I remember when in 1988, the night I was to graduate from high school, I hit the brakes on my 66' 912 in the driveway, and a rusted brake line burst and the pedal "hit the floor" It only took one line to burst for that car to lose ALL braking.
A friend of mine lost his beetle the same way.
Likewise, I remember a friend's International Harvestor Scout- If the engine cut off, it lost ALL braking force. And pretty much steering. Dangerous as hell.
I remember a 914 my dad bought. I got it running, drove it around the neighborhood, where it proceeded to tear out a rusted rear trailing arm mount in a corner. Dangerous.
I remember my 66 912 again, when a front a-arm joint popped out right up the street. The car collapsed on the pavement. I walked home, got a jack and a skateboard, put the skateboard under the a- arm , and drove it home on a skateboard.
I remember my 66 912 again, with the car so rusted, doors would fling loose in corners. A high school friend almost fell out.
Never mind the rusted gas tank, which would weep gas from the bottom 24-7.
Or the rusted gas lines, which would weep so badly, the fuel pump in the engine compartment couldn't suck gas.
I loved that car. miracle I'm alive though.
I watch a neighbor who drives his old beetle up and down the mountain every day. I hope he's done preventative maintenance. From the looks of him (and his car) - doubtful.
I've got more. Much more, but too tired to type.
(edit- my 951- someone put an incorrectly sized bolt into the steering column to secure the steering rack to the steering shaft. I replaced the rack, retightened everything - including their lock bolt- and a week later the steering column completely broke loose from the rack. I lost all steering in a parking lot. Minutes earlier I had been driving ...uh... very fast...- I'm lucky to be alive on soooooo many levels)
It all gets me to my own old car philosophy. After watching cars(mine unfortunately) burn, lose brakes, steering, power, split in half, etc. After about 30-40 years, they really do need a good "going through" imho.....
(Edit- After reading my own post...In the voice of Jeremy Clarkson... "And on that bombshell... I'm buying NEW!!!!..Now back to the tent!"
