Beetles And Snails...

[micksterbs]

Ok, here's one for you to ponder.

As I drive the highways and byeways of the LOS, I often wonder why I don't see more VW Beetles. Alright, I see a few but when you consider it was so widespread pretty-much all over the globe and was famed for its toughness, reliability, and ease-of-maintenance, I fail to see why VW didn't market it here more aggresively. Perhaps it would have been too dear?

On the same theme, how come I never see any 2CVs? Citroen sold DSs, CXs, BXs, AXs and Xantias here and that's despite Thailand's, how shall I put it, reputation as lacking a certain mechanical sympathy which the hydropneumatic models need. The 2CV had all the qualities that the Beetle had with the added advantage of a more flexible body style, removable seats, canvas roof etc. It was designed for the (then) French peasant farmers as a cheap way to get them mobile after the war so why didn't Citroen push it here?

Any ideas?

[Carib]

Maybe one of the reasons could be that the engines are aircooled instead of watercooled. ..... doesnot always go well in warmer or even hot climates..

[dave_boo]

Interestingly enough I've come across a couple of places that actually specialise in Beetles. There's of course that one in Pattaya, and another one not that far out of Bang Na.

[monty]

I would probably guess that at the time both the Beetle and the 2CV were in production, automobiles were not as popular here in Thailand as they were in Europe.

The well off middle class in the 50's and in the 60's wasn't very big in Thailand, so not a big enough market to bother with aggressive marketing.

Not sure about the 50's (I'm not that old yet ) but in the 60's in Europe already a high percentage of middle class people could afford themselves a small basic car, while in Thailand this was definitely only possible for the very few upper class elite.

As opposed to today, where it seems everybody (Thai) with an income of over 15,000 Baht/month and 100,000 Baht cash in their pocket can drive out of a showroom with a new car!

[billd766]

Interestingly enough I've come across a couple of places that actually specialise in Beetles. There's of course that one in Pattaya, and another one not that far out of Bang Na.

There is also one just past Chon Buri as I remember.

Slightly off topic (though Thailand releated through me) my son in the UK a few years back sold his old mk1 Golf Gti, his aprtly rebuilt Beetle and maxed his Mums credit card and bought a one owner 1964 Beetle 1200. After 18 months he had lowered it, put in a Porsche 2 litre engine and gearbox, uprated running gear etc and resprayed it. He also put in a nitrous oxide kit and it was street legal. He won first in class at the Volkswagen show at Epsom that year but blew first gear while doing time trials at Ford airfield the followng year.

It is still going strong.

He first got interested in Beetles when he was 13 and he is now 30 and a regional manager for Fiat trucks in Southampton.

I wish I had some fun like that at his age.

:D

[micksterbs]

I would probably guess that at the time both the Beetle and the 2CV were in production, automobiles were not as popular here in Thailand as they were in Europe.

The well off middle class in the 50's and in the 60's wasn't very big in Thailand, so not a big enough market to bother with aggressive marketing.

Not sure about the 50's (I'm not that old yet ) but in the 60's in Europe already a high percentage of middle class people could afford themselves a small basic car, while in Thailand this was definitely only possible for the very few upper class elite.

As opposed to today, where it seems everybody (Thai) with an income of over 15,000 Baht/month and 100,000 Baht cash in their pocket can drive out of a showroom with a new car!

Yep, was thinking along similar lines after I logged-off last night. When the two cars were at their peak, '50s, '60s & early '70s, the Thai rural population were probably limited to buffalo and Honda Super Cubs. The new urban middle-class would not be seen in anything so basic (in much the same way as their German and French counterparts would eschew the VW and 2CV) so both missed their chance here.

Also, Carib, I think you may have hit on another point re air-cooling. Mind you, the Beetle does pretty well in Mexico and that gets quite warm.

[culicine]

There's also a beetle garage on Tiwanon Rd, in Nonthaburi. I've seen some for same with porsche engines in them on www.one2car.com. Don't see a lot on the road but seems from the posts its easy to get it serviced here. Sounds like it would be a fun second car for a family.

