[Sirvoicar]

It was a very good occasion of Makar Sankranth that I have become a part of the BHP community. The casual surfing of Auto related information has led to an addiction of sharing experience and knowledge regularly on the forum. Though I have passed many a exams and held membership of many professional body’s (I hold a 1979 Driving License), I was given the tough-to-get-in feeling by the BHP management. But, I must appreciate their efforts to have created a quality forum with the best of contributors and writers among the general populace. It’s a Great place to be in. Congratulations to the Team-BHP for creating this exclusive forum.

Though GTO poked me for an intro thread, I plunged myself into the discussions right away. This Sunday evening I thought of doing the needful.

I am a medical devices professional, involved in introduction of innovative medical devices and to impart clinical training to surgeons in the field of Minimally Invasive surgery and surgical stapling. I am a Goan living in Mumbai (400069). I loved automobiles since childhood; I still remember having fascination for Die Cast models with openable doors and bonnet. They were very rare then, and expensive. The real life experience was with my VW Beetle, the best car that I have owned till date. A simple and efficient design. A perfect car. The only flaw that I can think of was the lack of Air Conditioning. Subsequently, I have owned Tata and Maruti cars. It is the first time I bought a Mahindra (TUV300) and I must thank Team-BHP for helping me decide.

I find the forum full of intellectuals from different fields willing to help others selflessly. Team-BHP is the glue that binds all members in this fascinating field of automobiles. I can only think of the sprite tag line here “Team-BHP bhujaye Auto knowledge ki pyaas, baki sab bakwaas”

My VW Beetle. With my son in 1995 on way to Mumbai on NH17 outskirts of Chiplun >>>

[FINTAIL]

Originally Posted by Sirvoicar

It was a very good occasion of Makar Sankranth that I have become a part of the BHP community. The casual surfing of Auto related information has led to an addiction of sharing experience and knowledge regularly on the forum. Though I have passed many a exams and held membership of many professional body’s (I hold a 1979 Driving License), I was given the tough-to-get-in feeling by the BHP management. But, I must appreciate their efforts to have created a quality forum with the best of contributors and writers among the general populace. It’s a Great place to be in. Congratulations to the Team-BHP for creating this exclusive forum.


My VW Beetle. With my son in 1995 on way to Mumbai on NH17 outskirts of Chiplun >>>

First and foremost, welcome to the forum.

The VW sedan pictured is in fine condition! Dates from the first half of the Sixties. GDA would be a typical Goa registration of that time.

Goa, during the late Fifties was still under Portuguese rule. It was isolated from the ''socialist'' mainland. And yeah, it was a really classy city. Mercedes Benz Pontons, and Heckflosses (a.k.a the Mercedes Benz 'Fintail' ) used to ply as taxies. And yes, even Ford Consuls were used as taxies.

Today hardly anyone remembers the Ford Consul. Heck, Baga Beach in Goa is as good as Juhu Beach in Bombay. Go figure.

But once upon a time Goa, had really, really LARGE numbers of VW's. Microbuses, sedans, name it. Goa was faaarrr more cosmopolitan than even Bombay, for that matter.

My grouses with the VW sedans (1200/1300 et al) are not many. But yes, the air cooled engines could simply go on, and on and on. The risk of overheating was omnipresent- but then VW are masters at effective engineering. But there won't ever be a car as iconic as the original air cooled Beetle. THAT flat - 4 ''boxer'' was an absolute gem of an engine. The Beetle was as good as any Merc when it came to longevity.

Lack of air-conditioning, indeed, on cars of that era then and now remains a problem. We have a '72 FIAT 1100 Delight at home, and yes- it is difficult to drive the car in summer, with a leaky radiator, NO AC, and no powersteering.

But the column shift transmissions are a joy to use. A hot knife through butter- this line would sum up perfectly on how perfect these transmissions feel.

Such things aside, there's a good chance that your Beetle still survives. Do you remember to whom you sold the car?

____________________________

A few Goan VW threads; http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/post-w...ia-camper.html

This one chronicles a Golf restoration: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/post-w...0-vw-golf.html

There are numerous air-cooled VW enthusiasts on this forum. See you around.

[FINTAIL]

Originally Posted by Sirvoicar

I
My VW Beetle. With my son in 1995 on way to Mumbai on NH17 outskirts of Chiplun >>>

Hi again.

'Turns out that your VW does survive.

THIS-



Became THIS-





The maroon sedan parked behind your (ex) car - is owned by BHPian RandomUserName.

Photo Credits: Karlosdeville.

[Sirvoicar]

Looks much smaller now with the daily high pressure polishing *grins*