**        What in the hell would cause this, especially having to flash the
**lights?

**        As usual, any comments would be appreciated...

**Thom
--
I had the same problem in my '70, and it turned out to be a bad 
starter-battery cable--the cable had corroded out from within the plastic 
sheath, thus invisible.  Replaced it as well as both ground straps.  
Archetypal old-guy mechanic told me the headlights "heated up" the wires, 
allowing for greater conceptual continuity.  (OK, I made that last part 
up, but it did fix it)  

JKH
New Mexico
1970 Kombi