This 1949 Volkswagen Beetle Is FAMOUS! Here's What It's Like To Drive...

[@richsarchet9762]

Makes my 40 HP 1962 Bug look like a hot rod! And the luxuries I have...Automatic choke, a left side mirror, seat belts, working turn signals, a radio and a glovebox door.

[@kuntakinte4333]

A hydraulic brake... synchroned gears...

[@LinguraDeLemn93]

The syncromeshed gears make a world of a difference as well

[@fortheloveofnoise]

you dont need any of those things

[@bugnut82]

Same, I love driving my 40hp 62 Bug!

[@CowboyGarage]

You even have a fuel gauge! My '61 still uses the reserve lever on the firewall to switch the gas tank to reserve after running out of gas.

[@abqcrutch]

Mom & dad both owned beetles in the 60s. Dad commuted 35 miles to LA. In mom's beetle, the driver's door didn't latch properly and I'd watch my mom open the door while driving and slam it closed. I'm 5yo, of course I had to try it, sitting in the front passenger seat with no seatbelt. I opened the door a little too far and fell out of the seat. I was holding onto the door handle when mom slammed on the brakes and I ended up in the footwell with a goose-egg on top of my head from where I smashed into the dash. I'd forgotten about it until I watched your vid. Thanks guys!

[@robtanner5583]

Thanks for taking time to show some respect to the OG VW

[@nicogi]

Kase's smile says it all! Great video guys :)

[@TFLclassics]

😊 thank you

[@henryhawthorn8849]

I’ve heard that the earliest VW Beetles had no fuel gauge, but instead had a deep stick to measure the fuel level, just like it’s done in measuring the oil level in the engine. I also heard that in the earliest Beetles, if the engine started to sputter because it was low on fuel, that there was a knob that the driver would turn in order to release an extra reserve of gasoline. In the video I didn’t see any fuel gauge, but just a speedometer, and an odometer. So it’s probably true that the earliest VW Beetles had no fuel gauge. You just can’t get any simpler, and basic than those early cars. I didn’t know that it didn’t have any side view mirror, not even in the driver’s side.

[@CowboyGarage]

The '61 was the last year without a gas gauge. I have two of them that I am currently restoring in my shop. You have a little lever on the firewall that selects the gas for on/off/reserve similar to a motorcycle. When it starts to sputter you reach down and flip the lever 90 degrees and you get an extra gallon or so of gas that should get you to the nearest gas station. In this video you can see the lever clearly many times, such as the 3 minute mark.

[@TomAlmy]

Stop the video at 3:03. The red lever on the firewall is the fuel lever. It adjusted the pickup in the tank -- at the bottom for "reserve" and up a ways for normal. It also had a third, off, position.

[@Audi_cab2.3]

Here in Germany this First Type of Beetle is called the „Brezel Käfer“ Couse of its unique Rear Windows. Greetings from Germany! Keep up the good work!

[@Gunny426HemiPlymouth]

Aaahh that's where that Brezel term came from, I thought it was from Bazil. Thanks for that.

[@Audi_cab2.3]

@@Gunny426HemiPlymouth you‘re welcome

[@atvheads]

We call them a bubble in Sweden.

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

Now vw sells crap. Should sell this thing all it needs is some more power not 25hp

[@nonelost1]

A German VW mechanic years ago told me that the split windows were called "halbe glas" in German.

[@kompostmozart]

Grüße from Germany 😄 I‘m feeling you, we have one from 48 and it‘s really hard to learn the unsynched shifting for not-old people these days. Actually upshifting is quite easy, downshifting is the real pain, especially because you don‘t drive these cars on a daily basis. Nice video, appreciated in the homeland 💪🏼

[@KyleJewell]

I got my dad a 1957 small window beetle. They are so fun to drive

[@lunabouch]

My first of 4 Beetles was a 1960 that I bought with my graduation from high school gift of $100 in 1971. It was definitely well used and had some issues but it was my first car and will never be forgotten.

[@gregamos8793]

Very cool! I’ve owned two different VW’s. Loved them both.

