This is a heartwarming story.
Here’s a story that will bring some joy to those going through difficult times. Lynn Pfenning’s family was devoted to their Volkswagens. His father had an 1965 Beetle which he lost in an accident with his cow when he was a child. This was not a fair contest. Lynn’s father bought a Brunswick Blue Volkswagen Type 3 fastback in 1967 for $2,200. It was Lynn’s responsibility to clean and maintain the car each Saturday before the family drove off to church. His dad eventually sold the car to a farmer in the area, who gave it to his son, a friend of Lynn.
After many years, the car became a utility vehicle and was then stored in a barn for nearly two decades. Pfenning was always vigilant about the car, despite his 20-year career as an electrician and trade school graduate. He was a keen gearhead throughout his career and always wanted to add the Type 3 Fastback, which also happens to be a 1963 Beetle, to his growing collection. “I would check in every five years or so to see if the owner was willing to buy it,” he said. He decided to give it another chance in 2013 and discovered that the car was still available for sale. The car was used to round up cattle at the farm, so he bought it for a fraction of its asking price. The engine was badly damaged by a mouse nest which caused a fire and screwed the heads of the cylinder heads. This meant that there were significant repairs needed. Pfenning described it as “like peeling back an onion” – once you started to pull back the layers, the car would tell a completely different story.
The project cost almost $40,000 and required custom additions. It also took 10 to 12 hours on weekends to complete repairs and bodywork. “I removed all the rust and replaced with new metal. Pfenning stated that all the nuts and bolts had been replaced or refurbished. The engine was rebuilt from the original 1600cc to 1776cc. The interior was completed in custom tweed. Candy Brandywine was used as the exterior paint, which is a popular color for hotrods in the 1930s.
It was completed in July 2018 and entered in the North Dakota State Fair, where it won first place for best antique vehicle. He was accompanied by his dad, now 83 years old, who smiled and waved as he participated in the parade. The car has won numerous awards and entered other competitions since then. It also beat out Porsches and BMWs at vintage shows. His dad’s reaction to riding his Volkswagen is the best. Pfenning said, “This experience has been priceless.”