It started in the summer of 97 when I bought my first bug in Lompoc, Ca it was a ' 74 super beetle. My brother and I worked on it and got it running but I wanted a show bug and I knew that this bug was not of show quality!!

Then in 2003 I got a job in Oxnard, Ca and decided this is it I am going to find someone that knows how to restore bugs. I had been collecting items for my bug since I bought it.

I looked in the Yellow pages and found the "Bugshakk" called and a gentleman called Blase McFadden answered and he said bring my bug in and he will take a look, this was in July 2003. I left it at his place so he could decide whether to do the work or not. He called about two weeks later and said he wanted to see me. When I arrived he told me that the rust was too much and that it wouldn't be worth restoring, but that he had a ' 73 super beetle body that would fit all my collected items. So we agreed and that began the long journey to the restoration of that body.

First the body was totally stripped of everything, then the floor pans were replaced, and the undercarriage was rust proofed. After everything was removed it was sent across the street to Jeff Roberson to have it painted. Jeff and I worked closely together so that I could convey exactly how I wanted it painted. Jeff sanded the bug to the metal primed it twice, painted it three times and then clear coated three times. It was Jeff’s and Blases idea to have a mural put on the gas tank, because I told them that I wanted this bug dedicated to Sept 11. They both knew an awesome airbrush artist named "Tramp". I gave him a call and we set up an appointment. Jeff had a metal cover made for the gas tank so that Tramp would have something to paint on. I designed what I wanted and I took it all over to "Tramp" and within 4 weeks he had done the most incredibly awesome picture I had ever seen, it truly brought tears to my eyes. After the paint on the bug had dried it went back to Blase to finish up (the paint job took three months). The time frame is now around Dec 2003.

I had, like I said, some stuff for the bug already like a whole new interior from "Sew Fine". I told them what I wanted and they perfectly designed it. Blase worked hard on my bug to make it as perfect as an old bug can get with after market products. He even went that extra step and painted my engine red and blue to match the car theme. The day of debarkation from the restoration asylum was the day before the "Bug Panic" in July 2004.

At the Bug Panic they had the most awesome bugs and I know that most bug shows prefer the really old bugs, so I knew I wasn't going to win, but it sure was great being there! Then on the Last weekend of July was the "VW Trend Dyno, Show and Shine" in Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange county. I won a trophy at that show, and it was the most exciting thing that could happen.

My goal is to go to as many shows as I can. I don't want people to forget Sept 11th and that is why I created this design. Everyone in America should return to that feeling of unity that we had on that day and in the weeks to follow. The problem with the U.S. is that we are such an instant society and move on too quickly. But I quess that is what makes us a great country because we don't dwell in the past and are able to get up, shake ourselves off and continue on. What happened on Sept 11th was truly a tradegy so please don't forget those who gave thier lives then and are still giving thier lives for freedom!!