From: rgolen@UMASSD.EDU
Subject: Re: Splitting this Group
Reply-To: rgolen@UMASSD.EDU
Organization: UMASS DARTMOUTH, NO. DARTMOUTH, MA.
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 13:38:50 GMT

In article <1992Dec19.074850.6284@u.washington.edu>, dali@stein.u.washingt writes: 
>As an owner of a 1970 Squareback, I could really care less about
>some of the issues posted by owners of GTi's who are all obsessed
>with the chip in their computer or how fast they went around some
>corner.
> 
>All of the articles on the heater recalls, anti-freeze, things falling
>off three months after the new car was purchased, all of these things
>are completely meaningless to me.
> 
>I get into my car and drive it.  I worry about my mechanic dying.  He
>is the only one in this area who can do an honest engine-rebuild.  I
>worry about rust, and how to fix or replace my clock.  I drive 60-65
>on the freeway.  The car has never failed me.
> 
>Air cooled owners are driving near-antiques.  We are enthusiasts, fanatics
>some may say.  Water cooled VWs are VWs yes, but they don't turn
>our heads like air cooled VWs do.  I enjoy VW-spotting, the sight
>of a well-kept Karmann Ghia or Split/Oval can make my day.  A
>Rabbit, Dasher (???), or Jetta is just another car on the road
>to us. 

Stuff deleted

>And so I must strongly call for votes on this.  I am willing to
>tally up the yes and no votes and present it to whoever I present
>it to to make a new group.  I think that if people want to read both,
>they can subscribe to both.  
Stuff Deleted


At the risk of starting a pissing contest or a flame war I will
once again throw my $.02 in. I first of all HATE the implication
that one group is better than another, or that one group's interests
are different than another, etc. It so happens I have interests in
BOTH camps.

A little background is due, perhaps a bit long, if you aren't into
long stuff, go on to your next item in the list.

I have driven VWs almost exclusively since 1969. That summer I
had a 1963 Ford Falcon Futura Convertable, got it for free from
my father who made a deal with me....rebuild the engine, and
brakes (none of which were bad ... car had under 60K miles), 
and I'll pay for driving lessons and give you the car. Got the
license, got the car.

About 3 months later I was given a 57 oval beetle by a friend
of my father. It was a hideous coral color, the interior was
shot, but for $50. I insured it for the rest of the year. 
A few months later I sold the Falcon and used the money to
fix up the beetle. People said I was crazy...they still do.

While in college during the early 70s I repaired, bought &
sold bugs & busses. Made lots of money buying $50 specials,
doing a quickie rebuild and throwing on a coat of paint, 
and selling them for $800!

I have worked on almost every type of aircooled VW with the
exception of pre 1950 stuff and Vanagons. I have owned 
the following:

1956, 1957, 1964, 1974 Beetle
1974 Thing
1958 & 1962 Type II Pickup 
1966 Type II Double Cab Pickup
1967 Westphalia Camper
1964 Type III Variant 1500 S - Built in Brussels
1964 & 1967 Karman Ghia Coupe
1979 Rabbit C
1983 & 1984 Rabbit GTI
1986 GTI (daily driver)
1988 Golf GT  (wife's car)

The 83 GTI soldiers on as my autocross car. Yes it goes fast, yes
it lifts its rear wheel, infact I can get ANY FWD Rabbit/Golf
to lift its rear wheel UNDER 10 mph in a tight turn. No brag,
just fact.

The 1956 beetle has been in storage since the late 70s early
80s. Put it there while other interests, and life in general
dictated it be put away. The discussion on this list on
the aircooled stuff has once again peaked my interest to the
extent that I am going to take my summer toy - (dare I admit
it) 1978 MG Midget, put it away and once again drive the
56.

The point is that I, and possibly others, have an interest in 
both areas, none of which I see as mutually exclusive. I enjoy
VWs, dare I admit I remember the days when they were the 
number 1 import, and I wish I hadn't sold some of my past
"pets". I have had my share of #3 exhaust valves going
south (hint...adjust the exhaust valve on #3 .002" more
than you do on your other valves), using thin pieces
of tin to build up the centerlink on early Type IIs but
I have also lifted a few rear wheels, etc. on watercooled
cars. GTIs are a whole lot of fun, so are 56 Beetles, different
yet the same.

There is something about a German car (also had a Mercedes 220D
(the slugmobile) and a 911SC) that is indescribable (maybe
its Fahrvegnugen...maybe its a soul) that no other car has..
American or Japanese. Japanese cars are appliances. The
closest car to have this feeling is a British car, and thats
because they are downright cantankerous (spelling?).

Maybe I have rambled on here a bit, still need my coffee, shower &
shave, if so 'sorry bout that. But it really pisses me off when
some people can't see beyond the nose of their Bug or their
GTI to see the big picture, maybe that just comes from time and
experience. Thanks for letting me vent.

Ric "gonna get my 56 back on the road!!!" Golen