When I was a kid, we had a cat. My French mom named him Ypres, after her home town and the little noises he made as a kitten. She embroidered his name on a little blue collar. One day, my non-French paternal grandmother spilled her coffee on the floor. It was quickly lapped up by little Ypres who quickly got the zoomies with furious abandon. Later, over some tea (and I suspect more than a little gin) my grandmother related the story: "Wipers went bananas!". Nice car.
Back in 1975, my dad had a 1972 VW 1200 "Sparkäfer" in orange which was the absolute poverty spec (made until 1973) with a 1200cc engine and 6V electrics. On the German Autobahn it topped at 105 km/h, but it took a family of four none the less. The sound of the flat-four is so characteristic, just as characteristic as a 2CV (which was my dad's first car) but of course different. He still recalls the Beetle as the most reliable car he ever drove.
I like basic cars and that is my favourite model of Beetle. I haven't heard the name "Sparkafer" before. The light blue ones look especially good I think.
Brilliant video! Your genuine enthusiasm for the unburstable feeling that the beetle gives was great to see. I am reminded of it every spring when I get my 1200 out again and go for the first drive for months, it takes me back to being 17 again in my first proper car every time. Oddly, as I've grown up I have become more and more appreciative of the glorious simplicity of the original design, my car has the original engine fitted which is the same spec as the one in this video, generator excepted, yet I have a built-up large capacity, big valve, twin carbutettor engine with 3 times the power in the shed that I could fit but somehow the little 1200 is just right for that car, and I have no intention of spoiling it.
Just for info, the fuel gague isn't 'permanently wired', it's entirely mechanical with a bowden type cable running from the float arm to the gague on the dashboard. I upgraded the 1958 Beetle I owned years ago from a length of wood to dip the tank to a fuel gague/cable/float from a crashed 60s Beetle in a scrapyard.
It's the loveliest thing hearing something air cooled come along the road. I do miss the variety of engine noises we used to have. A friend had an orange one. Certainly noisy in the back! He drove it round South West France with one headlamp.
The dog we had when I was a kid loved VW engines. In those days we used to leave the front door open in the summer and the dog would keep batting at the push handle on the screen door until she got out or the poor little Beetle got away. We were all lucky that she never got into any real trouble, but if I had been older, I'd have put a better lock on that door.
The dog we had when I was a kid loved VW engines. In those days we used to leave the front door open in the summer and the dog would keep batting at the push handle on the screen door until she got out or the poor little Beetle got away. We were all lucky that she never got into any real trouble, but if I had been older, I'd have put a better lock on that door.
I've never been tempted by a Beetle, but I'm glad that there are still people out there using and enjoying them. Looks like a lot of work went into getting the Herbie details right.
I don't own any classic cars, but if I could own just one, it'd definitely have to be of these guys. But, I'm quite happy to live vicariously through those dedicated to their restorations.
"How to keep your Volkswagen alive" by John Muir is maybe the best combination of technical information, humour, and roadside bodgery to learn about basic mechanics and car maintenance. It's based on aircooled VWs but is relevant to all cars.
That is the only maintenance manual I would recommend reading with a cup of tea just for the philosophy content and feel-good approach to car maintenance. I've had a copy for most of my life and every few years will spend a happy hour or two dipping into it again.
Beautiful recreation of Herbie, what isn't to like ! Personally I have always liked Beetles but could never find a good original one that I could afford. Really enjoyed this video, thanks 👍
I own a 71 1200 beetle. Brilliant car and engine. The gearbox ratios are perfected suited to the performance of the engine. I copes with mist driving, but a long steep hill is always a challenge, but just adds to the fun.
According to the Owner's Manual, it is advisable to open one of the front quarter-lights in order to increase the through-flow of heated air from the engine fan 'because the vehicle is well-sealed', so it can adequately demist the windscreen. The left lever by the handbrake regulates the overall intensity of the heating airflow, and the right lever regulates airflow to the rear footwell only. By shutting off the rear footwell airflow completely using the right lever, and then also closing off the two front footwell heating grilles with moveable slide covers, this will divert all of the heated airflow only to the two windscreen defroster vents located at each A-pillar, which should then allow the heated air to clear the windscreen more quickly & effectively.
I rented a Hertz 1300 beetle in the mid-seventies, because it was the only thing I could get, but found out that I loved it. I was a bit pre-disposed to like it as an Imp fan, but needed the extra space to take my Mom and Dad around for a week, they enjoyed it as well.
My aunt had a pale blue Beetle for a time during the 1980s. I got very enthusiastic about them around that time. Loved the Herbie films as well. Wunderbar!
One of my favourite cars. Learnt to drive in one on a farm, which, on partnershop with a Haflinger and an old two stroke suzuki motor bike, was used to herd sheep etc. The suspension and the under stressed motor seemed to cope with paddock life quite well. Later, a neighbour often dropped me off on a school bus route in one. Just appreciate the overall simplicity in engineering and design. Beautiful car.
Great video, lovely car. The first car I can remember was my dad’s 70s orange beetle. Glad you mentioned the smell of the interior because that’s my lasting memory of that car, along with the wonderful noise from those engines.
