VolksWorld - 2005 Issue 10 September

100s of Volkswagens for sale inside and online
£3.60
September 2005
www.volksworld.com
THE ULTIMATE VW
LOW LIFE
The brightest and lowest
Bug from the kings
of slam
AwardVeWd
Best zine
Maga
Save money!
Weld up your rusted VW
yourself. We show you how!
We travel to one of the

greatest vintage VW events in the world
contents
p6
p22
Regulars
14 Mailbox Your views on VWs
16 On the scene News and products
19 Stop Check Your cars
26 Walkerbout The Ventura
28 Pye’s eye Goodwood? Greatwood!
30 Life of Brian Summer Nats ’91
92 Subscriptions 3 issues for £1
Features
6 Sink or Schwimm Put the Wisk in the water
22 Ideal Conception Up to date 356 Speedster
34 Wild T Hot Wheels – for real
40 Passion and drive Slammed to the maximum
46 Bristol VolksFest Exactly that
48 Beetlemania The VW music festival
50 VW Action 30th Birthday The big 3-0
54 Hessisch Oldendorf A marvellous vintage meeting
72 Interior design Cool custom Camper
Classic VW
60 Retro Peter Noad on Rally VWs
62 Lost and found African Hebmüller
66 KdF Observer VW changes in 1960
Type 2 Zone
70 Bus scene Rikki flips out at Hessisch
71 Bus depot What’s new in the Bus world
Technical
82 Projects Work we’ve done on our VWs
88 How to: Rear body mounts DIY revamp
4 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

the
Call our quotation hotline now on:
08451 240 240
team
Editor Ivan McCutcheon
Art Editor Steve Gosling
p34 p40 Staff Writer Jon Gilbert
Tech Editor Matt Keene
Features Editor Mike Pye
Sub Editor Hayley Mathie
Ed Assistant Carol Linfield

Deputy Ad Manager
Kara Goodwin 020 8726 8334
Telesales
Dave Simmons 020 8726 8335
Group Ad Manager
Kevin Attridge 020 8726 8333
p72 Marketing Manager

Richard Marcroft
“
This Bay Window has Automotive Design
Eric Black www.eblackdesign.com
been given the works. Contributors
”
Kiki de Bois • Brian Burrows •
You’re going to love it Zoë Harrison • Rikki James • Peter Noad •
Dan Pullen • Bob Shaill • Steve Walker
Publisher Gavin de Carle

General Manager Niall Clarkson
Managing Director Paul Williams
VolksWorld Magazine is a Focus Network publication,
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ISSN 0954-0164
www.volksworld.com September 2005 5

Despite its age, this Schwimmwagen has not seen
the end of its career, as owner Paul Wisk takes every
opportunity to put it to use
Words: Matt Keene Pics: Dan Pullen
F
erdinand Porsche can be credited with many ground-breaking
vehicle designs, but the Schwimmwagen is perhaps his most
interesting. The year was 1940 and Porsche was looking
at ways of developing the existing Type 82 Kübelwagen into
an amphibious vehicle to service the German army’s needs
for a truly adaptable vehicle.
Initial development on the Schwimmwagen, literally translated to mean
‘swimming car’, was carried out using a hand-formed boat shaped
body, coupled with the four-wheel drive system developed for the Type
87 Kommandeurwagen. The project was designated the Type 128 and
around 130 prototypes were built by the end of 1941 to be tested by the
Wehrmacht. Conclusive results revealed that the original design was a
little ungainly, with complaints that the Type 128 was too unstable both on
and off the road, but particularly in the water. Porsche decided to redesign
the Schwimmer, project code Type 166, with a host of changes, the most
significant being the 40cm shorter wheelbase of two metres.
The Type 166 entered full-scale production at Wolfsburg in 1942, with
the pressed steel bodies or ‘tubs’ manufactured by Ambi Budd in Berlin.
The original engine was the 1131cc motor derived from the Kübelwagen.
Top speeds for the Schwimmer were 80km/h on land and 10km/h on water
and the Type 166 mechanics were very advanced for their time. A cleverly
designed transmission, featuring a limited slip differential at both front and
rear, transmitted power to a differential mounted in the front axle assembly.
Reduction boxes fitted at either end of the rear axle ensured a lofty ground
clearance of just less than 12 inches. The driver had the option to select
either two- or four-wheel drive and a special low ratio off-road gear,
selected by a secondary gear lever, could be engaged while in four-wheel
drive to enable the Schwimmer to literally crawl out of the water.
While on the water, the Schwimmer is motivated by a conventional three
bladed boat propeller, which is hinged to enable it to be lowered onto
the engine’s crankshaft. This unique piece of design, with special teeth
on the end of the crankshaft forming a dog-clutch enabling the
propeller to be connected at a moment’s notice, is just one part of the
sophisticated features of the Type 166.

“
Show Paul a pond and he will use the
”
Schwimm as the factory intended

LEFT & ABOVE When Paul Wisk takes his car out for a little run, he
takes it in a lake. Once he’s driven in, he has to lower the prop’ onto
the crank (above) and then his car becomes a boat
All in all, approximately 15,000 Type 166s was then superseded by a long succession sale. Now, military Volkswagen vehicle
were built between 1942 and 1944 and very of other VWs, including a 1954 Barn Door owners are a special breed and are quite
few survive today. The average lifespan Deluxe, presently under restoration. often more into the military aspect of their
of a Schwimmwagen on the front line was hobby than the Volkswagen slant. As
said to be about six weeks, so it is no Model enthusiast such, it takes someone well connected
surprise that there are only 150-odd known Being a keen model car builder from to cross the lines, so to speak. Paul had
survivors today. Naturally, there will be the his early teens, Paul’s first contact with a few contacts in the military world, so
occasional barn or pond find but, alas, the a Schwimmwagen was not via the he put the word out, only to draw a blank.
Schwimmer is a truly rare Volkswagen. conventional means of a VW show, He was about to throw in the towel when
Of the 15 or so Type 166s known to but rather through the pages of a Tamiya good friend Jeff, ‘The Buffer’, came
exist in the UK, Paul Wisk’s example is radio controlled car catalogue. Believe up with a lead on a 1943 example close
perhaps the one most often seen at VW it or not, his desire for a Schwimmer came to London. Paul was on it like a shot
shows, as he and his girlfriend, Cheryl, from a scaled model of the infamous Type and, to cut a very long story short,
are keen to break out the Schwimmer as 166. “After seeing the Schwimmer in the ended up buying the Schwimmer you
often as possible. It has even hauled the catalogue I became fascinated with the see here after what seemed like an eternity
shopping back from Tescos, proving that notion of a car that could cross rivers of negotiations and visits.
Paul is a true enthusiast, far happier to use under its own steam and said to myself Paul’s Schwimmer was, according to
his vintage VW than for it to sit idly in that I just had to own a real one when I its Volkswagen birth certificate, built on
a stuffy museum. got older,” he said. New Year’s Eve 1943 and was delivered
A machinist by trade, Paul’s skills are Sadly, Schwimmwagens aren’t readily to an army base near Erfurt on 4 January
doubly handy when restoring vehicles, available and more often than not are sold 1944. As is often the case with military
such as this sixty-year-old VW. He got into by word of mouth, so when Paul became VWs, no information is available as to
VWs some time in the mid 1990s when he financially capable of purchasing one he what role the vehicle played in the war.
bought his first Bay-window Bus, but that had the unenviable task of finding one for However, what we do know is that this

Schwimmer turned up during the sixties and found its
way to the UK and a military collector, who stored it
until Paul purchased it in 2004.
He admits that the semi-restoration of his Schwimmer
was relatively straightforward, as it was almost
complete and he had help from friends, such as Ski.
A total overhaul of the complicated transmission
assembly was necessary, as the drive-train came
in several boxes. Being handy with a lathe and milling
machine and armed with a 1943 parts list, Paul
was able to rebuild the mechanics with all new bearings
and seals. Any missing parts were duly machined
in-house and Paul is happy to report that everything
functions as it should.
Final tweaks
The tub itself required a trip to the sandblasters and
post-peening needed a little tickle with the welder,
although Paul is keen to point out that minimal welding
was necessary. Once the body was watertight, he
sprayed it himself in the correct colours of Sandgelb.
A 1960 Bug motor currently motivates the Schwimmer, TOP & ABOVE A once
but Paul is part way through rebuilding a correct style in a lifetime ride for
1943 Kübelwagen motor, which will be installed later this VolksWorld’s Steve Gosling.
year. Of the missing parts, perhaps the most obvious There is nothing quite like
were the dual 25-litre fuel tanks and hood and frame driving a car in a lake – the
mechanism. Luckily, these parts are reproduced in first thing that gets you
the Czech Republic and Paul was able to locate them is how low you are to the
through a friend for a very reasonable price. waterline. You soon get
He was also lucky to get two sets of rims with the used to it, though, and you’ll
Schwimmer; one set being the narrow style featured in never forget it
these pictures and the other being the seven-inch wide RIGHT Climbing out of the
items commonly issued for extreme conditions. He is water in the special low gear

“
A special low ratio off-road gear enables the
”
Schwimmer to literally crawl out of the water

LEFT The KdF steering wheel
steers the Schwimm in the
water and on land. ABOVE
The propeller hinges down
onto the engine crankshaft
TOP RIGHT Unique Type 166
front end
waiting for the correct Continental style wide were overwhelmed by the response it
tyres to arrive before he fits his wide wheels. received. The reaction from visitors was
Paul also has the original foot operated well worth the hard work of the previous
‘one shot’ oil system that was used to year and the Schwimmer even earned
lubricate all of the drive-train components its keep that day by towing numerous
once the Schwimmer had exited the water, vehicles from the muddy quagmire that
but stresses that he won’t fit it because blighted the show. Leaving Peppercorn
the system is unkind to the delicate with the Barnes Trophy was literally the
ecosystems that exist in the ponds and icing on a very tasty cake for Paul and
rivers he frequents. Yes, he really does Cheryl and plans to show the Schwimmer
use his Schwimmer as the factory abroad are now being mooted.
intended it to be used. Show him a pond Paul would like to thank Cheryl, Ski,
and he will prove it. Ted the machinist, Jeff the Buffer, Paul H, ABOVE Four seats – you sit very low inside but the
When Paul and Cheryl debuted the Hans and Ed the Gamekeeper for their driver’s seat can be raised for better vision. BELOW
Schwimmer at Peppercorn 2004, they help and understanding. Hood up. Note: the exhaust is mounted high

[email protected]
Have you got something to say? Email us or send your letters to:
Carol Linfield, Mailbox, VolksWorld, IPC media, Leon house, 233 High Street, Croydon, CR9 1HZ
Head
surgery
I wonder if you could give me some
advice. In the May 2005 issue you
featured James Kellas and his
superb Ghia and said that he had
incorporated an iPod without fitting
a head unit. Could you give me the
details of how I can do this in my 1969
Beetle, as I don’t want to cut the dash
and don’t want a head unit?
Thanks
Bob Cope
Hi Bob, James and Nicole used
a headphone jack adaptor
that split into two phono cable
connectors. These then connect
to a normal phono cable which is,
in turn, plugged straight into an
in-car amplifier. This then feeds the
speakers and subs. You can pick up
similar adaptors from most electrical
hi-fi shops, such as Dixons or Maplin.
Safety first Father’s love

On our recent trip to Peru we spotted this ‘secure Bug’ and thought you might like it. I enclose a picture of me with my babies.
Security in Peru is not very good and thieves go all the way to get into your car, even if it One is a ’73 Bay-window in green and
means pulling your windscreen out. Terrible, isn’t it? the other is my seven-week-old daughter
Keep up the good work. I buy your mag religiously every month. Tanzie. Was she the youngest person to
John Ferrari attend Run To The Sun this year? Just
Shoalhaven Volkswagen Club, Sydney Australia thought I’d send you the pic in the hope
that you may see fit to place it in the
pages of your fine magazine. Firstly, seven
weeks old is quite young to be attending
and, secondly, my Camper will be in a
magazine. Let’s face it, the Camper’s
never going to get a feature done
about it and it’s never going to be in the
classifieds, as I’m never going to sell it.
Thanks for looking at my pic and
considering putting it in my favourite mag
(Really, it is!).
Thanks
Trotsky
Team effort
I thought you might be interested in this picture taken at Kim Dobson and Steve Prior’s
wedding reception on 25 June. Kim and Steve own an immaculate 1974 1303 Beetle
and are both active members of the London & Thames Valley VW Club. Three other club
members supplied transport to and
from the wedding venue and the club
had a small line-up at the evening
reception. Congratulations again
to Kim and Steve from all your Vee
Dubbing friends.
Enjoy the honeymoon.
Paul Burgess
London & Thames Valley
Volkswagen Club

Sponsored by Sureterm Direct.
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Call Sureterm Direct on 0870 20 20 230
Half price That’s the spirit

I’m writing to you as I love Beetles and think I have brainwashed my whole family for I’m 12 years old and have loved
many years. I have had a 1972 and, at present, I own a Mexican Bug. I read your Volkswagen Campers since I was just
magazine and am two years old. That was when my dad
happy to see that there had a 1966 LHD California import
are so many Beetle 11-window Deluxe. He has sold it now and
fans out there. My Mum is thinking of getting a 1962 Split-screen
(Kath) was on holiday Camper. I have collected VolksWorld
and look what she for ages and have a 1994 edition. My
found. Where has the dad says I can get a subscription when
other half gone? I am older. My bedroom is full of VW
Keep on Beetling. merchandise. Well, that’s all I have to say,
Love keep up the good work.
Michelle Joe Bament
Coventry Worcester
letter of the month Good advice

This is a picture of my four-year-old granddaughter, Climeé, and me in my Mk2 GP A few years ago I read an article in
Beach Buggy called Poppy (named by my granddaughter). It has taken me two years VolksWorld about 17-inch Feinsten wheels.
to get her in it, as she doesn’t like noise, and now I can’t get her out of it. If I pick my It said: ‘Wouldn’t these look good on a new
Golf or Camper keys up she goes mad wanting to go in Beetle?’ Well, I got them in the USA and
the Buggy even in torrential rain and wind. We took her they look super on my old Bug. They look
to the Southern Dune Buggy Club event at just like 17-inch Fuch alloys. I’m the only
Southsea and now she wants a pink one. one who’s got them in Belgium. Thanks!
Charlie Thompson Jo De Me
Ventnor, Isle of White Belgium
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On the scene, VolksWorld, IPC media, Leon house, 233 High Street, Croydon, CR9 1HZ
Get well soon, Pistol Pete Type 4 1800

