So some of you may know I've been trying to make contact with Bridgette's original owner. I had a name and an address, so I looked him up on whitepages.com and found out he had a son who happened to have a myspace, sent him a message...
His response...
I have to say, when i got this email i was stunned. Thomas Esehak is my father, and without a doubt, he did have a 72 beetle. Im sure youll be happy to hear that car has a rich history. I remember growing up and hearing stories about that yellow VW. At the time, my father was a Captain in the air force, he flew the C - 141 cargo plan and was based out of Mcguire AFB right in south jersey. I talked to him briefly about the car after i receieved your message and he actually remembered buying the car. The car was special to him because in 72 he was constantly flying missions all over the world, including vietnam, and didnt have a lot of free time in the states. Because of this, he had saved up a lot of money (in 72' that is) in a short amount of time. So when he went to the dealership, he picked out that car, and ended up giving a check for the full amount that same day. oddly enough, he still has that check! It totalled around $1500 for the car hahaha. And he remembers the only options he got were heater and radio. After he purchased the car he used it as his "base" car. He would drive in, usually around 0300 in the morning, then leave the car on base while he flew missions. After a few weeks, sometimes more, he would come back to NJ and there would be his trusty VW. My father remembers babying that car, he always worked on it himself and the car served him well over the years. He said for you to look at the trunk, there should be a lock on it which he installed. The reason for this is actually quite comical. One night after flying back to base after a couple weeks, he was driving home, and turned on the one luxury he allowed himself, the heat. But to his suprise, the heat didnt work. He pulled over and examined the engine to find out that someone had stolen a radiator house! After this my father bought the lock for the engine compartment. After he retired from the air force, he drove that little bug all the way to texas with my mother. After four years of school, he then towed the car back with my uncle when they moved to south jersey. He doesnt remember exactly where he sold it, but believes he traded it in for a corvette. I can see now how long this message became and apologize for my ranting. Im also a car/motorcycle guy and i hope this brings you closer with bridgette. Even though i never saw that yellow beetle until i saw your page, i will always remember the stories told over the years about that little car that helped my parents during my dads military service, and later when he was a veteran. Thank you for your message.
Dave Esehak
Neat huh!!!