[@OmarDenarzi]

More content like this please 😊😊😊

[@Jonatan_SE]

Kase and Tommy testning a true classic, does not get much better than that!

[@robervin9107]

Omg our iconic duo brothers review a iconic vehicle

[@johnwjeromejr]

I had a bright red VW bug (standard bug, not the SuperBeatle). 60 HP may not sound like much, but, due to its super light weight, it was quick off the line and had a "killer" 2nd gear that was much quicker than that of other economy cars of that era. The engine had high displacement (1.6 liter) for the stated horsepower and curb weight which contributed to its feeling of peppiness.

[@kuntakinte4333]

Yeah.. the famous 60 HP Standart

[@crittercherry3800]

Skinny tires: I was going through a really old magazine one day and came across a VW Beetle ad, mostly about the tires. The main line read: The secret to less tire wear, is less tire. Remember, tires went fast back then. Good tires, even faster.

[@ericknoblauch9195]

I grew up around VW's. Many people I know who had one put 80,000 miles on a set of cheap bias ply tires. They also said if you put radial tires on them that the tire would rot before it would wear out. Those old VW's would run for a very long time on a set of tires. A gallon of gas went a long way in a beetle too. Back then cars on the road would only get half or less miles to the gallon than a VW beetle.

[@crittercherry3800]

@@ericknoblauch9195 I grew up with many relatives having them. Then, some friends. We made use of the Beetle's full range of capabilities. (Where's that starter button?). And I've never driven one. It's on my list! 😁

[@Jerms995]

@@ericknoblauch9195I was told if you overfill the tank the fumes get to you! Is that true?

[@RidersInBlack]

Even the Germans back in the forties knew how to make a car that steered well and still do today. It's what sets German cars apart from everything else.

[@michaelbressette2599]

The angle of the rear wheels is why I liked this model I don't remember any other car that had this design. That beetle is gorgeous. The one aspect of this car I hated so much was the close proximity of the brake to the clutch & for anyone with large feet makes it exceptionally hard to drive & I noticed the driver did the same thing as I use to do engage both brake & clutch at the same time. I really like that whiney hissy sound as the speed increases & upshifting. At the end that nice teensy weensy clunk sound on shifting from first to second. I forgot about that sound when the gear was slightly out of sync. A real jewel this beetle is. Thanks for sharing this event with us.

[@jebsails2837]

My early '63 (with wolfs burg crest) purchased in '69 for $400, was my first car post military service. Pearl White with Red pleather interior. 3 of my friends also had similar (64-67) Bugs. We'd knock the packing from the exhaust pipes and re-jet the solex carbs with jets from the local M-B garage. Great fun. Narragansett Bay

[@lffit]

I owned a '50's small window in Germany in '68? drove all over Europe, loved the lever for the extra petrol, and the compliant comfortable suspension, we left in parked in the street in London before heading back to Australia.

[@57WillysCJ]

To put in perspective my lawn tractor has the same horse power. Those skinny tires and rear engine helped in winter snow not to mention other bad road conditions. There are old Land Rover guys that still swear by the skinnier tire. I do like them on some rough roads.

[@AJ-qn6gd]

If you ever watch the rallying they always use very skinny tyres on the snow stages (usually with studs) and yes to skinny tyres on Land Rovers 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@thebigguy8306]

Thank you, Kase and Tommy, great coverage. Always wanted one as a youngin, but by the time I was driving 1) they discontinued, 2) OMG so small, the term 10 lbs into a 5lb bag, if I drove only a toddler would have room to ride with me. Note the original Bug, small changes, not unlike the Porsche 911

[@grahamrich3368]

Wonderful old Beetle! Super video!

[@TheTechCguy]

I remember seeing my fair share of these classic VW Beetles, especially from the 60s when they were in their prime and when the hype for these was at its peak, as a kid in the 1990s. Nostalgia!