[Jandajoy]

Ok, here's one for you to ponder.

As I drive the highways and byeways of the LOS, I often wonder why I don't see more VW Beetles. Alright, I see a few but when you consider it was so widespread pretty-much all over the globe and was famed for its toughness, reliability, and ease-of-maintenance, I fail to see why VW didn't market it here more aggresively. Perhaps it would have been too dear?

On the same theme, how come I never see any 2CVs? Citroen sold DSs, CXs, BXs, AXs and Xantias here and that's despite Thailand's, how shall I put it, reputation as lacking a certain mechanical sympathy which the hydropneumatic models need. The 2CV had all the qualities that the Beetle had with the added advantage of a more flexible body style, removable seats, canvas roof etc. It was designed for the (then) French peasant farmers as a cheap way to get them mobile after the war so why didn't Citroen push it here?

Any ideas?

You are really bored (sic) aren't you?

As a newbie I've been impressed by your postings, I'd love to establish a close intimate relationship with you. You lovely bundle of fun.

[Flatouthruthefog]

Ok, here's one for you to ponder.

As I drive the highways and byeways of the LOS, I often wonder why I don't see more VW Beetles. Alright, I see a few but when you consider it was so widespread pretty-much all over the globe and was famed for its toughness, reliability, and ease-of-maintenance, I fail to see why VW didn't market it here more aggresively. Perhaps it would have been too dear?

On the same theme, how come I never see any 2CVs? Citroen sold DSs, CXs, BXs, AXs and Xantias here and that's despite Thailand's, how shall I put it, reputation as lacking a certain mechanical sympathy which the hydropneumatic models need. The 2CV had all the qualities that the Beetle had with the added advantage of a more flexible body style, removable seats, canvas roof etc. It was designed for the (then) French peasant farmers as a cheap way to get them mobile after the war so why didn't Citroen push it here?

Any ideas?

Better point your 2 wheels and that schnazzy little cab of yours up here, where the mass of Beetles in Chiang Mai will surely trip you up. We have more of the things here than were built in the first place!

Immaculate oldies (2 oval rear window jobs), at least one genuine convertible and countless later models, even up to the curved screen versions which the purists hate.

I know of one smart blue and white Beetle with twin megaphones sticking out the back to trip and burn the pedestrians. It is now being used by the 3rd generation of the same Thai family!

We have countless VW repair and resto firms, so you also get assorted VW Microbuses and pick ups (split front screen and 1 piece), occasional smart Karmann Ghias, even 2 glassfibre 'Kubelwagen' re-makes from the 70's. Anyone need advice on parts and mechs, PM me. Also a Thai friend is desperate to buy a genuine convertible in any condition.

The debate about which companies successfully imported into Thailand decades ago is fascinating. Pre-war, Fiats were very successful selling their Topolinos (3 in Chiang Mai) and 4-door 1100s (we have 4). Post war, VW, Fiat (still) and amazingly Hillman, Austin and Morris from UK.

One does wonder if air-cooling set back the little Citroens. After all they had 4 doors (which the Beetle did not), much preferred by Thai families where the car was often bought by grandad or grandma who expected to ride in the front without having their seat tipped up all the time.

I have only seen one CV in the realm and that lives in Phuket and is run on French plates, somehow!

Citroen should have been more bold. They coped with the heat of Africa etc etc. Probably a darned site better than modern Peugeots in Thailand. You can hear all their cooling fans revving away at 10,000rpm miles away!!

[sgunn65]

There are quite a few old beetles out my way. There is a garage just outside Nakkeela which is off Rama 9. Karmann Ghia's too

[micksterbs]

Ok, here's one for you to ponder.

As I drive the highways and byeways of the LOS, I often wonder why I don't see more VW Beetles. Alright, I see a few but when you consider it was so widespread pretty-much all over the globe and was famed for its toughness, reliability, and ease-of-maintenance, I fail to see why VW didn't market it here more aggresively. Perhaps it would have been too dear?

