driving a split, an email response

[ZENVWDRIVER]

"A split is my Everest"... mine also. - are getting out of reach, by most. I was born at the right time, to have VWs in the 60s, when splits were more easily obtainable - no more - I have had 5 = the green 1950 11G, a '50 standard on a 1972 pan, a 1949 found in a towing company lot, an early 1952, I got from a friend in 1996 and a 1952 Zwitter, from my brother and had for 19 years - an oval made before 3/55 had semaphores and were very much like a Zwitter - that's where I settled - my VWs must have semaphores.

Our current '55 has lotza' split parts on it- a split batwing, in that earlier coffee color, a split, non parking wiper motor. I love that - the wiper arms stop where you push the button in at - your '57 will automatically park in the correct spot, always - not a split - has round horn grill front fenders - definitely a split only detail, just got a split engine lid "L" instead of "T" opener-handle = was only $40, on thesamba - is pitted and a beauty.

All that split stuff is fun, BUT nothing feels like or sounds like a primitive 9 of '52 or older split bug - 3" x 16" wheels, a singing and growling non- syncro trans - and I mean no syncros - double or triple clutching at every shift or just grinding it in gear - awful lever-action rear shocks, provide lotza' discomfort, non parking wipers and arms that were like wire hanger gauge, an under powered , oil dripping, 25 horse,, small split windows that one can't always see out of, because it wasn't safety glass and sometimes distorted, no vent wing windows for added wind-blowing-in warm weather added comfort,, but crotch coolers saved the day,nine and a half turns to open a split front door window, a behind the back seat access panel provided a place to check and top-off one's tranny oil, no oil filter engines, a semaphore directional system, instead of normal, North American lighting, a single center brake light, of that era - skinny-narrow, tube type, nylon non-sealing beaded wheels made for a lumpy ride and much more - 9/52 was the end of an era - even a Zwitter-split was really very oval-like.

There are few experiences, in this life - I have witnessed like driving a nice primitive "SPLIT WINDOW" VW beetle and to me an up-to- 3/1955 shares many of those earlier details... and nothing IN THIS WORLD provides the natural Taoist, almost spiritual experience and feel of a split bug, nothing.

,... post 4/55 VW type ones realized great marketing improvements, necessary to keep-up with the competition, BUT THERE AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE PRIMATIVE NATURED (PRE-9/52) KDF-STYLED (dashboard) SPLIT WINDOW BEETLE or driving experience.- was one of my favorites, in this life - as my memory serves me...

enjoy,

zen
_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK