Type 1 Beetle Blog

Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!mas

2011-12-29T05:09:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the title, but if you were me you would feel the same.
D'you know what? I been shut up in my 'new home', all on my own with no visitors since, hm, I don't know..September?? Ray popped down to fix the lock on my front door. He had a quick look over me and a sort of look that said 'what are we going to do with the old boy?'
Can't blame him for lack of activity, not much you can do in an English winter. But then, to top it all, the boys did not even come over at CHristmas. Would you believe it?? I would have thought a quick visit, a turkey sandwich and a mince pie. Maybe a cracker.
Mind you writing this should stir them into action, I expect they will be down New Years Eve. And then I can look forward to their New Year Resolutuons!!

Progress so far

2011-07-09T10:51:00.000-07:00

Hmm......no comment!
I'll be like this 'til 2020 at this rate!

You might like to look at the Brazilian beauty in the last post, though. Shame she's not topless, or automatic!

Brazilian Beauty

2011-06-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

I think I'm in love!! Just got some pics. of a dark, Brazilian beauty. Might pin them up in my new house. Reminds me of Ray's old Brazilian house keeper. She used to hoover his carpet really well. But always used to leave a thin strip untouched right down the middle (?)
Not as bad as the Eastern European one, though. Again an excellent job but she took absolutely ages hoovering the carpet. Why? I dunno. She was a Slo-vak!
Any way the Brazilian beauty is, of course, a Beetle. Like me. Bit more shiny I'll admit but I bet she's (she? Is that wishful thinking? We could have babies! Baby Beetles!) a lot younger than me. Can't tell by the registration: HAW, what's that then?
'Spect you have a clutch pedal as well! Very low tech!
Can't fault THE BODY though. WOWeeeeeeeeeeee! Get's the old ATF Fluids going, I can tell you!
Anyway here are the pictures:

Pictures of Lily (Brian being frivolous)

2011-06-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

Brian's new house and derriere.

My own little house

2011-06-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Hi humans, sorry I haven't been posting lately but, to be honest, I have been a bit near-suicidal since my last post. Why? Why?!! What would you feel like sitting on a lawn with your back facing the world? Most of the time wet grass. And weeds!
Anyway everything has now changed-and for the better! Yes, I have my own new little home- ok so it isn't mine it's rented, but a lot of cars, and,er, people, rent these days, so I hear.
How has this come about? Well the other day Dave and Ray approached with some menacing looking electrical leads with huge serrated grippers at each end. These were connected to the battery terminals of Dave's Polo and....woah, hold on! Where are you sticking those? The leads were poked into my body and attached somewhere inside me. You've seen those hospital programs, no doubt, where the doctors are holding two large pads and, sticking them resolutely on the patients chest, shout the order "STAND CLEAR!". The patient's body either jerks into life, or doesn't. Fortunately this patient did. The fibralator worked, my engine fired into life. Ok, so a bit noisily, but alive. Remember my big end (no that's not a euphemism) is shot. Anyway Ray drove me off the lawn, or rather drove off the brown patch. A tow rope was attached to my front end and then to Dave's Polo and off we went.
Well, we drove for what seemed ages. Ray got a bit nervous when a police car followed me for about half a mile and, I must confess, I got a bit hot and bothered and my rear drums started playing up a bit. Ray got very worried for the last few miles that I wouldn't stop when asked and bump into the back of the Polo.
Now, about my little home. It is just the right size for me, about a foot either side and a couple of feet each end for me to stretch a bit. Nice and dry. And with a bright blue front door.
Ray & Dave put my rear end up on some ramps and took off my engine lid so I feel there is much in store for me in the coming months.
I promise to keep you all posted.

Don't let the grass grow under your wheels and How many Beetles make five?

2010-06-24T04:09:00.000-07:00

Wakey wakey humans!! How are you all? To those in UK-feeling a bit more chirpy now? After last night's football match. Lucky its not like tennis, eh? 69 games each?? What's that all about? Get ready to play the Germans. Yes, of course I will be supporting Germany: I am German.

Anyway, the grass is growing under my wheels. I am parked up on Ray's front lawn. Last night he mowed around me, much to the amusemant of his wife, Pat. You know, Pat, the one that says "I don't know why you don't get rid of him, you have spent a fortune on him already". The 'him' being me! How could she? I taught her how to drive!!

How many Beetles make five? What is that answer? A Beetle, a Beetle, half a Beetle, a Beetle and a Beetle. Is that right? Ray has never understood that one.

No, seriously, how many Beetle Automatics were made and how many are still running? There is a popular forum called vwar.org that is quite active so there are a few scattered over the globe.

But not many comment here. Ok, if you are shy I won't mind if you get your human owners to comment for you. But it would be good to hear from you and would really make me feel happy inspite of the grass.

New livery??

2010-06-03T06:29:00.000-07:00

Hello everybuddies. How are you enjoying British weather? The Coalition? Whatever. Don't know if you remember but my engine went wrong some time ago due to Dave forgetting to put oil in. Anyway, Dave moved houses a while back and so I had to be moved from his old house to his new....no that's not right. I had to go back to Ray's house. The boys bought a tow rope from Chastillians in Crayford. You should have seen it! It was bright yellow (sort of nylon strands, I suppose) and at each end were these MASSIVE cast hooks (spring loaded no less). It looked like thay could hold a ton or two. Or is that tonne? So on the appointed day the rope was attached to the rear end of the Polo (Dave's got that now and Ray has purchased a nearly new Mazda 626 TS2, very swanky, cruise control and all that! How does he get the time to cruise?) and the other end to my front bumper. What happened to bumpers? In what year did bumpers disappear? I wonder what happened to all the bumper manufacturers?
So off we went. About 200 yards up the road and...big problem. The rope had broken.On closer inspection the rope had just become unattached to the bloody great hook! The boys tied it in a big knot and we set off again. Nearly home and about 500 yards to go the unbreakable rope actually broke. I give up on the Chinese!
Oh, just remembered why I called this post 'New Livery! The boy's latest idea is to, when they get around to renovating me again, is to respray me in my original Ivory white livery and the put a massive great SHAREWORLD logo completely over my bonnet and roof. That would be brilliant, wouldn't it? You know, SHAREWORLD: http://www.shareworld.co.uk/ it is doing really well.

