That VW smell

[Nbraynard]

Had an older fellow looking at my bug the other day and he commented that it still has that "VW smell"...making reference to the horsehair aroma of the seat cushioning. I always kinda liked that smell. Does your bug still have the "essence"?

[mukluk]

Gee whiz info, the seat cushion pads are actually made from coir, not horsehair.
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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[Nbraynard]

I am aware it's not horsehair having owned horses. It's just what we always called it in the day. Whatever it is ...it smells like younger days. Smells better than coconuts.

[Tom K.]

I kept the origal stuff in my rear seats but replaced the front. I would argue that the "smell" also originates from the floor padding material. My seats are out of my 71 yet the smell is still present. I held an old seat cushion to my nose and didn't get the "smell".
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'91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight=

[Snoopy1971]

Yep mine still has that vw smell

[67rustavenger]

You can be assured. If you are ever kidnapped, blindfolded and put into a VW. You can eliminate 99% of the driving public.
The smell is a dead give away.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Tim Donahoe]

No, the VW smell went away in my Bug when I replaced my old seat pads and covers, as well as the moldy door cards. Since the carpet had been recently replaced by the previous owner, and I replaced all the hoses, going to and from the fuel tank, my bug ended up smelling more like Charlize Theron, than an old book, laced with used motor oil.

I don’t expect the VW smell to return for a long, long time since the “horsehair” (coconut fiber) seat cushions I got from Wolfsburg West, were impregnated with latex. Also, I painted the interior of my new TMI door cards with several coats of oil-based paint, which sealed them up against mold. And garaging the car helps keep out moisture during the winter.

I don’t really miss that nostalgic VW smell, especially since my first VW was purchased new in 1969, and new VW’s didn’t smell like old memories until a few years—and probably a few owners—later.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[Beeble1]

Yep. Mine still has the distinctive “VW aroma”
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Beeble1, ‘73 Super (o\_|_/o) 1600cc w/ Dealer A/C
Beeble2, ‘13 Beetle 2.5L Daily Driver

Dealership items from Bishop-Wayne Volkswagen & Turner Volkswagen in Kankakee, IL wanted

[creative native]

That is an insightful and accurate assessment, Tim.

For myself, I do like the "old VW" smell. There is something comforting about it. At some point in recent years, the seat upholstery and padding were replaced in my Sun Bug (with foam, not coco fiber), but it still has the old VW smell. However, now that the original headliner, carpet and newer seat upholstery are about to all be replaced, I have wondered if the old VW smell will linger.

An old friend once bought a 1974 semi automatic Super Beetle from an elderly man, in 1995, who bought it new and garaged it all its' life. It had 42k original miles on it when my friend bought it. The SB still smelled new to us! It did not really have the "old VW" smell, but had a newer car smell and that was when I realized how differently classic VWs smelled when they were new.

[mark tucker]

I never knew vw's had a specific smell...

[Zundfolge1432]

It’s a mixture of cigarettes, weed, spilled beer, patchouli and sweat. Maybe dirty laundry and hippy funk. Type 2s and campers can be more intense 😀

[dirtkeeper]

[Nbraynard]

I should have said "aroma". My bug doesn't smell like an old cat box. Sorry if yours does. Just that vintage VW aroma.

[Zerrh]

The nostalgia it brings, gotta love it.

[jeremy.g]

*** wonders idly how Tim ever got close enough to know what Charlize Theron smells like. . .

[vamram]

[Tim Donahoe]

Just so you guys know, she smells like cotton candy

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[FullFender]

[]

[Maddel]

Ridiculously off topic but I just couldn't resist...

[Blue69Baja]

My 72 Super has all orig interior. It has a new VW smell that can not be described. It is a bit messy under the seats as the "HAIR" continues to deteriorate but I refuse to replace the OEM covers and cushion material..
I have 1 small tear on the drivers seat back. Caused by the sun when parked at the Orig owners work. I just put a T shirt over the back that has VW 49 on it. Looks good..hahahaa

Jim
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69 Baja with a 1914...
72 Super 100% orig...W/ factory air... 56,000mi
Even the spare is original..