So, who is this Type 3 VWer named John Jaranson? Well, the father of three great kids. I was born in 1964 (you do the math). I have a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a Master's in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. I have worked in the aerospace industry and currently in the automotive industry for Ford Motor Company. My specialty is structural design using advanced, lightweight materials. (see my Composites page in the Technical Section)  I am currently in the Vehicle Design Department at Ford's Research and Innovation Center doing conceptual design and technology development for automotive interiors, particularly seats.  Still can't believe they are paying me to draw and be creative.  I am a self-taught artist and do mostly automotive art in pen, marker, and colored pencil.  I also do some computer art stuff. (see my CarArt Website page)

I have been an aircooled VW fan since I learned to drive my Dad's Baja beetle when I was twelve.  He gave my younger brothers and me a floor pan Dune Buggy that summer and we drove the wheels off it for two summers, sometimes literally.  Since, I have owned various VW from a really sweet custom 75 Super Beetle to a $50 beater 72 Super in college.  My current 71 Fasty I have owned twice and my 66 Square is a recent purchase from Jim Adney.

During the summer of 2000, I had the opportunity to meet up with a couple of T3 Listees and spend the day BSing about T3s, going over Jim Adney's parts stashes, buying some early fenders from Russ Wolfe (who drove up from Iowa) and checking out my future T3 (Jim's 66 Square).  It was a great trip.  Here is a photo of the three of us in front of one of Jim's parts stashes.  I am in the middle, Jim on the right, and Russ on the left.