My election prediction

2010-04-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

Tories romp home with decent working majority.
Remember you read it here first. Straight from the Beetle's mouth!

Lawn Mower (Hummm!)

2009-08-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

Just got to post this-Ray is fuming! Remember that Flymo Lawnmower? The snazzy one that folds up and packs into a storable box shape? Yes, the one Ray paid fifty odd quid (a BARGAIN!) for? The one Ray said would last him at least 2-3 years? That was in May this year, remember? Well it's lucky Beetles like me weren't made by Flymo. Why? 'Cos it broke last weekend!!!! It also broke in two different ways!!!! Maybe they were connected. One, the motor has gone all vibraty (vibratory, whatever; it vibrates) and Two, the little bit of plastic that keeps the wheel at the right height has BROKEN OFF!
Mind you my big ends have gone (the boys think) BUT, One, I am an old codger and Two, Dave let my oil run out. Slightly different scenario, I think.

Lawn mowing

2009-05-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hi folks! How are you enjoying the good weather? Very nice isn't it? Only one problem: doesn't the grass grow fast?
Speaking of grass and having to cut it every week or so I'll let Ray tell you about his new lawn mower purchase:

Hi, Ray here. How do you like the blog? That Brian is clever old boy methinks. Anyway (OK so I write just like Brian!) bought myself a posh new lawn mower last week. I'll tell you about it. It's a FlymoPac a Mow, bright orange. I've only used it once but it seems OK. The handle folds in half and then back over the body. This is done flipping open four quick release thingies. Then the grass box fits over the front end and it stands up in the shape of an oblong box. Quite good. It has a see though panel to see when the grass box is full. That's OK but a bit of a gimmick really. Suitable for medium size gardens. My lawn is about 100' long, mainly grass and the mower is well sufficient. It would be too big for anything smaller, I feel. Anyway if you are interested have a look at the full spec.
I first saw it in Homebase at about £90. Then Tesco online at about £50 (loads of Nectar points) but it was out of stock!!
Eventually bought it through Amazon for arbout £52 including delivery.
I can highly recommend this mower and from my previous experiences with this brand should last a good 5 years or more. Cheers and happy mowing, I'll pass you back to Brian.
Yes it's me again, old Beetle bod! Lucky I don't have any chores like that. Oh, by the way, if you order that mower through Amazon could you go in via the shareworld site, please. (http://www.shareworld.co.uk/)
Click on the Amazon link down the left hand side. This will take you onto Amazon on the Books section. Then just search for lawnmowers in the usual way. Ray will earn a couple of quid which hopefully he will spend on ME, yay!

Visitors to blog

2009-04-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

I recently mentioned the last nine vistors to my blog only because the nine, in order, had come from such geographically diverse places.
But Max has contributed a couple of comments (thanks, Max) and, I think, would like his country, Uruguay, tobe given a mention. Also he told me that the VW Beetle (like me) is known as Fusca, in Uruguay.
I have heard myself being referred to as something very similar (and not very kindly) in the past, especially when I am being awkward and not starting properly.
So here are the last nine posts. And don't expect me to keep doing this, although the people from Statcounter.com have a nice map of the world with pins showing you where your visitors to your particular website come from. I am pleased to report that the map of my blog is completely covered with pins. (except Iceland, oh and New Zealand, come on Kiwis, you must have heard of a Beetle).
By the way, the visitor from Germany was searching for Beetle breeding (dirty bugger!). Hah, BUG-ger, geddit? Oh well, suit yourselves.
UK
Sonora, Hermosillo, Mexico
Uruguay
Montivieo, Uruguay
UK
Montevideo
Murska, Sobota, Slovenia
England
Niederschsen, Garbsen, Germany

By the way, Max, 13% of my total visitors (1797) have come from Uruguay. (or were they all you?!)

MOT time again (oh, what fun!)

2009-04-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Where did that year go? Yes it's that worrying time again: MOT time. Always a worry for the boys, and that's with any of their vehicles, not just me.
Ray got up early Tuesday morning just in case my battery needed charging. I thought I would give him a treat and start first time, after all he was putting himself out for me and he does so want me back on the road again.
Anyway we drove down to Uncle Jim at Wallhouse as he has arranged for his mate to go over me (ooh, careful Missus!).
Well it made a nice change to get out and about again and I made sure I was on my best behaviour, driving as smoothly as I could and not cutting out too much at the lights. Dave and Ray dropped me off and left my keys at Wallhouse. Jim would be along later to take over.
Of course the boys weren't there to see all the action but I was given a thorough once over to find anything where time had once again taken its toll.
Not a bad result, I suppose for a chap of my vintage: Windscreen wipers not working properly: JIIIMMM!! (who fitted them?!).
Bit of wear in the old front joints (steering whatsits) and, and, what else was it?
Oh yes. Horn not working. JIIIIIMM!! Surely if you fix the wire on one year it should still be fixed on the following year!
Anyways I am being fixed good and proper as I speak/write so I will report back sometime around the weekend.

Oh, nearly forgot: Ray was fascinated by the last nine posts to the blog. In strict order these were the places the nine vistors came from (in about two days). Are you sure???
I do hope you visit again, even if you came by mistake. What were you looking for?

