[ajay99]

Originally Posted by KPS

Over the last few months we have been sorting the mechanical issues on the car. The plan was use it and figure out the niggles and then keeping fix it. This way the car gets sorted while in use

Replacing all the shock absorbers
Attachment 1911558

Cheers

KPS

It would have been better if you had sourced the model specific BOGE(GERMAN) shock absorbers for the rear and F&S shock absorber for the front

[KPS]

My wife Dr. Smitha, is an artist in her own right. I feel very fortunate that she supports my passion of owning, restoration and use of V & C cars.

She painted a water colour, replicating a picture, I had taken earlier in front of Vidhan Soudha


The Water colour painting



Cheers

KPS

[KPS]

Took the Beetle to work and the opportunity to drive through the beautiful Cubbon Park.

Even the trees do react to this bug!









Cubbon Park is so beautiful after the rains.

Cheers

KPS

[KPS]

Few friends decided to drive down to Palolem, Goa for a good family holiday. I decided to join them with Kaizer! Was very excited at the prospect of driving to Goa.

So, 8 of us with 2 kids (5 years old and 5 month old!) made this trip in 4 cars. Oldest being a 1950 H14, followed by Kaizer, then a 1969 Mark 2 Amby and lastly a 1996 Mercedes 124

Due to the bad road conditions in North Karnataka due to unusually heavy rains, we decided to go via Shimoga/Kodachadri. So our first halt for the night would be at Kodachadri and we had to travel 407 kms to reach the resort.

Got the wheel alignment done. The handling of the car improved significantly


The rubber beading on the car was replaced as the doors were rattling too much


We changed over to an alternator.


The speedo reading was 81463 miles


The car is all ready for the trip. We left Bangalore at 5.00 am


We hit the road





Past Tumkur, we stopped for some home made sandwiches


We could could sustain speeds of 40-45 miles (60-70 kmph), about 40 kms of road per hour


In Karnataka, highway trips mandates a stop over at Coffee Day for that first cup of coffee


Preethi Canteen is a famous eating place at Birur . We had lunch here


We could watch over the cars, while eating lunch


We hit the road to Kodhachadri, enjoying the drive as we went through scenic routes






At one such scenic place we stopped for some pictures


Cheers

KPS

[KPS]

After a brief halt we move on to the resort


The route was peaceful




Our first leg of the journey was 407 kms and we had made it without any problem.


The cars too would chill!


We figured that the famous Kollur Mookambika temple was very close by, that we could not miss the opportunity to visit the temple.


Back from the temple, a good meal and siesta, decided to wash up the car before the 2nd leg of out journey. From Kodachadri to Palolem the distance to be covered was 238 kms.




Sparkling after a good wash


Post the wash, the car gets premium parking too!


Cheers

KPS

[KPS]

For the second leg of the journey from Kodachadri to Palolem in Goa, we started out leisurely considering it was expected to be a 6-7 hour journey. We started after breakfast with the plan to have lunch at Karwar.


The road was very scenic with some very occasional bad patches.
















Entry to Mookambika Temple Town



Fantastic route to drive





Through the grass lands of Byndoor, as we approach the Mangalore to Goa Highway


Tender coconut break on the highway. Srirand in the Hindustan 14, decided not to stop as we the faster cars could catch up with him before Karwar.


Across the bridge at Karwar




We had covered 403 miles or 645 kms on the onward journey


Our place for stay at Palolem


Parked in the typical Goa settings!

[KPS]

With some free time, planned a visit to my friends at Margoa for a dinner meet

On the way to Margo


At the Holy Spirit Church, Margao







It is advisable to check the oil levels every 500 kms. Having done 726 kms after the Margao trip, checked the oil level the next morning


Major boost to my confidence. Shows the enjine in great health


One evening we did a 2 hour journey to meet the Goan V&C enthusiasts


Lovely one family owned Mini. Lovingly maintained


We have a great time chatting up and appreciating cars


After a fantastic evening, we dozed off in the taxi, than to watch our taxi driver drive like the maniac, in the 2 hours it would take for us to reach Palolem

Cheers

KPS

[Bulldogji]

The cars and drivers look great.

Lovely to see you guys having fun and going on long distance drives.

[KPS]

Originally Posted by Bulldogji

The cars and drivers look great.

Lovely to see you guys having fun and going on long distance drives.

