"Another look at Volkswagen"

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Sir,

In your comments about the 1965 VW 1,200 c.c., the note about the excellence of the windscreen wipers is not entirely true. Unlike previous models, the arms park on the nearside and in consequence leave a considerable triangular area unswept on the offside. This gives an annoying blind spot which is well out of keeping witn the general attention to detail.

Correspondence with VW London has brought no solution and it appears that for perhaps the first time we have a built-in fault, at least in so far as the export market is concerned. Other than this I have nothing but praise for a very satisfying vehicle.

Having actually summoned the energy to write I would take the opportunity of expressing the irritation which I and many other serving Police Officers feel, at the regular incidence of “anti-police’ letters in your correspondence columns.

We don’t expect to be liked but at least we could be appreciated and it is a great pity that many motorists who at some time have had cause to be glad of assistance from the police don’t rush to print with the same alacrity as their outraged fellows.

Saffron Walden. – J. Double.

[But, sir, did you see my acknowledgement of such help and courtesy in a leading article in the November issue—we try to be fair.—Ed.]

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Sir,

With reference to your comments on the VW 1200:

Fuel: My (1963) 1200 runs perfectly on cheapest grade and there is no detectable effect if you use Premium. My first, in 1957, scorned cheap fuel and responded to Esso Mixture or Premium. This, and the consumption which you obtained, confirm your findings.

Fuel gauge: This is accurate and worked by a float in the tank, so there can be no electrical trouble.

Front bonnet: Mine too, until my wife slammed it so well that the tooth jammed over the edge Of the saucer. I eventually got it open, took the whole business to bits to see how it worked and was able to replace it so that it only has to be placed in the closed position and pushed firmly with the hand and it shuts perfectly, so adjustment seems worth it.

Safety belts: You did not mention that the mounting points are built in and that it takes but 5 min. to fit each front belt (diagonal, lap and diagonal require floor drilling). There is also a mount for a belt for the rear seat (for the belt arid braces brigade).

Screenwash: There is a very neat gadget that connects the bottle permanently to the spare (which is over-inflated). Turning off a tap enables the bottle to be filled without losing air from the -spare, and the spare can be topped up without disconnecting the device. Used this way, I find the washer the best yet. The jets can be easily and accurately reset by putting a pin in the jet orifice; no small spanners needed.

Beaminster. – D. T. Harrison-Sleap.

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Sir,

Having spent two years in and around the Sahara Desert, I too would like to express my admiration for the indestructible “Beetle.”

In an area where the Land Rover and Dodge Power wagon (Le Poweur) reign supreme, the sight of a tiny Volkswagen (fitted with oversize rear tyres) surmounting vast dunes and rock-covered escarpments with apparent ease, is quite an awesome spectacle!

As one laconic oil man remarked, “Yeah, sometimes they fall over backwards, but it don’t hurt ‘ern none!”

An unorthodox commendation maybe, but from a Detroit-products fanatic—praise indeed.

May I say that your excellent journal brings a great deal of pleasure to all the stranded enthusiasts here and every issue is eagerly awaited.

Lybia. – David Allen.

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Sir,

As a Beetle owner, I was very interested to read the Editor’s impressions on Volkswagens (March, 1965, issue of Motor Sport), but how out of touch he has apparently come with them! He said that the front bonnet had to be SLAMMED shut.

Oh Mr. Boddy, this is a sacrilegious way to treat a VW! Perhaps it has come about through living in other makes, as I have noticed that people unused to quality close my bonnet and doors in the same manner. The correct way to close the bonnet is to quietly put it into position and then to give a sharp push. No noisy bang but a solid click! As a tip to other VW owners, the doors can be closed in the same way. This works with the windows up and gives a very satisfying clunk.

Hykeham. – A. Hill.

[You’ve missed the point, Mr. Hill. The bonnet of the test car refused to shut with a sharp push and had to be slammed, unless you possessed the strength of a successful heavyweight boxer, as I proved when I returned the car to Lord’s Court, by asking the experts to shut the bonnet for me.—Ed.]