I've overlooked Bugs as well, for several reasons. The only Beetle i've actually experienced, was as a passenger in a early 70s 1300. It was lovely tbh. It's still not a car i lust after, but i do appreciate them, and love, always have, the noise they make. Just like with the 2CV, the noise is the best part about them, imho. Anyways: I enjoyed you experiencing your first drive in an actual Beettle. A real mood lifter 🙂
My first car was a 1600 vw variant. More spacious than a beetle l, but loved that rear engine vibe. Had 2 x Citroen 2cv’s later in life. Wouldn’t compare the two, both unique and special in different ways.
Nice, nostalgic road test of this car! I learned to drive "properly" in a 1962 Beetle, when working at my Dad's auto/motorcycle/boat/outboard (!!) shop in the Summer 1977 (I'd taken Driver's Ed in 1973, and barely passed; we drove Pontiac Catalina "boats"); loved that little car! It had been abandoned at Dad's shop; we did some minor jobs on it to get it to pass Washington, D.C. inspection; had my license w/in a week...Our example was a mouse-gray; the driver's seat would periodically flop backwards, prompting an increased grip on the wheel, esp. going uphill...Upon return to Seattle that Summer, I scoured classified ads for used Beetles; good examples could be had for well-under $1000, but decided to just drive the various vehicles my family already had, including a 1972 Chevy Vega wagon, '72 Datsun 510 wagon, and a 1978 Honda Civic (almost as much fun as the Beetle!)
Excellent episode - evokes memories of the ‘71 Beetle that was my first car, and which got me through my university years. Loved it! Wish I still had it!
I remember getting out of my S-type and driving my mate's V-dub and running straight into the back of a lorry because . . . "Where's the brakes?!".😁 He wasn't happy.
I've always been a fan of the beetles but never owned one, I'm in my 50's now and it's looking more like i never will own one and my neighbour has just bought a minter just to rub salt into the wounds lol, I'm glad that you like it and the sound of engine is a delight, great review yet again 😎👏👏
Just took my ‘63 out today, in fact. My dad bought it new, my mom used it from his death in 1998 to about 2015, just for church. Needs a slight restoration to the paintwork, but otherwise she drives well. It’s great fun overtaking newer cars on twisty mountain roads. Downhill obviously!
Thank you. Oh the memories! My first car was a 1958 1200 with a factory sun roof like that. I drove it for four years until 1969. It was a wonderful 1st car. I remember it very fondly. Against Ford side valves and A35s I seem to remember pretty sprightly performance - although the handling could provide some interesting and unexpected fun sometimes. Very good in snow though. I still regret selling it. Thanks again.
Used to daily my '68 1300 Beetle all year although in winter it was grim due to low heat output and freezing up on the inside. Still remember how it smelt inside - a mix of waxoil, glue and petrol. Loved it.
Loved the Herbie films as a kid! Every Saturday night at my nans i wore the vhs tapes out! The love bug, rides again, monte carlo and bananas! Happy memories
Wow absolutely loved this video It not only brings back memories of my childhood omg I had every Herbie on vhs & I watched them so much that the tape actually wore out lol I did own a few beetles 2 of which were Herbie replicas But I was fortunate enough to have one with a Porsche engine My that was fast Mine actually had the same voice box as Herbie with was manufactured in the California Plus we had sprung doors which opened my remote control God they were the days I wish I still had my Herbie ❤ Although there is a few things that are not correct & the purest wont like like the fuel gauge etc But I'm not going to ruin the comments by listing them Great video & lovely to see my childhood hero & friend
Like about a third of the population, my parents had one around 1970. My main memory is that our dog - a westie - who had been used to sleeping on the parcel shelf of the preceeding Austin 1100 was very disconcerted to discover no shelf as he jumped up onto it, and disappeared down into a cubby hole behind the rear seats. For the world of the early 1970s with few dual carriageways and lower average speeds, these must have been just about perfect.
I'm so glad none of the UK companies took the option of VW, can you imagine what monstrosities would have been produced. I always preferred the later models with the plastic dash, but I am a bit weird 😅 the convertible is beautiful.
That said, I wonder if they could’ve gained any expertise in reliability and build quality… nah what am I saying, Morris would’ve got uppity just like Daimler did against Chrysler
@Retired Bore My parents were going to buy a Beetle in 1970, but my grandfather kicked up a fuss about anything German. They relented and got an Austin 1300. It was easily the most unreliable car they ever had. If nothing else, it was a lesson learned.
Do you recall the grey Beetle with the big turbo you saw at Johnny Smith's show in Manchester? That's mine. If you want to see what a 300bhp Beetle is like to drive, you're more than welcome to come and try it out. 😊
I've never owned one, and would like to. However I took my driving lessons during the 70's in the much upgraded 70's Beetle, a school friend had a mid 60's 1300, and I later did own a Type 3, so I've hovered around them, and do remember the door closing experience - brilliant door seals. I sold the Type 3 on to a lady friend and later learner that it had suffered a common VW fate. If anything goes amiss with the battery cover, a back seat passenger can push the seat springs across the battery terminals, and whoosh, up in flames they go!
