Volkswagen smell
TMoore
On 25 Apr 1997 18:51:48 GMT, "Ryan Lester" <rle...@epsb.net> wrote:
>
>Hello all,
>
>Has anyone ever noticed the unique smell that a Volkswagen has? Its not a
>bad smell, I even kind of like it. What is it about these cars that causes
>this smell since it doesn't matter if its a Bus, Bug, Ghia or whatever.
>After work one day I was driving home and I could smell that Interior VW
>smell all of a sudden and was going nuts trying to figure out where it was
>coming from! ( I presently don't own a VW, used to have a '69 Type I, had
>to sell it. :{ ) Then the vehicle in front of me changed lanes and in
>front of him appeared an early 70's Ghia with its windows open. It was a
>little rough looking and had an exhaust leak but it ran really nice. I
>couldn't believe that smell was so familiar to me since it's been 7 years
>since I had my Bug. It brought back a lot of memories..... Am I crazy or
>just Bug bitten?
I think you Bug bitten, JUST GET ANOTHER ONE!:)
Yes, your right about the unique smell. I used to think it was the
interior materials (headliner, seat vinyl, door panels, etc), but when
I replaced my entire interior with a California Pacific Velour package
I was sure the smell would change...but it didn't!!!
I'm convinced that we may never know what causes the old VW smell, but
it's part of what makes VW's so unique and cool!
Even my 97 Golf has a unique smell, but it's different then an old VW.
More plastic I guess...
VWGUY 67 Blue Type 1
97 White GTI 2.0
Ryan Lester
Hello all,
Has anyone ever noticed the unique smell that a Volkswagen has? Its not a
bad smell, I even kind of like it. What is it about these cars that causes
this smell since it doesn't matter if its a Bus, Bug, Ghia or whatever.
After work one day I was driving home and I could smell that Interior VW
smell all of a sudden and was going nuts trying to figure out where it was
coming from! ( I presently don't own a VW, used to have a '69 Type I, had
to sell it. :{ ) Then the vehicle in front of me changed lanes and in
front of him appeared an early 70's Ghia with its windows open. It was a
little rough looking and had an exhaust leak but it ran really nice. I
couldn't believe that smell was so familiar to me since it's been 7 years
since I had my Bug. It brought back a lot of memories..... Am I crazy or
just Bug bitten?
Ryan.
Tim Jordan
In article <01bc51a9$f2026f60$3107...@Ryan.epsb.edmonton.ab.ca> "Ryan Lester" <rle...@epsb.net> writes:
>From: "Ryan Lester" <rle...@epsb.net>
>Subject: Volkswagen smell
>Date: 25 Apr 1997 18:51:48 GMT
>Hello all,
>Ryan.
I have noticed this unique smell as well. Nearest I can figure, it is a mix
of smells consisting of old vinyl, horsehair seat stuffing, hot oil, dust,
and just a hint of gasoline. Nice smell, that.
Tim
_______
"Get these rabbits the hell
off of me!" - Something I yelled
and woke myself up with a while back
ka...@ix.netcom.com
Ryan Lester wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> Has anyone ever noticed the unique smell that a Volkswagen has? Its not a
> bad smell, I even kind of like it. What is it about these cars that causes
> this smell since it doesn't matter if its a Bus, Bug, Ghia or whatever.
> After work one day I was driving home and I could smell that Interior VW
> smell all of a sudden and was going nuts trying to figure out where it was
> coming from! ( I presently don't own a VW, used to have a '69 Type I, had
> to sell it. :{ ) Then the vehicle in front of me changed lanes and in
> front of him appeared an early 70's Ghia with its windows open. It was a
> little rough looking and had an exhaust leak but it ran really nice. I
> couldn't believe that smell was so familiar to me since it's been 7 years
> since I had my Bug. It brought back a lot of memories..... Am I crazy or
> just Bug bitten?
>
> Ryan.
That VW "smell " to which you refer does indeed come from the interior,
in particular the 'gumehaar' pads or horsehair pads VW used for their
seat padding. The stuff gets brittle with age and crumbles quite easily
producing a distinctive *smell*.
Curiously enough, it seems all of the German (maybe others,too) car
manufacturers used this material for their padding for quite a while
(until molded foam became the norm). I have an '80 BMW 528i and before I
reupholstered the seats I had the same *smell* in this car, too.
