So I'm thinking of getting a old vw bug to drive through the rainy/snowy season. Anyone have experience with them? What should I be looking for? What should I look to avoid?

I've always heard about the bug heaters being pathetic. Then I thought...

"I ride a motorcycle at 70 with no windshield and only a couple degrees above freezing, in the rain."

And suddenly even a pathetic heater sounded like a slice of heaven.

Serowbot wrote on 09/06/13 at 11:18:50:


A buddy back in the 1970's had one I drove a lot. That "heater" was about like sitting on a block of ice. At least on the old Triumph I had your legs got some heat off the engine!

Always wanted one, but never found "the" one for me.  Either too expensive or more work than I wanna do.  Mother-in-law's boyfriend has one (72 or 74 model, I think) that's in pretty good shape, but still needs some work, which he can no longer do, due to having a stroke.  I'm waiting for him to offer to sell it to us cheap.  

I had a '74 Bus (Camper version) once ... "Herb Tarlek" plaid seats too!

greenmonster wrote on 09/06/13 at 11:22:10:



Sure, you can dress warm. But the defrosters on those things were even worse than the heaters. Being cold is one thing, not being able to see is another. I do know of a guy who stuck an aftermarket rear window defroster grid on his windshield though. It worked, but it looked a little weird. He never got a ticket that I know about, but in a lot of places pasting anything on the windshield that obstructs your view is a no no.

The whole car tended to dissolve pretty rapidly if it was driven anywhere they used much salt on the roads. The first thing to fall off was usually the heater boxes - sheet metal gizmos surrounding part of the exhaust system that supplied the warm air for the heater.

I love VW Bugs. My first car was a 1970 Beetle with a stock 1600cc dual port engine, but it had a bent valve and I didn't know it untill my number three spark plug literally melted and shot out of the head.

Then I had a 1974 Super Beetle. It also had the 1600 CC dual port engine but by the time I got done with it it had a displacement closer to 2000cc. It was the fasted four cylinder in three cities.

They are very easy to work on and maintain. I really miss my 74. I had named it Bug Attack.

Sis had a '57 Ghia in '66, bought a new Beetle circa `68.  I had a '61 in Athens in '67 that I sold in Georgia in '69.  Now have a '66 in the garage that we have been neglecting.

Regarding driving in the snow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABcckOTVqao