+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

  1. Link to Post #1
    New Zealand Unsubscribed
    Join Date
    1st September 2011
    Posts
    5,984
    Thanks
    34,888
    Thanked 38,520 times in 5,690 posts

    Default Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end
    Darrell Etherington@etherington / 3 hours ago

    https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/09/vo...oduction-ends/

    Click image for larger version

Name:	2019_Beetle_Final_Edition-Large-8693.jpg
Views:	56
Size:	379.6 KB
ID:	41074

    2019 Beetle Final Edition

    The Volkswagen Beetle is taking a bow, after its return and restyle in 2011 (and earlier rebirth in 1997 — the one with the built-in flower vase). The last of the most recent generation of Beetles has already come off the production line, and will be put on display at the Volkswagen museum in Puebla near the plant that produced it.

    Volkswagen’s 2011 Beetle redesign did away with much of the hippy throw-back appeal of the 1998 model year New Beetle, though it kept many of its curves and vaguely bug-like look that earned it its name to begin with. The U.S. run of the original Beetle ended in 1979, so it was nearly 20 years before it got its second life — and it’s been 21 years now that both revised versions have been on sale.

    Last year, VW announced its intent to end production of the car in 2019, so it’s not catching anyone by surprise. As for whether a resurrection is in the cards down the road, the jury’s still out — VW didn’t rule out the possibility when it announced the end of the line, but it also didn’t commit to anything. Meanwhile, the automaker is refocusing many of its efforts to its new electric vehicle platform, which will provide the basis for its I.D. line of vehicles.

    Today’s been a day for oddball things that nevertheless had ardent fans coming to an end.

    Bye bye, little Beetle.

    Last edited by KiwiElf; 9th July 2019 at 19:52.

  2. Link to Post #2
    United States Avalon Member Valerie Villars's Avatar
    Join Date
    16th November 2017
    Age
    62
    Posts
    2,885
    Thanks
    32,001
    Thanked 20,435 times in 2,846 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    We have a 2003 Turbo Diesel Injection VW. The car drives like a dream, but there has been one problem after another with it. And every time something breaks you almost have to take the whole engine out to fix the damn thing.

    Just recently, in time for 98 degree heat and 80% humidity, the air conditioning went out and it would cost far too much to fix it. It's almost like owning a Mercedes except not nearly so nice , as it costs you a mortgage to repair it.

    It does get 40 miles to the gallon and we intend to run it into the ground.

    I learned to drive in an old stick VW, back in the 70's. I was lurching down the road and almost ran into the front of the post office. A cop told me to go home and not come back onto the road until I had properly learned to shift. This was 74. That car saw a LOT of action. I was pretty wild back then.
    "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with someone when we are uncool." From the movie "Almost Famous""l "Let yourself stand cool and composed before a million universes." Walt Whitman

  3. The Following 17 Users Say Thank You to Valerie Villars For This Post:

    Billy (10th July 2019), Constance (10th July 2019), Ernie Nemeth (10th July 2019), Franny (10th July 2019), happyuk (9th July 2019), Hym (9th July 2019), Inversion (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (9th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), Mike (10th July 2019), Rosemarie (22nd July 2019), RunningDeer (9th July 2019), Sadieblue (11th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), Sunny-side-up (9th July 2019), sunwings (10th July 2019), toppy (10th July 2019)

  4. Link to Post #3
    United States Avalon Member mgray's Avatar
    Join Date
    25th March 2010
    Location
    NYC suburb
    Age
    62
    Posts
    1,254
    Thanks
    3,768
    Thanked 10,508 times in 1,196 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    I'm on my 4th Bug, the last three were convertibles. I really do love the ride and use the stick but I miss the clutch.
    When in doubt, do the next right thing.
    My blog: http://grayseconomy.com

  5. The Following 13 Users Say Thank You to mgray For This Post:

    Billy (10th July 2019), Ernie Nemeth (10th July 2019), Franny (10th July 2019), Hym (10th July 2019), Inversion (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), Mike (10th July 2019), Rosemarie (22nd July 2019), Sadieblue (11th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), sunwings (10th July 2019), toppy (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  6. Link to Post #4
    UK Avalon Founder Bill Ryan's Avatar
    Join Date
    7th February 2010
    Location
    Ecuador
    Posts
    34,268
    Thanks
    208,939
    Thanked 457,517 times in 32,788 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    Some fun to be had on this Ecuador car sales page.
    These photos are all of VWs for sale — today.

    They're all over the place, here. There are many more.... I'd have to go to several more posts to show them all.
















  7. The Following 16 Users Say Thank You to Bill Ryan For This Post:

    avid (10th July 2019), Constance (10th July 2019), Franny (10th July 2019), Hym (10th July 2019), Inversion (10th July 2019), Ioneo (13th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), Mike (10th July 2019), Rosemarie (22nd July 2019), Sadieblue (11th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), sunwings (10th July 2019), toppy (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019), Yoda (10th July 2019)

  8. Link to Post #5
    United States Avalon Member Mike's Avatar
    Join Date
    24th January 2011
    Location
    journeying to the end of the night
    Age
    46
    Posts
    5,777
    Thanks
    35,699
    Thanked 50,303 times in 5,692 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    ah what a shame!

    my first car was a volks jetta, 1991. the boxy one. but like Val's it cost a fortune to fix. it was a "wolfsburg edition". and every time i had it fixed and asked why it cost so much, the mechanic would say the same damn thing:"..because it's a wolfsburg edition and...." etc etc etc. i would then tune out his mechanic talk, so i still have no idea why that type of car was such a pain.

    then i had a couple manual/shift volks foxes. i still dream i'm driving it sometimes

    my brother had several volks beetles, taking one of them completely apart and putting it all back together. i have a pic of him somewhere standing in the engine carriage, in the back of the car of course.

    he had a volks bus too, very similar to the color in Bill's first pic (he was a bit of a hippie)

    the beetles lost their soul a little later on. it was the quirkiness factor that drew us all to that particular car; no one ever wanted it to look like a honda. that's where they went wrong imo.

    quick funny story: i was visiting a friend in Irvive, California, and his car was in the shop. So for about a week, we'd drop his girlfriend off at work and use her car to get around: a pink volkwagon beetle convertible

    the first day i just kind of sunk into the seat and covered my face in embarrassment. but on day 2 my buddy put the top down and we were totally exposed. grown men were laughing hysterically and honking and cat-calling us like a couple of women...as some sort of cruel joke LOL. here's the thing: somehow we broke the roof because we couldn't get it back up. so for a good week we drove around like that.. two very straight men giving the very wrong impression to the rest of southern california in that pink volkswagon beetle
    Last edited by Mike; 10th July 2019 at 02:48.

  9. The Following 15 Users Say Thank You to Mike For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Carmody (22nd July 2019), Constance (10th July 2019), Ernie Nemeth (10th July 2019), Franny (10th July 2019), Hym (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), onevoice (22nd July 2019), Rosemarie (22nd July 2019), Sadieblue (11th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), sunwings (10th July 2019), toppy (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  10. Link to Post #6
    Croatia Administrator Franny's Avatar
    Join Date
    3rd January 2011
    Location
    Island Time
    Posts
    3,133
    Thanks
    53,112
    Thanked 14,316 times in 2,099 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    My second car was a VW and I loved it! Took me a while to figure out the manual transmission

    I drove it to East Texas from California with everything I owned including a steamer trunk and a western saddle. And it wasn't even crowded.

  11. The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to Franny For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Constance (10th July 2019), Ernie Nemeth (10th July 2019), Hym (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), Mike (10th July 2019), Rosemarie (22nd July 2019), Sadieblue (11th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), toppy (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  12. Link to Post #7
    Avalon Member Hym's Avatar
    Join Date
    27th June 2011
    Location
    Eastern Pacific
    Posts
    937
    Thanks
    28,538
    Thanked 7,033 times in 910 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    Cool, Bill. That's the first time I've seen a Bug with suicide doors, the Blue VW in 2nd pic.

    My folks had a 70's gold, white topped, VW bus with giant slicks for the back tires. I liked the feel of it's own limited speed so much I once almost missed a curve heading down from Mt.Baldy in SoCal. That would have been our last ride. It wasn't until I tried to slow down I realized that the brakes in the back couldn't handle the weight on the rear axle and the combined weight of all the people inside.

    The last bug bus I had was a rare 60's dual, double door van. I sold it to a builder who had looked for that rare bus for years.

    The last time I saw him and the bus he had cut one each of the double doors off, shortening the length, and he then put a souped up Mazda engine in it. He installed a small wheelie bar in the back for the times he would pull wheelies in it, which was one of the reasons for chopping out 2 of the middle doors, a sight which took some of the rarity out of the van.

    (Wheelies are when a car's front tires and front end are raised high off of the ground and the wheelie bar keeps the rear of the car/van/bus from touching the ground. Often used in drag racing.)
    Last edited by Hym; 10th July 2019 at 03:21.

  13. The Following 11 Users Say Thank You to Hym For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Constance (10th July 2019), Ernie Nemeth (10th July 2019), Franny (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), Mike (10th July 2019), Sadieblue (11th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), toppy (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  14. Link to Post #8
    Croatia Administrator Franny's Avatar
    Join Date
    3rd January 2011
    Location
    Island Time
    Posts
    3,133
    Thanks
    53,112
    Thanked 14,316 times in 2,099 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    Mt Baldy huh? Great place, had some fine times there myself

  15. The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to Franny For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Constance (10th July 2019), Hym (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), Mike (10th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), toppy (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  16. Link to Post #9
    Avalon Retired Member
    Join Date
    26th January 2011
    Language
    English
    Posts
    3,453
    Thanks
    20,718
    Thanked 25,435 times in 3,321 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    I've never owned a VW beetle but one of my old roommates did. It was a 66' Beetle.

    Anyway, one day I was standing in the kitchen minding my own business when I heard a huge commotion outside.

    I ran to the front door to find out what the commotion was about. To my astonishment, my dishevelled and dazed roommate was standing outside on the front lawn, holding her car steering wheel in her hands.

    Whilst she was driving, the steering wheel had come off in her hands!

    My flatmate drove like a bat out of hell.

    Luckily, the wheel had fallen off just as she was turning the corner into our street.

    The car instantly struck and mounted the curb before tearing through our next door neighbours beautifully manicured garden bed.

  17. The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to Constance For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Franny (10th July 2019), Hym (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), Mike (10th July 2019), Rosemarie (22nd July 2019), Sadieblue (11th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), sunwings (10th July 2019), toppy (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  18. Link to Post #10
    Avalon Member Star Tsar's Avatar
    Join Date
    10th December 2011
    Location
    Orion Arm
    Language
    Interlac
    Posts
    15,126
    Thanks
    28,818
    Thanked 38,690 times in 13,806 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    Is there any truth behind the rumour of Hitler, This model of car & Germany?
    I for one will join in with anyone, I don't care what color you are as long as you want to change this miserable condition that exists on this Earth - Malcolm X / Tsar Of The Star

  19. The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to Star Tsar For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Constance (10th July 2019), Franny (10th July 2019), Hym (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), Mike (10th July 2019), toppy (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  20. Link to Post #11
    Avalon Retired Member
    Join Date
    26th January 2011
    Language
    English
    Posts
    3,453
    Thanks
    20,718
    Thanked 25,435 times in 3,321 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    Quote Posted by Hym (here)
    Cool, Bill. That's the first time I've seen a Bug with suicide doors, the Blue VW in 2nd pic.
    Hym,

    I'm really curious, why did you call those doors "suicide" doors?

    They look odd and back-to-front but have those doors been christened that name for a special reason?

  21. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to Constance For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Hym (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), Mike (10th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), toppy (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  22. Link to Post #12
    Croatia Administrator Franny's Avatar
    Join Date
    3rd January 2011
    Location
    Island Time
    Posts
    3,133
    Thanks
    53,112
    Thanked 14,316 times in 2,099 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    Yes, even wikipedia couldn't mess this one up.

    Volkswagen Beetle

  23. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to Franny For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Constance (10th July 2019), Hym (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), Mike (10th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  24. Link to Post #13
    Avalon Member Hym's Avatar
    Join Date
    27th June 2011
    Location
    Eastern Pacific
    Posts
    937
    Thanks
    28,538
    Thanked 7,033 times in 910 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    When these oppositely oriented doors open onto any oncoming traffic that comes too close to your car they will most often get torn off, leaving any passenger inside wide open to injury. So, opening that type of door is considered suicide.

    I've seen doors torn off when they open either way, but it is almost guaranteed when it's a suicide door. Normally oriented doors, when opened, will most likely be slammed shut when the other car hits the door.

    The older Ford Sedans, like my friend's '37, have passenger doors that open the opposite way as most doors, thus suicide doors.
    Last edited by Hym; 10th July 2019 at 06:25.

  25. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Hym For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Constance (10th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), mgray (10th July 2019), Rosemarie (22nd July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  26. Link to Post #14
    United States Honored, Retired Member. Ron passed in October 2022.
    Join Date
    5th January 2011
    Location
    Virginia
    Age
    81
    Posts
    2,197
    Thanks
    13,269
    Thanked 18,257 times in 2,136 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    I loved my 1963 Beetle. But I had second thoughts when traveling at 75MPH and a large whitetail deer crossed very close in front of me. About 50 years later, at high speed, another deer got me and totally demolished my Mazda. It was a heavier car and no damage to my meat suit.

