In the 1960s and 1970s, they were all the rage, especially after the movie “The Love Bug.” Who didn’t want a VW Bug? In 1970 during the summer, we join the crowd and purchased a dark green one affectionally called “Herbie the Green Bug.”

The Colorado State Fair was a few weeks later in Pueblo and we decided to take our brand-new car on vacation. Pueblo is 140 miles from Boulder, and on the way back home the decision was made that our Herbie, was going to be an in-town car only.

Not only did I learn to drive in that car, but I also learned to love to drive a stick shift. By my junior year in high school, I needed my own car, so my dad purchased a 1962 Bug from our neighbor for $50.00. We made a lot of comparisons on how far they had come from 1962 to 1970. One of the biggest differences was, when it snowed the windshield wipers could handle the snow.

During a very heavy wet March snowstorm, I had to pick my brother up from swim team practice in my beloved 1962 Bug. Halfway home the windshield wipers fell off to the sides of the windshield. For the rest of the drive home, my brother hung out of his window and dusted the snow off with a snow brush. Fun memories, and not something I’d try today.

Sometime in the late 70s, I traded my Bug in for a used Mazda RX-3, I felt like I betrayed a best friend. But it was time. The Mazda RX-3 had many problems and I traded it in for a used Toyota Hatchback Corolla. I kept that car until 1984 when I sold it to my father.

After that, our little Herbie the Green Bug took his last drive up our back driveway where he stayed until April 16, 2023.

Over the years he continued to deteriorate, losing more and more paint. He became a home for Yellow Jackets every summer. Everyone, my dad, my brother, and I talked about restoring him. At a certain point, no one had the time or energy to do it. Herbie continued to lose his luster and was now an embarrassment to himself and us.

My brother was going to sell him, and my nephew was going to sell him, but he just sat there year after year.

Mom turns 90 in June, and we’ve decided to have her party in our backyard. A quick call to my brother went, “Fine we can have the party here, but don’t you think we should clean up the backyard and sell the Bug?”

“Where are we going to sell it?

“I’ll go on Facebook and see if I can find some VW Bug groups.”

“Have fun.”

I found two groups. One immediately accepted my request to join them. With the pictures I posted I wrote, “It needs some tender loving care. 1970 – original owner. I learned to drive with it. Lots of rust and hasn’t been started in years. We also have extra fenders.”

Three minutes later I started getting,

“How much?”

“Where are you located?”

We hadn’t discussed what we’d sell it for, so I texted my brother, “I’ve got live ones, what are we selling it for?”

We decided on $500.00.

My next post was, “For, those interested in the price it’s $500 or the best offer. You have to haul it away.”

Two minutes later a response came in, “Patricia for $500, I’ll pick it up this weekend, I’m in the springs.”

I confirmed that the person really wanted him and posted that he had been sold.

On April 16th, in the afternoon, our little Herbie the Green Bug was pushed down the driveway and onto a flatbed trailer.

Many good memories went down the driveway, but it was time for him to start living again, and for someone else to enjoy him.