Word reached us that Peter Greene (better known as Pistol Pete) has been involved
in an accident in the US. A FedEx lorry and Pete’s Bug came together, leaving him Engines
hospitalised. For a while, no one knew what the outcome of this horrific accident would • Who? JH Aircooled Engines
be, as Pete lay in a coma. Fortunately, he has since come out of his coma and has been • Contact: 01902 324776
moved out of intensive care. He is now responsive to sound and touch. • Web: www.jhaircooledengines.co.uk
Pistol Pete is very well known in the US. He grew up in Australia, where he spent JH Aircooled Engines has acquired a
four years completing an apprenticeship in signpainting. He is now renowned for his supply of genuine VW new old stock (NOS)
pinstriping, airbrushing, hand lettering and graphical skills in the US, where he lives Type 4 1800 barrels and pistons, cylinder
with his wife Melanie in Oregon. Pete is one of the good guys and is highly regarded by heads (41 mm inlet, 34 mm exhaust valves)
many. Since his accident there has been a huge response from the Hot Rod and VW cam shafts and oil pumps. If you are after
communities worldwide to show their support. Within 24 hours, Steve from Volksrods. genuine parts for your engine then this is
com handed Melanie a cheque for US$3000 from donations all around the world – most a must for you. JH Aircooled Engines are
coming from people who had never met Pete. The donations are still pouring in. able to supply these parts or complete
Eric Black (our very talented centre spread artist) has been keeping us up to date with Type 4 1800 engines while stocks last. It
Pete’s progress and, as a tribute, he has put together another stunning pull-out, this time is likely that these are the last 1800 NOS
dedicated to Pete and signed by well wishers from around the world. motors available in the UK, so be quick.
Pete’s parents and brother have flown to the States from Australia to be with him and As the saying goes: ‘When they’re gone,
are very grateful for everyone’s support. The accident happened on 30 June 2005, which they’re gone.’ Full details of all JH Aircooled
also happened to be his birthday. Get well soon, Pistol Pete! Engines services and engines can be
found on the new website.
Bangin’
• Who? Fuel
• How much: £175 for 15-inch version
• Contact: 0870 765 8423
• Web: www.liquidinjuredhearing.com
Are you wired for sound? Then check
out the latest range of subwoofers from
Fuel. The 15-inch, 12-inch and 10-inch
Shockwave range handles incredible loads
while providing punchy, high quality bass.
events Visit www.volksworld.com for this year’s full show listing
VW ACTION Vanfest 2nd Beetle Summer National Finals (VWDRC)

When: 2-4 September When: 10-11 September When: 24-25 September
Venue: Herts County Showground, Venue: Three Counties showground, Festival Venue: Santa Pod Raceway, Northants
Contact: 01865 863275, Malvern When: 16-18 September Contact: David, 01234 782 828
Web: www.vwaction.co.uk Web: www.vanfest.org Web: www.keverzomerfestijn.nl Web: www.santapod.com

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New in for Newbury

• Who? Bernard Newbury
W
e’ve had a brilliant time putting
• How much? £152 inc. VAT this issue together and the whole
• Contact: 01702 710 211 team has been in the thick of it,
• Web: www.bernardnewbury.co.uk each adding their piece to the jigsaw. Steve
Bernie has found a new supplier in the States producing some very high quality products. Gosling got his chance to go in the wildest
After negotiating a deal, he has now added a range of Orange County Enterprises to his VW of all, the Schwimmwagen. Not only did
stock range. First up is this well built torque bar that can be installed without any additional he go in it on dry land but he also got to go in
welding. Torque bars are used to strengthen your chassis to prevent it in a lake in Hampshire. It was an experience
frame flex, which in turn eliminates wheel hop when launching he won’t forget in a hurry. Owner, Paul Wisk
hard off the line. A must for any serious racer. will be the first UK Schwimm owner to be
featured Schwimming in a magazine – not bad
work considering he found this rare vehicle in
pieces in London. Our ace photographer, Dan
Pullen also got to go for a cruise around the
lake, which gave him the chance to get some
top quality photos.
Matt Keene and Rikki James went to what
they rate as the greatest Vintage VW meeting
of all at Hessisch Oldendorf in Germany. Ever
enthusiastic, Rikki rated this event as 25 out
of 10. The pair of them were standing on a
riverbank chatting when five Schwimmwagens
All Types VW Show came up the river!
Pete Barr headed to Somerset to shoot the
On 14 and 15 May, over 6500 VW owners got together on the grounds of Bodelwyddan
Roadster T, a wild little Buggy and the first to
Castle in North Wales for the 10th All Types Show. It is now considered by many as a
come from this newly founded company. He
show that is not to be missed.
also hit the Bristol VolksFest.
A cruise was organised along the coast on the Saturday evening, with over 90 VWs
Sticking with VW based kits, we sent our
taking part. They were all back in time for the Inter-Club five-a-side competition and an
snapper, Kiki, over to California to shoot a
evening packed full of entertainment, including a family disco followed by an eighties
just-finished 356 Speedster with a powerful
Fancy Dress Disco.
turbo motor. It shows that you can still come
Sunday saw the trade/autojumble area with over 100 trade stalls on site, including
up with a unique vehicle by thinking outside
most of the usual names, such as Cool-air, V-Dub bodyshop, Status VW, Volksmania,
the box. Kiki also got the first feature on the
Alan Schofield and many more. There were also 16 national and local clubs set up in
latest creation from Kustom Coach Werks,
the club display area, including the SSVC, with Volkswigan VW Club winning the Best
Colorado who built the Split-window on the
Club Display Trophy.
cover of the May 2005 issue of this magazine.
The show and shine area was very busy, with all types of air- and water-cooled VWs
This time it’s a super slammed Oval-window
on display. Trophies were awarded to the 10 best vehicles. There were also a number
and you’ll love it.
of special displays organised for the weekend, which included the Hydraulic VW Car
Bay-window Bus fans will love the Camper
Display, Type 3 and 4 display and last year’s show and shine winners display. The dates
we’ve featured. It was debuted at Sandown in
for next year’s show are 20 and 21 May 2006 – be sure to put it in your diary. Check out
March and everyone seemed to like it – a lot.
www.all-types.co.uk for more info.
I was at the 30th VW Action and had a great
time, especially when VolksWorld was awarded
an Oscar for The Best VW Magazine in the
world. We are all very proud of the award, but
the magazine is a compilation of your cars, the
shows and the scene so, in my opinion, we’d
be nowhere without you.
VW Action Herbie: Fully
• When? 2-4 September 2005.
• Where? Herts County Showground, (M1 J9) Loaded
• Contact: 01865 863275, [email protected] One of the most loved and magical
• Web: www.vwaction.co.uk characters in movie history is back but
VW Action is Europe’s longest running VW event and the organisers are going all out to this time he’s revved-up, tricked out and
make VW Action 2005 something special. put on the fast track to change a family’s
The event includes entertainment on both nights. Recently, one of the big hits has life in the high-speed comedy adventure,
been the themed disco so continuing the tradition, the Saturday evening theme is ‘The Herbie: Fully Loaded. The legendary ‘Love
Monsters’ Ball’. Think Dracula, Frankenstein, Rocky Horror Show... Just shred some old Bug’, who became an icon in 1969 when
clothes and put on some make-up. Forget your inhibitions and let your hair down. Walt Disney introduced us to the little VW
Action has always been enjoyed by young and old and this year there is the Children’s Beetle with a mind of its own, rides again
VWorld area, with colouring competition and a bouncy castle, to keep them entertained. in 2005, only this time he’s partnered with
Grown-ups can find a bargain in the autojumble or cars for sale areas, as well as the many the lovely Lindsay Lohan and heads from
trade stands, but some of the greatest bargains of all are in the VW Action Charity Auction. the scrapyard heap to the hair-pin curves
Action concours competitions include the Everyday Vehicle Concours on Saturday and of NASCAR to help a young female racecar
a full Concours D’elegance/Custom Concours, for both air and water-cooled VWs, on driver discover her destiny.
Sunday. All are free to enter. As part of the launch of the new film,
Walt Disney approached the guys at C&M
in Billericay and asked them to build a
Herbie replica to use at the premier. They
gladly took on the task and set about
converting a slightly tatty GT seventies Bug.
As you can see, they really went to town on
the bodywork. Good job, guys!
The official UK release date of Herbie:
Fully Loaded is 12 August, so don’t miss it!
EMPI Horn push

Who? Karmann Konnection
How much? £32 inc. VAT
Contact: 01702 601 155
Web: www.karmannkonnection.com
Up until now the horn button that came with your
Flat 4 Empi GT steering wheel would have had the Flat 4 logo where the original Cabrio Decklids
Empi GT wheels would have the Empi logo on them. The guys at Karmann Konnection • Who? WolfParts And Metal
now have the horn push buttons with the correct Empi logo on. They are available Restoration, Sweden
in three different colours – red, orange and the original style blue. Make your Flat 4 • Contact: +46707640511
wheel look authentic or simply replace your old battered horn push with one of these • Web: www.wolfparts.com
original looking items. WolfParts are now able to put cabrio style
air vents into your regular decklid for Beetle
1950 to 1957. The vents are pressed
directly into the metal, so there is no cutting
or welding necessary.
Summer Buggy The inside rain panels for the decklids
will also be available later this year.
What could be better than one of
the most full-on custom Beach
Buggies of 2005 shot on the
beach? Next month we bring you
Neil Woodcock’s stunner.
On sale 9 September

To get your face in VolksWorld, send us a photo of yourself with your car to [email protected]
and we will send you a questionnaire
Music to my ears
Name? Dave and Lily Pocock. Age? 36 and five.
Where are you from? Sittingbourne, Kent.
What VW have you got? 1600 (1303 S) Super Beetle, lovingly
named Jasper by Lily, who totally adores it.
What work/mods have you done to it? I bought the car minus an
engine, so I have put one in and it has been lowered. It also has a
set of EMPI 8s. Engine size? 1600cc.
What was your last VW? A 1978 Last Edition Beetle, Number 101.
My wife currently drives a new shape Bug.
Any future plans for the Bug? I want to make it into a German
Looker.
What VW would you most like? A silver 1303 RS Beetle.
What is your favourite event? Sandown Park and Peppercorn.
Favourite music? The sound of my Bug is music to my ears.
What is your tip of the day? Only fools and children criticise
unfinished work.
Happy family
Name? Jamie Pilmer Age? 27
Where are you from? Norfolk
What VW have you got? A 1969 Beetle.
What work/mods have you done to it? New paint job, EMPI
alloys, new TMI seat covers and a few odds and ends.
Engine size? 1200cc.
Cost of build? Under a grand.
How long have you owned it? One year, 10 months.
How many VWs have you owned? Two, this and a 1972 Bay,
and I still have both.
What was your first VW? This was.
Do you have any plans for this car? Just to enjoy it.
What is the best thing about your VW? Driving it.
What VW would you most like? A 21-window Samba.
What is your favourite event? Big Bang.
Single or hitched? Hitched to Melanie.
Favourite food? Scampi, chips and peas.
VW passion
Name? Paul Stagg Age? 39
Where are you from? East Grinstead, West Sussex.
What VW have you got? A 1972 1302S Beetle (Cal Look).
What work/mods have you done to it? Full body off resto, lowered front
end and one-piece windows that work well after mod to window kit.
Engine size? 1600. Cost of build? £3500.
How long have you owned it? 18 months.
What was your last VW? 1972 Camper – it was hanging.
Do you have any plans for this car? Maybe a bigger lump.
What VW would you most like? A Splitty, but that’s not going to happen
so I’d settle for a solid Bay.
What is your favourite thing about the VW scene? Meeting people with
the same passion for Vee Dubs.
What is your favourite event? I enjoy every one I’ve made it back from.

e a l
Id ption
co n c e ith a differe
nce,
re p li c a w
ster is a ative visio
n
n ta s ti c 3 56 Speed ll a rd ’s c re
This fa hael Ba
o m p li m e nts of Mic
all c is
iki de Bo
Cutcheo n Pics: K
Words : Ivan Mc
W
hen
Michael Ballard
of Manhattan Beach, been
California decided primarily for the
to build his first VW based top European aftermarket
project it was bound to be a bit different. and OE manufactures, which lead me to
However, the amount of thought that has a change of mind and taste to European Speedsters
gone into it really makes it stand out. cars. The quality and style of parts for the and finding out
Michael has been a photographer for European cars is so different it wasn’t long what I could about them, but then I
15 years, but has focused on automotive before I started looking at these parts in stumbled onto some websites with Outlaw
advertising for the last couple. When we the same way as the American stuff. Speedsters and I got serious. I wanted
asked how he ended up building this car, “I can’t remember why a Speedster a ’67 pan with a balljoint front end and
he said, “I have always had a passion for came to mind but one day it did and I swing axle,” he said.
cars, especially American muscle cars, began to wonder what some of these Michael purchased a base car from
which I have owned and built many of. My parts would look like on a Speedster. I Joel Mohr of Mohr performance, without
work over the past couple of years has spent about three months looking at the realising his connection to drag racing