  27. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Ron Mauer Sr For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Hym (11th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), Rosemarie (22nd July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  28. Link to Post #15
    Avalon Member Star Tsar's Avatar
    Join Date
    10th December 2011
    Location
    Orion Arm
    Language
    Interlac
    Posts
    15,126
    Thanks
    28,818
    Thanked 38,690 times in 13,806 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    Why don't they make an electric version? Anyway I found this

    I for one will join in with anyone, I don't care what color you are as long as you want to change this miserable condition that exists on this Earth - Malcolm X / Tsar Of The Star

  29. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Star Tsar For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Hym (11th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (10th July 2019)

  30. Link to Post #16
    Avalon Member Hym's Avatar
    Join Date
    27th June 2011
    Location
    Eastern Pacific
    Posts
    937
    Thanks
    28,538
    Thanked 7,033 times in 910 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    They're advertising a new electric version of the VW van now. HOWEVER, I would not drive any electric vehicle without testing it for the high probability that the EMF field it produces may be very dangerous to your health.

    Just as the makers of all the toxins in industrial, pharmaceutical, and consumer products knew of the cancer causing properties of these products, before their introduction into common use, it is highly likely that the makers of all of the electric cars, windmills and home-based solar inverters know exactly how dangerous to our common electro-biologies these products are. No trust earned there.

    The EMF expert Sam Milham, author of "Dirty Electricity", when asked about the safety of using electric cars said this,

    "You have to examine the cars one at a time. Some are clean, some are very dirty, Also, the Onstar system is very bad. New cars with collision avoidance radar are bad. I measured a Tesla a few years ago, and it was really dirty."
    Last edited by Hym; 10th July 2019 at 19:07.

  31. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Hym For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Constance (11th July 2019), KiwiElf (10th July 2019), Star Tsar (10th July 2019), Valerie Villars (11th July 2019)

  32. Link to Post #17
    Avalon Retired Member
    Join Date
    26th January 2011
    Language
    English
    Posts
    3,453
    Thanks
    20,718
    Thanked 25,435 times in 3,321 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    Quote Posted by Hym (here)
    They're advertising a new electric version of the VW van now. HOWEVER, I would not drive any electric vehicle without testing it for the high probability that the EMF field it produces may be very dangerous to your health.

    Just as the makers of all the toxins in industrial, pharmaceutical, and consumer products knew of the cancer causing properties of these products, before their introduction into common use, it is highly likely that the makers of all of the electric cars, windmills and home-based solar inverters know exactly how dangerous to our common electro-biologies these products are. No trust earned there.

    The EMF expert Sam Milham, author of "Dirty Electricity", when asked about the safety of using electric cars said this,

    "You have to examine the cars one at a time. Some are clean, some are very dirty, Also, the Onstar system is very bad. New cars with collision avoidance radar are bad. I measured a Tesla a few years ago, and it was really dirty."
    This is really interesting Hym. Thank you so much for sharing


  33. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Constance For This Post:

    Bill Ryan (11th July 2019), Hym (11th July 2019), mountain_jim (12th July 2019), Star Tsar (11th July 2019), Valerie Villars (11th July 2019)

  34. Link to Post #18
    Avalon Member Carmody's Avatar
    Join Date
    19th August 2010
    Location
    Winning The Galactic Lottery
    Posts
    11,389
    Thanks
    17,597
    Thanked 82,316 times in 10,234 posts

    Default Re: Production of the Volkswagen Beetle officially comes to an end

    Not a VW story, but i miss the fun of it, the timelessness of it.

    How about driving a chevy Chevette at an average of about 135 k/hr, doing a 1150 km run (about 700 miles), in under 9 hours.

    And getting home, turning into the driveway, and as I turned to go into the driveway...the steering box...snapped.


    Or, doing the same run, about what, 6-7 years ago, approx, on roads that were closed, due to a huge blizzard.

    quite a few of the participants in the 'here and now' thread dreamt about it, at the same time (it's in the thread, somewhere). I drove all night on heavily snow covered roads, in impossible conditions, at that same speed. So out of control, that I had to keep moving the wheel constantly. Always in a full slide, always on the edge of losing control. Non stop. No one else out there, no police, nothing. Just me. Heavily covered means, in this case unplowed, big snow banks, constantly slamming into and through them. In a blizzard. A rental. Rentals are the fastest car on the road....

    Just..because. The opportunity was there, so I took it.

    I played this tune on the car stereo, on infinite repeat, to hold 'the moment'. Timeless, and in the zone, totally zen, in the moment:



    I like to drive, it seems...
    Last edited by Carmody; 22nd July 2019 at 03:00.
    Interdimensional Civil Servant

  35. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Carmody For This Post:

    Rosemarie (22nd July 2019), Valerie Villars (22nd July 2019)

+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts