Volkswagen Beetle
1972 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1200L
After his adventures on the road to Skegness last December, Harry the Beetle has been snug in the garage awaiting warmer weather before venturing out on to the roads again.
However, with MoT day ringed on the calendar, it was time to rouse the Beetle from its slumbers. So, following a few hours of charging and maintaining the battery, the engine burst rudely into life and the 1200L emerged into the daylight for the first time this year.
It was interesting to reflect that there was no longer a need for the car to have an MoT, legally speaking, though it will always continue to take this annual test of roadworthiness to see what work should be carried out to make sure it continues running in fine fettle.
It was great to strike the engine up on a superb sunny morning and head across the Fens to the VW Aircooled Works workshop at Whaplode ready for its pre-MoT check-over. I left the driver’s side window down throughout to make the most of the cross-country trip using a satisfying mix of back and main roads, cruising at a steady 45-50mph.
On arrival at the workshop, Harry was straight on the ramps for inspection. The front bonnet was up to get to the bottle for the window washers that relies on the spare wheel for pumping up the pressure – Volkswagen was very creative like that! It just wasn’t doing its job properly so it was time to sort out the gunked-up washer jets and fit some new wipers.
The other item in need of attention was the nearside front tyre, which was showing signs of age. The other three still look fairly new, so a new Toyo tyre made up a matching set leaving the old one to be environmentally retired.
With those tasks done, the Beetle got a pass at the MoT station. However, it was noted that the brake pipes and flexis looked a little the worse for wear and are probably original. So, new Kunifer pipes and flexi hoses are on order.
Harry didn’t return home with me on this occasion, thanks to an exciting new development in his life, but that’s a bigger story for another time!