5 Lessons Learned After driving a 1977 Beetle for more than a Year. #Volkswagen

1) You do not need much horsepower to have fun.

5 Lessons Learned After driving a 1977 Beetle for more than a Year. #Volkswagen

1) You do not need much horsepower to have fun.

These days there are motorbikes that put out more horsepower to the wheel than my car, but each day I get behind the wheel it feels like a whole different experience. Also going at a decent speed such as 80 kph seems like a boring and lethargic motion in any new car but in the bug it is quite the experience.

2) Old car technology is Old , never forget that but learn to respect that

A month ago I was cruising about at a reasonable
pace when the car in front decided to emergency brake. He stopped quickly due to ABS and disc Brakes, I on the other hand ,didn’t have all that technology. So long story short I crashed into him and had to fix my entire front end. It takes time to understand that most road users don’t know how old cars work and generally assume they can perform like modern cars.

5 Lessons Learned After driving a 1977 Beetle for more than a Year. #Volkswagen

3) Its not cute or characterful when your car keeps breaking down.

The first few times it gives problems its nice to post on social media how you are true car guy that you cant go out this weekend because you are at the garage getting a new starter motor or decarbonizing your carburetor. But after a bit that novelty wears off. You hesitate to go on long journeys due to the fear of it breaking down.

4) You friends will never understand why you love this piece of potential scrap metal so much.

They see you complain on and off about the car breaking down. About the fact that you have to take longer routes due to the fact that it cant corner so well, the fact it doesnt have AC. Friends and family keep telling to you sell it and buy a new car with that money.

5 Lessons Learned After driving a 1977 Beetle for more than a Year. #Volkswagen

5) At the end of the day she’s got a good heart and that is all that matters.

This car has been through so much with me, my moments of failure , my moments of success , times I was happy , times I was depressed. She was the only constant in an ever changing world, Because I was very sure that the second I started the engine and blipped the throttle there would be a wide grin on my face , and that in essence all what being a petrol head really is.

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Comments

Mr.CK

Great Article… !! I drive a classic Mini and I agree with almost all of the points you mentioned.
Nice to see a post from a Sri Lankan. :)

01/16/2017 - 11:42 |
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ThatVolksGuySL

In reply to by Mr.CK

You from or/around colombo ?

01/16/2017 - 11:46 |
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P5 Ford

You know what sucks? You changed out the waterpump.. After a month it starts leaking from the seam… Makes you want to strangle somebody.

Why?

Because it took you 6 hours to take off because one bolt is in a really bad spot and you can barely get to it and only do like 1/10th turns with your spanner.

I just torqued that one specific annoying bolt down tighter and put some RTV silicone to the seam and hope it stops leaking.. Let’s see how it goes.

01/16/2017 - 13:29 |
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ThatVolksGuySL

In reply to by P5 Ford

Don’t get me started on pumps. Once I had a case of exceptionally bad fuel and I had to clean the tank, de carb the carburetors, buy new fuel lines, and a fuel filter all because I was too lazy to fuel up at my normal shed.

01/16/2017 - 14:26 |
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TheBeetleGuy

Keep ‘er going mate, we need our Lankan beetles! :D

01/16/2017 - 15:36 |
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Thanks man. Last time we spoke you were going to get a bug. Have you got one yet ?

01/16/2017 - 18:17 |
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Thanks man. Last time we spoke you were going to get a bug. Have you got one yet ?

01/16/2017 - 18:17 |
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Anonymous

Aha, a sri Lankans post in CT. Great of you machan…

01/16/2017 - 20:21 |
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Josh Briggs

My 1961 Beetle was imported recently from Sri Lanka, currently totally stripped for a nut and bolt restoration

01/16/2017 - 22:38 |
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icebreakertech

Sold it a couple of years ago but still love the bugs :)

01/17/2017 - 13:46 |
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TimTom

As an owner of 3 aircooled vw’s (t2, 69 - 76 beetle) i can only say :i approve this message !

01/18/2017 - 21:00 |
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Anonymous

Srilanka ❤❤

01/19/2017 - 15:05 |
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Kenji (Oldsmobile Fan) (GoldWing Enthusiast) (wheel nut)

I would take an air cooled bug anyday, but for now I’ll stick with my 03

12/24/2018 - 10:45 |
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