The 4th Great Himalayan VW Beetle Rally gets set to hit the road again this year when a swarm of Beetles of all ages roar off from Patan Darbar Square to Dhulikhel on 13 March.

The small population of Nepali Beetles is going strong, many of them blithely overtaking Japanese sedans 30 years their junior on the Lazimpat uphill with that distinctive growl from their hind-quarters. Blame it on rampant consumerism and the age of use-and-throw, but many of us simply don't see how or why anyone would want to drive what is, quite frankly, an antique.

However, two decades after production stopped in its native Germany, the cult of the Beetle is alive and kicking in Nepal. Once again Beetle fans are planning to head out en masse to show off their machines and also raise money for a cleft palate surgery charity.

The moving force behind the charity and rally are New Zealander Susan Fowlds and paediatric surgeon Narayan Thapa from Nepal. The two decided to combine their common interest in Volkswagen Beetles (their own white and black Bugs respectively) for a cause. The rally became a way to raise money for those who can't afford the procedure even at minimal cost. With an estimated 40,000 Nepalis with cleft lip and palate, the ten operations sponsored by last year's rally may seem to be just a drop in the bucket.

Even so, organisers hope that the next rally will have as many as 20 more participants than the 36 last year. The project is gaining momentum as more Beetle owners become aware of the rally and its cause, not to mention the fun of 'dressing up' the car and taking it for a long drive. These are people who take their cars very seriously, lavishing time, money and TLC on their Bugs.

Shantu Kumar Dangol is one of the few surgeons that Beetle owners will trust with their Bugs in Kathmandu. Dangol can't exactly explain the special bond between Beetle owners and their cars, but says: "People like them because they are rare and antique, and also because they are comfortable."

Dangol himself owns a red Beetle (see picture) which came first in the rally last year. He says driving a Beetle takes a little getting used to, but the durability of the Bug and its parts means that maintenance isn't as much of a problem. With regular checkups Beetles do just fine and will take this year's drive from Patan Durbar Square to Dhulikhel in their stride. The maintenance vans and tow trucks on last year's rally proved largely unnecessary.

Internationally there has been some bad news for Beetle enthusiasts, the last VW plant in Mexico ceased production in July 2003. More than 21 million cars have been sold since the car's launch in 1939. Although parts from India are still available, the authentic Beetle parts that were still being produced in South America are becoming rarer.

The Beetle has such unique features-rear engine and air cooling system-that its parts are not readily interchangeable with those from other vehicles. However, local mechanics have found ways of giving an old Beetle a heart bypass if it needs one by repairing old parts, modifying and cannibalising organs from junked models.
(Jemima Sherpa)

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