Submitted By Leslie Woodzell July 5, 2004

Pop joined the VW Cruisers in the Spring of 2002. I had the pleasure of meeting Pop a few months earlier at a local Classic Car Cruise-in Fredericskburg, Virginia. He talked with great enthusiasm about his love of volkswagens. He convinced me to join the new Volkswagen club forming in Culpepper. We formed a quick friendship.

Pop purchased his first Volkswagen in 1963 when he was serving as an Army Mechanic at Peden Barracks in Wertheim, Germany. Pop went to the Wolfsburg factory in 1963 and watched as a brand new Red 1963 Volkswagen Type II sedan made its way down the assembly line. He was so enthralled with it he bought it that day (for $1200) and drove it back to the Army base. He spent the next few years driving the little red bug to various tourist spots throughout Europe (Rome, Paris, Amsterdam). He also worked on Volkswagens on the side to earn some extra spending money.

After bringing his little red bug back to the United States from Europe in 1965, the Army shipped him off to Vietnam. Unfortunately, his Dad, who lived in New Jersey had to sell Pops bug. After being wounded in the war in January 1966, Pop returned to Washington, DC and bought a 64 bug. He moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1975, and began buying, fixing up and selling Volkswagens to earn some extra spending money. Over the years Pop has probably owned 40+ Volkswagens.

In 1980 Pop found a 68 bug that was a total basket case and bought it for $200. The Baja had a frame, body, no motor and one seat; needless to say Pop towed it home. Pop decided he wanted to build a Baja and began to cut it up and apply a unique Baja fiberglass kit. With his buddy's help (Dirty Eddy) it took them approximately one year to get the Baja running and body prepped for the paint shop. A final coat of powder blue paint completed his latest project.

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By 1996 the 68 Baja had been through many modifications and improvements. Pop needed a change and decided to repaint the Baja Teal Blue. On July 19, 1996 he entered the Baja into its first show - BUG-OUT 42 held in Waynesboro, Virginia. After winning his 1st trophy he was hooked! In 1998 Pop's Baja took 1st place in his class at the Ashland VW Show, and 1st place in his class at BUG-OUT 43 in Manassas, Virginia. He was on a roll.

In 2000 he decided it was time to revamp and retool the Baja as competition was on the rise. He tore the Baja completely apart, and with the help of Northside Automotive, began a professional restoration. Pop had them apply more chrome to the engine, new chrome wheels, chrome shocks, chrome front-end, chrome stabilizers, painted brake drums and spindles, ceramic coated headers, an assortment of chromed accessories, and finally the new paint color was applied - Aqua Metallic. He is a major contender at one of the largest Volkswagen gatherings on the East Coast, known as the BUG-OUT! These shows are held each Spring and Fall at Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Virginia. Pop has a reputation and wants to continue his winning ways. Just to list a few of his accomplishments:

· 2nd Place Baja Class-BUG-OUT 49 Manassas, VA 5/01
· 1st Place Baja Class-BUG-OUT 50, Manassas, VA 9/01
· 2nd Place Baja Class-BUG-OUT 51, Manassas, VA 5/02
· 1st Place Baja Class-BUG-OUT 52, Manassas, VA 9/02
· 1st Place Baja Class-BUG-OUT 53, Manassas, VA 5/03
· 2nd Place Baja Class-VW Flight, Bealeton, VA 5/03
· 2nd Place Baja Class-BUG-OUT 54, Manassas, VA 8/03
· 1st Place Baja Class-BUG-OUT 55, Manassas, VA 5/04

He has also beat out the competition at local classic car shows, such as the GM Power Train show, Lake Anna Cruisers show, and Orange Co. Cruisers show, where they have included special classes for Volkswagen lovers. He knows the local car show circuit very well and has collected over 70 trophies and plaques over the years.

Pop is continuing his latest improvements to the Baja, with the assistance of Northside Automotive and Custom, out of Culpepper, Virginia. His latest alterations include a new SCAT Rally interior, new overhead console, new carpet, new sound system, chrome nerf bars, new interior paint scheme and lots more. He says that he hopes to blow away the competition at the BUG-OUT this Fall.