Damn it Gen!
12 Jan 2012 11 Comments
Did I ever tell y’all about how I inherited a ’71 VW bug from my grandfather? The car used to be my mother’s when she was college age and then, when my dad (her brand new husband) surprised her with a new car, her father took over the VW and kept her running and in good shape until he got too old to work on her anymore. So she’s been sitting on my grandparents driveway dying from neglect for about 3 or 4 years now.
When I inherited her I decided to name her “Gen” after my grandmother. I did so because when it breaks down I can yell “damn it Gen!” just like my grandfather yelled at my grandmother. It kind of became his catch-phrase. (My cousin likes to tell the story of how it took him a while to realize that my grandmother’s name was actually just Gen and not “Damnitgen.”)
Exactly two months ago my father and I had her towed to a body shop that specializes in Volkswagons. Good ‘ol VW Joe has been fixing her up and getting her running again. We went to pick her up yesterday, but my dad drove her around and said he wasn’t happy with a noise coming from the engine, and Joe said he’d keep at her. So I’m still VW-less.
I’m both excited to inherit this car as much as I’m frightened because, well, Aaron and I don’t need a fourth car to take care of (we already look after his car, my car, and the car that my parents leave at the apartment). AND it’s a stick… and I don’t drive stick… in fact I’m TERRIFIED of driving stick.
Sitting at the body shopping signing my name to a check of over a thousand dollars I started to think “mayyyybe this isn’t such a good idea.” Perhaps, once again, my sentimentality was outweighing my logical mind. But then my dad started up the car and when the sound, the smell, and the sight of this little green bug combined, I swear it was like seeing my grandfather again.
It was right then that I realized, there was never was any other choice. This car was and is going to be mine. No matter what, I’m not letting the story of this car die with my grandfather.
Aloha there, I'm Megan Finley. I'm a 30-something girl, living in Los Angeles with that guy I married and our rescued pets. I work online (a LOT) for the 
Jan 12, 2012 @ 19:34:02
I love it! And sticks aren’t a big deal once you get the hang of it — I spent 2 nights in a row driving around our neighborhood by myself, cussing and being pissed off, and then I figured it out.
Jan 12, 2012 @ 19:37:24
I’ve had more panic attacks than I’d like to admit while attempting to learn stick. BUT! I’ve only practiced on Aaron’s car which is very large compared to my mini cooper. So the size difference should help. Plus, I’m feeling a litte more brave since several people have told me VWs are really good cars on which to learn to drive stick. So, fingers crossed!!!!
Jan 13, 2012 @ 01:48:41
I can honestly say I am glad you are keeping the bug for the right reasons! Cheers Love
Jan 12, 2012 @ 20:14:25
You should also mention how grandpa changed it from an automatic to a stick like the amazingly skilled mechanic he was! I love grandpa =) and love the name of the bug =) Better learn how to drive stick!
Jan 12, 2012 @ 20:53:57
I thought about adding that part, but it was getting too wordy and not-so-much TERRIBLY relavent to the story. But yes, damn it LAUREN!!!!
(And thank you for commenting over here. I appreciate it.)
Jan 13, 2012 @ 07:57:54
Once you learn to drive a stick you’ll never want to drive an automatic again! I had to switch back to auto and I still sometimes slam my left foot down for no reason.
Jan 13, 2012 @ 11:10:34
HA! That’s funny. Ghost clutch?
I don’t know… living in LA makes driving a stick annoying. BUT people have told me that it is also fun (when you’re NOT sitting in traffic). We’ll see!
Jan 13, 2012 @ 13:51:35
Megs,
Even when it was an automatic, it was still tricky to drive, and especially trying to get it in reverse….hence, when we left for our honeymoon, we told Grandpa Tharpe and Mimmy they should use her while they were in LA……they still lived in New Orleans at the time, but Grandpa had an appraisal job (Hollywood/Burbank Airport!) and they were staying at LACC. Daddy and I met them there for dinner one night. We usually didn’t take the VW to LACC, rather arrived in style in Dad’s 911:-) However, I was meeting them there after work (from Century City right across the street), and parked, of course, “pole” position in LACC parking lot… Grandpa was to move it to the “residence” parking later that night…. We left on our 2 week trip, and it turns out the little green bug stayed right where I had parked it for the entire time! Grandpa couldn’t figure out how to get it out of reverse…and neither could any of the parking valet’s, club manager’s, caddies, etc. who all tried!!!! You can imagine her greeting all the members and guests for 2 weeks….not a car one usually saw in that parking lot:-)
And then there is just ONE of the many times I locked the keys in Gen (apparently VW’s are known for being able to do that, since EVERY AAA guy sent to unlock it told me that). Dad and I were on a mini vacation to Carmel. Dad wanted to get a picture of the hole where he scored a hole-in-one. And since the golf course is on the 17 mile drive, we were able to drive to the hole somehow. We were in Gen (come to think of it, even back then Dad didn’t want to drive his nicer car in order to save putting miles on it!) and Dad told me to stay there while he went over to take the shot….I looked sad, and Dad said, “Alright, lock it up and come along.” So I did, and then when we got back to the car he asked me for the keys……”uh, I thought YOU had them!” Dad had to walk all the way back to the clubhouse to call AAA…..we were first dating then…..and he STILL married me!
Just some of the memories I had with her, and I am so happy you will be adding some of your own.
Love, Momita
Jan 13, 2012 @ 13:57:20
Oh, and the reason I gave it to Grandma and Grandpa, was cuz Dad surprised me with a new BMW 320i the first year we were married….my very first brand-new-literally-off-the-showroom-floor car!!!
Jan 13, 2012 @ 15:11:31
OMG! Those are HILARIOUS stories!!! I was dying from laughter at the thought of her sitting right in front of the LACC for two freaking weeks! Unreal.