When I was 18 I remember driving my mate’s 1971 1200 cc Beetle , I even recall some of the number plate RMJ- - - It was on its last legs but I recall loving it at the time
I was never a beetle fan growing up same as the VW campers but now I have matured over the years I can appreciate how great these cars are now. Excellent little review as always.
Always wanted one as my grandfather had one in gunmetal grey, The ones I did look at were either marked up with "Scene Tax" or tarted up with Cal-look parts Still on the bucket list
When I worked at the airport, I was friendly with one of the cabin crew girls who used to work the Zurich to Birmingham flight on a regular basis, and she had a lovely Beetle which had been 'Herbied', it was a fantastic replica!
This brought back an interesting memory - When I was a child either myself my brother or sister had worms (the itchy type) and to encourage us to drink the horrible blackberry flavoured medicine needed to see them off I remember my dad saying 'drink it up and you can watch Herbie!'.
Ian enjoyed this trip down memory lane. My late friend had a jeans beetle with elephant rear lights. But it was his family car then but we had so much fun going places in that car. Your one also reminded me off when I drove a sherpa van with a similar looking gear knob. I am a past VW owner Type 2 camper that had an attitude too.☮
If you get round to visiting Norway, I shall hopefully have my 1968 1300 back on the road by then (it's off to professional restoration this year), and you shall be welcome to drive it. Hopefully, you'd also be able to drive my Golf IV, which is currently at about 420 000 km. Quite the comparison!
I recently came very close to buying a Beetle, the logistics of regularly carrying drum kits in it were the reason it didn't make it to my garage. I recall the odd pedals from when I was an MOT tester in the 80's, and the often rather feeble tyre pressure screen washers. I was always impressed by the fit and finish standard of even quite tatty ones. Compared to Morris Minors, small Fords and the like, the VW was clearly in another realm of quality and it is little wonder they were such a successful model. I had a Tanzanian girlfriend who told me that the VW Beetle was extremely popular over there, whereas the 105e Anglia (nicknamed Ford Elbows by some!) would just fall to pieces on the rough roads of East Africa.
My father had a 1300 Marathon, which was a limited edition only available in metallic blue with special spoked wheels. It was quite high-geared which made it a relaxed cruiser, but he could never get the hang of the pedals sprouting through the floor and it went through several clutches. I drove it all through a Yorkshire winter and the demisting was dire.
I had a beetle in the mid 1970's. A 6 volt 1500! Bought for £20. Got it running, but the sills weren't up to much. Battery was under the rear seat, and care had to be taken to ensure it had a cove over it. Otherwise [as happened to me] a well-built lady sat on the right hand side would bounce the seat springs onto the battery terminals. The springs would become red hot in a trice, and much smoke would ensue. Temporary cure [and a bump start!] was to place a couple of old-style newspapers on top of the battery! The screen washers running off the spare tyre supposedly had a valve which would shut off the air supply when the correct tyre pressure was reached. If that failed, then one would find a flat tyre exactly when one didn't want it. The VW [pre-Mcpherson strut] front suspension proved ideal for off-road use, proven by the US desert racers and German Army....[and the UK classic trials fraternity]...The action of the front suspension meant that, when a bump was hit, the wheel moved upwards, in a rearwards curve, or arc, meaning the action was very soft and strong. Hence the use of the VW platform chassis for all sorts of dune buggy devices. Luggage space was also available behind the rear seats, if the front boot was too small. Engine changes[ could be achieved in remarkably short times, and there used to be competitions to see who could remove & replace VW engines in the shortest time. Almost in the time it took to boil a kettle! Wires and cable off, fuel pipe off, 4 bolts from the gearbox and a trolley jack underneath.....and the rear of the car lifted a bit. Job done. In the latter 1960's and 70's, VW tried to make the aircooled motor meet ever more stringent emissions regs. This lead to the #3 valves getting overheated and stretched. This at around 40,000 mile the valve head would drop off...Meaning probably a replacement engine as the bits flew around inside. Had this happen to my [old?] type 2 van..replaced with an 1800 overbored engine which arrived on a crate [1990's] The slight increase in power meant that 70 mph cruising all day long was a doddle, and hills weren't an issue. I had a type 3 fastback which did the same thing in the late '70's..this time on the M62. I never learn, even to this day! Best mod for a beetle has to be a type 4, 2.0 litre motor, hogged out with 2.5 litre barrels [a better idea than doing the same on a type 1 motor]....Also the Americans found that, once a beetle got to around 95 mph, the wings acted like aerofoils, and the car would take off...So they would drill holes in the rearward slopes of all 4 wings, to even out the air pressure. [Noticed when drag racing......Can we call it 'drag' racing these days?]
Personally prefer the type 3, but these are icon 101. The engines always reminded me of the Leyland 0.680 in Leyland Leopard and Worldmaster buses growing up. It seems they both have instant torque too.
Got to drive an original 1200cc Beatle for the first and only time in the '70's. It was loaned to my family by my aunt. I was 17 and it was the second stick shift car I learned to drive. Zoom-zoom! The "Bug" always sounded like it was going 100 mph when it was only doing 30.
my brother in law who owned a 1968 Beetle ( Drove it from Canada to Disney land in California on Holiday) told me the note of the exhaust noise was called the "fleem"
We had a 1971 camper with that engine. Every time you left it, all the oil fell out. I had that engine out and in every single time we went camping. Turns out the block was two halves of two different engines that didn’t mate together properly! Oh how we laughed…😮
My kind of car really. I have ditched my big Mercedes and Jaguars for VW Beetles...gives me a kick each time i drive it! Thank you for your lovely review, really enjoyed it.