[@wilmarbarrick3194]

I'm just impressed they're 2 under 30s that know how to drive a stick in the U.S.A.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

I am 29 and my daily driver is a 5 speed manual 1998 Nissan Sentra, and I share a side care with my grandfather which is a 2002 5 speed manual Mazda Miata

[@zonoscopePictures]

My under 18 kids know how to drive stick (the 17 year old def does and the 13 year old is learning)!

[@MilitaryHistoryUnveiled]

I’m 15 and my dad taught me in his 07 Honda CiVIc

[@gregsayles9253]

Aren't one or both engineer's?

[@Stuka87]

I have driven quite a few bugs. From an early 60's model, to a 70's super, to a late 90's mexican market car. They are all fun cars to drive. All very slow, but fun cars.

[@Jerms995]

My father's first car! He had a 72-73” Super Bug. Back in his high school days, he got 6 football players in that little car!

[@7728abbott]

Kase liked it! Wow. Such a great car, so simple and minimalist.

[@usecoperator6357]

I love these cars. My dad owns a 72 year 1300 red and white buggy. I love driving it

[@bobbates7343]

I learned to drive in a Bug . It had no clutch and was push start only . It was a field car . The push start was fine if I had people or at least one other person with me to push but by myself once I got it going I was sure to not stall it . Learning to drive with no clutch was a good thing as I became a truck driver and learning when to shift and not using the clutch is important.

[@patrickchubey3127]

I'd sooner have the 49 bug than the id4.

[@rik999]

Owned a '58 (36 hp) and a '66 (50 hp). Yes they were slow even by mid 60's standards. The engine was very loud on the inside of the car at highway speeds and the heater/defroster was miserably weak unless you were on the highway. The engines would last over 100,000 miles driven flatout at 60-65 mph unlike their import competition (Renault, Fiat, and the British) which would clap out at about 60,000 miles or less. German Bosch and French Ducellier electrics were as reliable as American electrics of the era (Delco, Autolite, etc) and miles ahead of Lucas (British) and the even worse Magneti Marelli in Fiats and other Italian cars.

[@Andywinnipeg]

My dad had a beetle from 57, that was our family car in the 70s.

[@lindabutler4903]

Double clutch when shifting , no grind 😢

[@timothyokane9710]

The drivers window looks very modern, no vent window, just a big glass roll down window. I remember Volkswagen ads from the sixties, and seventies referring to the two that were sold in 49' also ads like all cars will have port holes in their sides, as if that was a selling point, but the Beetle soldiered on unchanged.

[@labajadaman]

If I recall correctly the early Beetles like this one without the wind wing instead had windows with a sort of a scooped section of glass cut out of the top edge. When you began to lower the window this scooped section would allow a small amount of fresh air to enter through the top edge. If you needed more then you would lower the window further like you would a normal window.

[@EricResnick]

Awesome! Very enjoyable video.

[@TFLclassics]

Thank you very much!

[@anonymous3738]

Hard to believe production of such a body style lasted until 2003, literally.

[@aucklandsadventures]

This 10th Anniversary model is amazing.

[@flatheadV8]

My first car was a 1948 Morris 8E and and later I had a 1964 VW Bug, however I could never modulate the brake pedal to bring the VW to a smooth stop. The front wheels tended to lockup. The Morris was slower but easier to drive.

[@williamjamesw]

I didn't realize that the engine was running until you went to open the hood.

[@davidmcelfresh3024]

Thanks for this episode. Fun historical vehicle.

[@bosse641]

Fun car.

[@victrixsvs]

here in brazil this car is really common, but its rare to find the old ones

[@anthonymrskipt9252]

My parents’ friends had a red bug back in the mid-sixties and I remember riding in the “way back” (ie, behind the rear seats) as a 3-4-yr old. I guess you wouldn’t be able to do that today!

[@caddyman7725]

That iconic exhaust sound always reminds me of someone rattling pennies in a jar! Love it!

[@michaelmartin2276]

My wife had a 1969. Drove it in HS through college. It angers me we sold it soon after we got married. Cool piece of history this car

[@jakebob5101]

'49 with the ''Crashbox''

[@garysarratt1]

Were y’all referring to the transmission whine?

