Volkswagen Type 2- When Happiness Was A Warm Gun
The memories associated with the Volkswagen Type 2 are magical. Every time I think about the Hippie Van my mind takes me back to days of peace, love, and happiness. Yes, I found my share of three elements of life in the 60s. It changed my life forever. I'd be willing to sell my soul to be a part of those grand days, but sadly I can't. However, I feel the nostalgia and warmth whenever I take my Type 2 T1 Camper, a 1964 model on the road. I purchased this hippie van from Steve Brentwood a cabbage farmer from Wisconsin and ever since have travelled only in this magical beauty on wheels. Of course, I have customized the interiors over the years but I haven't changed the customized artwork on the exterior, except for touch ups on the original artwork.
I remember the year, it was May 7 1968. I was sitting in my room and listening to a battered LP of The Freewheelin' Bob Dyaln, the song was Masters of War. All of a sudden I jumped up and started dancing with my neighbor's cat Fred in arms. Although Fred was taken aback, he gave a wry purr as if to say, Relax! Many of you may be led to believe I was under the influence of a substance. Let me tell you I was sipping coke. It was like divine intervention, I just realized, the moment to live was now.
I made up my mind. I had to buy a car. At that time I was working in a restaurant. The tips I received would often be two times my pay, which is why I didn't bother the owner of the restaurant for a pay hike. Apart from job at the restaurant, I was trying hard to make it as an actor. I did drama and theater in my spare time but as you seem to have realized I didn't make it big.
I hadn't planned on buying a van, it just happened. My eyes fell upon a Volkswagen Type 2 when I visited the market, a few blocks away from where I stayed. There was this fellow unloading cabbage stuffed in the Type 2. That fellow was Steve Brentwood. The entire episode with Steve was magical. I just remarked "That's a beautiful set of wheels you have there". Steve', unloading his cabbage cartons puffing his cigarette and scratching his stubble arrogantly replied "Oh Yeah! You can do them for a price" and laughed. When he realized that I was serious about what I said, he put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Son if you love her I can make you a deal". And that deal turned out to be the best deal in my life. I paid the price demanded without even knowing the condition of the Volkswagen Type 2 It turned out to be a 1964 model, and yes considering the beating it had taken from cabbage cartons, it was in pretty good shape.
I drove the van straight to my friend Jason Holt who worked at a garage. Only a few know about Jason Holt, and I was one among those privileged few to have known an individual that had zest for life. Jason was a dear friend who was a mechanic and artist. And yes, the artwork on my Type 2 is his work. I handed over the van to Jason and asked him to give her a visual transformation. After three weeks Jason called me to have a look at it. I was so overwhelmed with joy with what I saw. I gave him the longest embrace. Tears gushed down my eyes. The solar system was the theme Jason depicted in a manner only an individual with his imagination could have bought to life. I frequently get asked by people about where I got the art work done, and each time I take Jason Holt's name with pride. He was an individual way ahead of his times. Jason died in 1976 battling lung cancer. The year after I acquired the Volkswagen Type 2, I got married to a Jason's sister Stella. She is yet my wife and the individual I've loved most. We have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.