PC Pom

Oct 30 2008, 11:33 PM

You would be amazed at how well the old VWs handle bumpy terrain. They were built for it on a chassis that can handle almost anything thrown at it. The suspension is solid and dependable. Their traction in muddy fields has to be seen to be believed. I always wanted a 'low-light' Karmann Ghia but I have so much on my plate at the mo that I don't think that'll ever happen. There are 4 classics under the house, and one Subaru Outback. Old VWs were just slow cars with smelly heaters and a little hairy going around corners if you didn't know how to drive them. Those that did had hairy chests! To think that between the 1950s and the 1970s little '1200' model Beetles were getting 40mpg plus. They were slow and noisy but would cruise flat out at 60 - 65mph on the flat. What more did you need?

I had a 1965 Splitscreen camper that would always do 30mpg. It had a 1600cc motor in it and topped out around 70 - 75mph. I souped it up to a 1700cc type 4 engine with a sporty cam 'E' grind cam, free flowing exhaust and twin carbs and still it would give 30mpg. Top speed rose to 100mph! No kidding! It still had the drum brakes! Scary.

My VW Variant, that originally came with a 1600 50 hp engine ended up with a 2.1 litre 130 hp motor and a gearbox to match the power with taller gearing. That did an amazing 115mph! I'll dig up some info on that and put it on the DDU website. I could get to 60 mph in second gear and 90 mph is third! This in a vehicle built in 1972. I don't think Douglas will ever do that.

So go get that Karmann Ghia