“
draw frame dimensions and wheel well
I knew early on that this car would have configurations for hours on end. I picked
”
to have a lot of power to make it fun up a set of TechArt Formula wheels and
was determined to get those on this car.
My early renderings of this project looked
and promotion. The next step was to that this car would have to have a lot of really amazing and I was not settling for
dismantle the car and plan every element power to make it fun, not to mention that anything less than those concepts.”
of its reconstruction. Having created the my attention had turned to turbo charging. The largest obstacle at this point was
car in his mind, he set about ordering “I picked up some books and eventually tyre size limitations, as they start getting
the parts he’d need. He contacted Tom called CB and they put Pat Downs on the pretty big and 225 is the narrowest in
Simon, another VW drag racer, through phone to answer some questions. He was 19-inch. As with anything that hasn’t
the Internet and gained invaluable help very helpful early on, but by the second or been tried and tested, good research is
from him with the rear suspension and third call he sounded interested in what I imperative if you want the right end result,
fabrication. “Tom talked me through was doing and asked if he could have a so Michael was far from nuts.
narrowing the rear torsion housing by six crack at giving me a estimate for a turn key The chassis was completed and the
inches through emails and phone calls. motor.” The pair decided on a 2332cc fuel engine was coming along nicely so
At that time I had planned on using 18x10 injected set up with a hybrid T03/T04 turbo. Michael gave Kirk the green light to start
rear wheels,” said Michael. Michael then turned to Joel Mohr and building the body. Vintage turns out four
The Internet provided much of the had him build a trans with Sway-A-Way or five bodies a week so he knew they
information needed for the project, but narrowed axles that would handle the didn’t need much lead time. Around
he had other help too. “It was also a big power, size of wheel and rotating mass. two weeks before Michael was due to
help that I work as the photographer for “While waiting for the trans and motor deliver the chassis to Kirk, he collected
Brembo, as their engineers were very I had everything suspension-wise CAD all the chromed parts and took them to a
eager to help me with this project,” he plated either gold or silver,” he said. company called Vern’s Plating. The idea
said. “It wasn’t long before I had front “I had everything for the ’pan coming was to replace the chrome finish with
spindles with 996 Twin Turbo calipers and together and decided on Vintage brushed nickel and came from his wife,
rotors ready for the project.” Speedster in Hawaiian Gardens, who is an architect and interior designer.
“I narrowed my front beam five inches California (www.vintagespeedsters.com) Michael’s wife also came up with the
and sent the ’pan and beam off to be for getting the body. Kirk at Vintage was colour scheme. Apparently, her trusted
powder-coated Mercedes silver. I stayed very helpful, but his shop guys must Louis Vuitton bag was the inspiration.
in touch with Joel Mohr during this time have thought I was nuts. I would go over “People thought we were out of our minds
and asked him many questions about there with a tape measure and paper and when we bought the Chocolate crocodile
every aspect of building VWs, which really metallic paint,” Michael said.
helped. I have built many cars over The chassis was delivered 10 days later
the years but never a VW or and the body and ’pan were united
Porsche. I knew early on for the first time. Next

came the motor. “I made the 10-hour round
trip to CB three times to hang out with Pat
Downs and watch him build the motor,”
he said. “On the third trip he dyno’d the
motor at nine pounds of boost and it made
301bhp. I brought the motor home and
installed it and buttoned up the loose ends.”
By this stage Bug-In 32 was just a fortnight
away and, as this was the event Michael
planned to debut the car at, he had to burn
the midnight oil to get everything absolutely
perfect. “I made it to Bug-In and the car got
first in show in its class,” he said, proudly.
The following week, Michael trailered the
car to CB Performance where Pat spent the
day tuning the car via laptop real-time. This
was the first chance he got to drive the
car and really feel it’s performance.
We can just imagine how much TOP The interior compliments
fun that must have been. the exterior body colour
Can’t you? perfectly. The idea came from
a Louis Vuitton bag!
ABOVE Pat Downs of
CB Performance built a ‘turn
key’ (i.e. ready to run) 2332cc
turbo’d VW Type 1 motor
for the car.
See www.cbperformance.com
LEFT Ceramic coated exhaust
system is visible below the rear
bumper, but few people would
get this sort of view or know
that there is a turbocharger
sitting just above it and that
this lovely looking car had the
potential to lay waste to all but
the fastest

Steve Walker – VolksWorld’s roving reporter
on the VW scene
FAR RIGHT In 1980

the Brazilian Ventura
starred on the cover
of the American
magazine Hot VWs
RIGHT L’automobile in
San Bernardo do Campo,
Brazil, made the Ventura
GRP dreams
I
have been doing a Mike Pye this month. were two. The following morning,
Have no fear gold 1303 lovers, my true to his word, Mr Tyas stayed
Pye’ism involves another interesting put as we dropped Ian at LAX.
VW – the rather unique, Ventura 1600 Fast forward three weeks,
moulded in the finest GRP. swap to the opposite side of the
We all know that Mike loves a bit of US and Wayne was in Florida
GRP quirkiness, but I didn’t know my meeting an old acquaintance
good friend, Wayne Tyas, had the same called Chad McGee. Chad
yearnings. Better known as the face behind arranged a mother-load of
Volksheaven, Wayne can generally be found parts and told Wayne about the
in or around his infamous ‘Euro-prawn’ Ventura, a Brazilian built GRP car
Samba or the equally tarnished ‘Stinker’, based on the VW floorpan with
an ex-Dutch army Kemperink. Both Buses VW mechanicals. Production
are hospitality units at the shows and many began in 1976 with an Alfa copy,
of you will have witnessed the mayhem but switched to the Ventura design in 1978.
generally centred around them. Exports to the US, Germany and Argentina
The story of this Ventura starts in October followed in 1980 and the choice of air-cooled
“
In our drunken haze, we miscalculated
”
and thought the three weeks were two
2004 in California when Wayne, his friend, pancake or water-cooled 1.6 Passat motor
Ian, my better half and I were coming to the was the main change until the facelift in
end of our stay there. Thanks to different 1984. Exact Ventura numbers are not known,
bookings, we had a few days longer in So but Wayne was led to believe that less than
ABOVE Being a factory-built car, rather than a
Cal than Wayne and Ian and agreed to take five remain in the US. That may explain
home-built kit, the Ventura is well appointed
them to the airport. Wayne had been invited why he was so keen to get it in a box and
to the Florida Bug Jam so was planning to back to Doncaster. far higher than kit cars. Remember, this was a
jet back to England for three weeks before This car is a 1600 air-cooled version hailing production car in the same vein as TVR. Well,
returning to the east coast of the USA. from Type 3, boasting an alternator and 34 they are both plastic.
The evening before the boys were due ICT Webbers. It’s a strange beast but very Sadly for anyone thinking a Ventura may
to fly home we all got a little kippered. I cool and, with those US muscle car looks, it be the car of their dreams, production
don’t know how it happened, but by the is far more presentable than the usual GRP stopped in 1988. As far as we know, this is
end of the night Wayne had decided to stay goodies Mike reminds us of. the sole example in the UK, so if you can’t
in LA and make his way to Florida for the With its VW pan and mechanicals coming live without a GRP rarity, I suggest you look
show. However, in our drunken haze, we straight from the factory, most of them are towards Doncaster and hope the Stella
miscalculated and thought the three weeks available as new parts and the build quality is gods are in your favour.

What Mike Pye, VolksWorld’s Features Editor,
has been up to this month
LEFT Front of house display was breathtaking, as usual
Speed is BELOW Once in a lifetime opportunity to see legendary Porsche racecars

from the Stuttgart museum collection
the word
Billed as the world’s biggest celebration of the

history of motorsport, Goodwood once again
lived up to its name and reputation
I
f Carlsberg’s advertising agency did the stage, as well as the traditional hill climb that as concept models and one-offs. It’s like all
promotional work for the Goodwood makes Goodwood so great. Not only can the best bits of all the big car events rolled
Festival of Speed then it would read like you wander round the various pits, talking into one, but in the sumptuous surroundings
this: ‘probably the best car show in the to drivers and crews and checking out the of Lord March’s front garden near Chichester
world…’. Only, unlike the fizzy Danish stuff, cars at close quarters, but the vast majority on the south coast.
this unique event can justify that claim, as of them get ‘raced’ up the hill over the course I first saw the ultra-rare 1939 Berlin-Rome
the mere mention of the word Goodwood of the weekend. Although often quite sedate, car at Goodwood and the Porsche museum
sets pulses racing across the globe. hearing F1 cars, NASCARs, drag cars, in Stuttgart did not disappoint this year,
Where else in the world can you mix wheeling out a glorious Flat 8 powered
“
with legends like Stirling Moss, past and
present Formula 1 drivers, celebrity owners
It’s like all the best bits 1962 F1 car, the 804, as well as the car
that all the VW people I bumped into were
and some of the finest automobiles on of all the big car events talking about – the four-cam powered 787
”
the planet without having to stand behind Formula 2 car that Stirling Moss drove to
barriers or fences? It really doesn’t matter rolled into one victory in 1960. One of only three made, this
what kind of car you are into. Whether it’s car shows Porsche’s VW heritage only too
VWs, vintage racecars, classic Americans, vintage turbocharged touring cars, Can Am clearly, with Beetle derived trailing arms at
supercars or coachbuilt exotica, there will racecars, World Rally cars, two-stroke grand the front and the traditional engine location
be something for you at Goodwood. prix bikes and the like is heaven on earth. at the rear. It was a joy to be able to check
With a chosen theme each year and There were Wacky Racers, state-of-the-art it out in all its glory.
special displays, it’s never the same twice, gravity racers, a classic car auction and trade Goodwood, along with the circuit-racing
and this year it was Honda’s turn to get the stands, with most selling prints and models, based Revival meeting in mid-September,
limelight. Replacing the usual historic car but with some interesting ones among them, is now firmly lodged in the society calendar
collection outside the house was a slightly and a number of manufacturer displays, alongside Henley, Ascot, Wimbledon and
incongruous line-up of Honda motorcycles. too. Such is the impact of the event that the the rest of the ‘big hat’ events, but never
Speed is the presiding theme, though, big guns often bring cars out of their own mind that, add it to your calendar for next
and this year they brought back the rally museums to show off their heritage, as well year. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
BELOW Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ hosts some of

the world’s finest cars, like this DB4 Zagato
RIGHT Wild Datsun 240Z circuit racer

ABOVE Mega blowers on a 300mph Pontiac,
said to be the world’s fastest passenger car
Brian Burrows – VW event organiser and
host of www.volkszone.com
Summer
Nats 1991
T
he New Wave VW circus moved to The VWDRC Modified
Avon Park Raceway for the August class was small, very
Bank holiday, with blazing sunshine small, and the weekend
and equally blistering action on the saw the Microgiant
track. Sadly, there were very few there to Prince Of Darkness
witness it. Fate once again played its hand car in the hands of
and I remember being disappointed at the Paul ‘Soon To Become
turnout and thinking: “I could get more than Harry Harpic’ Miller
this to an event.” This would eventually lead extend its lead in the
me to promote my first ever VW event (also Championship overall, whilst losing the final ABOVE Jim Bowen really blew people away in
at Avon Park) in May the following year. to Keith Seume. Keith had got a ‘bye’ into ’91 with his street legal 11-second Bug
On the track, the VWDRC were flying and the final, as a result of Outrage’s fire, while
Jim Bowen became the first street-legal Paul Miller beat Ross Morrison to get there. better promoted event. I spent a good
Dubber in the UK to run a sub-12 with an The show ‘n’ shine was also poorly hour chatting with Keith Seume, listening
11.75. I remember Scotsman, Ross Morrison attended, but those cars that were there to his advice, putting forward my ideas and
running strong 13s in his Quarter Pounder were quality. Andy Parrot took another trophy developing a plan. By the time I loaded up
Bug, while Keith Seume finally broke into the with his metallic blue Trophy Trap and Clare my 356 and headed out of the Avon Park
10s in No Mercy. My Speedster (Outrage) was
“
playing up and the transmission gradually
got worse until it lost first gear altogether and
I won a Top Ten trophy despite the dead
”
second gear launches using excess nitrous
oxide meant it finished the weekend with a
flies all over the front end
severely torched motor. Expensive!
It would get a whole lot more expensive Thatcher’s two-tone pastel Bug took another, gates, I was nervous, but knew I was going to
too. As a direct result of these transmission alongside Rod Dunkerley’s Crew-cab. give promoting an event my very best shot.
problems, I would later call Dave Folts in I’d been asked to chuck my Porsche 356 The next event would be the Bug Jam
California to build me an unbreakable ’box. Cabriolet in to make up the numbers and ‘Instant Replay’ at Santa Pod, some
That conversation led to me building Outrage I too won a Top Ten trophy, despite the dead three weeks later. We all hoped for similar
II, the UK’s first VW drag car to run eights flies all over the front end. weather to that which the Summer Nationals
and, subsequently, sevens. (More of that in The event’s low turnout could well have had enjoyed and, hopefully, a few more
future issues.) For the meantime, let’s just say made it a non-event and one I would not spectators to appreciate it.
that I was more than a little disappointed with have remembered had it not been for new
the Speedster’s problems. personal bests set by Mssrs Bowen and BELOW Claire Thatcher’s Bug was a regular
Travis Lawton had been the man to beat in Seume and the idea I had for a, hopefully, winner during 1991, when Resto Cal was ‘in’
Street, with his Golf GTi running consistently
all year. However, Graeme Freeman
managed to take him out in the first round
this time. Jeff Copson was going well in his
Volksrod Buggy, as was Mark Humphreys
in his
Bug. Jeff eventually won the round, beating
Trevor Parr in the final.
Raechel Fairhurst was as consistent as ever
in Super Street, taking out Malcolm Palmer
and Gary Angell en route to the final, where
she was beaten by on-form Jim Bowen who
backed up his earlier eleven with an 11.77.
Paul Sutton’s Yumbox Bug (in new blue
paintjob) was still running 14s, but he was
becoming more experienced with each event.

