MY Flame ���THE BEETLE���

Like how everyone who had got caught with the Love Bug flame, mine too had its fair side of its story. Since I was a teenager, the small flat four Beetle had always interested me and I really did wanted to own one.

My time came when I passed by a workshop sometime back in 2003 and saw this beautiful Beetle lying there.

Having a closer inspection, I found this unit to be very unique indeed since it has a front and rear spoiler and extended fender to give it a grunt look and sporty look. Apparently it has been left there for months for a clutch plate job and engine overhaul.

Upon further enquiry from the workshop operator, I was informed that the owner didn���t have the budget and was seriously thinking of selling this Beetle off.

After negotiations, I purchased this car for a mere $700. The owner seriously said that he had given up doing further restoration on this vehicle due to its never ending engine problems. He lamented that ever since he bought this car, he had never been able to drive it around in peace without it breaking down. This Beetle is a 1971 model which was with a 1300cc engine and was changed to 1600 cc engine.

Picking Beetle up for I have observed its attractiveness of the ���CAL��� look. First work down was I bought a Haynes manual and started off with the strip and rebuild procedure. Engine work was first one to be done. Step by step I went through and I was baffled indeed since Haynes didn���t list every tiny bits of them down I had to source help from my fellow mechanic friends who does Alfa Romeo���s who knows much on Boxer type engines.
Truly this Beetle came with endless engine problems. The foot long bill was endless for me and really took an impact on my savings as I had to replace and redo every tiny part on this car from the Engine to Transmission, Brakes and it was a total rebuild. I also did up the body work since rust was prevalent on the body and floor board.

I was determined to complete this restoration with success. It took a year to complete and the final step was a new coat of paint. I decided to give a two tone colour with Blue and Silver replacing its earlier colour Maroon red
.
I also refurbished the dull interior as well recently getting it with leather seats and matching beige carpets to give the extra classy look inside.

The Beetle runs well with its 1600 cc engine which is rather powerful. I am proud to say that Ii have run the car right passed 140kph on the freeway...which is quiet good for a Beetle. It had excellent road-handling and was economical to maintain. I didn't bother modding the engine and kept it in its original state except that I chromed the engine bits and parts to give it a shiny edge.

Although the Beetle is a small car, the engine has great elasticity and gave the feeling of better output than its small nominal size. I would say that its truly amazing to drive. It brought back the fun you have while driving which is an enjoyable experience with the sounds of the flat four filling your ears with music. Suddenly driving is not dull anymore and became a wonderful affair!

Consumption was economical with 31mpg on the line with mixed city and highway usage.

I have learnt that owning a Beetle is not about the speed, class or the styling but it's all about the pure passion it gives with a wonderful ride. This is a truly people's car!

Well i have had this car for 7 years now and sadly putting it up for sale to finance my other restoration projects. Any takers? Call me at 60193310390 if you're interested or email me at wwaron56@yahoo.co.uk