Sunshine started out as all of my cars do, a vision in my head.  While daydreaming on the internet one day I came across a car called a Volksrod.  I had to have one.  So the search started.  After a few weeks and many hours of searching I found the project.  It was already started.  So I did some wheeling and dealing and took off to Plymouth MN after work on night and by 4 am I was back home with a 69 VW Volksrod on my trailer. 

Work on the car started almost right away.  The car got a new dash, gauges, shifter, radio, a visor, and paint. My Volksrod was ready to roll and show, for now.  I was temporarily satisfied with it but had much bigger plans.   There was much more to change and add.

The next winter months brought more time for my head to dream new ideas.  So started more modifications to the car.  Dual side pipes, a rear deck lid, custom bobmber seats, flame and skull accents, a better shifter, and even a “big foot’ gas pedal.  Then as I was scrolling Facebook I came across a flyer for the Valley Vintage car show.  I was hesitant but signed up.  I took my little hacked up beetle to a big indoor car show for the first time.  Parked inside next to cars with shiny paint and chrome wheels built by what I consider real car people that know what they are doing.  To this day I still consider myself just a half cracked nut job that hacks up VWs not a “real” car builder. But there I stood loud and proud next to my Volksrod. As I chatted with everyone and anyone that would talk to me along came a guy who said when I have a minute he wanted to chat with me about my car.  He said this…”My name is Jay Thomas.  I have a show on TV called Rides and Id like to put you and your car on it”  My honest reaction….I laughed and said “ Yeah right” He said he was serious and we chatted a bit.  He gave me his contact info and said if I didn’t hear from him to just not worry about it.  Again my initial thought was he was blowing smoke.  Well the show ended, I took home an award, I sent Jay some info on my car and 2 days later he called and set up a time to film. 

That summer was crazy!  I showed my car all over the place.  I won 12 awards with it and was on TV 3 times.  But I wasn’t done.  That winter started the next project.  My 72 Baja truck.  But also more work on my Volksrod.  Flames got cut in the rear deck lid and LED lighting added inside and out.  A couple more shows then it was time to show the 72.  But not to leave the Volksrod in the garage to collect dust.  I still had things constantly brewing in my head.  Then one day I walked out to the garage, took off the hood and cut flames into it as well, even the gas door.  And more LED lights.  The car now looks like it is on fire at night when it is lit up.  Then after driving it one day I decided it needed a name.  so I chose a name that was fitting for a car like this, Sunshine.  Why?  Because this car is everything opposite of.  It is dark, mean and loud.  And the final….for now….addition to my Sunshine, my co-pilot Jimmy (Slim Jim). 

Total modifications to Sunshine now include a 5 ½” chop, 3” lowered suspension, 10” front axle beam extension, rear suspension arm flip, custom: dash, seats, hood, rear deck lid, door and rear quarter panels, hood ornament and air cleaner topper.  And the show stopping true dual side pipes.  There is not any part of my car that has not been modified.

That is the start and not finished story of my 1969 VW Beetle, Sunshine