W ild T
If you really fancy a Beach Buggy but don’t want
to look like everyone else, then Darren and Nicky
Bowden might have just the answer for you – the
all-new Berrien Roadster-T
Words: Mike Pye Pics: Pete Barr

V
isitors to Bug Jam 2004 will ‘Sand Dancer’ (Berrien acquiring the
remember Darren Bowden’s moulds from the original company in
red Berrien Warrior sand rail, 2002) and was just one of a number of
which caused such a stir in Model T styled kits produced in the USA
the show ‘n’ shine. Well, he’s between 1969 and the early seventies
back with another Berrien product and a when influences were filtering through
variation on his original business plan. “We from the Hot Rod and custom scenes.
decided not to invest in the Buggy mould Around the same time, so-called Fad Ts,
we had bought, as it would be just another with motorcycle wheels on the front, huge
short wheelbase Buggy. Instead, we looked overblown motors and cartoon styling,
at products that nobody else in the UK were big news. If you didn’t want to go the
supplies. I really liked the look of the Berry whole hog with a blown V8 in a customised
Mini T but even that stopped production in Ford Model T, a VW powered glass fibre
1971. As far as I know, this is the first short version was the next best thing, offering
wheelbase T Buggy to be built in the UK.” all the fun of an open top roadster at a
According to arch Buggy buffer, James fraction of the price.
Hale, the UK company Four Seasons sold You get a one-piece moulded body with
around 10 long wheelbase Renegade T integral fenders, bonnet and dashboard
kits between 1973 and ’74, having taken for £1650. Into this is a ’glassed-in black
moulds from an Apal kit, which in itself inner tub incorporating the front and
was a copy of the original Berry Mini
T. Unfortunately, as a long wheelbase, RIGHT Something tells us that this latest
Europeanised version of a once great version of the T-Buggy is not going to be unique
design, it was blighted from birth. in the UK for long
The Roadster-T was originally marketed BELOW Chrome ‘Jiffy Trim’ protects the edges
in the early seventies under the name of the Buggy body and is also available in black

“
All the fun of an open top roadster
”
at a fraction of the price
rear bulkheads and a hinged rear deck Darren looked no further than his red
provides access to the engine, while the rail for the engine, removing the 1835 with
’screen frame is extra and is bolted on Engle 110 and putting it into the Roadster,
separately. Darren’s wife, Nicky, is now the though the carbs have been swapped for
UK agent for Berrien Buggy products and a pair of 40DRLAs and dual power pipes
can supply similar Roadster-T bodies in a replace the old Bobcat exhaust.
wide variety of colours, including Canary As Darren and Nicky are serious about
Yellow, Bubble Gum Pink, Aqua, Teal and building and selling the Berrien kits, they
the Lime Green seen here. had to make sure their demonstrator car
The body is designed to fit a shortened was road legal, with all the necessary
VW floorpan or a purpose-built square mirrors, lights and electrical equipment
tube chassis that comes complete with required for an MoT. “Although you can see
mountings for VW pedals and suspension. it is clearly a dune Buggy, I have tried to
“I already had in stock a floorpan make it look more like a Hot Rod with the
shortened to the required 80-inches, which general theme throughout,” he told us.
was built by Volkswagenwerk in Dorset,” While the outside of this radical new
Darren explained. This was what the first Buggy might look good, it’s the inside
ever Berrien Roadster-T body in the UK that really catches your attention. Darren
was fitted to, using dropped spindles and and good friend Steve Larcombe built
a two-inch narrowed CB Performance the under-dash hoop that the steering
dropped beam up front and 1303 IRS column and Autometer tach mount to, as
suspension at the rear. well as bases for the seat built by Richard
CB Performance provided the brakes, at RJ Trimming in Langport. “I really can’t
shocks and suspension components and recommend him enough,” Darren said of
the Buggy now benefits from discs and Richard, who did a fantastic job of building
urethane bushes all round. and trimming the tan vinyl covered bench
As there is plenty of space under the seat, echoing the style of the original sixties
fenders, the initial idea was to equip the roadster drop-in kits. He also stitched up
Roadster with big diameter billet rims but a matching gear gaiter, dash insert and
the price, especially when it came to tyres, tonneau cover and trimmed a set of biscuit
proved unrealistic for this project. Instead, carpets to fit. A Moon octagonal steering
Darren went for a pair of stock, four-inch wheel, polished and drilled CNC hydraulic
wide, four-bolt wheels up front and custom pedals, EMPI Bus shifter and Simpson
six-inch wide rears made using stock belts finish it off a treat.
centres and Weller rims. With 135 Michelins It remains to be seen whether there is a
and 255/70 Toyos, the Roadster has plenty market for the Roadster T in the UK but, with
of tyre rake and, with the contrasting cream the current popularity of Beach Buggies and
colour, it retains its period sixties feel. the resurgence of interest in nostalgia, the
time couldn’t be better to find out.
BELOW Mark Dryden at Flatlands Engineering Visit www.berrienbuggy.com for more
made the luggage rack according to Darren’s design information.

John Jones is a man who gets things done right. He lives and breaths
air-cooled VWs and has built some amazing examples. We brought you a
feature on one of his outrageous creations in our May issue and now we bring
you the next instalment of his tarmac scraping delights
Words: Jon Gilbert Pics: Kiki de Bois

M
ost people spend years The 1956 Oval Ragtop you see here
building their perfect VW, was built to show off that very air bag
but waiting that long can suspension, which is now a complete
be frustrating. John Jones bolt-on kit with no modifications required.
at Kustom Coach Werks According to John, the Oval has earned
in Colorado is certainly not one of those its keep, as he has sold quite a few of
people and completed this project in less his beams since. KCW can supply the
than six weeks! narrowed beams from anything two
John owns KCW and, as you can inches to eight inches narrower than
imagine, he and his team are constantly stock and seeing as John drives what he
busy. They don’t work nine to five, due to sells and has 17 years experience in the
customer demand, and usually work their business, you can rest assured that this
knuckles to the bone seven days a week to stuff is tip top.
get the job done. Why do they do it? The Naturally, this industry first suspension
answer is simple. They love Volkswagens. It set-up is John’s favourite part of the Oval.
is a passion, not a job and that drives them “I like to come up with new s*%t, like my air
to churn out some mind-blowing cars. suspension. I like to go narrower and lower
Amazingly, they even have time to work than anyone else, period,” he said.
on their own projects. They claim not to The rear suspension is easier to install
build show cars for themselves but rather than the front, claims John, using the
“nice cars that get driven”. We beg to KCW Air ride tech shock wave adjustable
differ, as the last couple of examples we dampers, again all bolt-on and a direct
have seen have been full on. replacement for your standard shocks.
On average, John builds around six new With these shocks and the air bags, John
cars for himself each year and, considering can dial in any ride height he desires, but
this is all done in his own time, it goes he tends to leave it dropped (about a foot
to show just how dedicated he really is. in total) so the arches cover the tops of his
You may remember his Split-window Bug, prototype Randar wheels from Randy in San
which we featured in May 2005 and which Diego. Measuring 15-inch by five-inch and
was a test bed for the KCW prototype air dressed in 135 and 145 rubber, front and
beam set-up before it went into production. back, these wheels look the mutt’s nuts.

ABOVE A very tidy 1641cc engine – home to The engine puts out approximately 80hp,
approximately 80 wild horses which isn’t mega power, but it is certainly
enough to haul the Oval along and when
John inherited this ’56 Oval when a you’re sitting that low and looking that
customer sent it in for restoration. good, who needs huge power figures?
Unfortunately, he couldn’t afford to pay the “I want to be sure to thank my awesome
shipping bill so John took ownership and wife, Gretchen, who helps in making all this
started planning his new project. He did happen. How, you might ask? By taking
most of the work himself, with a little help care of me and everything in my life outside
from his crew at KCW. KCW. All I do is KCW. She is the best. I
There wasn’t much work needed in also want to thank Dustin Martin. He is my
the body department, as the car was in shop foreman and is a big reason why
really good shape despite being found in things go smoothly, like they should. He
a field in Canada by the aforementioned can do anything I can do in the shop, only
customer. No panels were welded or better. He has learned so much in the three
replaced and they are 100 per cent short years he has worked for me and has
original. You won’t find any filler or surpassed me in skills,” says John.
fibreglass in John’s cars either. “If it ain’t “Also, Derrick Pacheco, my webmaster.
steel, it ain’t real,” he says. How many VW shops out there have their
Once the ’shell was ready and the ’pan own in-house webmaster? Not many,
detailed, John mixed together a paint but he is a vital reason we stay busy and
known as KCW Ultra Copper, which he why we stay on top of our game. He is
then sprayed on the car to a very high constantly researching what is hot, what
quality finish. people want and what direction we should
Inside you will find a neat interior with move in next.
stock seats clad in tweed, a matching “I also want to thank Franz, KCW
TMI carpet set and door cards all fitted by mechanic and head fabricator. He loves
TOP The slammed ’56 glows in the sunlight John and Dustin (another member of the making stuff and does an awesome job of
thanks to KCW Ultra Copper paint. Sitting on KCW team). Everything else has been kept it. Usually, I make a rough draft and hand it
prototype Randar wheels and scraping the floor, original (Well, except for the EMPI quick to Franz and he makes it well; damn near
this Oval looks rock hard shift gear stick.) and it looks great for it. perfect. Anthony Didonato, my head body
ABOVE A clean and simple interior using Out back you will find a nicely built guy, slings mud, blocks and lots of primer.
matching material for the carpet, door cards and 1641cc Type 1 motor running stock I also hired a guy after the Oval was done,
seats twin-port heads with an 8:1 compression Weston, who is shaping up and finding his
LEFT Here you can see the eight-inch narrowed ratio, an Engle 110 camshaft and dual ‘place’ in our crew. Thanks, guys.”
beam minus shock towers. Just behind the 36mm Dellortos, which are John’s If you would like any details on KCW
trailing arms you can see the air bag, which is favourite choice of carb, “except IDAs, of and what they do, check out
used to adjust the height of the suspension course,” he adds. www.kustomcoachwerks.com

Bristol T
his year, a move to a new location for the kids to do. This event is one for the
was essential for the Bristol whole family, with a circus skills workshop
VolksFest, which had outgrown and competitions. A few commented on
VolksFest
its last home. The new location the fact the facilities were limited. This
for the event was the North Somerset is, after all, a new showground, but, to
Agricultural Showground at Bathing be honest, it didn’t seem to stop anyone
Ponds Fields in Wraxall, Bristol and it having fun, from what we could see.
15 May saw a new home for proved a great home for the show. The Those who camped over at the show
grounds were picturesque and this was seemed to be making their own fun,
a well established event, the only made better thanks to the glorious whether that be chilling out with friends
Bristol VolksFest sunshine. Admission was only £7.00 a and sinking a few cheeky nightcaps or
head, which seemed a very reasonable simply listening to a few tunes after a
Word and Pics: Pete Barr price to us, especially as there was plenty long day travelling to the event. Sunday
FAR LEFT Purposeful looking Baja

ABOVE We can remember when
seeing a Crew-cab at a show
was virtually unheard of. LEFT
Notchbacks and Razors aren’t the
most common VWs either, but more
and more are being imported to the UK

FAR LEFT Andy Ham’s stunning Resto Cal
was one of the sixties stars at the show
LEFT The Beach Buggies were in their element
in the sunshine
RIGHT Steve Walker wouldn’t have much
to moan about here. One little Chihuahua is
hardly going to be a problem at a show
BELOW First seen at Sandown, this Crew-cab
is an extremely well detailed vehicle
morning rose with glorious sunshine and had invited local Hot Rodders, the Blue ABOVE Mixing various ideas, the amount of work
the choice of hunting for breakfast, which Ridge Runner Custom cars, Lowriders that has gone into this Beetle is amazing and it
wasn’t too hard as all you needed to do and some cool Scooters. This made the was all done by the owner
was head for one of the food vendors, VolksFest more than just a VW show, and
or starting on an empty stomach and it gave us something more to check out. Concours results
heading straight to one of the trade (Phil Mitchell’s yellow ’32 Ford won the CLASS 1 : BUG STOCK Nigel Fleet
stands, of which there were over 100, in best Hot Rod award.) CLASS 2 : BUG MODIFIED Dave Wilson
search for a bargain. The big question is: did the move CLASS 3: BUS STOCK Geoff Sumpter
CLASS 4 : BUS MODIFIED Steve Mulcock
One thing we really liked about this to the new location work? Well, in our CLASS 5 : SPLITTIES Mark Hopley
event is the fact that the organisers, opinion, the answer is a resounding CLASS 6 : TYPE 3/4 Mike Smith
Adrian Ashby and his team, had made and reassuring, yes! We’ll certainly be CLASS 7 : KARMANN GHIA Andy Maddox
the event a little bit different to the usual heading west for VolksFest 2006 in May, CLASS 8 : BAJA, BUGGIES, KITS & TRIKES
David Rose
VW-only events in the calendar, as they so see you there!
ABOVE The engine in this Bug was one of the

cleanest we saw at VolksFest. Dirt obviously
doesn’t even get a chance to settle on it
RIGHT A move to a new showground can make
or break a show and going on the number of high
quality cars that were on display, we’d say the
new location has made Bristol VolksFest

I
t isn’t often that an event report asks
you to cast your minds back 12
months. However, in this case, I feel it
appropriate. After all, 12 months ago,
the second annual themed summer party
was held at the Herts County Showground.
VWoodstock, as it was known, was widely
acclaimed and has often been described
as the best UK VW event to date, so it came
This year’s summer themed VW party, BeetleMania, caused quite as no surprise that this year’s bash closely
a stir at the Herts Country Showground, 10-12 June followed that successful formula.
Loosely combining the traditional VW
Words: Steve Walker Pics: Julian Robinson show weekend attractions of trade stands,
LEFT Buggy fans out in the

sun – it’s like the late sixties
all over again
ABOVE The Brad’s
Foundation team got into
the spirit of things, as usual
RIGHT The Fab Beatles at
BeetleMania
BELOW The SSVC and RBod
line-up included VolksWorld’s
Steve Walker and Rikki James

FAR LEFT This Panel Van
has been fitted out as a
coffee bar. Good work
and a great cup of coffee
RIGHT Kooky Kustom
Kool with a Kapital K
BELOW This ’72
single-cab had been given
a bit of the Resto chic
a multi-category show and shine, cars for This year’s theme was a link to the Beetles, Buses and water-cooled VWs
sale and an autojumble area with the feel sixties, with a two-day line-up of music competing for the show trophies, which
of a late sixties music festival, the show and tribute bands (with dance DJ sets resembled gold discs (a nice touch).
did exactly what it said on the tin. Even the on the Friday evening, including a certain Overall, the weekend was lots of
weather came out to play, with glorious Ivan) honouring the works (and looks) fun, but attendance was noticeably
sunshine all weekend. of the Beetles and, amongst others, the down. Although a number of factors
The themed summer events are held Rolling Stones. Plenty of people took the could have contributed, it seems
under the VW Action banner, so issues of opportunity to dress for the occasion and that the days of some events may be
toilet facilities, food suppliers and security Saturday night saw more madness, as numbered. Perhaps the theme has finally
on site are quickly and efficiently dealt with. Jensen D Groover carwashed the crowd overshadowed the VW element? I started
The organisers put a lot of time and effort in his unique manner. this by looking back 12 months, but in the
into making their events safe, clean and Sunday was show ‘n’ shine day and case of the summer parties the next 12
enjoyable for all the family and it shows. the arena was taken over by more familiar may not be so clear.
LEFT Part of the allure

of this event is dressing
up and being ‘part of
it’, as this group proves
BELOW Easily the
most period perfect
sixties styled Buggy
to be built of late. We
would really love to
own this one
ABOVE We spent ages

checking out this Zwitter
(Split-window with Oval
dash). It rocked
LEFT Oh yeah! That’s
what goes through your
mind when you see this
ribbed bumper Bus