In Australia I think the last iteration of the Beetle was presented as the Superbug. 1600 motor, curved windscreen and high back seats it was around 1970. Might have started putting pollution gear on them at this stage as its lack of power on the highway was scary and dangerous, though nice enough to chug around town in. They did have a great feeling of solidity.
Volkswagen Australia had the flat screen superbeetle in '71-72, the curved windscreen in '73-75, but the last model year in 1976 was a flat screen standard beetle with 1600 cc engine. All manufactured in Clayton, Melbourne.
I've never driven an air cooled Beetle but have driven a 1600 Bay minibus that my Dad had, it had only 50 bhp in a bus but would sit at 60 mph all day long on the motorway and be quiet doing it, such a relaxing drive. Put the hills of County Durham where we live in front of it though and 60 mph was a pipe dream lol
A long time ago I helped a friend weld his Beetle together after an MOT rejection. After it was ready, I also drove it a few times, the Beetle virus did not grab me, but many other brands did, with FIAT and FORD as the list leaders. And influenced by TWC now also have a Reliant Kitten Estate.
Really enjoyed this. I passed my driving test in 1972 driving a 1968 1303. They were difficult to manage as it was impossible to see the length of the bonnet and the rear view was awful. Passed first time though!
The “permanent live” fuel gauge is mechanical with a steel cable connected to the fuel tank… the later ones were electrical. I always loved the look and the idea of a old beetle, I have never owned one.. I went to buy one once but it had a small steering wheel fitted and I gave up on the test drive after struggling to get out of the parking space.. the steering was so heavy it was madness..it was only later that the obvious occurred to me that it explains why the were fitted with large steering wheels!
Over the years, I had three of them, all white by some coincidence. The best one was a 1967 deluxe with a 1500cc engine, 12 volts, and normal headlights. Still had the old style bumpers though. I loved that car, and there was plenty of heat from the heater. People in the back seat would complain about singeing their ankles!
Funny to me that the lights were converted the American spec. The first thing we all wanted to do on the states when I had my Beetle in the 80’s was convert the rear lights to the amber European spec, “shave” the front indicators from the tops of the fenders and get rid of the overrider “towel bar” bumpers. Such fun cars to drive…just not when it’s really cold outside
When I was a kid, we had a cat. My French mom named him Ypres, after her home town and the little noises he made as a kitten. She embroidered his name on a little blue collar. One day, my non-French paternal grandmother spilled her coffee on the floor. It was quickly lapped up by little Ypres who quickly got the zoomies with furious abandon. Later, over some tea (and I suspect more than a little gin) my grandmother related the story: "Wipers went bananas!". Nice car.
I grew up on the Herbie films and cannot express the glee at seeing this car, like a friend
Back in 1975, my dad had a 1972 VW 1200 "Sparkäfer" in orange which was the absolute poverty spec (made until 1973) with a 1200cc engine and 6V electrics. On the German Autobahn it topped at 105 km/h, but it took a family of four none the less. The sound of the flat-four is so characteristic, just as characteristic as a 2CV (which was my dad's first car) but of course different. He still recalls the Beetle as the most reliable car he ever drove.
I like basic cars and that is my favourite model of Beetle. I haven't heard the name "Sparkafer" before. The light blue ones look especially good I think.
@@cornishhh I think the official designation is VW 1200 A. It had the wide "nose" on the rear hatch and small rear lights.
@@volvo480 1200A. Yes, you're right, I remember now.
Brilliant video!
Your genuine enthusiasm for the unburstable feeling that the beetle gives was great to see. I am reminded of it every spring when I get my 1200 out again and go for the first drive for months, it takes me back to being 17 again in my first proper car every time.
Oddly, as I've grown up I have become more and more appreciative of the glorious simplicity of the original design, my car has the original engine fitted which is the same spec as the one in this video, generator excepted, yet I have a built-up large capacity, big valve, twin carbutettor engine with 3 times the power in the shed that I could fit but somehow the little 1200 is just right for that car, and I have no intention of spoiling it.
Just for info, the fuel gague isn't 'permanently wired', it's entirely mechanical with a bowden type cable running from the float arm to the gague on the dashboard. I upgraded the 1958 Beetle I owned years ago from a length of wood to dip the tank to a fuel gague/cable/float from a crashed 60s Beetle in a scrapyard.
1961 and earlier cars didn't have a fuel gauge at all. Just a dipstick for the tank.
It's the loveliest thing hearing something air cooled come along the road. I do miss the variety of engine noises we used to have. A friend had an orange one. Certainly noisy in the back! He drove it round South West France with one headlamp.
The dog we had when I was a kid loved VW engines. In those days we used to leave the front door open in the summer and the dog would keep batting at the push handle on the screen door until she got out or the poor little Beetle got away. We were all lucky that she never got into any real trouble, but if I had been older, I'd have put a better lock on that door.