Interestingly enough, the padding in my '71 Bug held up better and
longer than my *other* car. As I was restoring my Bug, the pads although
they were found to be brown and stiff (they're supposed to be green and
supple) they were not disintegrating like the ones in my bimmer.
Lenny D.
Tony
On 25 Apr 1997 18:51:48 GMT, "Ryan Lester" <rle...@epsb.net> wrote:
>
>Hello all,
>
>Has anyone ever noticed the unique smell that a Volkswagen has? Its not a
>bad smell, I even kind of like it. What is it about these cars that causes
>this smell since it doesn't matter if its a Bus, Bug, Ghia or whatever.
>After work one day I was driving home and I could smell that Interior VW
>smell all of a sudden and was going nuts trying to figure out where it was
>coming from! ( I presently don't own a VW, used to have a '69 Type I, had
>to sell it. :{ ) Then the vehicle in front of me changed lanes and in
>front of him appeared an early 70's Ghia with its windows open. It was a
>little rough looking and had an exhaust leak but it ran really nice. I
>couldn't believe that smell was so familiar to me since it's been 7 years
>since I had my Bug. It brought back a lot of memories..... Am I crazy or
>just Bug bitten?
>
>Ryan.
Seat stuffing is organic. Horse hair? Something. But it is unique.
Never whiffed it from another car. You better buy another VW!
Grant J. Mikosz
I have to agree with this. My Bug has the most distinctive, and quite
pleasant smell of any car I've ever owned........however....
My '84 Jetta GLI smelled EXACTLY like my Bug. I liked it.
I guess I never realized how distinctive it was until my dad first
drove my bug while I was away, and he says to me: "You know, that thing
smells exactly the same as my '65 did." He remembered this even though
he hadn't owned that car for almost 30 years!
Then again, if you ever ride in a Saab, they smell "different" too, and
EVERY Saab, no matter how old seems to smell the same.
I was worried that if I redid the interior with non-stock VW stuff that
the smell would change. So I replaced it with stock. Glad I did.
Later,
Grant
Shaun Robertson
Perhaps it's a drug they put into the fittings in the factory, one whiff and
you're hooked! It could explain a lot.
Shaun
--
Shaun Robertson
Sheffield, UK
ju...@robertsn.softnet.co.uk
http://www.soft.net.uk/robertsn
Don Guardrail
tjo...@goodnet.com (Tim Jordan) wrote:
>In article <01bc51a9$f2026f60$3107...@Ryan.epsb.edmonton.ab.ca> "Ryan Lester" <rle...@epsb.net> writes:
>>From: "Ryan Lester" <rle...@epsb.net>
>>Subject: Volkswagen smell
>
>
>>Hello all,
>
>>Has anyone ever noticed the unique smell that a Volkswagen has? Its not a
>>bad smell, I even kind of like it. What is it about these cars that causes
>>this smell since it doesn't matter if its a Bus, Bug, Ghia or whatever.
>>After work one day I was driving home and I could smell that Interior VW
>>smell all of a sudden and was going nuts trying to figure out where it was
>>coming from! ( I presently don't own a VW, used to have a '69 Type I, had
>>to sell it. :{ ) Then the vehicle in front of me changed lanes and in
>>front of him appeared an early 70's Ghia with its windows open. It was a
>>little rough looking and had an exhaust leak but it ran really nice. I
>>couldn't believe that smell was so familiar to me since it's been 7 years
>>since I had my Bug. It brought back a lot of memories..... Am I crazy or
>>just Bug bitten?
>
>>Ryan.
>
>of smells consisting of old vinyl, horsehair seat stuffing, hot oil, dust,
>and just a hint of gasoline. Nice smell, that.
> Tim
>_______
Hell, I'd wear it if it were a cologne!
--
Don Guardrail
Evil Master of All That Is Dark, Gloomy, Painful and/or Slightly
Irritating
Jack Stafford
Ryan Lester (rle...@epsb.net) wrote:
: Hello all,
: Has anyone ever noticed the unique smell that a Volkswagen has? Its not a
: bad smell, I even kind of like it. What is it about these cars that causes
: this smell since it doesn't matter if its a Bus, Bug, Ghia or whatever.
