1956 Vw Beetle
Like the Henry Ford Model T that was its inspiration, the early VW Beetles did not have a fuel guage, nor was there a warning light to tell the driver that he was about out of gas. Under the dash was an L-shaped lever that was normally kept in the upright position. When the engine began to sputter, the driver would reach under the dash, find the lever, and turn it 90 degrees to the right. This simple act opened up a valve at the bottom of the fuel tank, gaining access to another 1.1 gallons of fuel, which allowed about 40 more miles of driving before the engine died again. It was, of course, essential to remember to switch the lever back to the upright position upon filling the tank, or there would be no warning sputter next time. The most reliable way to avoid running out of fuel, or using up the reserve portion of the supply, was to keep a running tally of miles per gallon and calculate probable need for fuel by watching the odometer. The only problem I ever had was one night when I was driving across rural Colorado at night, and when the engine began its characteristic sputter and I switched to the reserve, I realized that the next town was over 40 miles away. The engine was still running when I reached the town, but its one filling station was closed. Having had a conversation earlier with a Colorado native, I knew that local practice was to go to the police station, and usually the local police had a key to at least one gas station, and could open it up for standed motorists. And so it was---except that the only access to fuel in that town was out at the airport, so I flew across the rest of the state on 100-octane unleaded aviation fuel.
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I feel your pain. I've got a 1959 bug with the same setup. It's funny because as soon as it starts sputtering, I think I have an ignition, carburetor, or timing problem.........then it dawns on me to to rotate the lever and she comes back to life. John
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I had a '56 bug when I was in Florida working for Boeing Aircraft at Hulburt AFB, Mary Ester, FL. My lever was on the floorboard of the passenger's side? I had a rider that I picked up everyday. I sometimes wonder where it is today--I loved it, but being military family I had to sell it. I wonder what it would be worth today $.
Had a 59 bug. Lever under the dash, middle of floor board. Had a date with a girl, this was around 1963, was about 5 degrees and snow. On the way back to her house around midnight, ran out of gas, flipped the lever. Had $10 in my billfold. Choice was stop at Motel for a nightcap or head to a bigger city that had stations open. You can guess which one I picked. Got her home on fumes, headed back to mom/dads house where I was staying on weekends. Got about six miles from home, 1:30am and 5 degrees, ran out of gas. Not dressed for walking home on a Saturday night. Pulled over, wrapped a blanket around myself and waited. Guy came along going to work and picked me up. Said I could call dad to come and get me if he would drop me off in next little burg that had a pay phone (remember pay phones?). He said he would gladly take me all the way home, out in the middle of the country.sticks. Someone was watching over me that night. Don't recall ever running out of gas again in my VW bug. Car was a life saver, only car I could truly afford at the time.
Had a 59 bug. Lever under the dash, middle of floor board. Had a date with a girl, this was around 1963, was about 5 degrees and snow. On the way back to her house around midnight, ran out of gas, flipped the lever. Had $10 in my billfold. Choice was stop at Motel for a nightcap or head to a bigger city that had stations open. You can guess which one I picked. Got her home on fumes, headed back to mom/dads house where I was staying on weekends. Got about six miles from home, 1:30am and 5 degrees, ran out of gas. Not dressed for walking home on a Saturday night. Pulled over, wrapped a blanket around myself and waited. Guy came along going to work and picked me up. Said I could call dad to come and get me if he would drop me off in next little burg that had a pay phone (remember pay phones?). He said he would gladly take me all the way home, out in the middle of the country.sticks. Someone was watching over me that night. Don't recall ever running out of gas again in my VW bug. Car was a life saver, only car I could truly afford at the time.