtop inspected. But, Did you ever think about getting antique tags? Thats what I'm putting on "Ferguson"...the '57...long story

when I get the transaxle back in...previously, I got it inspected because I didn't like the "new" antique tags till I saw one with a picture of the owners car on it!!! not the model A, and thought it looked so kewl!! I talked to the owner and he said everyone in his "street-rod" club was doing it and that the feds had no problem with it as long as it didnt cover the numbers!!

Antique tags require no inspection and no yearly registration!!!

Brian

scruffy · Post by **scruffy** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:31 pm

I love the visor, had one on a 50 ford one time,blocks the sun glare.Nice car!In Mn. we run collector plates,one time 25bucks and nomore registration.Drive anywhere

valee · Post by **valee** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:37 pm

if you still need seat belts take a look here: http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wolfsburg_ ... t_belt.cfm

My 66 white beetle, Perlutza, got for Christmas a 3 point red pair. It was very useful recently when we went in RoVWij Beetele Meeting.
In Europe seat belts are mandatory.
Pictures with the seat belts here:
http://www.aircooled.ro/fol474739/event ... _0883.JPG/

I almost forgot: gorgeous car, you lucky one!!!!

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:39 pm

What a gorgeous L87 '66. I love the original red interior. I think '66 had the most comfortable stock seats of all.

I'd ditch the visor. It's looks like fiberglass '80s stuff.

rokemester · Post by **rokemester** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:13 pm

I had a pearl white 65 with a sunroof! Your car brings back fond memories. Beautiful find!!

JDRayner · Post by **JDRayner** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:21 pm

Congratulations on such a great find. I know from experience, as I became the owner of a 1966 VW Beetle, pearl white with red (pigalle) interior in February 2009. You are way ahead of me with the incomparable experience of knowing the owner, and having the original documentation. What a great story... one that you will enjoy for ever. Your Miss Hilda is wonderful.

I picked up my car on Valentines Day 2009, so we named her "Schotzi", which is german slang for "sweetheart". She is mostly original, and a real head turner. I have her registered as Antique, also in the southeast part of PA, Media Pennsylvania. So... have fun and ENJOY!

JDRayner

Cherokee · Post by **Cherokee** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:18 am

What a lovely looking genuine car, a brilliant find. Love the interior.

Enjoy driving your Beetle!

Cherokee

Roadbug · Post by **Roadbug** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 8:15 pm

Miss Hilda is the twin to our "Roadbug". Both are Export models in Pearl Weiss with red interiors. Ours came with seat belts but I don't know if they were added at Jacksonville (Port of Entry) or not.
Our's too beloned to a little old lady from 1966 to 1990 when she went to a nursing home and I bought it. Unfortunatly she hit the supports of her carport and I had to repair the fenders. Otherwise, it's as she left it, complete with a dash plaque from a VW Rally in 1967 glued oto the dasboard.
A lot of VW injuries in accidents were cause by occupants being ejected in the accident. I never drive anywhere without my belt being fastened.
Unrestored cars are always a hit anywhere, enjoy it and the sun visor.
Roadbug

The 1966 VW Beetle Forum

My "New" 1966 Pearl VW - My Dream Car

My "New" 1966 Pearl VW - My Dream Car

This Makes Two of Us!

Miss Hilda