After test driving around a run-down neighborhood block in the Antelope Valley missing shifts, pumping the brake pedal and stalling the engine twice, I optimistically handed over the cash on a successful low ball offer and was handed the keys to my first car. We drove it straight to the local DMV (still on non-operational status with no tags mind you) and lucked out on having no back fees whatsoever.  Having lived its life in the high desert of California, this was a relatively rust free example of a Beetle, clean title and fresh paint too. On the drive home we were followed by a motorcycle sheriff and had to stop at the FLAPS because the crankcase had completely run out of oil. After learning to properly drive a manual transmission I discovered the gearbox syncronizers were shot, which made the driving experience similar to an early-Beetle "crashbox" transmission. Accidentally engaging reverse instead of 2nd gear was a daily occurrence. And the engine, oh the engine. On the positive side, it never needed an oil change if you added a quart a week. On the downside, it never needed an oil change if you added a quart a week. The shaking out of first gear problem I had for a year was due to the engine being held in by only three loose bolts.

I've since rebuilt everything mechanical. New engine with two oil changes on it, rebuilt Bus gearbox, upgraded axles, new wiring harness, rebuilt front suspension and full custom interior.