Could be leaky pushrod tube seals spilling oil onto the heater boxes.
Right after I bought my camper I turned on the heater and blue whiffs
of smoke came out the defrost vent. PU
"No, sir, I don't like it." - Mr.Horse
Jack '73 Westfalia
Costa Mesa, CA
Robert Bixler
> Costa Mesa, CAI agree-was just asking someone at the VW Spring Festival at Bob Baker
Volkswagen in Carlsbad, Ca. this last weekend about the distinctive VDub
smell. I've had a '67 and a '70 years ago (both new and long gone). In
the last year, have bought another '70 bug (good daily runner) and it has
that same old smell-seems to be a combination gas, german vinyl and
rubber, and maybe the wonderful flow thru ventilation with the added
condition of sitting in the sun (interior heating up) over a long period
of years. Anyway-the smell brings back good motoring memories.
Bob Bixler
Vista, CA
Robert Bixler
Robert Bixler
John Henry
Tim Jordan wrote:
> I have noticed this unique smell as well. Nearest I can figure, it is a mix
> of smells consisting of old vinyl, horsehair seat stuffing, hot oil, dust,
> and just a hint of gasoline. Nice smell, that.
I pinch of mildew in there too, I'm sure. Other than that I think you
have captured it very well. That hot oil smell I think is really unique
to the engine compartment too. Just pop that decklid after a good
highway run, ssshhhhhsshhshhhh (sound of inhale through the nose)
ahhhhh!
> "Get these rabbits the hell
> off of me!" - Something I yelled
> and woke myself up with a while back
A bad watercooled experience in your past, or did you just watch the
MP's "holy grail" before going to bed?
--
John Henry
'85 VW Cabriolet Wolfsburg- Alloy rims : Leather Interior : 1.8l : H4
Conversion : Bosch Driving Lights : 5 Speed : Cruise : Raytheon
Technologies Rear Facing Rocket Launcher : Kimmel XLf80 Fusion Cannon
w/Laser Tracking and Titanium Accumulator : MarTom Tuhf Range finder
with GPS : AM/FM Cassette :
'57 VW Beetle- very evenly distributed across a 2 car garage
'95 Merc Sable Wagon- lotsa buttons and switches (Wife's school bus)
Rick DeCollo
i have been looking for a vw bug for a long time...i finally found one
last wednesday....as soon as my dad got in it he said,"this thing smells
exactly like my old beetle" I thought it smelled musty, i guess i was
wrong.
MARC TOUSSAINT
--
marc toussaint
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/slugbug
slugbug - parts and restoration vw parts hotline: 972.313.0085
1119 Luke Street #113
Irving, Tx 75061-4059
Rick DeCollo
How can you get your front trunk lid open on a beetle if the latch cable
fails???
John Connolly
Jlbuch wrote:
>
> I remember seeing in the Bentley manual for my 73 SBeetle an instruction
> form the factory to basically cut the trunk handle into 4 pieces with 3
> horizontal cuts, and then remove the middle two pieces, after which you
> unscrew the remaining pieces, freeing up the lock's upper part. Perhaps
> someone else out there knows a trick that doesn't involve ruining the
> handle.
We do, but it involves ruining the hood!!
John :)
Dan the BugMan
Rick DeCollo <rdec...@weir.net> wrote:
>How can you get your front trunk lid open on a beetle if the latch cable
>fails???
Good ?? Never thought of that! Guess someone would know!
Dan the BugMan!
'65 Moonroof Bug
On the road of life, there are passengers and there are drivers.
DRIVERS WANTED. VW
******************************************************************
** E-mail: ds...@voicenet.com **
** Vintage VW Page: http://www.voicenet.com/~dsh82/page2.htm **
******************************************************************
** JAP CARS SUCK! **
********************
Jlbuch
MARC TOUSSAINT
Rick DeCollo wrote:
>
> How can you get your front trunk lid open on a beetle if the latch cable
> fails???
the hood handle in half near the bottom and separate the handle halves
from the latch striker mechanism...on some supers...with the spare out,
you can push up a plate under the car and reach in and grab the
latch...not usually a workable alternative...the Bentley manual has step
by step instrutions on getting those darn things open...good luck
Gml...@scvnet.com
Dan the BugMan wrote:
>
> Rick DeCollo <rdec...@weir.net> wrote:
>
> >How can you get your front trunk lid open on a beetle if the latch cable
> >fails???
