So there we were, still licking our wounds from the horror that was World War II and from Wolfburg, Germany, Hitler's peoples' car. At first, the average American motorist was skeptical about that little automobile. The above article is from the October, 1950 issue of "POPULAR SCIENCE." It was only a short period of time before this little auto proved to be of very high quality. The solid sound of the doors as they closed impressed many skeptics. The "VW" wasn't for everyone. Many found the little car too small to sit in comfortably. Back seat passengers were equally unimpressed with the cramped interior. On the other hand, millions of Americans took to the "Beetle" like "Wimpy" took to hamburgers.(Wimpy? Ask your grandfather!)
On a cold day the rear air cooled engine left much to be desired. Details like heat and defrost were at a premium with those little holes at ankle level trickling out heat like a leaky faucet. When I was in the Navy I had a 1956 with the single small window, a leaky fuel tank, no wipers and after that car I thank my lucky stars I'm alive.
Ed Millerick
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
A unique "safety" feature was the windshield. I was driving along after an snow storm in my Corvair and up on Bear Tavern Road came upon a VW that had hit a pole. The owner was from the large farm just above the bridge and though he had a nasty head gash wanted only a ride to the farm house. His only other request was that I go back and to retrieve the windshield that was still intact having popped out before it inflicted serious damage on the driver or it shattered. I was thankful for my seat belts, and BTW, that Nader fellow never has had a drivers license.
Ed Millerick
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
I BOUGHT A NEW 1961 FROM AUTOBAHN MOTORS ($1770) ON ROUTE 33 WHEN I WAS FORCED INTO COMMUTING TO NEW BRUNSWICK EVERY DAY. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I HAD IT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SLIPPED AND WERE COMPLETELY USELESS. THEY HAD WHAT APPEARED TO BE "POT" METAL SPLINES ON THE WIPER ARM SHAFT AND WERE COMPLETELY WORTHLESS.
TOM GLOVER
Tuesday, September 06, 201