To the editor:

It was very pleasing to see your article on Ben Kappen and his restored 1961 VW beetle. I also am a VW owner, and own a running 1974 yellow sunbug and a 1966 Bahama Blue Sunroof beetle that I am restoring in my shop from the concrete up. I have been at it about a year and a half now. I have owned the car since 1969.

The story of these amazing little cars is a truly epic success story. The car, which was the idea of Dr. Ferdnand Porsche (yup, same Porsche) rose from the ashes of Nazi Germany and a bombed out factory to help create an auto manufacturer that is now fourth largest in the world. And the little cars turned the world’s automotive scene on its head, simple and sound design, easy to maintain, and with one idea in mind, dependable transportation, no frills attached. Too bad this idea has mostly disappeared today in a world of monster SUVs, computer controlled cars no one can tinker with, and global positioning satellite gear that make map reading a lost art.

Fred Whitehead Jr.,

Lawrence