The Rat

I had moved to Australia with a Surfboard, a Rucksack and about £1000, so I wasn’t what might be referred to as Cash Rich. But after a few months I found myself on my Feet, employed in the Sydney CBD, living in a Shared House on the Northern Beaches, surfing daily and feeling pretty settled. I didn’t have Wheels though, and relying on mates for pick ups and lifts took away some of that otherwise established independence. It was 2002.

I remember the day I saw the advert, and discussing it with friends over a few Schooners at Ryan’s Bar in the heart of the City that evening. It was a 1964 Volkswagen Type 1, in its original Factory White with a Tan Brown leatherette interior. The icing on the cake was the registration plate [aka Rego]: RAT 948. “The Rat” moniker was born. It was advertised for AU$1700 [about £700 then] and was located way out west, beyond the Blue Mountains, a Ferry and Two Trains away, by an Ex Pat like myself who had owned the Beetle since the 1980s.

The following morning, I called the seller. Andrew had restored it some ten years previous, and clearly loved it. We chatted for a while, about his Australian Story, about mine thus far, and of course about the Beetle. I could sense the Kismet. So much so that I didn’t even bother discussing a Test Drive. He was 6 or 7 Hours travel from me so I had to make a decision then and there on the Phone as I spoke to him. I had to make it mine. I offered him AU$1600. He accepted. I said I could be there lunchtime the next day.

Collection

I caught the earliest Ferry out of Manly which I think was around 5am, then a Train from Circular Quay to Sydney Central and from there a Train that took me out to the West. I had never been on a Train for so long, and to this day think that still stands. When I alighted at the Destination Station, there was Andrew with The Rat ready and waiting. He asked me if I would like to drive it to his House, but I knew this was going to be his last journey in it, so I deferred and let him drive.

At his home, we browsed through a Folder of Photos of his ownership with Photos documenting the Body Off restoration he had undertaken, several Camping Trips he and his Family had been on with the Beetle, and numerous Photos of the Beetle just present at a Family event or gathering. He offered the Folder to me, but I insisted that he keep it, I could see that he was nearly in tears when we had exchanged Keys for Cash; I honestly felt like I was taking away his First Born.

As I drove away I could see Andrew’s head fall into his Wife’s shoulder in my Rear View Mirror, he was sobbing where he stood on his Driveway. But as I rounded my first corner with the Open Road in front of me and the second half of a Saturday in which to cover it, I was smiling like I had never smiled.

Ownership

Freedom. That is what a Car can afford you. Freedom to drive to a Surf Break at 6am on any given morning for a Pre Work Surf, or a Lengthy Weekend Session where the only reason to paddle back to the Beach is to get some much needed Food.

The trusty and original 1200cc 34BHP 6V Flat Four never failed me, and only used as much Oil as it could burn; it didn’t leak a drop. I never took it above 50MPH, was as mechanically sympathetic as I could be, and treated The Rat with nothing but love and appreciation.

The Rat was now part of my Australian Story, and well known to my mates, The Rat and I had become synonymous.

I don’t remember the Mileage when I bought The Rat, and I never really looked at it throughout my Ownership, but I drove The Rat everywhere. Central Coast, Blue Mountains, South Sydney, The Shires, it even took me and two mates to Byron Bay and back one Christmas.

Restoration

By the time 2005 came around, The Rat was looking quite tired with 3 years of Daily Driving taking its cosmetic toll. I had had some Metal Work completed along the way, abating the creep of Rust around the usual spots i.e. the corners of everything, but it needed Paint as the Factory White had powdered under the relentless Australian Sun.

I had replaced the Front Wings and a rusted out Engine Cover, and had Rust Converted some other spots, but it was looking a bit Shabby without the Chic.

It was the Hottest February on record, or felt like it at least, but I had booked a Week off Work to tackle the task so it was happening. With a few pairs of Helping Hands, The Rat was stripped and prepared at a mate’s Lock Up Garage.

I wanted to keep the Rat looking classic but needed to pull it up a bit so decided against the original Factory White and instead went for a rather tasteful hue of Battleship Grey; I kid you not, I had opted for Boat Paint, and it went on so smooth. Being that it was near 40C all week with very low Humidity, the Paint cured perfectly giving a Glassy Finish that really belied the budget operation.

Once hardened, I drove to my Car Port and set about refitting all the Brightwork.

I couldn’t believe the Finished Job, it was flawless. Well no, not flawless, but it was better than I had ever expected or hoped it could be. Against the Red Steel Wheels, the Grey was a perfect match for the style and the personality.

I had purchased a few extras for The Rat along the way; Roof racks, a nice Stereo tastefully mounted under the Dash Shelf, a Rear Window Louvre, Spots running of a Slave 12V Battery, and new Carpets.

Separation

As if leaving Sydney wasn’t a big enough wrench, having to sell The Rat was as good as unbearable. With London beckoning after 7 Years on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, our time together was coming to an end, and with a Sale Price of close to $6000 [about £3000 then] The Rat went to its new home in Newcastle on the Central Coast; a City ironically I had driven past several times on my way to a favourite Camping & Surf Spot at Anna Bay.

I did consider driving it back to the UK from Australia, and I honestly think it would have made it. Sure, I would have raised the Suspension back to standard if not higher, but I knew it could be done. I was persuaded otherwise.

I logged on to the Australian equivalent of the DVLA [the RTA] for a few years once back in the UK checking that The Rat was still on the road, but eventually it disappeared from their records. This feels like an Obituary as I draw to the close of this Post, and in many ways it is; my Australian Life ending around the time my journey with The Rat did. But that doesn’t stop me from trawling the Classifieds still, looking for that perfect Beetle at that perfect price in a location that makes it worth while. Who knows, one day I might even find it..