Have you ever owned a VW Beetle? - Page 9

36654 · 11-03-2009, 11:42 AM

I drove a used 1974 Super Beetle (Curved Windshield) for nearly 8 years and 100K miles. In the end, the fenders were Bondo and the heater was a distant memory. Sorel boots and German Army wool fatique pants were required for any long winter drive.

Oh, the happiness of youth!

sudani · 11-03-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesdunn

Porsche 911 = I love air cooled boxer autos!

911 was a fun time....until the engine caught fire on a hot Indiana afternoon. There were some upgrades after that incident!

Rpbump · 11-03-2009, 05:06 PM

Does 2 Karman Ghia's count? Ride Safe

irfast · 11-03-2009, 05:43 PM

Ever since I learned to drive in one, circa 1971, I've had an aircooled beetle in my possesion.
Now, I own a 75 Super Beetle convertible, a 55 Porsche Speedster Kit car, and a New Beetle.
If you put them together, they multiply!
Jim in Buffalo
58 R60
60 Puch 250
64 Vespa VNB 150
73 R60/5
07 LT
My insurance agent loves me!

PaulWitt · 11-03-2009, 05:51 PM

I had a 66 bus that I absolutely loved. It had flowered wallpaper on the inside and was all about the hippie era. It didn't always run great, but you carried tools and sometimes it ran better by the time you got back home because it broke down so much. Life was better back then. No cell phones, no computers and you just made it work.

henzilla · 11-03-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavyCWO

From New Orleans on IH-10, to San Antonio, the thing would almost change lanes without moving the steering wheel due to the Texas winds!

I know that one...my '59 microbus crossing the Galveston Causeway would change three lanes at once if you were not prepared. I used to stay in the middle lane and pray a lot! That and the no gas guage and reaching down to turn on the reserve knob...only to find it already on was always such fun.

But it had a kickass stereo system and a seperate twelve volt marine battery to run it since the 6 volt system didn't help much.

My brother had the cool '72 Kharman Ghia his senior year. We both wish we still had them. Keep the oil changed and the valves adjusted and they ran forever...HMMMM, sounds familiar

pdogger · 11-03-2009, 07:00 PM

I bought a new bug in 68. It was dark green with white interior. $1811. We had three in the family at one time. The cylinder stud pulled out of the block on it also. Had it repaired and she ran a good long while.

35634 · 11-03-2009, 07:25 PM

Had a 64 bug in '72 - learned about valves and how to wrench on it. The engine started
knocking on de acceleration (rod bearings said the Idiot manual) so I traded it in on my
1st new car, a Triumph Spitfire. The VW engine blew the next week. Kept the Spit in
one form or another for 33 years.

wmubrown · 11-03-2009, 08:08 PM

Finally dug up a photo of the 2001 Turbo Sport Beetle...

wezul · 11-03-2009, 09:42 PM

No no no!
With all due respect John . . .
That is a Golf (wolf) in sheep's clothing

Gotta be before the Super B or it's not a B.
Just my $.02.
I'd love to find the one with the split rear window, very vintage, very cool, very serviceable . . . well if you can find parts.

35634 · 11-03-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wezul

No no no!
That is a Golf (wolf) in sheep's clothing

.

Funny how they're masquerading modern cars to appeal to old geezers like us. The mini, new beetle, PT cruiser, HHR, new charger and camaro come to mind. Even the Miata is a tribute to the Elan. Most of those old cars weren't really that good, but the memories are great.

kantuckid · 11-04-2009, 08:20 AM

When my new wife(still have her!) showed up at my cabin/home on the Kansas river in 1971, after our honeymoon trip back from our KY wedding, the 1966 BUG was sitting in the driveway. It was her first car . I bought it from a local priest , repaired/painted the front fender, rebushed the front steering and all 40HP was hers to unravel! It would not keep up with my BMW 2002!!! The long grades on I-70 were a chore for that car.
I built a 2000 New Beetle TDI for her commuter car several years ago-ran it on red diesel and frequently got 50mpg. For a bit we tried a New Beetle Turbo convt. , I built, but they have almost zero trunk and the back seat is pitiful. And what German engineer came up with the trim mechanism that covered the convt top hole(where the top emerges from the qtr. panel) in the rear side area -was an SOB!-TRY $400+! for a trim mechanism, replete with cables and all sorts of goody/ goody parts that fail often! that was later replaced by a one piece black plastic trim part with a couple of screws!
All in all the new beetle is a nice car considering they are a retro Jetta.

jamesdunn · 11-04-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHMarvin

I believe the very early, Gmund, Porsches had VW running gear.