[@zonoscopePictures]

Yeah that was pretty loud, I wonder if all the early models whined like that?

[@zonoscopePictures]

The rear seat legroom (comment at 3:53) isn’t the only thing these cars have in common with the 911. If you got out of this car and got into any generation of air cooled 911 (esp. the Torsion bar cars), you would immediately notice several similarities. Floor hinged pedals and their position, how close the windshield is, the light and precise steering, even the distinctive smell of the air cooled engine (granted different air cooled engines will have varying degrees of oil tightness, lol ). It’s almost as if Porsche took the Type I and constantly refined/developed the idea until they had evolved an entirely new car from the basic concept… for a completely wild iteration of this same idea, see the Type 64 / Type 60K10 (great video of it on youtube called "The Porsche Type 64 | Chris Harris Drives | Top Gear")

[@classicforreal]

It's nice seeing both of TFL's Dollar General Doug DeMuros fumble out and about.

[@sharpdressedman53]

😂😂😂 Gadgets and gizmos

[@ArchibaldSipoyo]

Ivambosi... That's what we called the Beatle 😅 my first car ☝️

[@aaronramirez6828]

I would not let you drive this car, let alone my 62.

[@DumbBunny5328]

So not all split window beetles are this bare bones. This is the standard sedan opposed to the Deluxe evidenced by no chrome trim whatsoever and no clock on the dash.

[@Gunny426HemiPlymouth]

My dad had a 52 standard. We later found out it was a Hoffman car.

[@bryaninnc5511]

Reminds me of my HS buddy's 65 Beetle, though a bit more primitive. I wonder how the new ID.4 will fair in 2099.

[@classic287]

My face hit the windshield in a head on collision in my friends 1960 Beetle back in 67

[@josueelombre931]

Back when VW made actual people’s cars.

[@henrikhkarpynskyi8712]

Talking about VW history no one for some reason mentions 1938 and Sparkarte

[@zonoscopePictures]

I’m 100% sure there are many VW nerds out there who are aware of the Savings Program, Ferdinand Porsche, Hitler and Ivan Hirst… this is a video about a 49 model so I’m not sure what your point is?

[@RyansuBike]

my first car was a 1974 type I so I guess that was 25 years in the US when it came out, it wasn't mine until 1985

[@ChuddleBuggy]

that engine is surprisingly quiet and smooth. must have had a 20-lb flywheel.

[@paranoid9678]

fun story in german an older man did own and did driver the """beather"" that was not build by WV but by porsche it was registerd and driven as normal car sinze 1947 until 2012 then he sold it to a museum first owner whas the germen fluftwaffe then a americen soilder, untill Otto Weymann got it in 75 ther crazzy part is in war time wolfsburg did not build beetles they did build military vehicles so that beetlel has a chassis from a 1942 küberwagen , the body itself was form a type 51 beetle wv dose not list is at a beetle but as a millitary kübelwagen tpy82 it dose not only have a starter but you can also start it by kranking the engien like in a model t and it did work Otto had many beetles one he did own was from 1945 (a tree is growing out of it now) and he did sold one in 199 to the VW museum in 1999 that beetle was from 1949

[@melvinjacobs2328]

My first new car was a '63 Beetle.

[@GereDJ2]

The rear two-piece "split" window was cheaper to produce than a one-piece oval.

[@bennyhannover9361]

The beetle was produced at 1.131 cc with 25.5 bhp at 3.600 rpm , the compression was lowered for German Coal petroleum that had 78 octane to 6.3 to 1! The first Beetle KDF Sedan from 1938 had 23.5 bhp from 985 cc and 7.2 to 1 compression 98 kmh topspeed. The postwar version reached 103 kmh or 65 miles per hour too speed

very nice

[@Xander_Zimmermann]

Sounds suspiciously like a Junkers Ju 87 Dive Bomber.

[@mylittleparody2277]

Wonderful!

