1967 Volkswagen Beetle 1300 review from Malaysia

Actually, I've already posted my review very recently under "1967 Volkswagen Type 1" with the title "A likeable car"; I believe the Beetle is officially known as the Type 1 in Volkswagen's records. Since this site has both "Type 1" and "Beetle" categories notwithstanding that they are one and the same, for completeness I thought I'd post the same review here (albeit with a different title):

I am not the first owner (actually I'm only the second owner!), so I do not have the complete history of the car. Whilst it was under my care, very few things have gone wrong with the car, and these few things that did go wrong can probably be attributed to age as well as normal wear and tear.

This car has character!

The 40 bhp 1300cc air-cooled engine can still keep up in modern day traffic conditions and highways, despite the car having a power-sapping air conditioner! Low-end torque is quite strong, aided in part by the gearbox's overall low-ish gearing, but the car loses its breath at high revs.

It has acceptable fuel economy.

By today's standards, it is noisy, has poor brakes, wobbly handling/roadholding and it is a bit too bumpy for comfort.

But the car is very reliable. The original 39 year old engine is unburstable and just soldiers on and on! Maintenance costs are low and parts are easily available and at reasonable prices to boot.

Strangely, driving this car is therapeutic for me and it never fails to put a grin on my face!