Volkswagen Club of Pakistan (VWCOP)

[veitnam]

[veitnam]

[romano]

Our team has reached Balakot, fueled up, and moving on up towards Naran and beyond. All vehicles running well. There were minor delays earlier on, as one driver had 'forgotten' to pump up his tyres, and a second car had trouble keeping up with the convoy as 'out of balance tyres' induced violent front end shake! This was in the plains, but as speeds drop in the mountains, that should abate. Just another reminder that long journeys in older cars entail meticulous mechanical preparations. No 'get up and go' here! Long trips need check lists.

[romano]

Our VW team has reached Naran, and is pushing on towards Jalkhad, three fourths of the way up the Babusar Pass! Its going to be a long day! These are 40 to 50 year old cars with modest 40 to 50hp engines. All vehicles are running well so far.

[romano]

Latest news! As the road becomes a rough track, Mujeeb's car has lost front licence plate, Billo lost a tail pipe, and the 1302 from Lahore needs a front shock absorber packing/padding (tyre rubbing against fender), however these minor hiccups aside, all vehicles are GO.

[bravo122]

Great
any pics?

[khanAUTOworshop]

plz pics.say my hello to Rehan bhai and hasseb

[romano]

Nasir has just sent SMS update: We just made it to the KKH past Chilas after crossing Babusar pass. All cars made it without difficulty. Heading on to Gilgit, and if time allows, to Hunza tonight.
Was very cold at Babusar but now is almost 42C in Chilas. Spent last night in Jalkhad camped next to a river on an army helipad. Our cook prepared biryani for dinner and it tasted the best in the world.
Had eggs and toast for breakfast and halwa as a special treat, being shab e barat last nite. Good, as we were not hungry afterwords and stopped only to take pictures or help push stuck Toyota Corollas!

[mfdarvesh]

Nasir has just sent SMS update: We just made it to the KKH past Chilas after crossing Babusar pass. All cars made it without difficulty. Heading on to Gilgit, and if time allows, to Hunza tonight.
Was very cold at Babusar but now is almost 42C in Chilas. Spent last night in Jalkhad camped next to a river on an army helipad. Our cook prepared biryani for dinner and it tasted the best in the world.
Had eggs and toast for breakfast and halwa as a special treat, being shab e barat last nite. Good, as we were not hungry afterwords and stopped only to take pictures or help push stuck Toyota Corollas!

very good, so these vehicles are moving, what about engine heating issues while climbing?

[romano]

Nasir and the VW group finally limped into Gilgit at 3am this morning. All three 1302 Super beetles had suspension issues; one car broke a vital component, Nasir describes the road as a 'moonscape'. The Chinese road engineers have dug everything up, and the cost of repairs to vehicles in the area must be quite high. These mechanical issues to the cars is a reminder that Supers, with their McPherson struts, are not as 'rough road' ready as the traditional Beetle, with its unbustable torsion leaf front tubes. More updates later in the afternoon.

[reezvaan]

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[NashTrooper]

@romano
Thanks for the updates.
Hope rest of the expedition will be much better.

[romano]

The cars crossed Babusar at 13730 feet, and gullible truck drivers were told the cars had extra engines in the rear to help them get over these mountain passes; one driver actually bought the story!
Mujeeb Mufti has busted the oil drain plate on his car, repairs underway.

[romano]

Latest update, the group is now heading towards Hunza! Usual delays; owners 'forgetting' to fuel up...

[romano]

Our VW group spent the night in Hunza. Fresh ripe fruit is to be seen
on every tree, and our group has been busy buying and enjoying
nature's bounty. The cars are running well; two however have sustained
damage (broken headlight from stones thrown up by other vehicles), so
there IS something to be said for headlight wire guards. More on that
later. Meanwhile news had reached them the road from Gilgit to Shandur
was blocked by a glacier flow, so quickly deciding on another route,
and destination, our VWS are now off to new territory. Heading down
from Hunza, our group breakfasted at the Rakaposhi viewpoint
restaurant, and for those who have been there, the unique view of a an
unbroken slope all the way from the road to the peak (5000meters so I
have been told) is a sight to behold. The group then headed down to
Gilgit, picked up the one 1302 Super Beetle left behind for repairs
and is now heading for Rama lake via Astore.
Times have changed, and the Northern Areas has evolved from 30 years
ago. I found this article by Isobel Shaw quite informative and am sure
you will like it too:
The Earth Times/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Reopening of a road in northern Pakistan gives access to remote culture. By Isobel Shaw

[shahzebulhaq]

</SPAN>

Weren't the suspension bits specifically checked up while rally participant cars were going through mechanical checkups by Khalid Sb. for any weaknesses?

And if the suspension bits were checked up in particular, I can not imagine how come all three Supers resulted in a rolling disaster. I am shocked about the Supers, especially Mujahid's Super from Lahore. I thought he had it maintained like a baby if its the same one with EMPI wheels and all, painted in some shade of yellow or alike.

Reez FYI,

Super beetle’s suspension is not supposed to be as tough as our regular beetle suspension as it was made for high speed on Highways.. not rock climbing on the highest mountain ranges.. This is normal for such journeys. Earlier our friend of goodwill journey on a brand new BMW tourist bike made for toughest conditions also broke down on such roads.</SPAN>

Hats off to the drivers and Mechanical team for on the go Fix.. Keep rocking!!!

[reezvaan]

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[murtaza_murti]

1964 Volkswagen Beetle soon to be cut into pieces

So, I went to Shahbuddin's shop yesterday and he has this '64 parked right infront of this shop. He is asking 40,000 which he might reconsider. He also said if it doesn't sell he'll cut it up in a day or two (he recently chopped up a Microbus). Someone who is looking for a cheap project car this is a car which can be considered. The registration number is M-7200, the number plates are original. The documentation is complete as per what he had told me and the taxes are paid up till 2010.

The vehicle overall, needs loads of TLC. The roof has caved quite a bit and so has the front hood. The interior seemed to be complete. It has the original 1200 Economy engine in it.

I honestly think it has potential, and it being a pre '67 and Beetle's becoming an extinct species it should be saved.

Asking price: 40,000rs

Contact: Shahbuddin, 0331-2664562

Location: Lalu Kheet near Syed Autos

I hope the poor thing can be saved and go into good hands.

[shahzebulhaq]

www.facebook.com/vintageshop.pk

[reezvaan]

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