[@ChristopherDarcie]

My uncles first car was a 1966 VW beetle

[@bosnianaviation5531]

WOW AWESOME

[@russellriggan2088]

The little man with the funny haircut+ little 'stache approves.

[@martinsvensson6884]

He was avarage though lol

[@timescales]

Nice one!

[@nonelost1]

Has anyone ever found out what became of those two '49 bugs that were sold new in the US?

[@30smsuperstrat]

If Tommy or Case were involved in a minor traffic collision, would you have shared the video, along with Volkswagen's response?

[@RS-un9hx]

If the old VW factory was more east in location, it would have been in East Germany. Its history probably would be different. Also, VW killing the Beetle was not their best decision while the early Porsche 911, originally rear air cooled engine, continued to improve & available to buy today. Japanese would never kill their Corolla & Civic, their "bread & butter" cars.

[@mhassouneh]

I want to get a '67 or '69 🥹

[@k1e1v1i1n]

that is special.

[@Razorrrrrrrrrrrr]

I know a lady who used to have a green one, I was super young when she got rid of the car, but according to her , it was a rotting mess of a car 😅

[@Lucas-up6ww]

Does Jay have one?

[@SteppingR]

nice dark blue

[@vintagevwchannel]

Hey I have a 1949 VW Beetle Too : )

[@carsntravel4183]

Runnigboards stayed the same!

[@shanemallinson7644]

It's better than ev vehicles

[@harriettanthony7352]

NO! it is NOT! Not by any anti-EV-ites warped mind! I have owned 03 Beetles and two EVs. The EV is worlds better. PERIOD

[@MavadoKen]

Lets hope VW keeps playing with their vintage vehicles and goes back to their roots.

[@alexzhdanyuk4237]

I don’t know if you want them to go all the way back to their roots. You know what I mean? 😅

[@harriettanthony7352]

@@alexzhdanyuk4237 We understand, BUT VWs roots are better than the Layda

[@evaldasgr6999]

75 years.. we are missing few years.

[@mj6493]

75 years in the US

[@rayjay8322]

If I wanted a 49, I would much rather have the 49 Ford my dad bought for 100 bucks in 65.

[@thomasthurston6656]

😂 Just get in and give it the beans lol 😊

[@timbutterworth6414]

They were designed after the Chrysler air flow look it up!

[@zonoscopePictures]

I think they had more in common design wise with Hans Ledwinka’s Tatra T 77 and T 87, which are rear engined air cooled cars. Porsche admitted being influenced by Ledwinka when he designed the Type I

[@jamesbosworth4191]

I thought they were modeled after the 36 Lincoln Zephyr. Research that car.

[@tomgerds7140]

Just two beetles sold in US in 1949, don't know how many actually imported and sold later. Anyone?

[@Matt-re3or]

Thought I was gonna have to be the guy to bring that up. VW imported 2, private import companies bringing new cars and individual people bringing them later, who knows?

[@volvo09]

Wow, those are very very basic... I've only really seen the newer 60's beetles.

[@Acejustforalaugh]

The big expert can't find reverse ! 😅😂

[@jamesbosworth4191]

You should be double-clutching.

[@stevekniess3665]

That rear wheel looks a little off

[@stevekniess3665]

They answered my question lol

[@misterwhipple2870]

Speedometer cables are ten bucks. What's this guy's problem?

[@ed9492]

Seatbelt probably wouldn't help you much in that if you did have it.

[@AeroSS87]

75 years since Hitler contracted Ferdinand Porsche to dwisgn and build it, now a pop culture symbol 🥰

[@kc0lif]

same car from 1949-2000

[@ziggy78eog]

Weird that Volkswagen's, "history", only goes back to the late 1940's. What could have possibly gone on in Germany, in the mid 1930's, to the early 1940's, where Volkswagen does not want to talk about?

[@sutrisnosutrisno3116]

I like car volkswagen you..

[@Flaviorrodolfo]

I don't think it does 120 even in km/h hahah

[@sertyuhg]

Not worth the ads

[@dan98996]

Most of it is broken lol