England, London
Argentina
Kyonggi-do, Seoul, Korea
California, Oakland
Illinois, Woodstock
Maharashtra, Thane, India
Hokkaido, Sapporo, Japan
Galati, Galati, Romania
Maharashtra, Mumbai, India

Top secret

2009-04-09T03:40:00.000-07:00

TOP SECRET

Hi all! Not that anyone will read this, because it is TOP SECRET!
See, it is labelled such at the top and also in the title!

Oh, I am just bored, sitting up here in Orpington watching the world go by. Thought I would get you lot going by calling this post top secret.

Hold on! I am not even watching the world go by; I am facing the other way!!

Ray has parked me facing the garage doors with my bum facing the world.

Anyway he, at last, got into my driver's seat last night and put the key in my lock..... and turned it........nothing! Ha Ha! That will teach you for not looking after me. What did he expect. Yes I know the usual credulity; "I turned the key ONCE and he started up immediately". Well not this time, Buddy!
Come on you lot, help me out. Leave a witty, interesting, whatever comment on my blog; I need cheering up.

New Blog, by us lot!

2009-01-29T10:15:00.001-08:00

Just quickly to tell you about our, well Ray's, new blog, Smallchange. He wants to change the world to a better place (LOL). http://helpchangeit.blogspot.com/
Watch out Barack Obama!!

Don't forget, he's doing it for you younger peeps; he's an old codger.

Handmade Jewelery

2009-01-29T09:55:00.000-08:00

This is a strange one: I was looking over my old posts and came across one that had received a comment from Handmade Jewelry. Well not so much a comment rather a request; could they have my 'phone number? Well I have been told you have to be careful about who you give personal details to over the internet because you don't know the real identity of the correspondent. They might be trying to "groom"me!
Tell me a bit about yourself. I assume you are a vehicle of some sort or other, or maybe not. Do you sell jewelery? I know Ray's wife likes a pearl necklace; yes, I have looked at your site!
I have no partner, whatever at the moment, there are not many of my breed left and aren't they all male? The new Beetle is a bit girly, but they are all a bit young for me. And as for a different breed, I think you would say "make" or "model", I wouldn't fancy someone with their engine in the front. Weird! That would be like you humans having your........no I had better not go there.
Anyway, Handbag, why not write another comment or try your "hand" at my questions.

Secret of success

2009-01-11T03:28:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year my two-legged friends and all my four-wheeled ones (especially Beetles). Have you seen the New New Beetle yet? Gives me the creeps. Why? Well the New Beetle seemed a reasonable idea, a retro style (on me) with brand new technology underneath. Ok, so it's a bit of a girlie car but I think it's not bad. But now VW have designed a New New Beetle by moving away, I think, from my original styling. What do you all think.
I am glad to note that some readers have commented on my blog and appear to like it. Some have said it is COOL and how do I do it.
COOL that's a good one. Maybe we should say Aircool, or Coolair. Oh, no that's already been taken.
It's all down to experience and age , my dears. You know I was born in 1969 (YES, cars are born) so that makes me almost 40 years old (Yes, I did that without a calculator!). You learn a lot in 40 years travelling all over the place. Not so much now, alas, I am still stuck at Dave's Grandmother's house. What relationship would she have been to me? Auntie? Dunno, that's too difficult to work out and I am not sure anyone has attempted it before!
You are a dull lot, you know. I keep posing a few questions on the blog and I don't get any answers (I would have expected a few wrong ones at least from you lot). Why is it? Are you all shy? Or just lead too "busy" lives to be bothered with me?
Anyway, another picture of me. WHAT ARE those two things either side of me!!? One thing for certain is I bet they are still not around, like me.
So, OK, questions: Where was the picture taken (not many clues, I know) and what (who) are the other two cars? Yes, I do know the answers.

More old photos

2009-01-03T14:03:00.001-08:00

Hi Guys, hope you had a good Chistmas. Happy New Year!

I am currently resting. Dave has got the old dog, I mean the Rover taxed and insured and is driving him/her about for the winter. I am resting up at his Grandma's house and keeping a look out for Ray while the house is being sold (fat chance of that during this recession).

Anyway Ray & Pat were tidying up the house and came across some old pictures of me in my youth.

This is the first one. It was taken in Cornwall, somewhere near Bodmin, I believe. Sometime in the 1980's.

Anyone recognise the building?

Hornchurch Cardrome

2008-11-10T15:23:00.000-08:00

I overhead Ray talking to one of his work colleagues today about the Hornchurch cardrome. His friend's wife was thinking of learning to drive and Ray started reminiscing about the cardrome. To be honest I am not sure I have ever been there. But I must have done because Ray's wife Pat learnt to drive me yonks ago. Anyway if it is till there and I think it is, it's worth a visit. As I say it is in Hornchurch, Essex, England. Basically it is a circuit of roadways on 12 acres of private land. Slightly smaller than the real thing but the roads are two-way. There are traffic lights and junctions and even a hill where you can practice hill-starts. You take your own car there although they do have their own vehicles you can book. You pay your money at the barrier and you can be there for as long as you like. The driver can be any age (I believe) and Ray took his daughter Holly when she was about fourteen. It is excellent for beginners to get some practice before they go on the public highway and even for someone who is having professional tuition as fill-in practice. The last time Ray went there was about five years ago, so check to see if it is still going. Then it was about £5-6 an hour (the website says £12 entrance). Of course your car will be uninsured and you go at your own risk. It can get a bit busy but you just wait a bit if it is and the cars only go max about 30 mph and you can clearly see everyone else who is on the circuit. Mind you when Ray was there last someone did bump someone up the rear.
Just found the websitehttp://www.cardrome.net/

New Investment Forum on Shareworld

2008-11-01T15:34:00.000-07:00

Phew! Those boys. Yes, Ray and Dave. As if they didn't have enough to do. They have started a new forum on their investment website http://www.shareworld.co.uk
Ok, I know. Ray is the only person to have posted so far. That boy has so much knowledge about the Uk stock market (and US) I cannot understand why none of you haven't taken advantage of the Forum. I know you do ask quite a few questions on the Q & A section, but I think the forum is such a good idea. If I was even slightly interested I would post a topic myself Now let me think. Investment Strategy for a VW Beetle (semi-retired)

