Index

VW TRIVIA

- By Herschel D. -

JULY’S – ANSWERS

  1. Q: Okay, what does "auspuff" mean in German?
    A: Muffler

  2. Q: Here’s an easy one for many of you: Who is the "official" publisher of VW service manuals?
    A: Bentley has long been the "official publisher of VW repair manuals.

  3. Q: What was the first year of the VW Vanagon?
    A: The first model year of the VW Vanagon was 1980. It was available as an air-cooled model only.

  4. Q: Which wartime VW model was the first to have 4-wheel drive: was it Kubelwagen? The Schwimmwagen? Or the Kommandeurswagen?
    A: The Schwimmwagen had 4-wheel drive first; the Kubelwagen never had it; and the Kommandeurswagen’s 4-wheel power train was really a Schwimmwagen set up.

  5. Q: Did VW sell the Karmann Ghia as a sports car or a "sporty car?"
    A: VW never was silly enough to claim that the Karmann Ghia was a sports car. They ran an ad that had fun with it being a "sporty" car!

  6. Q: The Eurovan as a camper isn’t really a truck. Does VW make trucks any more?
    A: Yes, actually VW still makes trucks based on the Eurovan model, but high import tax prevents them from being marketed here. However, we’ll soon be getting a SUV from VW and a smaller updated Microbus.

AUGUST’S - New Questions

  1. Early German VW literature mentions a "limousine" model. What body style was that?

  2. When did VW start their famous self-knocking ads?

  3. Why did pre-1968 U.S. Spec. VWs have tubular bumper over rider bars?

  4. We VW nuts all know that when Daimler-Chrysler says they invented the minivan, that it just isn’t so. But can you explain the difference to a non-VW fan?

  5. Here’s a term that VW owners who are new to the scene often misunderstand. What is a "barn door bus?"

  6. What company was the first post-war "official" maker of promotional VW toys and when?

Answers next month along with new questions – Herschel