... issues and tissues with a touch of the spicy from the spirit hag ...
Published on December 15, 2005 By mignuna In Misc

They say that the car you choose to drive says a lot about your personality. If that is true, I am obviously some type of deranged weirdo, because every single person that sees my car says exactly the same thing: “THAT thing is your car ?”.

Now before I go any further, let me explain that I love my car and plan to keep it for the rest of my life if I can, but it’s already as old as I am, and to be frank it looks like shit.

 

I’m not kidding. It’s painted this hideous dark blue colour (except for one door, which is light blue). It’s huge and weighs about 2 tonnes. It has a big smash in the side (which predates me). Only the passenger side door opens so you have to crawl over people to get out. It has green carpet, a brown floor, a white (rusty) roof, a silver bullbar and a tartan seat cover.

 

The top flies off the gear lever at inconvenient moments, the drivers window keeps dropping into the door cavity, and it’s so noisy inside you can’t hear yourself think, let alone speak to anyone.

 

It has no aerial, radio, air conditioning, power steering, cruise control, electric windows, interior lights, air bags, door handles, window seals, air vents, temperature gauge, trip meter or interior linings. It’s boiling in summer and freezing in winter and it’s perpetually full of sand and dog hair.

 

You have to start it by simultaneously pushing the ‘start’ button with one hand, turning the key with the other, and holding the gear lever to one side with your foot (no, I have no idea why it works but if you don’t do it, it won’t start).

 

My husband hates it and refuses to take it anywhere that someone might ‘see’ him in it. It is also possibly the most recognisable vehicle on earth, so obviously going anywhere in private or driving like a dick (should one want to) are totally out of the question.

 

Which I suppose begs the question ... why do I drive the bloody thing ?

 

There’s just no explaining my love for Iris, so named for her bright blue hue and old lady ‘cantankerism’. She’s big and comfortable and you can throw dogs and friends and surfboards and camping stuff in her and still have space to stretch out. I loved ‘her’ the moment I saw her and I have never wavered. 

 

I should explain that she also has a brand new 2-litre engine (that uses unleaded fuel and rivals vehicles currently produced for emission control) which is regularly serviced by a manufacturer licensed mechanic, plus a brand new gearbox, also regularly maintained.

 

But nobody can SEE that part.

 

So, if someone does judge me on my car, they’re getting the message that I’m dirty, untidy, unruly, mismatched, unreliable, unpredictable, loud, obvious, funny looking, enormous, environmentally ignorant, accident prone and temperamental.

 

(And that’s not fair, cause they’d only be half right)

 

Iris has gone beyond being a car to me and become some kind of symbol about the truth not always being immediately obvious about anything at all. She proudly exists in this world of superficial beauty, and I am proud to share that with her. What she has inside is what really counts, and, as in life, good looks have nothing on how she makes me feel.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Iris the Volkswagen Kombi:


Comments
on Dec 15, 2005
Hey mig,
Me and my 3 dogs would love to go for a ride to the beach with you and Iris!
on Dec 15, 2005
Iris has personality. I would hold onto her too.
on Dec 15, 2005

Iris has personality. I would hold onto her too

thankyou, locomama. iris does have personality. i hope i'm still driving her when i'm old and gray !

Hey mig,Me and my 3 dogs would love to go for a ride to the beach with you and Iris!

kelly, if you ever find yourself in Australia, me and my two dogs will take you up on that. it's a date !

mig xxx

on Dec 18, 2005

Aside from your love for the car, the derogatives would be a classic car-restorerer's dream. May Iris live on!

on Dec 18, 2005
It's a hippie bus! I think you got my dad's castaway...he used to own one of these in the late 70's. I still have fond memories of some of the trips we took in it.

-- B
on Dec 18, 2005
I think it's awesome, and since you live so close to the beach, you NEED what we call here an "island car"...something that has room for boogie boards and surf boards and towels and people...something that can get dirty and sandy and even rusty.

It's adorable, and very you! Perfect.
on Dec 19, 2005
It's a hippie bus!
Gee, that's right! Where are all the flowers? Though her name suggests it.
on Dec 19, 2005
I wonder what it is about VWs that causes people to form attachments. With my family it is the Karman Ghia. I know a lot of people who have obsessions with Bugs also. I think they remind us of much simpler times.

Best wishes to you and Iris.
on Dec 19, 2005
Well, it isn't a bicycle, but I guess it's ok.

I always liked those myself. Pretty cool.
on Dec 19, 2005

something that can get dirty and sandy and even rusty.

It's adorable, and very you! Perfect.
What? and risk ruining that gorgeous iris finish?

I think they remind us of much simpler times.
Be careful or the nostalgia will begin to make you feel older.

on Dec 20, 2005
Be careful or the nostalgia will begin to make you feel older.


Too late!
on Jan 29, 2006
Your Vehical is a VW Vanigon,they tend to last forever,most old VW parts morphedite well,meaning that they tend to be interchangable...(-; You white Roof is very important,try to keep it rust free and you may even paint it from time to time with a good oil base paint...(-; Just clean it up real good get it as rust free as you can the roll it with a fine black foam roller,if you pull masking tape lengthwise to te roller be4 painting, then you will get no fuzzies and it will look very professional and since it's a VAN, you can roll the sides too... Good Oil Based Paint will adhear to the metal and protect it from rust...

I have a Fleet of Very Old Trucks,I don't much care what people think, I just HATE RUST, Primer Red with no rust can be worth $35,000.00 to a collecter,but RUST represents total reconstruction,fabricating old parts that no longer exist...)-;

So weather it's a 1936 Jag or a 1973 VW Vanagon, all you gotta do is keep it rust free and it will last 4ever...(-;
on Jan 29, 2006
Your Vehical is a VW Vanigon,they tend to last forever,most old VW parts morphedite well,meaning that they tend to be interchangable...(-; You white Roof is very important,try to keep it rust free and you may even paint it from time to time with a good oil base paint...(-; Just clean it up real good get it as rust free as you can the roll it with a fine black foam roller,if you pull masking tape lengthwise to te roller be4 painting, then you will get no fuzzies and it will look very professional and since it's a VAN, you can roll the sides too... Good Oil Based Paint will adhear to the metal and protect it from rust...

I have a Fleet of Very Old Trucks,I don't much care what people think, I just HATE RUST, Primer Red with no rust can be worth $35,000.00 to a collecter,but RUST represents total reconstruction,fabricating old parts that no longer exist...)-;

So weather it's a 1936 Jag or a 1973 VW Vanagon, all you gotta do is keep it rust free and it will last 4ever...(-;