I was talking to a VW guy at work today... he has a 63 and 70 van, a 74 Super Beetle, a Thing, a Karman Ghia. but his first car? At age 16, he bought a 69 RS/SS

 restored it over about a year or so, while in school and working part time at a parts store.

He was driving it during high school! 

Only moments after completing it though, and getting the headlight doors perfectly aligned and closing perfectly, he went for a drive, and was smashed into at an intersection.