The dog we had when I was a kid loved VW engines. In those days we used to leave the front door open in the summer and the dog would keep batting at the push handle on the screen door until she got out or the poor little Beetle got away. We were all lucky that she never got into any real trouble, but if I had been older, I'd have put a better lock on that door.
@@pcno2832 My Dad commuted to work on a 350 twin cylinder bike. Our Spaniel could "hear' it long before we could. 🙂
It's very generous of the owner to let you take it out on a wet winters day, thank you.
I've never been tempted by a Beetle, but I'm glad that there are still people out there using and enjoying them. Looks like a lot of work went into getting the Herbie details right.
I’ve got a legit Herbie replica car. You’re right, it’s a lot of work, but the smiles on everyone faces make it worth it!
I don't own any classic cars, but if I could own just one, it'd definitely have to be of these guys. But, I'm quite happy to live vicariously through those dedicated to their restorations.
I loved my 1303S superbeetle. Used more petrol than one might think, but it always left me smiling.
OMG... the nostalgia is real... I was OBSESSED with Herbie when I was small and this is SO well done.
"How to keep your Volkswagen alive" by John Muir is maybe the best combination of technical information, humour, and roadside bodgery to learn about basic mechanics and car maintenance. It's based on aircooled VWs but is relevant to all cars.
That is the only maintenance manual I would recommend reading with a cup of tea just for the philosophy content and feel-good approach to car maintenance.
I've had a copy for most of my life and every few years will spend a happy hour or two dipping into it again.
Beautiful recreation of Herbie, what isn't to like ! Personally I have always liked Beetles but could never find a good original one that I could afford.
Really enjoyed this video, thanks 👍
I own a 71 1200 beetle. Brilliant car and engine. The gearbox ratios are perfected suited to the performance of the engine. I copes with mist driving, but a long steep hill is always a challenge, but just adds to the fun.
According to the Owner's Manual, it is advisable to open one of the front quarter-lights in order to increase the through-flow of heated air from the engine fan 'because the vehicle is well-sealed', so it can adequately demist the windscreen.
The left lever by the handbrake regulates the overall intensity of the heating airflow, and the right lever regulates airflow to the rear footwell only.
By shutting off the rear footwell airflow completely using the right lever, and then also closing off the two front footwell heating grilles with moveable slide covers, this will divert all of the heated airflow only to the two windscreen defroster vents located at each A-pillar, which should then allow the heated air to clear the windscreen more quickly & effectively.
I rented a Hertz 1300 beetle in the mid-seventies, because it was the only thing I could get, but found out that I loved it. I was a bit pre-disposed to like it as an Imp fan, but needed the extra space to take my Mom and Dad around for a week, they enjoyed it as well.
My aunt had a pale blue Beetle for a time during the 1980s. I got very enthusiastic about them around that time. Loved the Herbie films as well. Wunderbar!
I love the simplicity of the dash, and yet so stylish.
Great to see a vehicle with the steering wheel on the correct side!!! CHEERS from HERE!
No No No a steering wheel should never be on the left lol
No no no the steering should never be on the left.
My first car was a '67 Beetle that saw me through a lot of firsts. Love to have another one....
One of my favourite cars. Learnt to drive in one on a farm, which, on partnershop with a Haflinger and an old two stroke suzuki motor bike, was used to herd sheep etc. The suspension and the under stressed motor seemed to cope with paddock life quite well. Later, a neighbour often dropped me off on a school bus route in one. Just appreciate the overall simplicity in engineering and design. Beautiful car.
Never been a fan of the beetle but looks pretty cool and great to see Ian gushing over the car 😉
My earliest car memories is of my mum´s 1965 Beetle in panama beige, in the mid 70s. Seeing it now make me feel so old... but I still love the Beetle!
Great video, lovely car. The first car I can remember was my dad’s 70s orange beetle. Glad you mentioned the smell of the interior because that’s my lasting memory of that car, along with the wonderful noise from those engines.
Remember driving my 71 bug in freezing rain in Canada with no wipers or discernible heat. Loved that car.
Love that you mentioned "Giselle" the Lancia Montecarlo. My first car and what a car! I had the 2 ltr UK version.
I've overlooked Bugs as well, for several reasons. The only Beetle i've actually experienced, was as a passenger in a early 70s 1300. It was lovely tbh. It's still not a car i lust after, but i do appreciate them, and love, always have, the noise they make. Just like with the 2CV, the noise is the best part about them, imho. Anyways: I enjoyed you experiencing your first drive in an actual Beettle. A real mood lifter 🙂
My first car was a 1600 vw variant. More spacious than a beetle l, but loved that rear engine vibe. Had 2 x Citroen 2cv’s later in life. Wouldn’t compare the two, both unique and special in different ways.
To use the horn, you have to engage the ignition .;-)
Great video Ian. Watched this one with a smile on my face. You look like you really enjoyed this test, even with the chasm of doom!
