In The Right Place at the Right Time
February 16, 2007
I am a certified lifelong Volkswagen nut! I was brought home from the hospital in a split window Volkswagen Type 2 ambulance. My family has had one Volkswagen or another for the most part while I was growing up. My Dad tooled around Manila in the 60s and 70s in a full auto Type 3 Fastback, while my Mom had her red GT with aircon. My affinity with the air-cooled is as strong now, if not stronger, than when I first heard the sweet sound from those first pea-shooter exhausts. These cars are unique and to my eyes, are the most beautiful ever made.
Recently (February 3, 2007) I was fortunate to purchase a Herbie replica from another Volkswagen fan and former Volkswagen Club of the Philippines President, Doy Bondoc. He had purchased this 1963 Volkswagen that was in a very rough condition from Ejay Baldivino. Ejay had to leave for the States and sadly had to sell his Herbie.
Ejay said " ME SO SAD SO SAD! to tell U da truth guys masakit para saken to sell da car it was GOD's gift for me as before i was Praying for a bug & di ko akalaen na i would find a 63 bug. so i told my D group about it sa church namen sa CCF & they wer all happy&lalo na nung nakita nila yung bug& it became Herbie every tym mag bible study kame i would bring da car&manga kapit bahay nil matanda man or bata&isip bata hehe! tuwang tuwa ke Herbie& my friend in abs told me nga na me bago daw show na coming dis April or May a kid show & gagawin daw nilnang regular dun si Herbie da other nite papaunta ako sa set ng maalala mo kaya at dapat dadlhin ko Herbie & kaso aywa pa nila na pakita ko si Herbie sa ibang staff sa abs para daw me thrill…hahaha! kaya ako di nag punta beeps sa tambayan sa visayas nung byernes nag ask muna ako ng sign to GOD to sell or not to sell…..ayoko nga talaga pumunta u.s. pero its my grandmothers wish na bu,alik sya don&don nya gusto mamatay shes 85yrs Old & LOVES Beetle hahaha!!! so thank you guys sa mang coments nyo. GOD BLESS & I ask for your PRAYERS allso…. "
When Doy first got Ejay's Herbie, it was really in a sorry state. It had no bumpers, no interior, mismatched fenders and a leakin 1200. The brakes were shot and had a tinny stero. He was the one who lovingly searched for some of the vintage parts and repaired some of the things that needed repairing. Good used chrome bumpers were located. Bug-eye fenders and signal lights were put on. An original Volkswagen ragtop was grafted and recovered with fresh beige material. The interior was refreshed with new sidings, rear seats, carpeting, ivory knobs and steering wheel. A pair of Recaro NJoys, with matching beige seat covers were fitted in place of the rotten original seats. The old 1200 was replaced by a strong runnin, leak free 1600, the steering and brakes were PORTO-fied, and a rare locking shifter was pirated from an early convertible.
Unfortunately, he had to move on and sell Herbie. And Lucky me to be in the right place at the right time!
After our bug run to Pampanga, I sent him to Jon's for a brake rebuild as he seems to be losing fluid. A nice lowering job will probably tighten up the handling. O the stripes and gumballs are not "accurate" and are probably on the top of my to do list. Wider rims with performance rubber is also scheduled as well as decent sounds and an aircon. BUT I'm just having too much fun with Herbie these days.