LEFT The Brad’s crew pushed the envelope – Paul Utting
can be seen ‘broken’ on his roof rack! ABOVE Lee
Appleby’s stunning KG. BELOW A really interesting VW
T
he week leading up to this event The obstacles of the M6 aside, Uttoxeter
VW Action
was not only a very busy one for proved to be a great location for a VW
the organisers, it was more than show, as it is not too far for anyone to get
30th bir thday

a little unnerving too, as they had to. Most visitors we spoke to seemed to
hosted Beetle Mania the weekend before have made the journey from the North
and the turn out was below break-even. East, North West and Midlands. A fair few
Having spoken to Brian Burrows during made the trip from the South and perhaps
VW Action’s 30th birthday party the week and having been informed of the a lot more would have if they hadn’t been
situation, I was keeping my fingers crossed at the event the weekend before.
on 17 to 19 June at Uttoxeter
that things would be better at Uttoxeter. Having found our plot for the weekend,
Racecourse was held just a few As we were having a stand at the show, we relaxed for a while and chatted with
miles away from the event’s I cruised up in my Type 25 Westy, which various people. The evening started with a
original home at Stafford has a built-in awning and is perfect for a few ice-breakers and the Action ‘Pub Quiz’,
small stand. The M25 was flowing, the M40 which was a right laugh. After this and
Words: Ivan McCutcheon was clear and the weather was blisteringly thanks to being press-ganged before the
Pics: Jon Gilbert hot. Things were looking good. show, I DJ’d in the bar, warming up for DJ
BELOW LEFT Bernie

Newbury – ground-breaker
FAR LEFT Dave Fisher
LEFT Brett Hawksbee
accepts the Oscar for his
event, Bug Jam
RIGHT Ivan was over the
moon to accept the Oscar
for ‘Best VW Magazine’
VW Action ‘Oscars’
Movers & Shakers Award – Keith Seume
Most Appreciated Trader Award – Dave Fisher (Kingfisher Kustoms)
Engineering & Innovation Award – Thump! Thump!
Most Appreciated Overseas Visitor Award – Gene Berg (RIP)
Best Magazine Award – Volksworld
Most Supportive Club Award – Stevenage VWOC
Most Innovative Event Award – Brett Hawksbee (Bug Jam 1)
VW Club Personality Award – Rikki James (Split Screen Van Club)
Most Ground-breaking Car Award – Bernard Newbury (Green Ghia)
Best VW Journalist Award – Keith Seume
Spirit of Action Award – Richie Rich Grant

LEFT Show cars ranged from stock
Split-window Beetles to the wildest customs
ABOVE LEFT A bit of a VW Type 3 line-up
ABOVE This was one very clean Oval-window,
heart tail lights always do it for us
Trademark. The evening went very well and the bar on the other side of the racetrack, hours for many and the morning came all
everyone seemed to have fun. with plenty of requests from the crowd. too soon. With it came glorious sunshine
Saturday was hot, really hot, but we Back in the main hall, the VW Action and a load of things to do.
weren’t complaining and the day was Oscars ceremony was about to be held. You could check out the concours or
packed with fun things for the visitors This one-off awards presentation paid the Oddball Import Pie Eating Contest,
and club members to do. There was a homage to the people, companies and or bid for a whole host of goodies in
daily driver show and shine, which had events that have played a major part in the the Brad’s Cancer Foundation Auction.
both water- and air-cooled VWs, and the last 30 years of the VW scene. The list of Jenson D’Groover donated his own Beetle
trade stand village seemed busy enough nominees read like a hall of fame. (See the to the cause and it raised £1500 for the
throughout the day, but the milkshake info box for full details.) The highlight of the charity. It was a very nice gesture made
stand seemed to be the busiest by far. ceremony for us was being awarded the by a very nice man.
Saturday evening was when the real Oscar for Best VW Magazine. The general consensus was that
freaks came out. The main stage was Back in the bar, one-man acoustic Uttoxeter was a great venue for VW Action
taken over by the one and only Jenson Ska legend, Chris Murray, all the way and the organisers have informed us that
D Groover and his School Disco Inferno, from California, USA did a great set. The there will be no Beetle Mania in 2006.
while Freak-1-C played an acoustic set in festivities continued well into the early Sounds like a recipe for success to us.
VW Action Top 10 (Sunday)

Mark Finch, Shrewsbury. Blue/Ivory ’72 Bay
Al Boyle, Warrington. Metallic Yellow ’68 Bug
Lee Appleby, Stone, Staffs. Metallic Grey ’69 Ghia
Paul Birch, Lincoln. Silver/Orange Trike
Richard Aldridge, Stoke-on-Trent. Two-tone Turkis ’60 Devon Split Camper
Craig Perry, Blue/Grey ’55 ‘race look’ Bug
Jonathan, Walsall. Bugundy/White ’66 Samba
Gareth Smith, Redditch. Bare metal ’66 Single-cab Split Pick-up
Allan Ward, Stoke-on-Trent. Lotus White ’68 Devon Eurovette
FAR LEFT Big

17-inch New Beetle
BRMs from Flat 4
work really well on
a Samba
LEFT The Saturday
night School Disco
Inferno was a top
laugh

A
This legendary show never n invitation from Bob Van Heyst with a road book, detailing the convoy
of BBT Belgium to join a road trip route to Hessisch. An awesome enamel
fails to impress and stands
to the Hessisch Oldendorf 2005 participant’s badge entitled the driver to
as another highlight on the vintage VW show and enjoy his free breakdown recovery courtesy of BBT.
VW calendar legendary hospitality could not be refused. A mellow evening catching up with
Arriving at BBT on the Thursday prior friends was punctuated by ten minutes
to the Hessisch weekend, we were of midnight madness and impromptu drag
greeted by an international community racing on the empty industrial estate. A
of Volkswagen enthusiasts. Bob had laid certain nostalgia car entertained the crowds
on free food and beer, and opened his with a few insane passes, shedding serious
museum of rare vintage VWs to the public. rubber. Then, to the crowd’s amazement, a
Words and pics: Matt Keene He also supplied each registered vehicle genuine KdF-wagen lined up against
ABOVE LEFT BBT HQ in Belgium.

Bob Van Heyst is Mr Hospitality
ABOVE The Grasshopper drag
car entertained the crowds on
Thursday night
LEFT Rometsch Beeskow
RIGHT Deluxe Buses are like any
buses – you wait for ages and
then three come along at once
FAR LEFT The whole town was
taken over by vintage VWs
LEFT 60 years or older;
wartime VWs – amazing
RIGHT Sascha Haun had a
Resto Cab at Sandown. This is
his Papler convertible
BELOW Sunroof Ovals
BELOW RIGHT Looks like a CCG
the Grasshopper and launched with the of the participating vehicles – coachbuilts, linked to the Hauptplatz, or main square,
tiniest of chirps from its three and a half war time KdF-wagens; split-era Cabrio which is host to all of the coachbuilt VWs
inch wide tyres. Beetles; Oval-window Bugs galore and and pre-A 356 Porsches.
The convoy left BBT at nine on Friday Barn Door Buses. Participation in the show, which happens
morning with Bob at the helm. Exiting the Arriving late Friday afternoon, the once every four years, is only possible with
industrial estate onto the highway, the convoy was greeted by the fantastic advance booking on the official Hessisch
hairs stood up on the back of my neck sight that is the small town of Hessisch Oldendorf website and was fully booked
with excitement and anticipation. Bob had Oldendorf transformed into the greatest months in advance. On arrival, participants
scheduled three stops at motorway service vintage VW show on the planet. Hessisch received a show pack containing vouchers
stations en route to Hessisch, as the drive town centre, with its beautiful tree-lined for all of the weekend’s entertainment and
was a six hour haul at KdF-wagen pace. streets and medieval buildings, sets a functions and a Hessisch plaque uniquely
The convoy slowly snaked its way towards superb backdrop for the most remarkable stamped with their entry number.
Germany with plenty of photo opportunities show I have ever attended. Each type of Friday night’s activities included a
for those brave enough to hang out of their VW is broken down into categories, i.e. welcome evening at the town hall with
windows or sunroof. Seeing 106 vintage Oval-windows, Split-windows and Buses, free drinks on tap, although the 1950 Barn
VWs in convoy is something to behold, and each category is given its own street Door Bus parked in the foyer held our
especially when you consider the diversity in which to form its display. Each street is attention almost as long as the free bar.
ABOVE This Belgian Split-screen ice cream wagen was cool

RIGHT We loved this Split-window Bug on Empi Sprints. Is that a spare
rear window section on the roof rack? BELOW Unrestored 50-year-old
Belgian Deluxe Split has lasted well. BELOW RIGHT VW Mecca

ABOVE LEFT Hebmüller convertibles – some people are able to
make their dreams come true for themselves. ABOVE Porsche
influenced Split Beetle with 356 brakes and wheels, fuel filler
through the bonnet and plenty more. LEFT Plenty of Buses from
all over Europe
Saturday’s entertainment included the road. A large crowd had gathered That evening we had an enormous
the Rundfahrt, which was essentially on the south side of the river, waiting sit down meal at the town hall, followed
a giant convoy of participating show in anticipation for the legendary by presentations, announcements and
vehicles traversing the countryside in Schwimmwagens to cross the Weser music that played into the wee hours, with
a wide arc passing places of interest, under their own steam, as has become participants fuelled by free beer donated
such as the nearby castle. We had to a Hessisch tradition. Sure enough, no by a local dignitary.
cross the river Weser on a small ferry fewer than five Schwimmers made the Sunday’s pace was somewhat slower,
designed to take a maximum of five cars crossing, which is no mean feat given the but the show bustled until lunchtime,
per journey and, naturally, a short wait speed of the river’s current and the steep giving plenty of time to check out some
was necessary. However, it was far from angle of the river bank, proving that the bargains at the swapmeet. The Hessisch
tedious, as it gave a good opportunity Schwimmwagen is an impressive piece on swapmeet is legendary in terms of size
to see vintage VWs being driven on machinery, even by today’s standards. and sheer volume of rare parts on offer,
LEFT Three of the five
Schwimmwagens we spotted
in the river. Great to see
them doing what they were
built to do. RIGHT Climbing
out of the river. BELOW
We’d put our money on the
Schwimmwagen making it
to the other side before the
Barn Door Panel Van or
Standard Split Beetle

ABOVE Late and early Rometsch coachbuilts – real stunners
RIGHT Where else could you expect to see such a good turn out of
Dannenhauer & Strauss cars? BELOW This Kübelwagen was a sight
to behold. BELOW RIGHT This Notch was a superb original car that
had hardly been used and had extremely low miles. It was for sale too
RIGHT Swapmeet prices weren’t low but there’s no

doubt that some of the parts on offer were rare
but the prices seemed way too lofty. Our journey didn’t end there, though, as with numerous highlights – being driven
Maybe it is the Pound’s poor exchange fellow VW nuts, Anna Slydell and through factory buildings no 1 and 2;
rate against the Euro, but £1100 for a 1950 Julian Hunt, had organised a pilgrimage seeing the original factory structures,
Panel Van rear VW logo sounds about a to Wolfsburg for a full factory tour and which have visible shrapnel damage
grand too dear to me. How about £1600 a visit to the Volkswagen museum. from over 50 years ago; and seeing
for a pair of Split-window Bug glove box Needless to say, we didn’t need to be the oldest body press, which dates back
lids? It’s all gone a little mad. asked twice and were blown away by the to 1940 and is still in action pressing
Rounding up Sunday’s activities was the line-up of vintage VWs in the Volkswagen out memorabilia.
trophy presentation, with a notable British grounds. Seeing the VW workers lined All in all, it was a fantastic week of VW
win by Julian Hunt and his 1952 Dove Blue up at their office windows taking it all in shows and VolksWorld would like to thank
Barn Door Panel Van, and a trip to the confirmed that we were part of something all those involved in organising such a
Grundmann Family VW museum. special. The factory tour was amazing, memorable event.
FAR LEFT Karl Sillet finished his
stunning Bus in time for the show and
took it home to Wolfsburg. How cool is
this photo?
LEFT & BELOW The perfect way to end
the mission, with a VW factory visit

VolksWorld’s Peter Noad looks at the Beetle’s rallying days
Rough and ready

During the early days of motorsport, VW enthusiasts made the ABOVE Carl-Eric Larsson giving it large in typical
most of difficult conditions and terrain to notch up rally victories Scandinavian sideways style in ’73
N
owadays, if you want to go racing covered more than 2000 miles from Devon the 1300cc class and was eighth overall in
in a VW, you go to the drag or Wiltshire in the south to Perthshire in an Okrasa Beetle in ’64; and Sven Lundin
strip, but, for many years, VW Scotland, lasted four days and nights, and was first in class and eighth overall in a
enthusiasts in the UK chose the was run in late November/early December, 1600 TL Fastback in ’66. We shouldn’t
muddy, potholed tracks of rallying for their which almost guaranteed rain, fog, snow forget Bill Bengry, who drove his near stock
motorsport kicks. Floods, fog, snow and and ice. A lot more cars took part and in 1200 to seventh place overall and second
ice just added to the fun and increased the 1960s there were typically 200 entries in class in 1960, despite a cracked sump
the chances of a VW winning. The Beetle and 25 different makes of car. and nine burst tyres. Declan O’Leary and
wasn’t likely to win races by power on The best years for air-cooled VWs were Kevin Sherry were class winners in 1200
smooth roads, but if the going was rough 1963, ’64 and ’66. Harry Kallstrom was Beetles in 1956 and 1959.
enough and conditions were bad enough, second overall in ’63 in a Scania Vabis In the early years, other makes included
a VW could win. I certainly won a lot of 1500 S Notchback; Berndt Jansson won Sunbeam Rapiers, Ford Anglias and
rough rallies in my Beetles at regional and Cortinas, two-stroke Saabs,
national level, as did Bill Bengry, Mike
Hinde and a lot of Irish drivers, including
Kevin Sherry, TP O’Connell and the
legendary Paddy Hopkirk.
The biggest event was the RAC Rally,
which is now called the Wales Rally GB. In
order to satisfy television producers and
sponsors, it is much shorter, confined to
a small corner of South Wales and takes
place in September to avoid the long dark
nights and bad weather that were a feature
of the original rally. In the good old days, it
RIGHT Hubertus Ernst in his 1600cc 1300 (AKA