Beetle Insurance

2008-10-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

Hi all. I did promise a while back that I would tell you about car insurance. In particular insuring a Beetle like myself under a vintage/veteran motor policy. Ray insured me sometime ago for less than £100 with Performance Direct. Anyway that time of year has come around again when I need to be insured. Dave is going to insure the Rover mainly because he paid so much for the repairs to it earlier this year.
Ray suggested that they insure me under his name with Dave as named driver. Ray got a quote this morning for about £121. Fully comp, but as Dave only got his full licence just over a year ago the final premium came out at £130. This is limited to 3000 miles a year and a nominal value of £1000. I think the excess is £300. There is no NCB involved in this type of policy.
Most of you Beetle owners with 5 year full licence, no endorsements etc. should be able to get a premum well under £100. (Between you and me, Ray has got a DR and an SP endorsement!)
So the boys would thoroughly recommend Performance Direct for your Beetle insurance.

Home made heater pipes

2008-10-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

I notice there have been a few searches for home made heater pipes, where the original equipment is missing. Or in my case nicked!! There are some pics. of my pipes somewhere way back in the blog but they may be hard to find. Yes, I know, you have to read all through my blog, which is difficult for you humans with your strange brains. So here they are again;

Update of sorts

2008-09-12T03:34:00.000-07:00

Well firstly, I think apologies are in order. OK I know I write this blog but the boys do have a bit to do with the input. So, sorry for all you peeps who have visited the blog recently and found.........nothing new! Not to say things haven't been happening. Would you believe the boys spent about £600 on the Rover (no its a car not a dog...well it's a bit of a dog) for head skim, gaskets, brakes, MOT etc. instead of on ME! Well they did actually spend money on me. A couple of weeks ago I was being very stroppy, I don't know why, perhaps the British weather, although you would think I had got used to that by now, mainly being out in the open, night and day, in all weather, even SNOW, do you remember that? for all of my life. Lucky us Beetles are 'Ard!
So I was running badly (deliberately, ha ha), wouldn't let them put me into gear easily, stalling at the lights, making my wheels wobble occasionally etc. Well, I needed some attention! Eventually the boys got really fed up with me and Ray suggested Dave take me back to Jim at Wallhouse http://wallhouseautos.net/ (more about the website later). A couple of days later and with a new steering box I was behaving myself much much better. Good old Jim! As I understand it, from whispered conversations I have picked up between Ray & Dave, the plan is to take me off the road for a bit and get me smartened up (for Christmas?). The Rover is now roadworthy and just needs tax (TAX, what's that, LOL) and insurance. They will probably get me insured through Performance Direct under a limited mileage, vintage car policy like they did before. That costs about £100 or could be even less. I will try and get more details from the boys for the next post as I am sure you Beetles (if any of you have access to the internet) would like to pass the info on to your masters.
So, I mentioned the Wallhouse website. At the moment it is just for contact purposes but Dave is going to organise a good website for Jim so keep your eyes open for that.
OK, I'm off now; got to concentrate on the road and keep an eye on Dave's driving. God knows what he'll be like in the Rover without me there!

Dave's away

2008-06-23T03:41:00.000-07:00

Dave went off to Paris Saturday morning as a birthday treat for his girlfriend Alison so Ray and I decided to do a few repairs. Ray collected me on Friday night and Saturday morning I took him to Volkspares to buy the spark plugs (see previous post).
The old spark plugs were removed reasonably easily and although they didn't look too bad I think the gap had changed. I say not too bad but one of them hadn't been tightened enough and was sooty black all over. After fiddling with the mixture control and tickover speed I was stiil not right and I wouldn't go into gear properly/easily. Ray cleaned the contacts in the gear lever and the contacts on the servo. The problem appeared to be solved and the clutch was moving in & out at the required movement on the gear lever. However driving me back to Dave's Sunday night my gears were very difficult to select again.
My two wipers are now fully functional although I am not hoping for rain!
Ray attempted to sort out the noisy speedo but with no luck. He had the bright idea of contacting Moby on the Volkszone forum and Moby kindly gave him instructions how to fix it. The boys will have a go at this and hopefully take some pictures to post in case anyone else has the same problem.

Inflatio, what inflation?

2008-06-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hi guys, hope you (and cars) are all well.
Me and Ray (OK, Ray and I) just got back from my local Volkspares with some plugs and a wiper blade for me.
Ray had a £10 note and plastic.
"Four plugs for a Beetle. please"
Out from the back came four Bosch WBAC (Super!). Ray wondered if it was the £10 note or the plastic that would be required.
"Oh, and have you got a wiper blade?"
"Eleven & a half inch?" He asked , producing some bubble wrapped non-descripts!
"I don't want them 'one fits all' type they never seem to work properly"
" I've got Bosch ones", he said diving out the back and producing Bosch T1 (Plus Super!,even)"
By now Ray had forgotten all about the tenner and was trying to remember his PIN.
After a couple of minutes playing the EPOS our friendly parts man said: "Ten pounds and a penny, please".
Ray picked himself up and gave him the tenner.
So if you want to do an Anthony Newley and "stop the world. I want to get off". -buy a Beetle!
Cheers all.

Oil for Type 1 Beetle

2008-06-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

I see a lot of questions on Google about the type of engine oil to be used in old (careful!) Beetles. The boys tend to use Morris Straight 30 but now have started using a reasonable quality 20-40. When Ray used me as his primary transport some 28 years ago he tended to buy Duckhams 20-40 and this doesn't seem to have done me any harm. I know the oil is important in keeping me cool (in the temperature sense) but when I was first built there weren't all these fancy new oils about. I think it was a choice of Duckhams or Castrol (XL?) so I am sure you don't need to spend lot of extra money on the fancy brands. After all, oil is oil.
Note I am talking about in the UK here, I don,t know about any of them exotic locations. I have only been to France and I suppose Gertmany where I was born.