A tip for the owner, he can use a washing machine air pressure switch , so the original washer switch will then operate the electric washers
Nice, nostalgic road test of this car! I learned to drive "properly" in a 1962 Beetle, when working at my Dad's auto/motorcycle/boat/outboard (!!) shop in the Summer 1977 (I'd taken Driver's Ed in 1973, and barely passed; we drove Pontiac Catalina "boats"); loved that little car! It had been abandoned at Dad's shop; we did some minor jobs on it to get it to pass Washington, D.C. inspection; had my license w/in a week...Our example was a mouse-gray; the driver's seat would periodically flop backwards, prompting an increased grip on the wheel, esp. going uphill...Upon return to Seattle that Summer, I scoured classified ads for used Beetles; good examples could be had for well-under $1000, but decided to just drive the various vehicles my family already had, including a 1972 Chevy Vega wagon, '72 Datsun 510 wagon, and a 1978 Honda Civic (almost as much fun as the Beetle!)
Excellent episode - evokes memories of the ‘71 Beetle that was my first car, and which got me through my university years. Loved it! Wish I still had it!
I remember getting out of my S-type and driving my mate's V-dub and running straight into the back of a lorry because . . . "Where's the brakes?!".😁 He wasn't happy.
I've always been a fan of the beetles but never owned one, I'm in my 50's now and it's looking more like i never will own one and my neighbour has just bought a minter just to rub salt into the wounds lol, I'm glad that you like it and the sound of engine is a delight, great review yet again 😎👏👏
Just took my ‘63 out today, in fact. My dad bought it new, my mom used it from his death in 1998 to about 2015, just for church. Needs a slight restoration to the paintwork, but otherwise she drives well. It’s great fun overtaking newer cars on twisty mountain roads. Downhill obviously!
Thank you. Oh the memories! My first car was a 1958 1200 with a factory sun roof like that. I drove it for four years until 1969. It was a wonderful 1st car. I remember it very fondly. Against Ford side valves and A35s I seem to remember pretty sprightly performance - although the handling could provide some interesting and unexpected fun sometimes. Very good in snow though. I still regret selling it. Thanks again.
What a beautiful beetle, I remember as a kid my mates older brother had one that rain would leak into the passenger footwell through the glove box
Used to daily my '68 1300 Beetle all year although in winter it was grim due to low heat output and freezing up on the inside. Still remember how it smelt inside - a mix of waxoil, glue and petrol. Loved it.
Loved the Herbie films as a kid! Every Saturday night at my nans i wore the vhs tapes out! The love bug, rides again, monte carlo and bananas! Happy memories
So nice to see, so many memories of my 1200! Haven't set foot in one for exactly thirty years.
my very first car was a 1972 mostly rust VW Beetle 1300. I loved every second I spent with it
Oooh, properly chuffed to see a 'real' Beetle on the channel, and Herbie for that matter! Loved those movies growing up, and still do.
Wow absolutely loved this video
It not only brings back memories of my childhood omg I had every Herbie on vhs & I watched them so much that the tape actually wore out lol
I did own a few beetles 2 of which were Herbie replicas
But I was fortunate enough to have one with a Porsche engine
My that was fast
Mine actually had the same voice box as Herbie with was manufactured in the California
Plus we had sprung doors which opened my remote control
God they were the days
I wish I still had my Herbie ❤
Although there is a few things that are not correct & the purest wont like
like the fuel gauge etc
But I'm not going to ruin the comments by listing them
Great video & lovely to see my childhood hero & friend
Absolutely brilliant video Ian ❤️ 👍 what a beautiful little car brilliant
Brilliant. VW fan here. Grandparents had a lovely orange example when i was a kid. Memories evoked, thanks Ian!😊👍👍
Like about a third of the population, my parents had one around 1970. My main memory is that our dog - a westie - who had been used to sleeping on the parcel shelf of the preceeding Austin 1100 was very disconcerted to discover no shelf as he jumped up onto it, and disappeared down into a cubby hole behind the rear seats.
For the world of the early 1970s with few dual carriageways and lower average speeds, these must have been just about perfect.
I'm so glad none of the UK companies took the option of VW, can you imagine what monstrosities would have been produced. I always preferred the later models with the plastic dash, but I am a bit weird 😅 the convertible is beautiful.
That said, I wonder if they could’ve gained any expertise in reliability and build quality… nah what am I saying, Morris would’ve got uppity just like Daimler did against Chrysler
@Retired Bore My parents were going to buy a Beetle in 1970, but my grandfather kicked up a fuss about anything German. They relented and got an Austin 1300. It was easily the most unreliable car they ever had. If nothing else, it was a lesson learned.
Do you recall the grey Beetle with the big turbo you saw at Johnny Smith's show in Manchester? That's mine. If you want to see what a 300bhp Beetle is like to drive, you're more than welcome to come and try it out. 😊
I've never owned one, and would like to. However I took my driving lessons during the 70's in the much upgraded 70's Beetle, a school friend had a mid 60's 1300, and I later did own a Type 3, so I've hovered around them, and do remember the door closing experience - brilliant door seals. I sold the Type 3 on to a lady friend and later learner that it had suffered a common VW fate. If anything goes amiss with the battery cover, a back seat passenger can push the seat springs across the battery terminals, and whoosh, up in flames they go!
Simply brilliant...brought back many film memories and obsession from my childhood
I had a rhd1966 1300 in 1969.The last of the 6 volt models.I loved it especially the vw skeletonised logo ignition key.
