30 Oct 2014 – Driven To Write

“Fore! Can the new ‘Golf’ possibly succeed in a crowded and increasingly competitive market?” Asks Archie Vicar.

_{In this transcript of a period review, the legendary motoring writer Archie Vicar casts a critical eye over the new Golf, successor to the much-loved Beetle. From “The London Illustrated News” February, 1976. Photography by Douglas Land-Windermere. Owing to the poor quality of the originals, stock photos have been used}

No matter how severely Jack Frost bites, a Volkswagen Beetle always starts. Even a royal Rolls-Royce can succumb to the effects of freezing whereas the humble Beetle’s ingenious design is cooled by air, making the engine as tough as old nails and as reliable as the Queen’s Grenadier Guards. I am reminding you, readers, of this as an introduction to a new car from Volkswagen.

The name Volkswagen has chosen for this new car might sound good auf Deutsch (‘in German’) but to my seasoned ears, calling a car ‘Golf’ puts one in mind of retired colonels and their favourite sporting activity. No doubt Volkswagen will rename this car for the British market, as a foolish name like this one will assuredly Continue reading “1976 Volkswagen “Golf”: Review”

Was GM’s EV ever a contender?

Various things have recently caused me to think of things electric, though I admit that none of them involves me saving this or other planets. I had a mail the other week announcing a blanket 20mph limit in much of the area where I live, a process that is happening in many boroughs of London. Much of my driving in London is carried out in an old Audi S6, that burns both rubber and fuel with abandon, but gets me there no faster than anyone else. I dislike tube journeys. I can’t ride a pedal bike long distances without hurting my back. If I ride my motorcycle in wet weather I drip over people’s floors. I like silence. I want a new motoring experience. All these and more reasons make me think it would be nice to drive an electric car, or at least a part electric car.

Continue reading “Electric Dreams – Farewell Ampera”