Heating, how to get rid

2008-06-09T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hi humans! How are you faring? What with all this talk of recession in America, house prices crashing, inflation soaring. The only thing that affects me is the high oil and petrol prices. I only do about thirty to the gallon at the best of times and I must confess I am running just a wee bit under par so I dread to think how much I am costing to run. Still if you want the best cars...... I tend to cut out when I come to rest which is annoying David a little, not much because he seems to like me so much he doesn't complain. Although Ray keeps telling him to take me down to see Jim at Wallhouse Motors for a quick tune up. As he says these things don't get better only worse. I think Dave has a lot on his mind what with the Shareworld website going great guns. Have a look at the new features. http://www.shareworld.co.uk
He has also started another website trying to impart his knowledge gained through three years of Shareworld to others. He likes learning and improving himself all the time. Have a look over to the links on the right, under Website Design & Promotion, if you can drag yourself away from my Blog!
So, I am afraid there is not much to say about myself, apart from the fact that the boys spent a lot of time last winter getting my heating system working. Do you remember all that palaver with those flexy aluminium hoses? Anyway every time I took the pair of them on a reasonably long trip they sweated like proverbial pigs. Mind you they brought back some French Brie from Paxton & Whitfield in Jermyn Street, near StJames's (yes this is a plug, if you haven't been there and you like cheese, go!)and what with the heat in the car, the Brie got really runny and delicious by the time they got home (about twenty miles). I digress, as usual. Anyway after a few months of British summer (?) Ray insisted they try and do something about the heat. One of the heater controls had been fixed open with a plastic tie so that was cut free and the other one......well, the other one actually worked!! So once again the boys are surprised to see that things still work, if only they had faith! Cool, as they say.

Old versus New

2008-01-23T08:51:00.000-08:00

You lot won't believe this. Well you probably will being gullible humans. Anyway, I have had my fanbelt on about 10 years. I can remember Ray putting a new one on many years ago. Whilst in the garage it was noticed that there was a cut , quite deep in the fanbelt, so it seemed prudent to replace it with a new one.
Me and Dave were driving along the night before when there was a clanking noise in my derriere or whatever the German is for bum and the gen. light came on. Lo and behold the belt had shredded!! Ray came to the rescue in the Pol.... (can't say that word) brandishing a pair of women's tights (are there men's tights?) which he proceeded to fasten around my pulleys much to the delight of the local constabulary who had parked up in the layby for their supper. Anyway the tights got me home although I was getting pretty hot and bothered by the time I got to Barnehurst and Dave fitted a new belt next day from Volkspares.

The Engine Shop Ltd

2008-01-20T03:33:00.000-08:00

Ray was looking around the internet this morning (for promotional gifts for the Shareworld website http://www.shareworld.co.uk/ (if you are interested in stocks & shares). Anyway someone had searched this blog for "the engine shop erith". The blog came up 11th out of 19000. Reading a few of the other results, as you do, Ray was surprised to find, at first position the website of TES (The Engine Shop) in Erith, Kent. (England for you lot who live abroad)

http://www.theengineshop.info/acatalog/index.html

So this is the second VW Beetle related business in Erith we have recently found and knew nothing about. The other was Coolair. I wonder how many more hidden treasures there are in this area?
I know you lot don't like "going public" but how about letting me or the boys know what else is around in Kent, Beetle related of course!

Microgiant

2008-01-18T16:07:00.000-08:00

After my visit to Microgiant in Rayleigh, Essex the smile hasn't gone from Dave's face. He got really fidgety whilst I was away and apparently really missed me. (I bet that was because he had to drive his mum's Rover 214). Anyway Tim at Microgiant has done an excellent job and the boys had a long chat with him about Beetles and campers etc.
He has organised with Pirtex to get some ATF hoses made up and I will make sure Ray gets some more posts up whwen thy're done.

ATF fluid

2008-01-18T15:55:00.000-08:00

The boys are still having problems with one of my fluids. Yes that darned ATF is still leaking onto the road. They think they have it sussed at last. It would appear to be leaking from the union of the return pipe where it returns to the neck of the reservoir filler. Apparently it can leak from the cap due to the washer getting compressed over time. This does not seem to be the case with me.

The boys might have a go over the weekend depending on the weather.

The vwar.org forum has some most helpful contributors. It is purely for auto Beetles like me although none of them are as talkative as me, preferring to let their human owners speak for them!

There's always a debate about what lubricants to use but we think that it does not seem worth spending a lot of money on modern products as they have been designed or refined for modern engines which, I imagine are a lot different to my lump. So we have been using Morris SAE30 engine oil and Dextron II. Of course you should not have to keep topping up the ATF like us, but we bought a 5 litre can which was the cheapest way. Don't know about gearbox oil but will report back when I do.

MIcrogiant

2008-01-17T02:46:00.000-08:00

Hi humans! I am away from home again. This time Dave & Ray took me to Microgiants in Rayleigh. We drove down there Tuesday night in all that rain. I got Dave there safely though, but I think Ray was a bit worried due to the weather. Ray drove in the VW Pol.....that word's got stuck in my throat. Oh well I suppose at least it's a Volkswagen!
Anyway the boys thought they would get some professionals to look at my leaks. No I haven't started growing vegetables; oil leaks.
Tim at Microgiant diagnosed it as 1. Oil pressure switch leaking 2. ATF filler cap leaking (inspite of the ATF hoses looking very ropey they were not leaking).
Tim later discovered the oil cooler was leaking as well so that's a slightly bigger job. But not too bad for a 30 year old.
The boys asked Tim to check with Pirtex (just down the road from them) how much the ATF hoses would be to make up.
Hopefully I will be picked up today so I will let you all know he results.

