What a sweet 122! I like it - reminds me of my first 'real' car - a 1963 122 4-dr. Prior to that, however, I had a 1963 VW Beetle that had a 6-volt system. Same problems - with a new starter, new battery, everything just gone over, etc the engine would slowly crank and eventually maybe start. I got used to parking it on hills, and even proficient at starting it by jacking up and spinning one rear wheel (not for the faint of heart).

Anyhow - I finally cured it quite well by getting an 8 volt battery from a farm supply store. The only 'conversion' needed was to take the cover off the regulator and bend up the voltage regulator adjustment tab a little (a multimeter is needed to set proper volatage - 8.5 or 9). Following that the starter cranked enthusiastically (but not TOO much so)) and the lights were all nice and bright.

John Mc.