My 1st car was a 1974 1200cc - loved it to bits, even rebuilding the engine once. It was happy doing 65(ish) all day long.
When I was 18 I remember driving my mate’s 1971 1200 cc Beetle , I even recall some of the number plate RMJ- - - It was on its last legs but I recall loving it at the time
I love driving my 1971 Beetle! It's got a 1600 engine and it goes well for what it is up to about 60!
That interior is just so beautiful. What a fun car
Anything with running boards is fine with me... Had a ride in one... Would love to have a go. You lucky bugger! Defo Mustie1 territory. ;)
I was never a beetle fan growing up same as the VW campers but now I have matured over the years I can appreciate how great these cars are now.
Excellent little review as always.
I had an Australian built Superbug and it did a great job especially on really hot days when I went past water cooled cars that were struggling.
Always wanted one as my grandfather had one in gunmetal grey,
The ones I did look at were either marked up with "Scene Tax" or tarted up with Cal-look parts
Still on the bucket list
Love the Beetle since my neighbour had one in the early seventies, a bright orange one.
I spent my youth in the back seat of a Beetle , XPP 767 , until Dad updated to a 411 , LFC 861 G , wonderfull memories
My first car, in 1986 was a 1964 Beetle. I loved it and kept it for 8 years. Wish I hadn’t sold it…
When I worked at the airport, I was friendly with one of the cabin crew girls who used to work the Zurich to Birmingham flight on a regular basis, and she had a lovely Beetle which had been 'Herbied', it was a fantastic replica!
Ive always loved watching all the Herbie films.Never driven the Beetle the only rear engined car I ever drove was my OHs Škoda 1.36 Rapid.
Cool, I enjoyed the Herbie movies 🥰
This brought back an interesting memory - When I was a child either myself my brother or sister had worms (the itchy type) and to encourage us to drink the horrible blackberry flavoured medicine needed to see them off I remember my dad saying 'drink it up and you can watch Herbie!'.
When you started it, I was instantly reminded of the start of Kraftwerk's Autobahn.
"Fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn" and all that.
Ian enjoyed this trip down memory lane. My late friend had a jeans beetle with elephant rear lights. But it was his family car then but we had so much fun going places in that car. Your one also reminded me off when I drove a sherpa van with a similar looking gear knob. I am a past VW owner Type 2 camper that had an attitude too.☮
If you get round to visiting Norway, I shall hopefully have my 1968 1300 back on the road by then (it's off to professional restoration this year), and you shall be welcome to drive it. Hopefully, you'd also be able to drive my Golf IV, which is currently at about 420 000 km. Quite the comparison!
I recently came very close to buying a Beetle, the logistics of regularly carrying drum kits in it were the reason it didn't make it to my garage. I recall the odd pedals from when I was an MOT tester in the 80's, and the often rather feeble tyre pressure screen washers. I was always impressed by the fit and finish standard of even quite tatty ones. Compared to Morris Minors, small Fords and the like, the VW was clearly in another realm of quality and it is little wonder they were such a successful model.
I had a Tanzanian girlfriend who told me that the VW Beetle was extremely popular over there, whereas the 105e Anglia (nicknamed Ford Elbows by some!) would just fall to pieces on the rough roads of East Africa.
My father had a 1300 Marathon, which was a limited edition only available in metallic blue with special spoked wheels. It was quite high-geared which made it a relaxed cruiser, but he could never get the hang of the pedals sprouting through the floor and it went through several clutches. I drove it all through a Yorkshire winter and the demisting was dire.
I had a beetle in the mid 1970's. A 6 volt 1500! Bought for £20. Got it running, but the sills weren't up to much. Battery was under the rear seat, and care had to be taken to ensure it had a cove over it. Otherwise [as happened to me] a well-built lady sat on the right hand side would bounce the seat springs onto the battery terminals. The springs would become red hot in a trice, and much smoke would ensue. Temporary cure [and a bump start!] was to place a couple of old-style newspapers on top of the battery! The screen washers running off the spare tyre supposedly had a valve which would shut off the air supply when the correct tyre pressure was reached. If that failed, then one would find a flat tyre exactly when one didn't want it. The VW [pre-Mcpherson strut] front suspension proved ideal for off-road use, proven by the US desert racers and German Army....[and the UK classic trials fraternity]...The action of the front suspension meant that, when a bump was hit, the wheel moved upwards, in a rearwards curve, or arc, meaning the action was very soft and strong. Hence the use of the VW platform chassis for all sorts of dune buggy devices. Luggage space was also available behind the rear seats, if the front boot was too small. Engine changes[ could be achieved in remarkably short times, and there used to be competitions to see who could remove & replace VW engines in the shortest time. Almost in the time it took to boil a kettle! Wires and cable off, fuel pipe off, 4 bolts from the gearbox and a trolley jack underneath.....and the rear of the car lifted a bit. Job done. In the latter 1960's and 70's, VW tried to make the aircooled motor meet ever more stringent emissions regs. This lead to the #3 valves getting overheated and stretched. This at around 40,000 mile the valve head would drop off...Meaning probably a replacement engine as the bits flew around inside. Had this happen to my [old?] type 2 van..replaced with an 1800 overbored engine which arrived on a crate [1990's] The slight increase in power meant that 70 mph cruising all day long was a doddle, and hills weren't an issue. I had a type 3 fastback which did the same thing in the late '70's..this time on the M62. I never learn, even to this day! Best mod for a beetle has to be a type 4, 2.0 litre motor, hogged out with 2.5 litre barrels [a better idea than doing the same on a type 1 motor]....Also the Americans found that, once a beetle got to around 95 mph, the wings acted like aerofoils, and the car would take off...So they would drill holes in the rearward slopes of all 4 wings, to even out the air pressure. [Noticed when drag racing......Can we call it 'drag' racing these days?]
