The Other Side of the Coin

Sir,
I recently sold a VW to a person who brought to my notice your excellent magazine and commented on the “write-ups” which have appeared regarding the VW, which made me obtain fifteen back copies, and subsequently a regular order for Motor Sport.

I am writing as a “pioneer VW owner,” i.e.. before the import quotas of September, 1953, were agreed. The reason for my purchase was due to a Continental tour during which I observed their performance, and decided it was the car for me. It is a likeable car, and once you have had one it is difficult to enjoy driving another car of similar capacity. The majority of your correspondents certainly give the VW plenty of praise, but, after all, most of them will not have exceeded 20,000 miles, during which time one expects to have no repairs. The snags arise when these cars require spare parts as I know to my cost, and others will find out in due course. There is of course no factory replacement scheme as we know it with British cars, especially when one has to pay about £20 for a new starter; the old one has no trade-in value. I believe the shock-absorbers are £8 each, but a British firm supplies suitable ones at £2 each. A year ago I checked on certain items as to their price in Germany and also in England. and even after taking into consideration the import duty there were large differences which could not be attributed to carriage. I broke a torsion-bar some months ago in the near vicinity of a VW Distributor, and could not get one from him until one came from London, i.e., 3-4 days. The Distributor’s attitude was that there was no need to stock the item as he had never been called upon to supply such a part. The only way out was to pay a six-shilling ‘phone call to another Distributor and four shillings carriage, which increased the cost by 10s. plus four days out of action. I have just purchased another car, and it is another VW, as I have caught the “bug”.

I am, Yours, etc.,

Northumberland. “Still An Owner.”