The old air-cooled VW Beetle gas engines could not heat the vehicle in the winter,...
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False. My ‘68 Bug and the later ‘72 Super Bug, would both heat the interior so fast that I had to drive with my window half down.
In the late ‘60s, during a snow-sleet-ice storm in the DFW area, I drove the 70 mile round trip to work and back. Most cars couldn’t even go up slight grades on the highways, but I would go around them on the right and drive steadily up using the off road shoulders. Those Beetles were great!
Yeah, they were great. I really thought so when I had to push one out of my way to get my Ford Station wagon out of my driveway. There was only 21 inches of new snow. After pushing him for about five blocks, I had to leave him so I could continue to work.
I had more weight on my REAR driving wheels than he weighed. PS; I still drive a rear wheel drive car. the latest is a 2009 Mustang GT. For two years I drove it 189 miles a day round trip over hilly, twisty snow and ice covered roads to get to work. Rain, snow, ice, 90 degree heat, never missed a day's work. Retired now. Love it, if I ever get any time to myself. Might have to go back to work so I can rest LOL
You say I'm lying? NOT false in northern Ohio in the late 70's and early '80s in my wife's '72 Beetle. We never had to roll the window down in winter. In fact, they were probably frozen shut most of the time. The defroster was the main pain, actually. If it was cold, our breath would freeze on the windows.
I never owned one of the earlier Bugs but there was a good reason they offered the optional gas heater. The newer ones must have heated better than the old, but our experience in winters in the '72 was still not anywhere near that of modern cars, especially when it got below 20 F, which if does on many winter mornings.
If WAS fun to drive in the ice and snow, though.
A drunk and his wife totalled it one night when if was parked on the street.