Truly delightful commentary as always.
Personally prefer the type 3, but these are icon 101. The engines always reminded me of the Leyland 0.680 in Leyland Leopard and Worldmaster buses growing up. It seems they both have instant torque too.
Very accurate Herbie there!
Welcome to Burton on Trent yes the roads are shocking 😂 can’t believe I’ve not seen this around seeing as I live there!
Got to drive an original 1200cc Beatle for the first and only time in the '70's. It was loaned to my family by my aunt. I was 17 and it was the second stick shift car I learned to drive. Zoom-zoom! The "Bug" always sounded like it was going 100 mph when it was only doing 30.
I loved Herbie as a kid. 🤜🤛👍🇬🇧🏴
I like how the side light is just a bulb at the bottom of the unit. I had a 1200 beetle. 6V if I remember correctly. Mart.
my brother in law who owned a 1968 Beetle ( Drove it from Canada to Disney land in California on Holiday) told me the note of the exhaust noise was called the "fleem"
We had a 1971 camper with that engine. Every time you left it, all the oil fell out. I had that engine out and in every single time we went camping. Turns out the block was two halves of two different engines that didn’t mate together properly! Oh how we laughed…😮
I owned a 1200 jeans edition and a 1975 1303 in red in the early 80,s . Great fun cars .
I used to have a '63 I used as a daily back in 1989. Loved it to bits and regret selling it ever since. Been looking for it ever since to no avail.
What a lovely video Ian
Nec next week.....Yes!
My kind of car really. I have ditched my big Mercedes and Jaguars for VW Beetles...gives me a kick each time i drive it! Thank you for your lovely review, really enjoyed it.
Aircooled VW Exhaust note ,Love it❤👌.
In Australia I think the last iteration of the Beetle was presented as the Superbug. 1600 motor, curved windscreen and high back seats it was around 1970. Might have started putting pollution gear on them at this stage as its lack of power on the highway was scary and dangerous, though nice enough to chug around town in. They did have a great feeling of solidity.
Volkswagen Australia had the flat screen superbeetle in '71-72, the curved windscreen in '73-75, but the last model year in 1976 was a flat screen standard beetle with 1600 cc engine. All manufactured in Clayton, Melbourne.
Herb Nut!
My dad had a late 50s beetle as his first car in the late 60s/early 70s
Fun! I've been sold for years. Finally man!
I've never driven an air cooled Beetle but have driven a 1600 Bay minibus that my Dad had, it had only 50 bhp in a bus but would sit at 60 mph all day long on the motorway and be quiet doing it, such a relaxing drive. Put the hills of County Durham where we live in front of it though and 60 mph was a pipe dream lol
A long time ago I helped a friend weld his Beetle together after an MOT rejection. After it was ready, I also drove it a few times, the Beetle virus did not grab me, but many other brands did, with FIAT and FORD as the list leaders. And influenced by TWC now also have a Reliant Kitten Estate.
Cool Herbie I’m currently rebuilding a 1972 Herbie but my own take on it . Yeah typical wiring if not windscreen motor renewal 10 min job
Really enjoyed this. I passed my driving test in 1972 driving a 1968 1303. They were difficult to manage as it was impossible to see the length of the bonnet and the rear view was awful. Passed first time though!
The “permanent live” fuel gauge is mechanical with a steel cable connected to the fuel tank… the later ones were electrical. I always loved the look and the idea of a old beetle, I have never owned one.. I went to buy one once but it had a small steering wheel fitted and I gave up on the test drive after struggling to get out of the parking space.. the steering was so heavy it was madness..it was only later that the obvious occurred to me that it explains why the were fitted with large steering wheels!
Over the years, I had three of them, all white by some coincidence. The best one was a 1967 deluxe with a 1500cc engine, 12 volts, and normal headlights. Still had the old style bumpers though.
I loved that car, and there was plenty of heat from the heater. People in the back seat would complain about singeing their ankles!
That's one of the best Triangles-of-Doom I've seen in you review cars.
Much spluttering at "the children even get their own little ashtray" 😂
Funny to me that the lights were converted the American spec. The first thing we all wanted to do on the states when I had my Beetle in the 80’s was convert the rear lights to the amber European spec, “shave” the front indicators from the tops of the fenders and get rid of the overrider “towel bar” bumpers. Such fun cars to drive…just not when it’s really cold outside
“Out of the way, pigeon!” 😆
We had a great guy who did daily routine on our fleet, his screen wash was known as Mickeys smear mix. I think he still lives in this VW.