A Stationary Beetle Deteriorates More Than a Running One: The Maintenance Saga of 2025

Anyone with a sizable collection of vintage cars knows this all too well: keeping the fleet in good shape is no small feat, especially when some barely leave the garage. That’s exactly the case with my Itamar Beetle. In 2024, it covered a mere 300 km. And that, dear reader, is a problem, because as any car enthusiast will tell you, a car left idle deteriorates faster than one that’s regularly driven.

Now in 2025, I’m taking steps to ensure it stops being a decorative piece and gets back to fulfilling its purpose on the road. The first step? Changing the oil. Yes, even with only 300 km on the clock, the oil was as tired as I am on the Monday after Carnival. Some argue for changing it every six months, but to me, that’s overkill—once a year is just fine.

The second step was retiring the awful diagonal tires that were on the car. And when I say “awful,” I’m not exaggerating. I’m not talking about aesthetics here, but pure functionality. The car was simply unbearable to drive with those. These tires had been a temporary fix for... six years. Temporary, of course, in the classic “it’ll stay until it doesn’t” sense.

The Itamar Beetle, the last batch of Brazilian Beetles, originally came with radial tires. Unfortunately, finding radials in the original size today is almost mission impossible—something worthy of Tom Cruise. The solution? Opting for Nankang 165/80R15 tires. They’re close enough in size and won’t leave me stranded—on the road or otherwise.

Oh, and since we’re on the topic, here’s a personal opinion: preferences are like Beetle headlights—everyone has their own. While I find the look interesting, I’m not a fan of lowered Beetles or ones with wide wheels. But as they say: long live diversity.

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From Goiânia to Uruguay in a 1969 Dodge Charger – Part 3: Espírito Santo

Time to pack our bags and leave Ouro Preto towards Vitória, ES. Bazolli had warned me that the road was in bad shape, full of potholes. Let me tell you: the road wasn’t that bad; it was actually quite decent. Of course, there were a few potholes here and there, but nothing a Dodge Charger with tank-like suspension couldn’t handle. What really makes this stretch exhausting is the long line of trucks and the complete lack of overtaking points. Add to that a desert-like heat, and there you have it: the perfect recipe for a tiring journey. Honestly, this road between Belo Horizonte and Vitória has deserved a dual carriageway for at least 20 years. The Charger’s highway range is just over 300 km. That means I stop to refuel every 200 km. The upside? I get to stretch my legs and avoid the dreaded fuel starvation since, in Brazil, there are practically no stretches without gas stations for more than 100 km – unless you're trying to cross the Amazon. We arrived in Vitória, wher...

From Goiânia to Uruguay in a 1969 Dodge Charger – Part 2: Minas Gerais

With our feet on the road, we headed towards Minas Gerais, our first neighboring state. The first stop was in Patos de Minas. The sun was determined to roast us alive, but we arrived in the late afternoon, still toasted but in one piece. My parents, who were driving the Mustang, left Goiânia a little after us, but we ended up meeting at the hotel at the end of the day – the Mustang must have air conditioning, right? Smart move. In Patos de Minas, I reunited with my uncles. I swear it was a coincidence. There was dinner, conversation, and, of course, some quality gossip. The next day, we set out to explore the city and search for a pamonha as good as the ones made in Goiás. The Dodge Starts Acting Up Here began the first mechanical issue of the trip: the Dodge's starter motor had a strong personality, working whenever it felt like it. Some electrical issue between the switch and the starter motor. But I discovered that, with a screwdriver and a bit of desperation, I could ...

The Gourmetization of Car Washing

One thing that every car enthusiast does is wash their car. Whether it's at home, a friend's place, or a car wash, it's almost a mandatory ritual. During my teenage years, washing a car was simple: a hose, any random detergent, a bucket, and a cloth or sponge. If someone was particularly meticulous, they might add a coat of wax at the end, followed by the classic "tire shine." That was the pinnacle of automotive luxury. I admit that I still follow this recipe today. However, with more cars in the garage than time to pamper them, I rarely have the energy for wax or that beloved tire shine. The basics suffice — and barely at that! But then came modern times, and with them, the gourmetization of car washing. Pressure washers, shampoos with formulas more complex than salon cosmetics, microfiber cloths, liquid waxes, sprays that promise to restore the soul’s shine to your car. And, of course, the so-called detailing . To me, this term sounds like a hobby for some...

Leroi's Windshield

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