I was having flashbacks of the good old days when we would hop in the bug (Volkswagen beetle 1969)and go for a joy ride. Every time we would go out it was an adventure because that little bug could go anywhere and we could whip in and out of traffic easily. I have had a variety of beetles over the last 25 years, and have had great times in every one of them. So many memories, but one in particular always comes to mind first.
We had moved to one of the larger cities in the state and lived in a small apartment. My two sons were both pre-teen agers so we always had a lot of activity going on. Friday afternoon and I was home from work early, we had lunch and then wrestled around for a bit.
It was a beautiful fall day in Montana, and my two sons and I were getting ready for our afternoon cruse around town or maybe into the mountains. We threw our jackets in the bug and backed out of the driveway. ( I have to mention here that when I drove that bug it was full bore) There were no seat belt laws then and I don't think there were any seat belts in the cars, and the only speed limits we had were in the city limits.
Most of the time the boys would kneel on the back seat facing the rear window and hold onto the back of the seat, so they could see more of the action.I shifted into gear and pushed the peddle to the metal, and then second gear, then third gear, just then my sons said DAD there is fire coming out the back of the bug. I thought maybe the tail pipe was dragging and it was just sparking, so I slowed down and stopped the car. As I walked around the back I could see the engine was really on fire. I quickly opened the car door and grabbed my jacket. The boys jumped out and stood over by the sidewalk watching. I went back around and got down to reach under the car and smother the fire. God must of been watching because I was able to put it out in a few seconds with no injuries.
I checked around the engine and found that the fuel line had popped off and that is what started the fire. We had only gone about a block, so we pushed the bug back home.I looked around the garage for another piece of hose to put back on; with the new hose on we all got back in and took it out for a test run. Everything worked fine, so we drove around for a couple of hours and went back home. Another day of simply living life as it comes.
