Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Wondering About the VW.

On this day back in 2003, the last of the original Volkswagen Beetles was produced.  Before than, stating after World War II, they produced 21,529,464 of the classic Beetles.  My wife's uncle brought one back from Germany years ago after a vacation there.  It wound up being owned by my Dad and I drove it a few times.  It was a great car for ice and snow.  With the motor in the back, it had great traction on ice but when you tried to turn to either side, it would keep on going straight.  A little more weight on the front wheels would have helped.

It was all Adolf Hitler's fault.  He requested that a small, inexpensive, but tough and reliable, car be made that would satisfy the needs of the German people.  That was back in 1939.  In 1960 the Beetle was the top-selling import in America.  Here are a couple of VWs that are of the same vintage as the one I was talking about above:
 

Did you notice the small rear window?  It is newer than the ones with a split rear window but older than the ones with the large rear window.  This is the style we had and the one below is the color that we had:
 
These cars bring back a lot of good memories for me, so it is fitting that I post about the last production day of the Beetle.  Now, you all have a great day, you hear?
 
 
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8 comments:

  1. GypsyJuly 30, 2014 at 1:26 PM

    I have fond memories of the Beetle as well, although I never owned one myself. It was just too good to be true where gas mileage was concerned and I think the American industry just doesn't want any kind of car that gets excellent mileage, even though we have the capability if we wanted it.

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    1. Dizzy-DickJuly 30, 2014 at 1:41 PM

      I saw one with sign on its back that read "You Just Got Passed by 32 Horsepower".

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  2. Andolphus GreyJuly 30, 2014 at 2:12 PM

    I love those old Bugs. Never owned one, but they were fun to drive. I have my eye on a newer version with a diesel engine. Guy I know is selling one.

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    1. Dizzy-DickJuly 30, 2014 at 4:21 PM

      Yes, they sure were fun. If the small diesels are as dependable as the CAT I got in the RV, the motor will outlast the vehicle.

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  3. tffnguyJuly 30, 2014 at 9:36 PM

    I thought they quit making them in the 70s! I've ridden in them, but never driven one. I have owned and driven a few Corvairs though.

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    1. Dizzy-DickJuly 30, 2014 at 10:00 PM

      They were being made in Puebla, Mexico. That is where the last one was made in 2003.

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  4. MsBelindaJuly 31, 2014 at 1:53 PM

    Since they were manufactured in Puebla, Mexico and were relatively affordable, a high percentage of working class Mexicans owned these cars.

    The majority of the taxis at the time were VW and I remember boarding one at the Mexico City airport and holding on to my mother for dear life as those taxi drivers thought they were participating in the Indy 500.

    I always wanted a VW van but they were not as reliable as these little cars known as "Vochos" in Mexico.

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    1. Dizzy-DickAugust 20, 2014 at 11:53 AM

      The one my Dad had came from Germany. They were a popular car all over the world. Best VW ever made.

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