1967 Volkswagen Beetle Restoration

Kathleen Brooks bought her first Beetle in December 1966 in Riverside, Calif.—a red 1967 model she quickly named Annie. Ever since, Annie has been Kathleen’s daily transportation, racking up more than 350,000 miles over 51 years, or enough to circle the globe 14 times, and Kathleen, now 73, still drives Annie to work.

After hearing about Kathleen and Annie’s special relationship last year, Volkswagen’s North American Region undertook a unusual project—offering to restore Annie at the North American home of the Beetle at the Puebla, Mexico, factory. Over the past 11 months, a team of some 60 Volkswagen employees and trainees reworked Annie back to factory-quality specs, with several custom touches that celebrate Kathleen’s dedication. This week, Kathleen and Annie were reunited, and Kathleen met key members of the Volkswagen team that led the restoration.

We often hear stories of dedicated Volkswagen owners, but there was something special about Kathleen and Annie that we felt we needed to honor, said Derrick Hatami, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. The original Beetle launched our business in the United States. This isn’t just a Beetle, it’s a member of her family, and after all the time our employees have spent with this special vehicle, we feel Annie is a part of our family as well.

Brooks works with breast-cancer patients and survivors to provide comfort and cosmetic care during treatment and recovery. A three-time breast cancer survivor herself, Brooks says for over five decades Annie was a constant conversation starter with Beetle fans and owners, but also always there for me. I’ve said many times she and I are so much alike because she’s old, she’s faded, she’s dinged, she’s dented, she’s rusted, but you know what? She keeps running, says Brooks with a laugh. And as long as I take as good care of her as I can, she’s going to continue to run.

Even with Brooks’ best efforts, Annie had several needs when her restoration began in Puebla early this year, from a floor pan rusted through to the ground in spots to suspension, transmission and electrical challenges. Over 11 months, the Puebla team replaced roughly 40 percent of Annie’s parts and restored 357 original pieces, down to recreating the stickers that Brooks had added to the body and windows over the years. To properly restore her faded red paint, the team matched the original shade from the inside of the glovebox, sandblasted the body, repaired with a mix of period-correct and updated parts, and then reassembled.

Several parts of the vehicle were restored with better than their original factory parts, from the disc brakes that were an upgrade on later Beetles produced in Mexico to the AM/FM/Bluetooth stereo designed to mimic the look and feel of original Beetle radios. The wiring was completely redone; the transmission rebuilt and suspension upgraded. The engine was completely disassembled, cleaned, updated and rebuilt. Even the seats received a special touch, with Kathleen and Annie embroidered in a classic VW font over new leather. And to tie the car to the modern era, the car’s toolkit and jack was painted in deep sea teal metallic, the color of the 2018 Beetle Coast edition.

The goal, says project manager and mechatronics engineer Augusto Zamudio, was not to create a museum quality Beetle, but to bring Annie back to a state where Kathleen could drive and enjoy her for many more years to come.

When Annie arrived, our team members quickly understood the connection Kathleen had with her car and embraced this project wholeheartedly, said Steffen Reiche, CEO of Volkswagen of Mexico. Restoring this car posed a number of challenges, but also provided a demonstration of the dedication we put into every Volkswagen we build.

When Brooks parted with Annie, she wrote a heartfelt note to the Puebla team members thanking them for their efforts and asking them to take care of her special car. Zamudio says the feeling is mutual – and the team wrote Brooks back a note of their own.

[kathleenbrooks]

Annie is just like I am— old and imperfect! She is my one and only car. I drive her to work and tootle around town on errands etc. I had no idea of what to expect but was thrilled to be reunited with her. She is beautiful! She may not have all the original parts, but I’m not a purist (except when it comes to my coffee). The fact that her license plates and a few other features were kept the same is nostalgic. And for something being crooked, well, you should see me! All the best to you VW Beetle enthusiasts! Kathleen

[Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

My Dad drove one when we 4(!) kids were little. He, my mom and us could all fit as long as I sat in the cramped luggage area! Now, whenever I hear one coming down the street, it’s sound brings tears to my eyes. I’d LOVE to own one similar to this one!

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Better than the day it rolled off the production line. Beautiful, detailed restoration, well done to the team 🙌🏼

[wasimumer]

4:30 the guy wearing the black t-shirt at the left corner. That's me during my college group projects.

[redstickham]

That's a beautiful car. It would be great if we could still build cars like this, simple, affordable, reliable. One good thing about Beetles is if you do have a problem with it, no matter how mysterious, you know it won't be a glitch in one of the engine computer boxes!

I'm a cancer survivor myself and to me, there isn't someone more deserving than one who works with cancer patients and is a survivor herself. I hope you and Annie have many more years together.

[sobelou]

Congratulations Ms. Brooks!! You can't know how much this video delighted me. My first car ever was a 1967 VW just like this one, only differences were the color (mine was pearl gray) and I had the rear windows that can be opened a little bit, all with a 1500 cc engine that made her (name was Cleopatra) super agile and reliable. I still miss her simplicity and trustworthiness. Long and happy life for you and for Annie!!

Perfect. This is just perfect. I wonder how much it has costed. The result however is remarkable. Absolutely stunning.

[RebeckaJ.Hansen]

Restoring a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle is more than just reviving a classic car; it's a labor of love that connects enthusiasts with a piece of automotive history.

[sirswerve]

One of the greatest cars ever made. Loved by many and still seen on the streets today and hopefully tomorrow.

[vic]

What a beautiful restoration from the last vintage vw plant in Puebla. Muchisimas gracias a todo los trabajadores Mexicanos. Vive el vocho!

[jamieclay]

Beautiful restoration - the choice to go with the pre-67 headlights threw me a little as one of more iconic aspects of the '67 was then new headlight treatment. Still - what a labor of love. Bravo.

[nancybenton]

My first car was ‘69. When he started the engine I almost shed a tear. That sound. I can almost smell the Bug interior. So pretty.

[jerlaine]

Woe Annie is absolutely breathtaking now!

So glad Volkswagen did this for Kathleen!!!

[wannabee]

Wow! These have to be THE cleanest, best manicured mechanics I have EVER seen! :)

[c.c.hiliner]

My Dad bought a brand new Ruby Red bug just like this, when I was a small boy!
Beautiful!

[RickPiper]

Damn, this story, the video, and the music made me cry. What a wonderful job to all involved. Thank you for sharing the story.

[Shadow]

My FIRST car was a 1957 VW bug - man I loved that car -so many great memories.

[robertdavis]

Thanks again for sharing your experience with great results...I purchased the 1967 model brand new off the showroom floor & it was the best car I owned it was Polar White in colour...only sold because family size grew & needed something larger... cheers from Australia 😀

[imjosephvasta]

My first car was a 1974 VW Beetle. I do appreciate the craftsmanship of Volkswagen. Especially the older Beetles.

[MichaelBerrios]

I am literally crying. Love the TLC put into this VW's restoration back to its glory.