Coolair (GB) Ltd.

2007-12-30T12:50:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago Dave & Ray were in Volkspares in Barnehurst. They were after some of that stretchy aluminium pipe. Unfortunately the guy there didn't have any but kindly suggested they try Coolair. Well, Ray had seen the Coolair catalogue before but didn't realise the shop was local (Erith).

The shop (warehouse?) is in Bilton Road, Erith but the boys had never seen it before. Ray drove up and down the cul-de-sac which is Bilton Road about five times but could not find it. He asked a couple of locals (even some car mechanics about a hundred yards from where it eventually turned out to be. In fact it was right at the beginning of Bilton Road, but unless you knew it was there you would easily miss it. Come on chaps give us a clue who/where you are. Mind you inside it is a revelation. There are a few buses and a few bugs in there and loads of other bits and pieces. Ray was a bit disappointed that one assistant gave the reply to a question "Dunno mate, I know nuffin' about Beetles" Oh well c'est la vie, at least modern life.

Anyway it's useful to have another source of parts in the area, although Heritage has moved a bit closer to Ray's office in Crawley, which is also handy.

Tax exempt

2007-12-30T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well, as I suppose most of you know, in the UK, vehicles manufactured (constructed) before 1st January 1973 are exempt from Road Fund Licence (Car tax). However you have to apply for a tax disc or, presumably, apply for a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification). To apply for a Tax disc you need Insurance and an MOT. In my particular case, Ray had been the registered keeper since way back (pre SORN) but had not applied for the Tax, as the car was not being driven on the road. Those of you who have read this blog will know that Ray's son David is now using me for daily transport, so he recently applied for the tax disc (exempt).

Fortunately the local DVLA office is only a 15 minute drive away in Sidcup,Kent (near Sidcup railway station) so I popped Dave down there a couple of weeks ago. He was suitably armed with my new style registration document, insurance certificate and MOT.

The necesssary application form was filled in there and then. The chap behind the counter asked if there was a SORN but didn't seem interested in the answer. According to the DVLA you don't need a SORN if the vehicle was taken off the road before the law came out. Anyway it was all pretty simple in the end and as you can see Dave stuck the new disc on my front windscreen (bit too far over if you ask me). You should be able to read my new taxation class: HISTORIC..posh, eh what!?

Latest pics

2007-12-30T11:59:00.000-08:00

Latest pics of Brian

2007-12-30T10:44:00.000-08:00

Yeah, that's right, Brian. The family have dusted away the cobwebs from their collective memory and decided that I used to be called Brian. I can live with that: It's nice being wanted again after all these years!

Me after a good wash

2007-12-30T10:29:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics of me. I know you have seen similar before, but these were taken on Holly's new camera she got for Christmas. Holly is Ray's youngest daughter. You remember me telling you about his other daughter Joanne? I mentioned she was having a baby in previous postings. Well she had a baby boy, Sammi, on 2nd Nov. I was going to say a little boy, but he was 10lb 2oz!
Anyway the camera is a Nikon D40 bought in Jessops, Crawley. Ray almost walked out of the shop without buying anything, the assistance was so bad (non existent). Can't say much about the camera yet as they have not really used it much, but seems pretty impressive.

Chit chat

2007-12-30T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hi all, how are you? Don't get all shy I don't expect a response! It's quite pleasing to see so many visitors to the blog. Some of you look around for a bit and others go as quick as they came: I don't know what sort of beetle you are after. It was funny when the boys wrote about my oil consumption. A google search for "what sort of oil does a Beetle use?" produced, among others, a website about 'oil beetles'!!

Anyway, not much has happened over the last few weeks as I have been running very well. Although I am still losing a lot of oil and ATF as well. Can't do much about it before the spring and warmer weather, but Dave's grandmother has offered to pay for a new engine, so the boys are trying to work out the best plan of action.

The next couple of posts are on specific items so we have split them up for convenience and there are also some pics of me, after having had a bath! (more like a hose down! Brrrrr

Dimensions of heater pipe

2007-12-05T11:25:00.000-08:00

Having checked the details of the piping Ray & Dave used they have discovered that the smaller pipe is 50mm. This is the standard pipe people like VW Heritage etc. sell, that is used in the engine compartment. There is also a similar pipe in cardboard. When the boys first tried to 'fix' the heating they used this diam. pipe but found it went inside the heat exchanger outlet and could not be fixed securely. They then discovered the slightly larger pipe and the two sizes used in conjuctuction proved to be a perfect combination. They have plans, however to fix the heating properly using the correct Beetle components. The first hurdle is money. The two plastic pipes from the H/Es to inside the body are about £23 odd each (VW Heritage, GSF, Volkspares) although Ray saw them somewhere at half the price. (possibly Status)
Maybe they will pick some up secondhand-no rush I am keeping Dave fairly warm so far and I think they may try and get the left heater channel organised which should be OK.

Heater pipes

2007-12-05T02:55:00.000-08:00

I notice Dave & Ray have put up some pictures of their handiwork.(see last post)
They were fiddling around for ages trying to get some of the heat produced by my engine to go into the cab. Hopefully you can see from the pics which is the view from under the rear seat. There is a length of aluminium stretchy pipe attached over the end pipe of the heat exchanger and fastened with plastic cable tie. This pipe is just over 3inches diameter and was purchased from Chastilian Motors in Crayford. Well actually it was free as it was the end of their stock. It was about 12 inches long but this stuff does stretch considerably, although you have to be careful as the aluminum can start to unwind. In the other end of this pipe, under the seat, a similar length of the stanadard VW aluminium hose, which I believe is 3inch diameter was fitted. The other end of this pipe fitted nicely over the pipe going into the heater channel. Although you cannot feel loads of heat coming out of the side vent it does have a noticeable effect on the overall warmth of the interior and I am much more comfortable to travel in now, so I hear.

