THE VOLKSWAGEN 1500s IS FULL OF QUALITY AND COMFORT

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 57, 22 July 1965, Page 7

THE VOLKSWAGEN 1500s IS FULL OF QUALITY AND COMFORT

This twin carburettor version of the VW 1500 is a elassic example of the fine machinery turned out on the Continent and particularly by Volkswagenverk AG. From the especially sweet gearbox onwards, driving the 1500s is sheer pleasure. Like every bther rear-en-gined vehicle, it took some getting used once again to the "different" steering qualities, but once mastered (and this takes only a few minutes for the conscientious and carefiil driver) the .VW system is just as much pleasure to use as any of the more conventional systems. Seating position is very comfortable with an unlimited range of positions for the driver and front seat passenger. Just an example of the care of the German manufacturers is the catch which prevents the passenger seat from tipping forward while th-e door is shut. Thus, in crash braking, the passengers cannot push the seats forward, crushing the

front compartment dwellers' faces into the facia. Door locks and catches are positive and very neatly fitted. Instruments are not exactly spectacular, but they are suffieient and satisfactory. A rheostat controls the dash lighting and the wiper speed can be varied, too. One item I was particularly taken with was the clock which keeps very accurate tim-e and is one of the "extras" one expects and gets with VW. Alfhough not in the sports car class, some quite remarkable acceleration times were obtained on this car, which could be improved with a littLe more driving practice. The brakes were better than most 1200 VW's — not that I have experienced any fade or brake trouble with them in the past. In fact the experi-ence of a local 1200 driver in a recent rally, who completed it with the master cylinder completely

ineffeetive, yet still retained reasonable braking, highlights the VW system. I believe VW brakes are virtually unaffected by water, too. However, what I started but to say was that the 1500s has good solid stopping power with little effort expended on pedal pressure. High speed cruising is effortless with any sort of a load aboard at all. As I said at the beginning, there is a lot of sheer quality in the 1500s which makes good value for money.