62 Ragtop Project

Some times an opportunity comes along that offers the chance to make a difference in the life of a family. A personal impact that you know will last a life time. The East Texas Volkswagen Club has taken on such an opportunity. For the past five years a long time fan, driver and rebuilder of early model beetles has been fighting a battle with cancer. Having undergone multiple surgeries and treatments our friend and VW fan is loosing the fight. (On Sunday afternoon, August 7 Bill finished his time here with us. His family is thankful for all the prayers and words of encouragement so many have shared. We will continue the work started on his car with the hope of presenting it back to family and daughters in October.) Before this fight began Bill had started a 62 rag-top project that he had planed to give to has daughter for her first car at age 16. Early on in the cancer treatments Bill continued to work with the project as time and money permitted, as his condition worsened he was forced to let the car sit. With his personal struggle coming to an end it is clear that he will not be able to complete the Ragtop. The East Texas VW Club has, with permission from his wife, taken over the project in hopes of completing it and returning it to Bill before he reaches the end of this life’s journey. Doing so will allow him to pass on to his daughter more then just a car, it will be a promise kept and the passing on of the joy only other classic bug owners, and VW fans, experience.

Bill is not just a VW fan, he is a kind and generous man who has given to his community and church. Without hesitation Bill has often used his resources as a small business owner to help many youth organizations and others in our area.

So what do we need from you? We need your help in completing the 62’ Ragtop as quickly as possible. This is our version of the TV show “OVERHAULING”. The ragtop is currently at Hutch’s Paint and Body in Longview. Hutch with the leadership of his shop manager Blain Gore, has taken on the body work and a complete repaint of what we are calling “Bill’s 62 Ragtop Project”. The crew at Oak Hill Automotive is working on a motor and rebuilt transmission. The guys at Oak Hill are also collecting parts for the car and are working with distributors to get as many of the parts as we can, donated. But that will not be enough.

"The car as it was when we picked it up from storage. It had been stored outside under a cover for about two years..." ~Rodney~

We need you to donate three things: Parts, Time, and Money. If you have parts that may be of use to the project check the list posted on the East Texas VW Club web site (http://etvwclub.tripod.com)or give Daniel, at Oak Hill Automotive, a call to see if it is needed. If you have time, plan on joining us in the shop at the Home of Ken and Helen Sellers for a final push for completion of the project on an up-coming weekend. We will post the date and time on the web site as soon as we know when the car will be ready from paint and motor/transmission work. And we need money. We know that we will not be able to get everything donated and we will need money to bring the project to completion. You can donate to the “Bill’s 62 Ragtop Project” by dropping by Oak Hill Automotive and leaving your support with them. You can also help by sending a donation to the address below.

Send your donations for the project to:

Bills 62 ragtop Project c/o

The East Texas Volkswagen Club

2321 Ridgewood Dr.

Longview, TX 75605

You can also help by placing a banner such as the one above on your website.

If you would like to follow the progress of the ragtop project you can do so on this site. You will be able to see photos and meet some of the key people who are working hard to bring this project to completion. If you have any questions or need more information contact Rodney Blackwell at (903) 240-4438.

Thanks for dropping by and taking a look at our project. Please get in touch with any comments or reactions!