Thank you Bulldogji. Travelling in your 1949 Buick to Hyderabad, remains one of my most cherished V & C moments. Fortunate to have been part of that Southern Drive, I learnt so much during that trip. Kasli's immaculate planning, the driving discipline, condition of the cars, managing car issues, sharing of knowledge and generally very one having a great time, made that trip unforgettable.

This trip was very well planned. The routes were scenic and cars were in good condition. The youngest member was 5 months old and the oldest was 70 years old! All round we had great coordination and fun.

Since we can cover 40 kms per hour, we decided to reach Chitradurga and then take a call on whether we should halt for the night. If the kids were fine, we would continue our journey to Bangalore.

We planned to leave before 6 am so that we would be in Chitradurga by 4-5 pm and then decide our next leg.

As planned we got out just before 6 am.







Off we go



As day breaks on the Goa side. We almost had a freak incident, where a Volvo bus driver's full door, opened on a left curve. The door almost swiped the lead and the second car, with the bus driver desperately trying to reach out and pull the door back. Luckily we all were not too fast, otherwise the bus driver could have easily lost control as he reached out to retrieve the door.


Cattle menace is a major issue on the Goa roads. Small calves lying on the road is very dangerous. One has to be very careful.


Beautiful morning and weather was superb


With Beetle having the fuel tank in front, we did not need to move our cars to fuel up.


With comfortable speeds of 60-65 kmph, all the cars gave very good mileage


On a full tank basis, the Beetle gave a mileage in excess of 14 kmpl!


As we reach the Karnataka border


Sunrise over the Karwar bridge


Breakfast was at Kumta.





The road from Kumta to Haveri had some very bad patches. We had to reduce speed till Haveri.


After lunch at Haveri, we reached Chitradurga at around 5 pm. Sunset over Chitradurga, after 5 days of sunset over the sea!


Loved the windmill in the horizon


Everyone was in good spirits and the kids were doing well. We decided to carry on to Bangalore


BHPian Srinand and his amazing family. They are a real inspiration. For Srinand this was the 4th trip in V& C cars to Goa from Bangalore. Cannot thank Srinand enough for planning and executing this trip. Very enjoyable and each day was memorable.


Reached home at 10.15 pm. Chitradurga to Tumkur was a blast. We could cover and maintain speeds of 50 mph or 80 kmph on this stretch. Past Tumkur, the traffic becomes heavy towards Bangalore.


We had done close to 1300 kms without missing a beat!



Cheers

KPS

[Bulldogji]

Great narration, glad you all had a good drive.

The bus door opening out must have been scary, these things happen therefore we must all be extra vigilant whilst driving, even modern cars.

Personally I am happy that more and more genuine enthusiasts are beginning to move out of their comfort zones and are undertaking long drives.

This is the best way to enjoy and appreciate these cars.

Keep it up and once again my salutations to all of you .

[KartikeyaL]

Well done KPS and friends, very inspirational. Also as Bulldogji says very well narrated.

[KPS]

Some more upgrades on the car.

The hubcaps were locally made, which has now been replaced by the original type hubcaps


The rare Seat Belt Clamp was found. These are normally one of the first things to get discarded. This fits on the floor behind the front seats in the middle tunnel.


This solid clamp weight 450 grams.


Cheers

KPS

[KPS]

The low traffic in the holiday season, encouraged me to take Kaizer the work. Passing Cubbon Park in bloom, could not resist the temptation to stop and take the picture.

The Pink Trumpet Tree or Tebebuia Avellanedae in bloom, is a major attraction in Cubbon Park.



Cheers

KPS

[arun1100]

I was fortunate enough to get a drive in Kaizer recently along Bangalore's on a cool Sunday evening. A great classic car to drive. Compared to Fiats and Ambassador, the Beetle seemed more mature and fun to drive car. The compact size made driving in Bangalore's traffic effortless. Congrats again KPS Sir for owning a legend.

Here's a pic of Kaizer and me.

[KPS]

Some minor updates being done to make the car more comfortable.

The seats were repaired and padded up. The seat railings were repaired and now the seats move on its rails freely. The carpets were redone.


The rear. The freshly installed Seat Belt Clamp is seen


Working Seat Belts. Note the absence of the lap belt


The dicky mat


The rear mat


The bumpers have been removed sent for chroming along with the Daimler's bumpers.

Cheers

KPS