Volkswagen Beetle

1972 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1200L

Since Harry the Beetle ventured to the Norfolk coast at the end of January ( CCW, 15 February), he’s only had a couple of local outings, one of which turned out to be rather shorter than expected.

Let’s just say I’ve learnt a lesson, having set out to drive to the local filling station, only to run out of fuel on the A15 Deeping bypass, midway between home and the pumps. I managed to pull to the side of the road safely and was soon joined by Darren Howlett, a local member of the VW community who happened to be passing and saw my plight. He kindly gave me a lift in his Transporter van and I bought a petrol can and five gallons of the Co-op’s finest. On our return an AA man had arrived – also in a VW van (a mini event!) – and after I’d glugged the contents of the can into the tank, some fettling was required before the Beetle burst back into life. The helpful AA man also identified a pesky oil leak that will require attention in order to prevent loss of the black stuff on the garage floor.

A later outing fortunately went without any hitch. I bid successfully bid on an original piece of VW artwork for sale online and am now the proud owner of a well-illustrated 1977 The

Beetle Phenomenon poster that details all the different developments between 1937 and 1977. It arrived rolled up but opening it out revealed that it looked too good not to display properly.

So, an outing to see Michelle at my local Picture Framing Workshop was in order to see what would be the best way to achieve this while preserving the original’s character. I returned to collect the completed framed picture a couple of weeks later and it now takes pride of place in my kitchen. Michelle and her partner Mark own a fine 1965 Bedford CA Dormobile.

Meanwhile, I’ve got that oil leak to sort. Oh, and Harry needs a new headlight bulb.