... an old VW

I was surprised by the numbers still to be found in Brasil, especially in the countryside, as an everyday car. A shot from Tiradentes, Minas Gerais:

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Scrambler said:
You do know they only stopped making them in Brazil 10 years ago?
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I thought the Brazilian production ended in 1996 (when they also stopped making the air-cooled engine). Their version of the Kombi, however, continued to be made until 2013, but with a 1.4 water-cooled engine, with a (admittedly ugly) front-mounted cooling system. The Mexican Bettle production, however, continued well after the Brazilians stopped making their own 'Fuscas' (till 2003, if I remember well).
 
cmc850 said:
This is my 69 KG - as many are, shiny on the top but crispy on the bottom. Drive it daily. Nikon F2, 24 2.8, TMAX 100

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Yep. wish I still had mine. Was a 1960, the only one that had both a reserve tank and fuel gage. I tricked mine up with dual carbs, four pipe exhaust, slightly de-cambered rear, and spinner hub covers. Great little car.
 
Havana Cuba - This 1960 VW, as wrecked, is currently for sale for the equivalent of $6,000. Before the wreck it was for sale for $11,000. It is owned by my girlfriend, Yudith (pictured), who does not know how to drive but has a regular driver. Both were ejected from the car as Cubans do not use seat belts and sustained severe contusions and bruising but no broken bones. Cuba effectively does not have auto insurance so if your car is wrecked, you lose. She is smiling in the photo but it was a major financial disaster.

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It looks like it is a lot newer than 1960. Disk brakes, wiring for bumper mounted blinkers, headrests, etc. Looks like a Mexican or South American market beetle from the 1980s.
 
tunalegs: I had the same questions as you. I am no VW expert but did live in that era. Yudith only had the car for a month before it was wrecked. I was much more familiar with her 1952 Ford convertible that she traded for the VW. I was assured it was a 1960, the last year that the Cuban government allowed its citizens to import cars.

BUT, many things in Cuba are not really as they are legally. It is entirely possible that some brought in a 1980's era Mexican VW on a barge in the middle of the night and swapped the VIN numbers with a piece of sh*t 1960 VW that was registered in their name. Cubans are very ingenious at that. Very likely, the VW is actually of the era you described but legally registered as a 1960.
 
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This is my 1969 VW Beetle...my first car...I still own it but don't really drive it too much these days...and when I do take it out I have to ask myself..."Do you want to go to jail today...??? No...then don't race anyone today..."
It is set up for street racing and when I was younger I did a lot of street racing...such a fun car to drive and the power is there just waiting for you to tap into it...
 
Bob, that is a very sad picture! I'm glad your girlfriend and her driver were ok. VW accidents can be messy, I know this from experience.
 
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