June 28, 2011 — “We are the Bug. Resistance is futile.” Yes, that’s the stuff of legends, and the stuff that has infected this carbon-based life form. It happened when a dash lever return spring unexpectedly pricked my finger and stuck fast a few nights ago. Since that day, I’ve been One with the Collective.
I’ve been given a Bug name — “Ahdmo Keez” — and my singular mission as part of The One to rescue wayward Vibroplex bugs that have disconnected from the One.
The latest bug to arrive came in yesterday’s mail, a 1951 Vibroplex Lightning Bug. The seller was the one to whom I gave exacting instructions for proper shipping, and to her credit she followed my request to a “tee.”
The key? The key is simply fabulous — it’s the best condition Lightning Bug I’ve seen. It appears to have spent most of its life in its case — no dust, no scratched. The chrome is perfect! The seller should have provided some clear close-up pictures — he could have doubled his money.
The key is in as good an original shape as you could hope for, it looks little used. I was surprised it was in such excellent condition; needless to say I gave the seller good feedback.
The case was an interesting part of the deal; apparently someone got the bug at an estate sale and had no idea what was in the case (it was locked). They hacksawed the lock, buggering up the case some in the process. The little “arm” that is part of the lock that enters the body of the lock and latches was cut off, so that needs to be repaired or replaced. To get the cut-off part out of the body of the lock, I had to pick the lock open — not a bad feat for someone who had never messed with a lock like this one. It’s a simple affair however — designed mostly to be an inconvenience. A thief could always just pick up the case by the handle and go!
More photos and details to come — gotta go!
-30-