Cut outside handle in half. Unscrew handle halves. Open lid. Fix
latch. Make sure cable is well lubed. Replace handle with new one.
I also hooked up an unlatching wire that can be accessed from the wheel
well, as I don't want to go through this again!
George Lyle
--
Note: Return address altered to deflect junk e-mail.
Delete the leading "G" in the address when replying.
Robert Ryder (UK)
Rick DeCollo <rdec...@weir.net> wrote:
>How can you get your front trunk lid open on a beetle if the latch cable
>fails???
Depends on which beet and where the cable has failed. If it's at
the lever-pull end (and this is a good place to start if you are
unsure) you need to get a set of grips locked onto the cable,
usually where the soldered end has broken off, and pull.
No problem if it's the footwell-mounted type but if it's in your
glovebox then you will need to drill out the rivets holding the
lever. You may be able to reach it through the radio cut out.
If that does not work you can try to hook out part of the cable
from the front and again "pull". Failing that it's a case of
trying to get lucky with a bent wire coathanger or yanking at the
handle whilst praying before you eventually resort to cutting the
handle.
--
ROB
"high mileage but reliable"
vw_nut
Reply to: mik...@earthlink.net (vw_nut)
Responding to: Gml...@scvnet.com
>
>Dan the BugMan wrote:
>>
>> Rick DeCollo <rdec...@weir.net> wrote:
>>
>> >How can you get your front trunk lid open on a beetle if the latch cable
>> >fails???
>> Good ?? Never thought of that! Guess someone would know!
>
>Cut outside handle in half. Unscrew handle halves. Open lid. Fix
>latch. Make sure cable is well lubed. Replace handle with new one.
>
>I also hooked up an unlatching wire that can be accessed from the wheel
>well, as I don't want to go through this again!
>
>George Lyle
>--
>Note: Return address altered to deflect junk e-mail.
>Delete the leading "G" in the address when replying.
I've done this once... Instead of stitting there with a hack saw trying
to cut the handle in half... do this.. Place a rag FLAT OUT on the trunk under
the handle (this prevent paint scratch's and chips) and use a medium sized pair
of bolt cutters to cut the handle in the loop of the handle.. this will pop it
apart.. all you have to do is play with the mechanism till the lid pops!
Vw Nut...
Origin: Mike's Mess * 510-753-5869 * @511.FILEnet
Jan Andersson
Gml...@scvnet.com wrote:
>
> Dan the BugMan wrote:
> >
> > Rick DeCollo <rdec...@weir.net> wrote:
> >
> > >How can you get your front trunk lid open on a beetle if the latch cable
> > >fails???
> > Good ?? Never thought of that! Guess someone would know!
>
> Cut outside handle in half. Unscrew handle halves. Open lid. Fix
> latch. Make sure cable is well lubed. Replace handle with new one.
>
> I also hooked up an unlatching wire that can be accessed from the wheel
> well, as I don't want to go through this again!
>
> George Lyle
This would require you to buy a new handle...
jan
MARC TOUSSAINT
Jlopez69
Volkswagens are one of the most engineered of any car out there, Why else
would there be so many of them out there still on the road. To joke that
they use drugs on the line, is not very funny, considering the PRIDE
Germans take in the manufacturing of their vehicles.
Jan Andersson
MARC TOUSSAINT wrote:
> I wrote:
> >
> > This would require you to buy a new handle...
> >
> > jan
> Superglue, man...Superglue...
> --
> marc toussaint
...or duct tape...or bondo....or....
You wouldn't happen to sell 'em, now would you? ;)
Jan
BTW: Why not install a "cheater" cable once you get the sucker open,
you can run a 2nd cable to the front wheel well, and if you ever
run into the same problem again, you can crawl under there and pop the
hood. Also, you can keep your spare keys in there, so if you lose your
car keys, you can still open the hood and get the spares... No need to
travel home just to pick up the keys.
BUSROCK
It's the old horse and pig hair that is packed in underneath the upolstry.
The hair is how you get you're ass and back cushioned .