GT Beetle) in 1976

LEFT David Lucas trying hard in his 1302 S in
1974. Spotlamps are removed for more speed in
daylight. If you look closely, you might spot that
the door mirror has been turned back to reduce
drag and the running board is removed to save
weight (or did it fall off?)
right genes for going fast on rally stages

so it was no surprise that someone with
a name like Carl-Eric Larsson (from
Sweden) should be one of the few VW
pilots to get a top 50 seeding. I only had
to wait 40 minutes to see his VW 1302 S
in action in 1973. He didn’t disappoint
(see accompanying pic) but giving it large
all the time must have taken its toll and
he was another DNF.
The Beetle’s homologation by the
motorsport powers-that-be expired at
the end of 1983, so that year’s RAC Rally
was the last opportunity for a Beetle to
take part in a world championship rally.
Volvos, Triumphs and Austin-Healeys. By standard Beetles – both in 1302 Ss. To commemorate the end of an era,
the seventies, there were mega-bucks Francis Tuthill finished just outside the top Ernst Harrach from Austria entered a 1302
factory teams with purpose-built Ford 50 in 1979, using the same 1302 S that he S in the ’83 RAC. Disappointingly, it was
Escorts, Lancias and Porches. By the had previously driven on the London to no grand finale. The last hurrah ended
1980s, you needed a turbo, four-wheel Sydney Marathon two years before. when Harrach’s Bug failed to get beyond
drive and more than 300 horsepower to A guy from Germany called Hubertus the first special stage. Another DNF. The
stand any chance of a top placing. Ernst competed in 1975 and 1976 in a guy should have been fined for bringing
Enthusiasts in privately-entered Beetles VW 1300. It was actually a 1600 (in other the VW into disrepute.
kept the VW flag flying through most of the words, a GT Beetle), but, as we know, Happily, that wasn’t the end of the story
seventies, but without factory support, big Wolfburg called it a 1300 S, so Ernst’s of Beetles in the RAC Rally. Fran Tuthill
money sponsors, a fleet of support vehicles
“
and a team of well-paid mechanics with
mobile workshops and enough spare parts The service crew consisted of a couple of mates
”
to build a complete car, the VW entrants
were still doing it like competitors had in a borrowed van with a few spare wheels
done in the fifties – the cars were almost
standard and the service crew (if they had ‘VW 1300’ was in the 1300-1600cc class. later discovered that homologation of the
one) consisted of a couple of mates in a It probably confused the organisers and Brazilian Fusca was still valid until 1992, so
borrowed van with a few spare wheels. The the other competitors. The car looked well Fran and his son, Richard, built a Beetle
Beetles were competing against cars that prepped and was going well on the many to Fusca spec and entered the ’92 RAC.
had five or six times more power and cost occasions that I saw it and took my snaps, They had a barrel-load of problems but
10 or 20 times as much. but it DNF’ed (rally-speak for did not finish) overcame them all to complete the course
Private entries started near the end of on both occasions, so whether it was a and mark a fitting end to the Beetle’s
the field. As a reporter and photographer, 1300 or a 1600 didn’t become an issue. almost 40 years of competing in the rally.
I had to wait two hours or more after the Scandinavian drivers seem to have the I’ll tell you all about the Fusca next month.
leading cars went through to see the
solitary VW and cheer him on his way. By
the 1970s there was little chance of a VW
class win and the goal was to complete the
course and be classified as a finisher. That
still earned a lot of respect when about half
the cars that started the rally, despite being
much more expensively prepped and
modified, never made it to the finish.
Brian Addison in 1971 and David
Lucas in 1974 both achieved the goal
of finishing the RAC Rally in virtually
RIGHT Snow was always a feature of the RAC
Rally in retro years and was good news for VW
drivers. This is Brian Addison in a 1302 S in
North Yorkshire in 1971

VolksWorld’s Bob Shaill looks at a rare Hebmüller Cabriolet
Words: Bob Shaill, Pics: Günther Schaffler
On the hunt
ABOVE The engine cover was
in primer and said to be in near
perfect condition, with little damage
and some rust. The hood frame,
material and small rear window are
This rare Hebmüller Cabriolet was found abandoned on a farm in Namibia original, which is a bonus
H
err Günther Schaffler runs a can imagine the buzz that must have given sorry sight indeed. The chassis floors were
very successful locksmith him. Plans were soon set in motion, first completely rotted out and a tree had grown
business in Windhoek, Namibia to relocate the car and then to bring it to a through the middle of the car.
and is also a very keen early place of safety. In order to remove the vehicle, the tree
Volkswagen enthusiast. However, Günther The following day, after a long drive, had to be cut down. Luckily, Günther had
does own several other makes of cars, Günther and his helpers finally came across a wood saw in his toolbox and after much
including a 1957 Mercedes-Benz and a the abandoned Hebmüller. She was a work the tree was removed. After a couple of
couple of early Jaguars.
Several years ago a customer came into
his shop and gave him a photograph of a
strange looking Volkswagen Beetle that he
had found. Apparently, this Beetle Cabriolet
was spotted abandoned on some wasteland
near a village called Kalkfeld. Günther was
told it was in very poor condition, with quite
a few of its original parts missing, but he
immediately recognised the Beetle as a
rare Type 14-A Hebmüller Cabriolet. You
RIGHT The stripped-out dashboard looks to be
in good order. A rifle clip holder was found just
under the front windscreen on the passenger side.
The rifle was used for hunting game on the farm

LEFT This is where the abandoned
Hebmüller was found, rotting away on
wasteland in Kalkfeld, Namibia. A tree
had grown in the middle of the vehicle
and had to been cut down. The car
would probably still be there today,
if the engine cover and hood frame
mechanism were missing, but it was
considered to be a viable project
BELOW The Hebmüller has been tidied

up by fitting a set of new primered
wings and a front bonnet. The original
chassis was in bad shape, so it was
replaced with a later unit and drive-train
hours struggling in the heat, the Hebmüller

’shell and what could be salvaged from
around the wreck was loaded up ready for
the long trip home.
With the vehicle under lock and key,
Günther gave the car a thorough checking
over. Luckily, the doors, engine cover
and hood frame were still there. If these
important items were missing, he probably
wouldn’t have bothered with the car and
would have left it to rot.
Günther was not quite sure what to do
with the Hebmüller, as he didn’t have the
skills or the facilities to restore it properly.
Finally, in 1996, he commissioned his
friend to restore it for him. Sadly, the original
chassis was deemed beyond repair, so a
replacement chassis and drive-train were
found and fitted. The car soon started to take
shape, especially when four new wings and
a front bonnet were fitted. This, in turn, gave
Günther renewed enthusiasm for the project.
The history of the car is still a mystery, but
it is known that it was used on a farm as a
hunting vehicle and a rifle clip was found still
attached to the underside of the dashboard.
Carcasses were simply tied down on the front
bonnet. The vehicle probably broke down
and was abandoned by its owner.
Today, it is not known if this project was
ever finished. The vehicle’s original chassis
and body number details were not recorded,
so it’s unknown what year this particular
Hebmüller was built. It was most certainly
someone’s pride and joy at some stage and
it’s a great shame that it ended up being
used as a meatwagen.
RIGHT From this angle, you can just see
that the new front end is about to be offered
up. Unfortunately, the body number was not
recorded. I’m sure that, at this stage, they
thought the car looked much better and had new
incentive to continue the project

VolksWorld’s Bob Shaill looks at changes in 1961
Pics: Paul J Craft, Dario Faria, Phil Weiner and sources unknown
This period saw the introduction of the all-new Volkswagen Type 3 ABOVE The all-new Type 3 1500 saloon. I
1500 saloon and new vehicle safely locks were on offer, but only to remember owning a 1964 Ruby Red Notchback
and I’m pleased to report that she is still around
the German market today. It was a good car, but as with all early
Type 3 models their gearboxes were problematic
Bodywork Type 1 & 2 was that the front bonnet rubber came as
The first recorded bodywork change within a one-piece rubber seal. This began on 4 Engine
this period was introduced on 1 April. May from chassis number 3 862 489. On 11 April the 34bhp engine crankcase
A new colour paint scheme for the On 6 May, records show that the Type ventilation was improved, with a new
Type 2 seven- and eight-seater Microbus 2 Transporter driver’s (sliding) seat on connection hose fitted from the oil filler
models was introduced. The new LHD models only had a divided seat housing to the oil bath air filter. This
two-tone colours were Turquoise Blue, with a divided rear panel (For clarity, I’m began from Beetle chassis number 3 806
White, Mouse Grey and Pearl White. sure this means a walk through set-up.). 249 and was passed over to the Type 2
These replaced Seagull Grey and This began from chassis number 770 and Karmann Ghia range on 8 and
Mango Green. Sadly, no chassis 862. Another Type 2 seat improvement 9 June respectively. This also involved
number details were recorded. began on 2 June, with the bench seat the new 1500cc Type 3 model. Records
Several improvements were made models equipped with a grab handle. This show the first Type 3 engine that
to the Type 2 range. On 11 April, from replaced a fixed rod set-up and began included this improvement was engine
chassis number 761 997, the following from chassis number 784 631. number 0 000 001.
improvements were recorded. The The only Karmann Ghia improvement The push rod tube’s holes in the cylinder
dashboard parcel shelf now had a deeper took place on 30 June and involved heads and crankcase were now cone
surround with larger radii. Also, the both Coupé and Cabriolet models. From shaped countersink for the reception of
steering column bracket had elongated chassis number 3 933 168 (Coupé) and the push rod tubes. This design replaced
holes extended by 7mm to the rear. from chassis number 3 933 181 (Cabriolet) the rounded countersink style and began
The driver’s cab rear panel had new the door rubber weather outer strip was on 18 April from engine number 5 732 007.
moulding trim on the Kombi and the enlarged and the securing holes were The industrial engines were involved from
double-cab pick-up models only. The moved inwards by 10mm. engine number 122-084 089.
driver’s door pocket was discontinued From 30 June, chassis number 3 933 The next improvement involved the
and the holder for the square key was now 263, the Beetle Karmann Cabriolets cooling air regulator behind the fan
fitted in the front panel. The material for the models had two new paint colour schemes housing. The two spacer rubbers were
door trim was also modified. – Anthracite and Pacific Blue. Black, Ruby now 8 to 9mm thicker and replaced
On 29 April a new flexible grab handle Red, Beryl Green, Turquoise, Pearl White the two flat countersink rubbers. This
was added to all the Type 2 models. and Gulf Blue were still available but Pastel began on 4 May from engine number 5
The only Beetle saloon improvement Blue was discontinued. 772 654 (Type 2) and two days later from

ABOVE This 1961 Beetle looks as though it’s
had a hard life. The car is painted in Pacific Blue
(L398) and had similar colour running board
rubbers
ABOVE This sound looking 1961 Notchback with On 13 June the engine push rod tube chassis number 774 540.
chassis number 0 000 057 is believed to be the seals were changed from red or green The engine oil pressure switch was
oldest Type 3 in private hands. It is somewhere in rubbers to white plastic rings. This began improved with oil pressure of 0.15-0.45
Finland and is the hot property of Mika Kyuonen. from engine number 5 880 887 and two at 2.1-6.4psi. This replaced the old units
Lucky man days later to the industrial engines from with 0.3-0.6 at 4.3-8.5psi. This began on
engine number 112-086 726. 29 May from chassis number 3 924 800,
engine number 5 773 144 (Beetle). engine number 5 870 247 (Type 1) and
From 4 May, chassis number 770 290 Front axle Type 2 with chassis number 782 623.
and engine number 5 776 100, the Type 2 From 26 May, chassis number 3 912 On 8 June new blue resistance type
engine exhaust valves were bimetal for the 101 with front axle number 3 872 754, ignition cables (H/T leads) were introduced
USA and Canadian markets. Six days later the Type 1 front axle numbers were to replace the red or black coloured
these new exhaust valves were passed painted in white on the right anchor plate H/T leads. The first engine involved was
over to the Type 1 range. This began from above the top torsion bar arm. Letters number 5 843 201 and industrial engine
chassis number 3 874 581 with engine denoting production date were stamped number 122-085 625.
number 5 784 193. in the right torsion arm stop. This On 30 June a new gearshift lock with
replaced front axle numbers stamped into ignition switch was on offer and came
the torsion arm stop. with a non-repeat starter switch. The first
Chassis numbers (Type 1) On 30 June the Karmann Ghia and vehicle fitted with this was a Karmann Ghia
1961
April 3 780 309 – 3 860 285 Beetle Cabriolet models were fitted with Cabriolet model with chassis number 3
May 3 860 286 – 3 919 200 new roller type steering boxes, replacing 933 185. At the same time a new steering
June 3 919 201 – 4 000 004
the worm and sector type boxes. This and ignition lock was on offer for all VW
began from chassis number 3 933 184 vehicles except the Karmann Ghia range in
Engine numbers (30bhp only) (Type 143), 3 933 247 (Type 141) and the German home market. The first Beetle
April 3 915 042 – 3 920 073
May 3 920 074 – 3 921 898
3 933 263 (Karmann Cabrio). Karmann Cabriolet fitted with this safety
June 3 921 899 – 3 923 766 lock had chassis number 3 933 262.
Gearbox and rear axle
Engine numbers (34bhp only) The only recorded gearbox improvement The all-new Type 3 1500
April 5 689 701 – 5 766 200 within this period was to the Type 2 range.
May 5 766 201 – 5 849 650 On 18 April, from chassis number 764 393 saloon model
June 5 849 651 – 5 938 194 with gearbox number A(B) 3 867 002, the 28 April 1961 saw the induction of
initial oil filling was 2.75 1, rather than 2.5 1. the all-new Type 3 1500cc model
Front axle number (Type 1 only) Volkswagen. The VW fans would debate
April
May
3 758 321 – 3 822 437
3 822 438 – 3 892 189
Electrical system endlessly whether they loved, hated or
All VW production vehicles still had the ignored its unassuming lines. Sadly,
June 3 892 190 – 3 966 265
six-volt electrical system, but from 2 May this new VW failed to excite the Beetle
the Deluxe and standard model Beetles fans, despite having large luggage
Gearbox numbers had new stop/tail and indicator rear lights. compartment both ends.
April A(B) 3 875 276 – A(B) 3 952 606
This was initially for the German home
May
June
A(B) 3 952 607 – A(B) 4 044 033
A(B) 4 044 034 – A(B) 4 121 534 market only. The first vehicle involved was Type 3 bodywork
chassis number 3 856 472. The first and only recorded details for the
Type 3 chassis numbers On 4 May the speedometer on both new Type 3 1500 model within this period
29 April to 30 June 0 000 001 – 0 000 027 Type 1 and Type 2 vehicles had a red was for the paint scheme. As from chassis
line on scale for 50km marking. The number 0 000 001 (Type 311), the new
Type 3 engine (1500cc) first Beetle involved was from chassis paint colours on offer were Black, Ruby
29 April to 30 June 0 000 001 – 0 000 065 number 3 862 145 and Type 2 from Red, Gulf Blue and Pearl White.

