Every car enthusiast dreams of opening that fated barn door to find a forgotten piece of automotive history. Josh Yager, Volkswagen merchant at Mid America Motorworks, made that dream a reality when he found a 1974 Super Beetle only 15 miles from Mid America Motorworks’ corporate campus in Effingham, Ill. The Bug’s black exterior was hidden beneath 15 years of garage dust and dirt, giving Josh only a glimpse of the red interior. Still, purchasing the car was an easy decision. Josh (no relation to our Chief Cheerleader) learned about the VW, called the owners to inquire about the car and […]
Every car enthusiast dreams of opening that fated barn door to find a forgotten piece of automotive history. Josh Yager, Volkswagen merchant at Mid America Motorworks, made that dream a reality when he found a 1974 Super Beetle only 15 miles from Mid America Motorworks’ corporate campus in Effingham, Ill.
The Bug’s black exterior was hidden beneath 15 years of garage dust and dirt, giving Josh only a glimpse of the red interior. Still, purchasing the car was an easy decision. Josh (no relation to our Chief Cheerleader) learned about the VW, called the owners to inquire about the car and made the purchase all in one day.
“Seeing Bugs at work all the time, pretty soon you get the fever to have one yourself. I missed driving my fully-restored 1963 ragtop and I wanted a daily driver that came with a few projects. I saw this car and loved the colors — it’s just what I was looking for,” he said.
With only 76,000 original miles and most original parts still on the car, Josh knew he had something special. He is only the third owner of the Super Beetle and has plans to make repairs and upgrades during the Winter. He has already started the process, choosing a new rebuilt carburetor as the first Mid America Motorworks part he put on the Bug. He has also replaced the fuel tank, installed chrome Fuchs replica wheels and tires, and added a ceramic exhaust muffler for improved appearance, sound and performance.
Josh plans to replace the floor pans, upgrade the entire front suspension and interior — from carpet to seats — as well as some minor electrical fixes. The Super Beetle will be completed and on display at Funfest for Air-Cooled VW June 1-3, 2012.
