Karmann boomerang

“I had, in effect, loaned the car to the guy and his family for 25 years”

Jeremy Clarkson said “Non-car people don’t get it,” when he theorised cars as living entities. He went on to suggest we can even develop a relationship with a car. Perhaps he’s read too much Stephen King but then, when would he have the time? No, it’s more likely he’s actually on to something. And if one marque embodies the notion that cars could have personality above all others, it is, of course, Volkswagen.

In which case, the quite unbelievable tale behind 66-year old Sam McElroy’s reunion with his 1972 Karmann Ghia becomes more plausible. If a car really was “just a ton and a half, two tons of wires, glass, metal and rubber” (sorry, Clarkson again) then this story would not exist, and chances are neither would the car.

Here goes: “I’ve been into