I think you're right. I recall reading this but have nothing to reference it now unless I check online. The later 914 ( developed by Porsche as I recall) was meant to be a VW sports car but never was. Cannot remember why.

jamesdunn · 11-04-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudani

911 was a fun time....until the engine caught fire on a hot Indiana afternoon. There were some upgrades after that incident!

Mine was a '77 911S I bought in Albuquerque N.M. with the mag. block. Never had any trouble though. Believe it or not a li' ol' lady had owned it, purchasing it new in Denver.

lkchris · 11-04-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesdunn

The later 914 ( developed by Porsche as I recall) was meant to be a VW sports car but never was.

It was called a VW-Porsche everywhere except North America.

View Poll Results: Did you ever own a VW Beetle?
Yep, sure did.	179	73.66%
Nope	39	16.05%
I've got a New Beetle does that count?	4	1.65%
I had some other kind of aircooled boxer motor like a Porsche or a Bus	21	8.64%
Voters: 243. You may not vote on this poll

11-03-2009, 11:42 AM	#121
36654 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 107	74 Super Beetle I drove a used 1974 Super Beetle (Curved Windshield) for nearly 8 years and 100K miles. In the end, the fenders were Bondo and the heater was a distant memory. Sorel boots and German Army wool fatique pants were required for any long winter drive. Oh, the happiness of youth!

11-03-2009, 05:43 PM	#124
irfast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buffalo Posts: 1	Beetles, bugs, Supers and a bus Ever since I learned to drive in one, circa 1971, I've had an aircooled beetle in my possesion. Now, I own a 75 Super Beetle convertible, a 55 Porsche Speedster Kit car, and a New Beetle. If you put them together, they multiply! Jim in Buffalo 58 R60 60 Puch 250 64 Vespa VNB 150 73 R60/5 07 LT My insurance agent loves me!

11-03-2009, 07:00 PM	#127
pdogger pdogger Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 31	vw I bought a new bug in 68. It was dark green with white interior. $1811. We had three in the family at one time. The cylinder stud pulled out of the block on it also. Had it repaired and she ran a good long while.

11-03-2009, 07:25 PM	#128
35634 old hippie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 619	Had a 64 bug in '72 - learned about valves and how to wrench on it. The engine started knocking on de acceleration (rod bearings said the Idiot manual) so I traded it in on my 1st new car, a Triumph Spitfire. The VW engine blew the next week. Kept the Spit in one form or another for 33 years. __________________ Blue 06 MPV green 01 Jetta red K75S original litter Orange Fisher-Price Power Wheels Jeep Last edited by 35634; 11-03-2009 at 10:13 PM.

11-03-2009, 05:06 PM	#123
Rpbump Rpbump USN RET CPO Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 401	Does 2 Karman Ghia's count? Ride Safe

11-03-2009, 05:51 PM	#125
PaulWitt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Greensboro North Carolina Posts: 1	I had a 66 bus that I absolutely loved. It had flowered wallpaper on the inside and was all about the hippie era. It didn't always run great, but you carried tools and sometimes it ran better by the time you got back home because it broke down so much. Life was better back then. No cell phones, no computers and you just made it work.

11-03-2009, 09:42 PM	#130
wezul goin' 90, I ain't scary Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Glen Ellyn, IL Posts: 2,239	No no no! With all due respect John . . . That is a Golf (wolf) in sheep's clothing Gotta be before the Super B or it's not a B. Just my $.02. I'd love to find the one with the split rear window, very vintage, very cool, very serviceable . . . well if you can find parts. Last edited by wezul; 11-03-2009 at 10:02 PM.

11-04-2009, 08:20 AM	#132
kantuckid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Eastern KY Posts: 608	When my new wife(still have her!) showed up at my cabin/home on the Kansas river in 1971, after our honeymoon trip back from our KY wedding, the 1966 BUG was sitting in the driveway. It was her first car . I bought it from a local priest , repaired/painted the front fender, rebushed the front steering and all 40HP was hers to unravel! It would not keep up with my BMW 2002!!! The long grades on I-70 were a chore for that car. I built a 2000 New Beetle TDI for her commuter car several years ago-ran it on red diesel and frequently got 50mpg. For a bit we tried a New Beetle Turbo convt. , I built, but they have almost zero trunk and the back seat is pitiful. And what German engineer came up with the trim mechanism that covered the convt top hole(where the top emerges from the qtr. panel) in the rear side area -was an SOB!-TRY $400+! for a trim mechanism, replete with cables and all sorts of goody/ goody parts that fail often! that was later replaced by a one piece black plastic trim part with a couple of screws! All in all the new beetle is a nice car considering they are a retro Jetta.