When I came across Ned’s account … I just had to reblog. He is absolutely right.
You can’t experience the joy (?) of a VW bus ownership unless you had one. Ours was red and white with a side door that rolled on the rail without benefit of the rollers. They had rusted off years before. And the only time you got heat was in mid-summer in the Midwest. It was a trooper, though, which came to a 200,000 mile plus end when we (I) blew a rod and left pieces engine parts on a quarter mile stretch on Route 39 in Illinois.
It was best remember for a shift fork that kept slipping out of place. It was an easy fix, positioning pudgy fingers down the shift lever to force it back into place. The most notable time was in New York City entering the Lincoln Tunnel during dinnertime rush. I heard plenty of horns that day as I attempted to slip the fork back into slots … but Ned is right, my horn never worked. Glad Illinois didn’t have yearly inspections back then.
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: If everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.
When I first heard about Volkswagen’s plans to bring back the Microbus, I immediately decided it would become our new family vehicle. That’s because no mode of transportation offers the same level of excitement as riding in a VW bus.
Except maybe riding in a runaway mine car.
But that was always part of its charm, just like the seat belts that had to be double-knotted to the door handle; the innovative heating system that blended engine heat and exhaust fumes with just enough outside air to keep occupants from blacking out; and a horn that never EVER worked — and when I say never-ever, I don’t just mean on mine. To this day, I have yet to meet anyone who has actually had (or witnessed the existence of) a working horn on a VW bus. Remember, this was way before side-impact bars, breakaway bumpers and so many air bags…
View original post 625 more words
The Light 
I had to smile at your reference to the slip fork. My second VW van had the same issue, usually popping out after taking off in an intersection. I got pretty good at the one-armed fork shift while peering over the dash! Thanks for bringing that memory back, and for the re-blog. If you ever want to add a humor column to you weekly paper, let me know. I’d be happy to send it to you on the house. I come from a small paper and they will always have a special place in my heart.
Again, thanks for sharing the memory 😉
LikeLike
Thank you for reminding me of the experience. There is no experience in the world like those from an old VW bus! I might take you up on your offer. Some of our columnists are getting a little … stale. I currently have four I rotate. Thanks
LikeLike