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Before I could drive, while yet an adolescent, I spent some time with a brother and his wife.
The vehicle they had was a VW Beetle. As I think back, it was rather astonishing how much we were able to fit into that vehicle. This is in no small part due to the efficiency with which the two of them packed. Marie Kondo, had she been around, might have been proud.
The vehicle was marginally powered and lacked air conditioning. It was, however, reliable and efficient, features not to be discounted.
In the early 1960s I was the recipient of largesse. My father bought me a new VW Beetle. This was most generous of him. He was never a rich man. He spent most of his career as a small college professor and it wasn’t till the twilight of his time there that he made more than $10k/year.
I was in graduate school at the time.
Somewhat taupe in color, the VW was a reliable car. VW changed the Beetle little for a number of years, including during the time they made my car. Rear windows were enlarged, a petrol gauge was added, the like. It lacked a radio, which, being busy with school, I didn’t particularly miss. It also had no air conditioning. It did, however, run…
