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Volkswagen - Bugs
that go beep in the night! |
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FTLComm - Tisdale - June
17, 1998
Perhaps only theFord Model T is the only other car to have such
a remarkable history and truly amazing following of owners and Bug Lovers. The vehicle
traces its roots back to the late thirties when an inexpensive vehicle using an air
cooled converted aircraft engine was designed and manufactured to serve as a military
liaison vehicle for the forces of Germany. When the war ended the "people's
car" or "Volks Wagon" was born and first appeared in North America
in 1949.
Through the years they picked up a few more horse power to add to the meagre 45 that
powered most of them and they |
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graced driveways and parking lots
everywhere for the next three decades. This pale grey/blue one is a remarkable, almost
showroom 1967 version, the type commonly used in the Walt Disneyseries
of movies and called "Herbie".
Almost everyone who owned one
of these machines seems to loose their composure when they begin to tell you about
their relationship with the little car. Clearly, out of its element in Canada, it
was for hardy soles to drive from November onward as the air cooled engine had a
difficult enough time warming itself let alone |
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lending any extra heat to the
passengers compartment. With its gasoline tank under the hood (bonnet) and its engine
in the back, it was a difficult product for Detroit's engineers to deal with. Ridiculously
economical, built for durability and from year to year one needed to be an expert
to distinguish model years. All three features were the opposite of the contemporary
North American made car. The bug was surely responsible for the introduction of American
"compact" cars all of which are best forgotten. |
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