How Driving A Vintage Car Can Improve Your Life

My Surf Bug

My Surf Bug
My Surf Mobile

My first car was a 1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle. It was a great car for a 17-year-old, barring the fact it had no airbags, no power steering or brakes, and was about as durable as a tin can. It was a fun car to drive and served its purpose, but as I got older and graduated from college, I felt like I needed a “grown up” car. Or at least something with air-conditioning to deal with the Inland Empire summers.

Flash forward 29 years. I recently bought a ’69 VW Bug. It is my daily driver and we are both about the same age.

I also have an SUV that I can use when I need to haul people or stuff, or get somewhere safely and in a timely manner on the freeway, but it is definitely not my car of choice. It was a car purchased out of necessity; out of circumstance. When you have kids that you need to carpool around, that’s what you get. It’s the practical choice.

Well, I was done being practical. I spent the better part of 19 years being practical because that’s what you do when you have a family. And I was kinda over it. I was ready to say yes to a little bit of impractical.

I started coveting classic VWs seriously about 5 years ago. Now, I know what you’re thinking, if you’ve done the math this happens to correspond with my early 40s. Midlife crisis? Maybe. But, I was obsessed with finding a VW bug to drive around town so I could maneuver into parking spots easier and minimize gas usage more efficiently than in my SUV. I also knew how fun they were to drive. And as I’ve gotten older, fun has become an extremely important part of my life.

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A few months ago, after serious persuasion on my part convincing my husband VWs aren’t that dangerous, we bought one. And, I have been zipping around town with a huge grin on my face ever since.

I also have also come to realize that driving a vintage car improves your life. Sounds silly doesn’t it? But, I have experienced it first hand and I’m here to tell you it’s true. In fact, I’m here to encourage you to get a car that’s almost as old as you are.

Here are the ways driving a vintage car improves my life:
  • It keeps me mindful. Nothing happens fast in my bug. There is no remote to open the doors. There are no power windows. Even putting on and off the seat belts takes time. And, the fastest I go is about 60 mph on Pacific Coast Highway. (Don’t ever drive behind an old VW if you’re in a hurry btw!)
  • have to be in the moment. There’s a good chance if you drive a classic car, it is a manual transmission. This forces you to focus on the present. There is no way you can even think about your cell phone, drinking a Starbucks, or multi-tasking, while you’re driving a manual transmission. I’ve tried . . . the Starbucks part . . . didn’t turn out well.
  • Driving a classic car gives me peace. Sometimes in an older car, there may be conveniences that don’t work. The radio happens to not work in my car. At first I didn’t think I could handle this. But, what I realize is that when I am driving my bug, I can just be. I can concentrate on getting from point A to point B (in the most fun way possible) without distractions. The only thing I need to focus on is myself. I can actually hear myself think.
  • It makes people happy. I get stopped constantly. Strangers will see me in the parking lot and stop to ask what year my car is. They will smile and say they love it or tell me how they used to have one. People will pull up alongside me at stop signs and give a smile and a thumbs up. Vintage cars, and especially VWs, just make people happy.
  • Driving a car over 30 years old, takes me back in time. The interior of my car smells exactly like my first VW smelled. It sounds the same too, with that distinctive rumble you can hear from 3 blocks away. Vintage cars bring back good memories.
  • Cruising around town or down PCH in my VW is just plain fun. It’s a happy car and anything that makes people smile is a good thing to keep around.

I truly believe driving my classic VW makes my life better. If I can keep from getting into an accident, I know having this car will add years to my life. Well, that sounds a bit dramatic so let’s just say, it will add joy to my years.

Salty Kisses,

Karen

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12 responses to “How Driving A Vintage Car Can Improve Your Life”

  1. You are driving my dream car, except it must be yellow! Love it! I think I just moved it up my wish list. #Punchbuggy 😉 Thank you so much for linking up with #MidLifeLuv

  2. My first few cars were VW’s, my favorite being the yellow convertible I had for several years. I was in my early 20’s and I can still remember the fun I had driving it. Congrats on getting the car your heart wanted — you must look fabulous behind the wheel!

    Thank you for joining in on the first #MidLifeLuv, we’re so glad to have you!

    Kimberly
    http://FiftyJewels.com

  3. Sounds like fun! Vintage VWs are cars to wear like accessories – they say something about you. We often see the old VW camper vans around where we live – always trundling along behind everyone else as a reminder of how much faster life has become since those vintage VWs first hit the roads. Thanks for sharing this – made me smile.

    • Ahh I’m glad it made you smile Gilly! Thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment! And yes, vintage cars are to be worn like accessories! Love it!