The really important things to be done next are my oil leaks. My engine is, to say the least, a bit oily and drips when stationary after any trip, although I don't think it has ever been any different. Possibly more worrying is the leakage from the ATF system. It looks like one particular pipe from, or to, the ATF reservoir is very worn and oily looking and the "boys" think a lot of fluid is coming from there.

heater pipes

2007-12-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

Wallouse Autos

2007-11-28T12:37:00.000-08:00

Some pictures of Wallhouse Autos. I am sure Jim won't mind the publicity, and he did a grand job gettin my clean bill of health. MOT to you lot!

Pics, new alloys

2007-11-28T12:28:00.000-08:00

Getting some heat

2007-11-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

One of my problems is that the pipework from my heat exchangers is, in the main missing. As you know the heat exchangers take heat indirectly from the exhaust manifold. ( If it was direct my passengers would die from carbon monoxide poisoning and I'd get done for murder/manslaughter) From the H/Es there are two plastic pipes which somehow branch out, one branch joining on to the rear end of the heater channels and the other going to the rear passenger footwell. There are flaps on the heat exchanger to turn all the heat on or off and there are flaps that turn on/off the rear outlets. These are controlled by the two levers either side of the handbrake. One lever (R. I think) controls the two H/E flaps whilst the L. controls the rear passengers outlet. The heat travels along the heater channels, pushed, I think by the engine fan, and partially comes out of two holes just in front of the front occupants' feet. These outlets have "shutters" controlled by levers on the side panels just below the dashboard. The rest of the heat travels into the bonnet compartment and up a pipe to dashboard height, where it branches three ways.One goes to the permanently open windscreen corner vents. The others go into a box unit in the middle where the hot air may be mixed with colder air from the bonnet vents. Unfortunately this box is missing and anyway some idiot put the wrong type of bonnet on me with no vents.
Sorry I am getting tired, but simply, Dave & Ray have rigged up a short piece of aluminium stretchy pipe between the H/Es and the Heater channel on the right so there is some heat coming into the front of the cab!

Speedometer cable

2007-11-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

Hi Humans, how do you like this cold weather?
Last week you should have heard the noise coming from my speedometer. It sounded like one of my front wheels was coming loose!
Dave enquired up at Volkspares in Barnehurst (where I live, remember) how he could fix it, but the friendly chap there suggested it was probably the cable that was the problem, so Dave bought a new one.
On Sunday afternoon Dave & Ray decided to fit the new speedo cable.
They had already removed the end from the back of the speedo as they couldn't stand the racket it was making. This is easily done by undoing the knurled aluminium (?) nut with your fingers.
They decided to take the front wheel off although I am not sure this is entirely necessary.The cable passes through the back of the left wheel hub (nearside?), through the bearings and out through a tiny square hole in the inner hub cap, where it is retained by a tiny circlip, or should be 'cos mine is missing. After much tugging on the old cable it gave up it's grip and came out at the back of the hub. The new one was pushed back in the same way, noting that it passes in front of the steering arm. It was quite stiff to push through the hub and was helped by a small amount of grease on the outside of the cable. Dave & Ray are not sure this is recommended but it seemed to help.
We were all very relieved on the test run that the horrible noise had completely gone! Success!

Oil change

2007-11-11T12:14:00.001-08:00

I don't know how Dave and Ray can work outside in this weather! On Saturday 10th they decided to change my engine oil. They had previously bought 5 litres of Morris 30 SAE from GSF (German Swedish & French in Bluewater) and also the gasket set. Unfortunately the gasket set could not be found so Dave bought another from Volkspares in Barnehurst. A new paper gasket and copper washers must be fitted when replacing the oil strainer after draining the engine oil.
An old washing up bowl was used to catch the old oil. This is very messy because my engine is so low to the ground, maybe it would have been better to put me up on the ramps.
There was a lot of sludge around the oil strainer and this was all cleaned off in white spirit (petrol can be used instead). The strainer and plate was refitted with the new gaskets and copper washers and the main drain nut tightened to 33lbs/ft.
Getting the two and a half litres of new oil in is a bit tricky due to the confined space.
Dave and Ray have learned a couple of things for next time (3000 miles?)
Maybe ramp me up as I said earlier.
Buy a proper oil funnel designed for us Beetles.

Back home

2007-11-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been a bit lazy in writing the blog, or maybe I am a in a bit of a daze after my stay at Wallhouse.
So everything has been done and I have my new MOT certificate and some very nice Empi style wheels (not new, mind you but quite smart). I am not sure about the bright yellow colour to be honest--bit much for my traditional (who said old-fashioned?) look: old skool is it? Still got to get with it, I might even get on Facebook! Only joking.

Still got to get the tax exemption thingy done and the pressing 'repairs' are to have a good look at the leaking ATF (yes, ATF, remember I am automatic)Keep up, I might be asking questions later. Huh, not that you lot like answering questions, however simple.
Also check the fuel lines; there is a bit of a whiff of petrol when I stop. Even so I was a bit shocked to hear one of the family say "go and smell the Beetle". What do you think you lot smell of?

Also I must confess I make a bit of a noise inside although I am very quiet from the outside. Strange. Still I am nearly 40 years old.

Dave and Ray took out the old static seatbelts and replaced them with a new automatic pair from Volkspares in Barnehurst. Obviously the quality is not a patch on the originals. Anyone interested in the old belts??

Anyway I am off now--will try and get Dave to put up some of the new pics.