On the same theme, how come I never see any 2CVs? Citroen sold DSs, CXs, BXs, AXs and Xantias here and that's despite Thailand's, how shall I put it, reputation as lacking a certain mechanical sympathy which the hydropneumatic models need. The 2CV had all the qualities that the Beetle had with the added advantage of a more flexible body style, removable seats, canvas roof etc. It was designed for the (then) French peasant farmers as a cheap way to get them mobile after the war so why didn't Citroen push it here?

Any ideas?

You are really bored (sic) aren't you?

As a newbie I've been impressed by your postings, I'd love to establish a close intimate relationship with you. You lovely bundle of fun.

Bored? Hmm, just a bit last night...

Nah, just get these thoughts in my idle moments and wonder what others think.

[micksterbs]

Better point your 2 wheels and that schnazzy little cab of yours up here, where the mass of Beetles in Chiang Mai will surely trip you up. We have more of the things here than were built in the first place!

Immaculate oldies (2 oval rear window jobs), at least one genuine convertible and countless later models, even up to the curved screen versions which the purists hate.

I know of one smart blue and white Beetle with twin megaphones sticking out the back to trip and burn the pedestrians. It is now being used by the 3rd generation of the same Thai family!

We have countless VW repair and resto firms, so you also get assorted VW Microbuses and pick ups (split front screen and 1 piece), occasional smart Karmann Ghias, even 2 glassfibre 'Kubelwagen' re-makes from the 70's. Anyone need advice on parts and mechs, PM me. Also a Thai friend is desperate to buy a genuine convertible in any condition.

The debate about which companies successfully imported into Thailand decades ago is fascinating. Pre-war, Fiats were very successful selling their Topolinos (3 in Chiang Mai) and 4-door 1100s (we have 4). Post war, VW, Fiat (still) and amazingly Hillman, Austin and Morris from UK.

One does wonder if air-cooling set back the little Citroens. After all they had 4 doors (which the Beetle did not), much preferred by Thai families where the car was often bought by grandad or grandma who expected to ride in the front without having their seat tipped up all the time.

I have only seen one CV in the realm and that lives in Phuket and is run on French plates, somehow!

Citroen should have been more bold. They coped with the heat of Africa etc etc. Probably a darned site better than modern Peugeots in Thailand. You can hear all their cooling fans revving away at 10,000rpm miles away!!

Oh right, perhaps it's just an Isan thing, then. Don't see too many around here. Quite agree with your comments re 2CVs. I'd forgotten about Africa. They sold pretty strongly, I believe, in France's former colonies there. Their main enemy in Europe, apart from falling out of fashion that is, was rust. The later, Portugal-built specimens used to crumble away as you watched. That wouldn't have been too much of a problem over here as cars seem to go on as long as people can get the parts.

[TerryLH]

Has Chiang Mai moved to Isaan? I must have missed that.

Appears to be lots of Beetles in Khon Kaen.

[micksterbs]

Has Chiang Mai moved to Isaan? I must have missed that.

Appears to be lots of Beetles in Khon Kaen.

I'll rephrase that

"Oh right, perhaps they're just thin on the ground in Isan, then."

There you go!

[LivinLOS]

As I have a VW Golf I have found a VW specialist.. He does beetles. beach buggies, combis, even currently doing a lovely looking Kahman ghia (will be about 180k when fully done.. Kinda classy for that cash)..

I must admit with labour costs so low I was considering doing either a baja bug (good for the island) or a lowered shop roof roadster look.

I have had beach buggies and bug before.. Went to africa a few times in combis.. Some how they are a car that has character.

[Hog Head]

I am building flared fender style 356 Speedster bodies in Chiangmai that can go on a Beetle chassis. Recycle that POS Beetle into something cool.

Am doing one now for #1 Pub to sit on top of his new bar, and hope to have it installed by Mar. 30.

[LivinLOS]

I think I asked this before (but then you were talking about using a subaru ??) but what cost would that body come to ?? Also love to see some pics, I truly love that shape.

Also how are you getting around the body changes issues with the Thai association of engineers etc ?? Down here on phuket they are refusing to tax and insure (or transfer for sale) beach buggys as they say the body is not approved etc. Previously the body was not an issue if it was on a tax paid chassis.