VW Beetle

[jay]

I read today that the VW Beetle (original Bug) is coming to an end. The very last plant in Mexico will soon no longer manufacture "The Love Bug."

I rode in a number of Beetles, and my Mom actually owned a Red Bug that was a "two-speed" automatic, as I recall. The point is, how many Pilot owners experienced an original Beetle?

[m-mmeyer]

Actually it was my first car, 72 beetle! I have owned scores of Vw's, own 2 right now a 2001 jetta and a 57 beetle.

Matt

[Bill Balmer]

Uhhh... kinda limited the choices on that poll, didn't you?

I owned a '73 Super Beetle, restored and repainted it myself while I was in college. But it was neither my first car, the greatest car I've ever owned, or my parents car. There's no place for me to vote.

[jay]

Originally posted by Bill Balmer
Uhhh... kinda limited the choices on that poll, didn't you?

I owned a '73 Super Beetle, restored and repainted it myself while I was in college. But it was neither my first car, the greatest car I've ever owned, or my parents car. There's no place for me to vote.

I guess I did. And I can't modify it now, but a moderator can. I'll try to get them to add a category.

[Mkell]

My first car was a '73 super beetle. Bright yellow. It was a great little car. I rarely got stuck in snow because of the motor's weight over the rear wheels. When I did get stuck I left it in gear, tires spinning, got out and pushed it out by myself and then jumped in before it could take off on me.

[catbert]

My first car (in 1986) was a 72 KarmannGhia, British Racing Green. Called her the "Picklemobile". I learned a lot about engines on that car...

I also had a 73 red Beetle back in the mid-90s. Loved it!

[ramirami]

people next door to us had a beetle and used to give me a ride in it sometimes to kindergarden...

[dandbtucker]

The wife and I have always had a VW or two...

I was always the bus guy (and if you happen to have a pre 1967 bus you will part with let me know). I don't know exactly what it is that makes driving them so much fun but...

Wife was the Beetle gal. We have had stock, ovals, lowered you name it.

Always wanted a notchback but was never lucky enolugh to find one.

Don

Anyone excited about the new "Micro-Bus" VW says is coming out soon?

[dgipalo]

I guess I never "got" the whole Beetle thing. Over the years I drove a number of them, and even maintained a couple (for girlfriends). The car was grossly underpowered, cramped, noisy, had a horrid, loosey-goosey shift linkage, so-so ride, and lousy handling, no working heater or defroster, certainly no functional A/C; the POS that got dealer-installed was way inadequate to cope with FL summers, and would kill what little throttle response there was when it engaged. About the only positive (if you can consider it that, given the driving characteristics) was that it was relatively rust-resistant, in contrast to many of its contemporaries near the price point.

Guess like a lot of nostalgia items, time dilutes the unpleasant memories and reinforces ones that are fun. The old beetles are fondly not for what they were, but for how we were at the time...

[jettapilot]

I bought a 68' beetle in 77', I liked it a lot. I just bought a 03' jetta wagon GLS TDI, what a great car, I like it as much as I do the Pilot. Great gas mileage and fun to drive.

[Linda Curtis]

I'm in the process of restoring my first car and having a blast. My '62 bug never looked better! I've owned this car for 31 years. It's panama beige and to give it a lift I'm installing brick red interior door panels and seats. I have a one mile commute to work and run a lot of errands within that range in my small mountain town so the VW is perfect for that. Saves gas and wear and tear on the Pilot. I agree with dgipalo's comment it's "how we were" that makes the VW so dear to us.

Linda

[wwong]

Back in college, I owned a 69 VW Squareback. Lot of great memories driving from west coast to east coast to see my brother who was in the army and stationed in Fayetteville.

[Larukus]

Took my driver's road test in a '65 Beetle.
Dad later bought a '68 Automatic that I drove alot and eventually bought off of him. Sorry I ever sold it. Wish I had it parked somewhere for my kids to see and drive.
I also had a Squareback VW, a black one in college.

True, the defrost and heat really sucked, but I miss the little side vent windows to this day. The dashboard was really neat, looking back on it. We used to remove the front passenger seat to allow more cargo space when needed back then.
My "Hercumer" (the '68) was great in the snow - never got stuck in many a MI winter.

I'm guess I'm proud to have some VW history after all.

[DanL]

I feel so-o-o-o left out. I had a '70 Pinto with "mag wheels" and a racing stripe. Is that close enough?? My father wanted me to buy a Beetle but I hated them at the time -- until my best friend bought one that is. I remember all the dirt cheap "performance" parts you could get for it (J.C. Whitney I believe) and how incredibly easy it was to work on. About the only cheap "performance" parts you could get for a Pinto was a Thrush muffler... Hey, whatcha expect? We were flippin' burgers for a living!

[jay]

Originally posted by DanL
I feel so-o-o-o left out. I had a '70 Pinto with "mag wheels" and a racing stripe. Is that close enough?? My father wanted me to buy a Beetle but I hated them at the time -- until my best friend bought one that is. I remember all the dirt cheap "performance" parts you could get for it (J.C. Whitney I believe) and how incredibly easy it was to work on. About the only cheap "performance" parts you could get for a Pinto was a Thrush muffler... Hey, whatcha expect? We were flippin' burgers for a living!

And we complain about the 3rd row leg room in a Pilot. I remember looking in the window of a brand new Pinto, and the rear seat looked like it was about 2 inches off the floor, with 4 inches of leg room.