@Gordon Nichols posted:Ultimately, the biggest issue with swing-arm rear suspension (on any car that used it) is the combination of factors leading up to an instantaneous transition from mild understeer to severe oversteer. Most drivers back in the 1960's were not good at feeling the impending transition in very hard cornering until it was too late. If they were lucky, the "rear came around to meet the front" but the car more-or-less stayed on or somewhere near the road.
If they were less lucky, the rear inside wheel tucked under (see photos above), followed by the rear outside wheel rolling over onto it's sidewall (because it tucks under, too, but a few milliseconds later), followed almost instantly by the front outside tire rolling over onto it's sidewall followed by the car rolling over. I saw a couple of these happen back when I was doing small-time VW racing in the 1960's and I'm convinced that it contributed to the death of one of our members some years back (Bill, from California, who rolled his car on a curve).
Much has been said on here and on other VW forums about the pros and cons of each type of rear suspension, but this is, by far, the best and most comprehensive article on it that I've seen with examples and results for each step.
That is why I always say that these are not race cars but toys for putzing around and sightseeing on nice days. I don't fancy myself as a Bruce Jennnings or a Juan Manuel Fangio...;-)