Michelle & Birdie
Model:
1961 Beetle
Name:
Birdie (a.k.a. My Little Go-Getter). When I lived in San Francisco, it was beyond fun taking on the hills—this car could handle anything! That’s when she earned her name: Birdie, my wings to all kinds of adventures.
Color:
Same paint as when I bought her.
Mileage:
I’m sure it’s rolled over a couple of times.
Motors:
At least its second engine by now.
Owned since:
2008
Owners:
Only know the guy I bought it from.
Location:
California
Favorite driving song:
Three songs make every drive a celebration when the sun is shining: “Best Damn Day of My Life” by Greg Camp, “It’s a Beautiful Day” by the Kiffness, “Mr. Blue Sky” (the Weezer version).
I first saw Birdie parked out in front of my work and I thought, Who’s car is that? I love that car. It turned out it belonged to a guy I worked with. He wanted to go to Tahoe and was also going on a lot of dates. Birdie is not a good date car, so he was ready to move on to an adventure vehicle. It was perfect timing—he literally sold it to me for what he bought it for, which I would do too if I was ever ready to move on to an adventure vehicle.
We bought the car because we were in the city and had no car. Well, Sarah had a car—this old Saturn that kept getting stolen. We would get it back, and it would be all cobbled together—the trunk wouldn’t close anymore; the stereo had been stolen, so there was just a gaping hole. It was such a junker. We didn’t have a lot of money; we were just beginning our careers.
Birdie has been my trusty sidekick for years. She’s more than just a car—she’s a reminder of all the fun, freedom, and unforgettable moments along the way. I can’t wait for the next adventure with her!
Birdie was our only car for a really long time. We drove it all up and down California. We’ve done a lot of camping trips. We had this big dog, Banjo, and we would load her in the back and hit the road every weekend to get fresh air and go camp. It’s been everywhere. We drove to our friend’s wedding in Carmel from San Francisco, and that’s a long ride for a little car. We would drive up to Mendocino all the time and stay at what used to be a hippie compound. There are little houses you can rent right off the beach off highway 1. Driving through the redwoods is beautiful. I have that AAA distance towing package just in case!
This is my second VW. I had a Super Beetle right before I went to college, and then my parents said, “Here, take this old pickup because it’s more reliable.” And it was. It was a little Isuzu. It was such an ugly thing: It had a camper shell with zebra stripes painted on it because I was an art student. It was awful. I couldn’t justify getting a new car, because it just kept running.
We also had a Bug when I was a kid. When we moved from California to upstate New York, my dad went ahead of us to get settled, and my mom and I traveled across the country in that little red Bug. And we made it! Just her, me, and a Chihuahua. I guess there is always a dog in the car.
There is no plan too big or too small for Birdie; we are always ready for whatever the road has in store.
I’ve been driving this little ’61 for seventeen years; it only left me in a jam one time. One time! I love the rack because my wife bought it for me. I love the wings because I like to let the air in—and it looks like it’s gonna fly away. I love when you go by kids and they wave. It just brings joy. It has a little smile. And I really like when people punch each other when they see it.
Birdie and Banjo were such a big part of our lives. We got married, we became responsible loving adults. This car has been with me through this huge chapter in our lives. It’s an extension of us. I will keep her forever. It’s my heart.