Rikki James – Resident Bus specialist and
SSVC Special Display Organiser
LEFT For a Bus boy like me, this was like waking up in Nirvana
ABOVE WW2 VW display included some of the rarest VWs – KdF-wagens
The show of shows

T
he chances are that a load of I guess the reason for the record number
other VW authors will be writing of vintage vehicles is the show’s location
something similar to me this and the fact that organisers, Traugott and
month, but I feel I need to have Christain Grundman, have been doing it for
my say. The fourth International Veteran a long time (and very well, I hasten to add).
Treffen, held in Hessisch Oldendorf, Like most of these ‘every four year’
Germany, was undoubtedly the best show shows, the trade stands were a highlight.
that I have ever been to. I know that is a As always, the rarer parts were big bucks,
bold statement and I thought that I’d seen but when you’re rebuilding a vintage Barn
it all, but I was wrong. Door Bus, Oval, Split or Kübelwagen, the
A bunch of us Bus freaks headed down chances of discovering some of those
to the Euro Tunnel on Thursday afternoon hard to find items are slim, so when you
to try and make it to the legendary BBT find that Holy Grail, you just have to buy
“
A convoy of 106 VWs headed to Hessisch
”
in the blistering heat
ABOVE Genuine VW key blanks. You
open day and hospitality evening, but, it, no matter how much it is. could have a new key cut while you waited
unfortunately, the journey took longer than Not everything is expensive, though, and BOTTOM A New Old Stock Barn Door Bus
expected and we arrived at about two I managed to pick up a really nice, used, engine lid. This is one of few left in the world
in the morning. Nevertheless, we were Deluxe Barn Door mirror arm, as well as
welcomed by Bob’s ‘night staff’, who having an extra key cut for my Bus. Talking
brought Belgian beer and loads of good of keys, check out the picture of the key
food – just what we needed. display unit, full of NOS early uncut VW
The next morning, after breakfast and keys. They even had a vintage key cutting
the drivers’ brief, a convoy of 106 VWs machine to cut the keys while you wait.
headed to Hessisch in the blistering heat. How cool it that?
The convoy was amazing, with some of the I think most of the British contingency
coolest Vee Dubs on the planet following had made the decision to go to the next
Bob and Lyn in their Denzel racer. Hessisch show before they had even left
Hessisch is like no other VW show I have this year’s event. It
ever experienced. The town was closed off was a truly sensational
to all non-VW motorists and the whole town VW occasion, so to all
seemed to be involved in the show – the those involved, well
fire service directing traffic; the women of done. You’ve been
the town feeding us and putting on singing inspirational.
and dancing acts in the evening; and all
RIGHT East German
the shops displaying some kind of VW
memorabilia in their windows. It was a total coachbuilt Bus based on a
VW Mecca. I almost got used to walking Split-window Beetle. A box of
down a street to be confronted by some of frogs suddenly seems sane
the rarest VWs in the world.

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0845 120 718 or, for more info, visit www.justcampers.com
Bus Types 2005

On 22 to 24 April 2005, the second Bus Types Show was held at the
Oswestry Showground in Shropshire. With over 5000 visitors passing
through the gates, the show was a huge success. The trade area was
very busy, with just over 100 stalls on site, some of which had come over
from Germany, and the Commercial Van, Performance Bus and Rat Look
displays were represented by some excellent Type 2s.
The early evening cruise on the Saturday saw over 70 Buses take a
ride through the local scenery, pulling up at a pub for half an hour before
returning to the site. Some of the locals’ expressions were priceless!
On both Friday and Saturday night, the entertainment was a great
success, with the band ‘Hooper’ playing a variety of covers from the last
few decades, mixed in with their own material, plus a family disco and
the eighties fancy dress school disco.
There was plenty to keep the children busy over the weekend, with
inflatable fun rides, colouring competitions, face painting and a magician.
The show and shine on the Sunday was very busy, with a great
selection of Buses on display. Whether it was stock, custom or modified,
you would have seen it in the main arena. All in all, it was a great weekend.
Interior comforts VW Camper

• Who? Custom Classic and Retro
• Where? Loughborough, JCT 23 on the M1 & Bus
• Contact: 01509 558 616, 07950 331 759 or After the success of our first edition of VW Camper & Bus,
[email protected] we have been given the go-ahead to produce issue two.
If you have seen the feature on pages 72 to 77 you will have read We have had a huge amount of phone calls and emails
about the company who fitted the interior on Simon Kerr’s amazing asking when and where
Bay-window. Vaughan Green is the guy behind the company and has issue two will be available.
been trimming cars, like Porsches, for 25 years. Five years ago his Well, we can now confirm
apprentice purchased a Type 2 Camper, which they both restored and that issue two will be
trimmed. The Van was used as a showcase and got a lot of interest, in WH Smiths from 8
so Vaughan decided to get into the VW scene and started trimming September, as well as
Camper interiors for companies such as Johnson’s Autoworks and being available to buy
VW Pirates, as well online through the Just
as private clients. Kampers website –
At Custom www.justkampers.co.uk
Classic and Retro, We have got a good
they will design and selection of features
build an interior to for you to read, as well
your specifications, as the latest news and
completed to a top products, readers’ rides
quality finish at a and technical section,
very competitive plus much more. If you
price. Of course, are going to VanFest,
they will also work you’ll be able to pick up
to your budget if a copy there.
you require.

Drawing inspiration from other
people’s work is common in all
modified vehicle scenes, but
this has to be the first Bus we’ve
featured whose owner cites
budget furniture emporium Ikea
as an influence
Words: Mike Pye
Pics: Anthony Butler
O
ne of the big surprises when
it turned up at the VolksWorld
Show in March this year was
Simon Kerr’s Bay-window
Bus. Not only was there a very
obvious similarity in the hibiscus pattern used
throughout to Mandy Melliard of Prosign’s
well-known Bus, there was also a Bay-window
treated with a similar devotion to a Split-screen
Bus. And despite what anybody might think,
truly show standard modified Bays are still a
rarity here in the UK.
As a result, Simon’s brown on brown creation
went down a storm at the show and came
close to scooping the Best Interior award,
against some stiff opposition. Awards like best
interior, best paint and best engine are chosen
jointly by the judging panel to recognise
exceptional efforts.
This year there were a couple of vehicles that
were mentioned and Simon’s was one of them,
which caused me to scratch my head a bit, as
I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was
about this Bus that the judges had noticed.
To be honest, I’m not sure they could either. It
just looked right, but talking with Simon prior to
writing this feature it all started to become clear.
“I can’t put into words how much modification
work the Audi sunroof mechanism alone
needed – grinding, aluminium welding, setting
up, smoothing out and then trimming,” he said.
And that’s not the half of it. Every single part of
the interior of the Van has been modified, from
the B-posts to the walk-through floor space to
the seat bases, the spare wheel well and the
under dash area. In many cases, this simply
required plating over recesses and panel
pressings to ensure the carpets and headliner
fitted as neatly and smoothly as possible, but
in others it was much more complicated.
Take the aforementioned sunroof, for
example. “When we got the Bus it was a
Danbury conversion but I wanted a sunroof.
Paris Beetles are the only people that do them,
so I called him up and ordered one in my
choice of brown mohair. When it turned up
it was just a piece of material with a

Sponsored by:

“
I wanted something that
suggested some flow, some
”
movement in the roof

Sponsored by:
pop-stud rail along one end, but I didn’t An agreement with Simon prevents me
want to have to climb up onto the side recounting the exact details of how the What’s that smell?
step to unpop that every time I want to brown on brown combo come about but The reason they started the aptly put
open the roof. So I went to the scrapyard suffice to say he and Abbie were looking ‘freshen up’ at all was because both Simon
and bought the Audi hood closing at the Bus outside under a streetlight one and Abbie got bored of the smell. “It just
mechanism. It was a massive amount evening and commented on the fact that had that seventies smell that all Buses
of work to get it to work properly but I’m the original black and white colour scheme seem to have. It was already lowered and
really proud of how it turned out. You can looked brown and cream. The more they on EMPI 5s when we got it and we used
open and close it and it locks from the talked about it, the more they liked it it for about a year and a half, mainly for
inside like a proper sunroof, plus it pulls and it was Abbie who went into the paint holidays to the south of England, but every
really nice and tight when it’s closed, so it suppliers and ordered the colours, while time we returned we’d smell of the Bus.”
looks like it fits properly.” John at Paintology in Nottingham applied Not a pleasant thought.
Trimming around the interior mechanism them to the Bus. That was not before So while he was knee deep in welding
was all done by Vaughan at Custom, Simon had spent the best part of a year wire and rusty metal, Simon had plenty
Classic and Retro, near where Simon lying on his back welding the thing up. of time to think about how he wanted the
currently lives in the Midlands. Vaughan “It was pretty much the bottom finished Bus to turn out. “I’ve been into the
also made an excellent job of fitting the eight-inches that needed replacing. I bare VW scene for years but I don’t see much
headliner and retrimming the stock seats, metalled it and stripped the whole Bus to new out there and I don’t really follow it all
again in Simon and girlfriend Abbie’s bare bones, then just worked through it. To that closely. I suppose just flicking through
choice of colours. think it started out as a quick freshen up!” the mags really gave me inspiration,
TOP Serious detailing work everywhere. Note the

VDO oil temp gauge neatly fitted into the clock
bezel and the smoothed panel beneath the dash
LEFT Stock 1600 twin-port is “painfully slow” so
will soon be replaced with something more fruity
ABOVE Airbrushed flower pattern is carried right
through to the Split Bus mirror – nothing escaped

particularly the green Bay-window with weedy old underpowered 1600 twin-port bit over the top in this area, it’s certainly
the chequer cab area (see VolksWorld that characterises Buses of this vintage. something worth thinking about if you use
July 2004) and, of course, the Prosign Naturally, all the brakes and dampers your Bus regularly. There are few things
Bus for the roof. It wasn’t like I saw that have been renewed throughout, with more tedious than chilling out with some
Bus and just decided to copy it, I wanted some subtle alterations along the way, like tunes and then finding you can’t start the
something that suggested some flow, re-siting the master cylinder reservoir to bleedin’ thing afterwards.
some movement in the roof.” neaten things up and removing the spare For sounds, things are reserved but well
It was the green Bus that gave Simon wheel carrier to free up the engine bay. This thought out. A Sony head unit powers a
the idea of fitting Beetle sloping headlights latter modification wasn’t purely aesthetic, pair of 3.5-inch JBL two-ways behind the
into the front of the Bus, achieved by although the detailed engine certainly looks dash. These are backed up by a 12-inch
welding in the buckets out of a pair of early pretty sitting in there now, it was to make JBL sub and amp under the back seat
Beetle wings, and to delete the indicators room for the three batteries Simon had and a pair of Infinity mids that have been
and fresh air grille from the front panel, too. planned to make the Bus more useable. deftly fitted into what were once a pair of
Mechanically, the Bus is pretty much as bedside lamps from Ikea. Other creature
it was when bought – the front end lowered Let there be light comforts inside include a mini fridge, the
with Foksy adjusters and the rear turned There’s now a normal battery to start glass-topped table above the engine and
two splines on the torsion bars. Brakes the Bus and two further leisure batteries a comprehensive lighting rig, based on
are standard for ’71 discs and drums to power the stereo and the lighting 12-volt B&Q home lights that now run
all round, while the engine remains the system. While Simon may have gone a straight off one of the leisure batteries.
ABOVE Glass-topped table is a well thought out but purely functional accessory
TOP RIGHT The handle for the fully functioning Audi 80 hood closing mechanism – inspired
RIGHT A novel approach to the problem of directing sound around the Bus interior

Sponsored by:
FAR LEFT Modifying the Paris Beetle’s sunroof

with an Audi mechanism was a touch of genius.
All Buses should have one, according to Simon
LEFT Original Danbury interior was like the
Krypton Factor to assemble, so Simon made
his own pull-out bed. How neat does that look?
ABOVE Now, doesn’t that look like an interior
you’d want to spend some time in? Top work
There are further lights along the front Once Timo Valentino had done all the The one job that is going to get done,
sunroof strengthener and yet more in the interior woodwork, Simon shipped it, panel though, is to sort out some curtains. No
footwells, these being wired into the door by panel, to Tony the airbrusher to have surprises that Simon is not going to nail
light circuit so they come on when the the matching hibiscus flowers added. “He in a set of crappy plastic runners and be
doors are opened. Clever stuff, huh? was great. I’d just turn up in a panic with done with it. Oh, no. “I’m going to sew
The dash is pretty much stock but, like an armful of wood saying, ‘This one goes strong magnets into the curtain material
the engine, it’s been taken apart, colour here, this goes there and that attaches to and then we’ll just be able to put them
coded and detailed to the max, including a that’ and ‘Can I have it by the weekend’ up when we want to use them.” Neat
VDO oil pressure gauge for peace of mind. and he’d just get on and do it.” idea, like so many others on this very well
The same trip to the big blue place that When asked if he has any plans for the thought out and superbly detailed Bus.
netted the bedside lights also afforded Bus, Simon sighed. “I’ve been thinking Simon Kerr would like to thank John
Simon the opportunity to check out their about bigger engines and changing things at Paintology in Nottingham; Vaughan
sofa bed range at close quarters and to but I really don’t think I’ve got the energy the trimmer at Custom, Classic and
see how he could incorporate some ideas to do anything else with it right now. I was Retro; Tony the airbrusher; Timo
into a pull-out bed for the Bus. The result is working on it from when I finished work to Valentino for the woodwork; Carl at
a one-off bed that works a treat. In Simon’s midnight or one o’clock every night for a Pirate VW in Loughborough for the use
words, “one tug and a bit of a shuffle and year and half, and up to 19 hours a day of his workshop, his tools and his wiring
you’ve got it out.” At least, I think it was the just before the show. That amount of work knowledge; Tony and son; Abbie, Mum,
bed he was referring to. grinds you down after a while.” Dad and Sarah.
LEFT Type 25 captain’s chair swivel base was

modified to fit Bay seat riser, while second driver’s
seat was welded so it doesn’t fold and the frames
smoothed out. All areas now hidden by carpets
were plated smooth so the carpets fit more neatly
ABOVE AND RIGHT Colour-coded and re-trimmed
smack hats and fridge are just a bit of fun

