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		Volkswagen - Bugs that go beep in the night!
		FTLComm - Tisdale - June 17, 1998 Perhaps only theFord Model T is the only other car to have such a remarkable history and truly amazing following of owners and Bug Lovers. The vehicle traces its roots back to the late thirties when an inexpensive vehicle using an air cooled converted aircraft engine was designed and manufactured to serve as a military liaison vehicle for the forces of Germany. When the war ended the "people's car" or "Volks Wagon" was born and first appeared in North America in 1949. Through the years they picked up a few more horse power to add to the meagre 45 that powered most of them and they
		graced driveways and parking lots everywhere for the next three decades. This pale grey/blue one is a remarkable, almost showroom 1967 version, the type commonly used in the Walt Disneyseries of movies and called "Herbie". Almost everyone who owned one of these machines seems to loose their composure when they begin to tell you about their relationship with the little car. Clearly, out of its element in Canada, it was for hardy soles to drive from November onward as the air cooled engine had a difficult enough time warming itself let alone
		lending any extra heat to the passengers compartment. With its gasoline tank under the hood (bonnet) and its engine in the back, it was a difficult product for Detroit's engineers to deal with. Ridiculously economical, built for durability and from year to year one needed to be an expert to distinguish model years. All three features were the opposite of the contemporary North American made car. The bug was surely responsible for the introduction of American "compact" cars all of which are best forgotten.