Tallyho!

Oct 30 2008, 08:42 PM

Hi Paul

Love the website - have now added it to my favourites.

I am seriously jealous - Douglas is lovely!! (anybody reading this will think I'm nuts - but I'm sure you'll understand me).

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of Betty - she was George's originally who then passed her on to me when I passed my test, stupidly I never took any pictures!!! I do have some pictures (which I'll dig out) of Basil at some VW meets - unfortunately not on a digital camera - can I scan them in and add them to a thread or email them?

So who did you write for then? I have a shed full of VW magazines - maybe I have an article somewhere???


Kim

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

Tyke

Oct 30 2008, 10:49 PM

I'd be a proud owner of a Karmann Ghia (sp?) But could not keep it at home.

PC Pom

Oct 30 2008, 11:39 PM

I wrote for VW Motoring, Total VW (and 'Flat 4' which became Total VW), VW Camper and Commercial and The Vintage Volkswagen.

Tyke

Oct 31 2008, 04:35 AM

Tyke

Oct 30 2008, 11:33 PM

I must admit that I had an aversion to Bugs for years.
I did learn to drive in one.
It was maroon (yuk),falling in bits and had the crankiest gearbox in the world.

I do like the really old classic ones with more detail though.

Can't afford a Ghia yet - blown the budget on the hole in the ocean (whoops - boat)

I did have a love affair with Hillman Imps at one time.
I've worked on quite a few in my late teens.
Great to work on as all you do is loosen the engine,chock it up and push the car away.
My mate and I had one we "worked"
Twin stromberg carbs,bored out to 998,hi lift cam and other fancy stuff.
We stripped it bare - no heating - no nothing - just two seats,rollcage and lots of fun!
Apart from when the engine literally blew up!!