What we’ve been up to in the workshop this month
Mike Pye
Steve Gosli&
ng
Car: Dr Gon
Jobs this mon zo
Get th
th :
e car MoT
d
A
lmost to the day, 23 months ago,
Steve and I carried the bodyshell
of his old ’66 Beetle out of the
barn it had been stored in for
the previous 10 years. Another victim of MoT station and watched them go through ABOVE The numberplate will need to be
unfinished project syndrome, the ’66 had their series of checks. changed, but that’s no biggy
seen better days but we were fired up to The first surprise was that the garage
inject a new lease of life into the old girl. was more than happy to MoT the car. as to say, “Radically modified cars like this
Between August 2003 and March They checked it over thoroughly and all aren’t a problem for us. There are so few
the following year, we worked on the car was good; just one king pin seeming to of them, really, and they’re usually very well
tirelessly, spending every free weekend and need further lubrication. I’m certain they looked after, so we don’t get many claims
evening in the garage. We’d both restored look more favourably on cars like this if with them.” We got fully comp, agreed
cars before but never to this level and, they can see that everything has been value and two drivers, all for less than I pay
as well as improving our basic welding rebuilt and renewed. The Doctor is fully on my worthless daily driver.
and fabricating skills, we successfully detailed throughout and it really shows It’s a ’66, so that’s free tax, thank
completed our first roof chop and did the from underneath. We discussed the lack you very much, and Doctor Gonzo is
first stage of preparing the ’shell for paint. of mudguards and were advised to fit now officially on the road. In my eyes, at
We achieved our initial goal of getting discreet mudguards to comply with the law least, it’s a tribute to a man who was an
the car to Sandown Park ’04, but it took and to change the States plates for regular inspiration to us all, the original Doctor
a further year and three months to work numberplates, something we had simply Gonzo, Hunter S Thompson. RIP.
through the car, sorting out things like overlooked in our excitement. Other than
wiring, plumbing, brakes and steering. It that, we were free to go, with the vital piece
RIGHT The
took a further chunk of our hard earned of paper in our hands. What a result. original Dr
and many evenings of head scratching The second pleasant surprise was with Gonzo, Hunter S
but, on 2 July 2005, we drove the car to the the insurance. I was fully expecting to Thompson. Pic
explain all the modifications made to the from Fear and
BELOW & RIGHT The first time the car has car, but both Adrian Flux and HIC were Loathing in Las
been for an MoT since ’91... and it passed first understanding and more than happy to Vegas, published
time. Mike ‘Gonzo’ Pye is very happy help. Peter Cook from HIC even went so far by Flamingo.

“ The paint was flatter than a
three-day-old road kill
Matt Keen
e
”
Car: 69 No
Oval racec tch,
ar
project
Jobs this mon
Strip engine
th:
from the N
the bores, otc
rebuild car h, hone
the paintwo bs, buff
rk and get
Sandblast an MoT
the Oval
LEFT We pulled the lump, found the problems and got

my new Notchback, ‘tickety-boo’, sorted
O
nce again, things have been opportunity to purchase a 1969 Notchback buff. A pre-MoT check revealed that all
super busy, with plenty going for sensible money arose due to it having was pretty much in order, although I must
on, such as helping Andy lain dormant for several years after it admit that I was surprised when the Notch
Carroll assemble his awesome suffered an engine problem. It was a 1969 passed with flying colours.
1954 Samba. A full feature will follow in full auto model with a sliding steel sunroof The racecar has been on the back
VolksWorld soon, so I will save the juicy and 1641cc motor on Berg DCNF carbs. burner for a couple of months, but there
gossip until later. The paint was flatter than a three-day-old has been some progress to report.
Now that the show season is in full road kill and it needed some major TLC. I decided that I would sandblast the
swing, weekends seem to blend seamlessly Before you could say ‘shazam’ it was car myself, as it is the only way I can
with weekdays. Maybe it’s the fact that back in my workshop, up on axle stands. guarantee a perfect finish without any metal
as I write this I am coming down from the Good friend James Smith donned his stretching, which so often happens at the
superb week of VW shows that culminated overalls and helped pull the lump apart shot blasters. I have been doing two-hour
in the fantastic Hessisch Oldendorf. Our to search for the problem. A leak-down stints on the car over the past couple of
Bay Westfalia covered the 1000 plus test revealed that cylinders number one months with a pressurised sandblasting
mile journey without a hitch. A jolly good and two had only 60 per cent sealing. kit purchased from eBay. It cost only £80
spannering beforehand made sure the Further inspection revealed no damage delivered to my door and works an absolute
old girl was ship-shape and a good lube was present, only two heavily glazed treat. Naturally, I have painted the blasted
service ensured she purred like a kitten. bores, which were quickly remedied panels with a couple of coats of etch primer
Type 3s have held a special place in with a cylinder-honing tool. A strip-down to seal the otherwise vulnerable tin.
my heart since my mother bought a 1960s of the carbs and a quick rebuild later, Hopefully, in the not too distant future,
Squareback in her native country, Austria. the motor was tickety-boo. things will calm down a little work-wise
The year was 1977 and I remember it well A good deal of elbow grease was and I will be able to get stuck into the
because I spent a whole year going to required to bring back some life to the flat racecar a little more seriously. Good
school in a small village near Vienna in a paint. It is amazing how paint seems to mate, Mark Gosling, has signed up to help
twin sliding door Bay-window Bus. change hue the more it oxidises and it is build the racer, so hopefully things will
Anyway, back to the present. An quite satisfying to see the results as you be taking shape soon.
LEFT Blasting my racecar with my new £80 sandblasting kit from

eBay. Protective clothing is an absolute must. The results were
spot-on. BELOW Finally fitting Andy’s Deluxe with windows

Things to d
Mike Pye talks us through the basics o
Cost: 25
of rust repair, from the point of view each for t
he panels
Time taken
of saving money and having a go : about on
per side, p e day
yourself at home lus extra t
up the boo o make
t floor pan
DIY par t 5
Difficulty: 3 el
/5
Tools used
: See below
Restoration
The rear body mounts on a Beetle are hidden under the rear wings, but it should not be a case of out
of sight, out of mind. Read on to see why
I
f you’ve been following this series, you’ll
have realised that there is no end to the
potential rust traps in a Beetle. Well,
things don’t get any better this month.
Although the Beetle’s body is securely
bolted to the floorpan all the way around the
edge, there are a couple of other mounting
points at the front and rear that should not
be overlooked. If you remove a rear wheel
and put your head under either of the rear
wings, you’ll probably see a thick mass of
mud and underseal. Somewhere beneath
all this is a bolt going through a bracket and
into the rear chassis kick-ups.
Being a double skinned panel with a
bracket attached and right in the line of
fire of crud from the rear wheels means
that this critical area is a bad spot for rust
and the extent of the damage is not always
immediately obvious. There is no easy
way around it. You have to cut the rust out
but beware, the rear luggage space in a Tools
Beetle is behind where the panel becomes Angle grinder with cutting blades – buy
single skin. Make sure you remove all a box of the thinnest possible
carpet and flammable materials before (usually 1mm)
you start any work here. A large bolster chisel, a small cold chisel
and a large hammer
Hints and tips An electric drill
The repair panels available for this area Spot weld removing drill bits
are notoriously crude but can easily be ‘Clean ‘n’ strip’ discs
worked to fit nicely. Again, there will almost Abrasive flap wheels
certainly be some discrepancies between Large pliers or adjustable grips
repair panels and an original car, especially Finger grinder or Powerfile
around the upper shock mounting area Hacksaw blades
on earlier cars. How far you choose to Hammer and dolly
detail repairs for authenticity is up to you. MIG welder
The most important bit is to get the body
mounts lined up properly. You’ll most likely Safety equipment
need to jack up the rear of the bodyshell A decent pair of welding gauntlets
away from the ’pan to do this repair A clear plastic visor (cheap and much better
effectively (Don’t do it how we’ve done it in than goggles)
the photo above, though.). Ear defenders (optional)
Be sure to bolt the new mount to the
chassis, not forgetting new rubbers
(available from VW Heritage Parts) to check
for fit before you do any welding. Even if
you jack it up to complete the welding, put
a decent series of tacks in with the body
and ’pan bolted together first.
Always remember to work safely, keep
a fire extinguisher at hand at all times and
use secure axle stands to support the car.

Sponsored by Big Boys Toys www.bigboystoys-uk.com Tel: 0845 2300101
1 This is the area we’re concerned with in close-up, under the

nearside rear wing. Note evidence of nasty previous repairs around
the top of the bracket
2 First job is to undo the bolt that attaches the body to the chassis.
Use plenty of penetrating fluid and, if these shear, try heating the
shaft of the bolt to cherry red and twisting it out from underneath
3 Next job is to clean up the whole area. A hot air gun and scraper
make light work of underseal and reveal factory Sea Blue paint. It’ll
also enable you to see the extent of the rust
4 Repair panels are made way over-size. Offering it up allows you to
see how much panel you have to play with. Rot will most likely be
concentrated around the double-skinned seam
5 Looking from the inside, you can see that the rust has gone right
through the panel. It should be obvious now why we suggested
you take the carpets up first
6 If you are unsure how far to go, cut the rot out in stages, starting
with the double-skinned panel. Go carefully with the cutting disc
and keep checking where you are inside the car
7 Use a hammer and chisel to

cut through old spot welds to
keep more original metal intact
8 Then, when you have cut or
separated the metal all round,
remove this whole section in one
9 Looking from the outside, this is what you’ll be left with. You can
clearly see how little of the factory flange is left on the boot floor
panel and that the extent of the rust is greater in the inner wing panel

10 You should now be able to bolt the repair panel roughly into
place to check for fit. If you assess the extent of the inner wing
rot first, you’ll be able to cut the panel down to the appropriate size
11 Looking from the inside will
show you how far to cut.
Don’t be shy now
12 Once you’ve decided how
far to cut, scribe the shape
of the panel onto the inner wing
13 As you can see, the scribed area is far larger than the initial
piece we cut out, but it is well past the extent of the rot. The
horizontal cut in the centre is the top of the boot floor flange that you
14 Keep any original flanges in
place for reference. Grind 15 This flange gives a point
for the new panel to sit
the spot welds and you’ll be able against. Clean up what remains
want to keep, so be careful not to cut through this to peel off the remains easily and hammer and dolly it straight
16 Similarly, the flange that meets the new crossmember sections

we fitted last month. Always clean out any rust on the insides of
these areas and ideally treat with weld-through primer at this stage
17 Trim down the new panel to meet the hole you’ve made, making
sure to bolt it in place each time for reference. Don’t be afraid to
use a hammer to get it to fit tightly, particularly into the curve
18 Then weld. As always, make a few tacks first with the panel
bolted in place, then seam weld it all the way around, working
from one end to the other to minimise warpage
19 Here’s what it should look like from the inside. Note: we have
not welded the panel to the boot floor flange at this stage, but
merely used it as a reference point to get the panel in the right place

Sponsored by Big Boys Toys www.bigboystoys-uk.com Tel: 0845 2300101
20 Some careful detailing with

the Powerfile and the weld
will be invisible from the outside
21 Obviously, we’re not going to leave that rusty flange area, but
the only repair panels available are complete boot floors. The
alternative is to make your own, starting with half a Weetabix packet
22 A scribe is handy for tracing
shapes into the card. The
important thing is to be accurate
23 Take your time and you should end up with an exact cardboard
template of the piece you want to make. Once you’re happy,
trace around it and cut the old metal out neatly
24 Transfer the shape onto a piece of fresh steel, cut it out and
bend to shape. You’ll be amazed what you can achieve with
very simple tools. Just be patient and keep trying the panel for fit
25 Now you can see why we didn’t weld to the original factory
flanges on the inside. Replacing them like this makes a far
stronger repair and keeps the car looking original
26 Hammer and dolly the new flange tight up against the back of
the new body mount panel and then weld it into place, working
up and down the panel a little bit at a time
27 Some careful grinding and the join to the main boot floor should
be invisible. The series of pie cuts in the top edge of the new
panel enabled us to dimple the metal to replicate the factory shape
28 Lastly, weld all the panels together where they meet the new
crossmember and the new body mount. Weld this up tight and
get plenty of seam sealer across the join afterwards, just like VW did it
Next month, rear quarter panel repairs

VolksWorld - 2005 Issue 10 September

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100s of Volkswagens for sale inside and online

We travel to one of the

4 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

Ed Assistant Carol Linﬁeld

p72 Marketing Manager

been given the works. Contributors

Publisher Gavin de Carle

www.volksworld.com September 2005 5

Words: Matt Keene Pics: Dan Pullen

6 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

www.volksworld.com September 2005 7

8 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

www.volksworld.com September 2005 9

10 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

www.volksworld.com September 2005 11

Safety ﬁrst Father’s love

14 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

Half price That’s the spirit

letter of the month Good advice

To subscribe, call the order hotline now on:

0845 676 7778

www.volksworld.com September 2005 15

Get well soon, Pistol Pete Type 4 1800

events Visit www.volksworld.com for this year’s full show listing

VW ACTION Vanfest 2nd Beetle Summer National Finals (VWDRC)

16 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

New in for Newbury

EMPI Horn push

18 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

www.volksworld.com September 2005 19

22 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

24 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

www.volksworld.com September 2005 25

FAR RIGHT In 1980

26 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

LEFT Front of house display was breathtaking, as usual

Speed is BELOW Once in a lifetime opportunity to see legendary Porsche racecars

Billed as the world’s biggest celebration of the

BELOW Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ hosts some of

RIGHT Wild Datsun 240Z circuit racer

30 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

34 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

36 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

www.volksworld.com September 2005 37

www.volksworld.com September 2005 41

42 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

www.volksworld.com September 2005 43

FAR LEFT Purposeful looking Baja

46 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

ABOVE The engine in this Bug was one of the

www.volksworld.com September 2005 47

LEFT Buggy fans out in the

48 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

LEFT Part of the allure

ABOVE We spent ages

www.volksworld.com September 2005 49

30th bir thday

BELOW LEFT Bernie

50 September 2005 www.volksworld.com

VW Action Top 10 (Sunday)