Wallhouse motors

2007-10-18T15:52:00.000-07:00

Hi humans!!
Well I cannot tell you what's been happening since Jim (Wallhouse) took me to his yard. Still I do feel at home: there are lots of my brother Beetles and cousin camper vans in various states of health here, I think Dave & Ray took some pics of the yard(s) and presumably they will get round to posting them shortly. I have had a lot of work done to get through the MOT. I won't tell you exactly what because Dave & Ray haven't seen me yet so I don't want to spoil their surprise.I just hope it's worth the money they've spent. Oh well,OK, I will give you a bit of the juice: Exhaust pipe, windscreen wiper mechanism, welding my bottom (!) and four new (new to me anyway) Empi style wheels and tyres.
Must get some pics done and get them all posted.
I should have been picked up Saturday (20th Oct?) but Dave has flown up to Scotland to see his girlfriend (wonder if she will like me? She probably won't like my inside-still a bit of a mess. Am I a girl? Woman? Female? Cars are usually female aren't they.
Oh by the way I am really disappointed no one has replied to my little quiz about my cosmetic changes (cosmetic surgery?). Tell you the truth a bit disappointed you lot haven't given me any replies at all!! Humans, bah!

Off to Wallhouse

2007-10-03T01:37:00.000-07:00

Dave had arranged to drive me to Wallhouse in Erith. The plan was to get an MOT test to find out exactly what work was required, (another MOT?), get the work done and get the MOT certificate.

The best laid plans of mice and men.... The accelerator cable snapped somewhere along its legnth. Dave bought a new one up at Volkspares in Barnehurst (very handy) but could not thread it through.

Anyway someone came up from Wallhouse and carted me off to the workshop.

Dave is 'phoning up today, hopefully, to see how I am.No doubt he, or Ray will keep you posted.

On a more cheerful note this blog comes up 13th out of 2.8m on a Google search for "Beetle blog"

Let's hope next week brings some good news and I will be able to convey some good cheer!

Outlook for MOT

2007-08-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

There were a few long faces in Barnehurst on Friday. Jim, from Wallhouse came round to have a look at me.
He was quite impressed by me being an auto but was a bit concerned about the heater channel on the driver's side.

Seems to be a choice of welding a plate over the sill and floor pan (which would make it awkward if we ever wanted to take the body off to do a proper job) or sticking carpet down over the floor pan to get the MOT. A new floor pan has been welded in so looks good from underneath.

MORE ABOUT LOSTWITHIEL

2007-08-14T04:22:00.000-07:00

Old Ray must be going a bit daft in his old age; He emailed the Lostwithiel Town Council to find out where that pic was taken. You know the one under the arch, scary if you ask me. He's got this idea of taking us all back there one day.
Anyway he got this reply within seconds, very impressive!

See you soon, Linda.

Quote:

The photograph was taken in Lostwithiel. It is an archway which runs under a listed building which used to form part of the old Duchy Palace/Jail. It runs between Quay Street and South Street. The vehicle as photographed would be coming from South street into Quay Street. The archway connects two properties which are privately owned.

Linda Austen Clerk to Lostwithiel Town Council Telephone 01208 872323

Spot the difference Part 2

2007-08-13T16:08:00.000-07:00

No I didn't mean the crap "finger plate" under my bonnet handle. Nor the chrome strip and VW badge. Oh, and not the black beading which should be white!!

I'm thinking of something much more significant than any of these.

Spot the difference

2007-08-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Bit of an observation test here for all you Beetle afficianados.

Can you see a glaring difference in me from picture at Lostwithiel 12.10 12/08/07 and second picture on 23/7/07
And I don't mean the missing overriders.
No prizes I'm afraid and the chap from Leyton who did £2000 odd of renovation work is barred from answering on the grounds he should know his own mistakes!

Handbook

2007-08-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

I got Ray to look in the bookcase to see if he could find my original handbook.
Luckily he keeps a lot of old stuff and has still got my handbook. Isn't modern technology marvelous? I expect most of you have scanners and computers and things, but remember in my day we didn't have such technology.

Ray tells me he was using a mechanical device to calculate when I was born and his first recollection of computers was something called a mainframe.

This was kept in his offices at the Pearl Assurance in Holborn in an airlocked room the size of a large house.

Anyway I digress. The pics show the front and inside cover of the handbook.
I must have been a handsome young thing then.
Picture me in the showrooms of Goodliffe Garages Croydon Ltd. in August 1968

Its the good life, full of fun, seems to be the ideal, yes the good life..
Do you remember old Frank? Old blue eyes?

I wonder if they are still there? No the garage, not Frank's eyes. Does anyone remember them or know if they are still around?

Me at Lostwithiel

2007-08-12T12:10:00.000-07:00

This is me at Lostwithiel in Cornwall, I think. Anyone recognise it? Must get back there someday. This picture was taken in the summer of 1983 I would think. You can just make out the driver. That's Pat, Ray's wife. And if you look closely, just passed the tax disc (Hah! Don't need one of them now, do we Ray?) you can see Joanne in the back. She is Pat & Ray's daughter. Joanne is about to have a baby so maybe there will be a pic of a third generation with me. Lucky us Beetles live so long, isn't it.

Current pictures

2007-07-23T09:30:00.001-07:00

Welcome to my Blog.

2007-07-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

I was born sometime around 1969 and I was first registed by the DoT on 1st of August 1969.
My present owner bought me and a couple of pushbikes for £500 in October 1979.

If you didnt know already, I am a VW Beetle, automatic or more correctly semi-automatic or stick-shift. I am Ivory White and my engine is 1500 cc.

Here is my registration document showing change of keeper:

I have just failed my MOT for the first time that I can remember, at least for anything serious.

I needed:

welding
headlights fixing
new tyres
windscreen wipers
new exhaust pipe
Attention to breaks

So far, Ray my keeper and his son David have replaced the front discs and given me new Hella headlights - although this still hasnt solved the problem of my lights being too
dim for the road - bloody cheek! ...and hopefully will do the rest shortly.

Hopefully through this blog I will try and give you some information on my past and keep you updated with what is happening now.