2023 - Hot VWs Magazine

On the cover: On the cover: Mary Kaye started driving her Beetle in... 1966! (Photo: Shin Watanabe)

ELECTRIFIED DREAM
Being deeply immersed in the history and culture of restoring and sailing classic wooden ships, Billy Wolf has developed a certain aesthetic as to what appeals to his eye and soul. When it came time to recapture the adventure and excitement of his previously cherished Samba, Billy had something very special in mind.

THE TIME CAPSULE
A True Survivor & Original Owner. We can bet most of you remember the first vehicle you drove or owned, especially if it was a Volkswagen. In fact, haven’t you ever wished you had never let go of that first VW? Furthermore, how many of you purchased a brand-new VW and still own it today? Mary Kaye (Leath) Engelskirger is one of them – she picked up a fresh Beetle from the dealership in 1966.

BUGORAMA #89     
Since 1978, the Sacramento Bugorama has been held twice a year, during Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The 45th year and 89th event saw a massive turnout, showing that it remains one of the most popular VW events in California. Participants and spectators spent two days enjoying action-packed drag racing, a huge car show, and parts hunting in one of the nation’s largest VW swap meets.

SACRÉBLUE !
A hardcore fan of Southern California’s Der Kleiner Panzers club, Jérôme Garcia took time to complete his 1967 Cal Look Bug, though the road was filled with obstacles. The French enthusiast ultimately completed the project car of his dreams, thanks to the help of a caring group of friends, especially one close to his heart – his father.  

BUGGY WONDER YEARS
Unearthing hundreds of 1960s/early ’70s slides in our archives reminded us how rich the dune buggy scene was at the time, with many models copying the ubiquitous Meyers Manx. But not all. Take the Vaquero, which featured an interesting though rather diminutive design…

SPRING PICNIC & CAMPOUT
900 VWs Spent Unforgettable Three Nights Together. Ryan Ousley of the Orange Empire Bus Company has done it again! He hosted one of the most popular and beloved campout and car show events in Southern California. Ryan and his team brought a wonderful weekend and plenty of smiles to VW enthusiasts. The 23rd Annual Spring Picnic and Campout witnessed a massive turnout, with 900 VWs camping together over three days and nights.

VANTASTIC VOYAGE
Penned by designer Curtis Brubaker, the futuristic Brubaker Box amazed the crowd when unveiled in 1972 – and still does over half a century later. Randy Carlson recently managed to find one of these elusive low-production vans and went to restore it in a very ’70s fashion!

SEATTLE SUCCESS
The Seattle Vintage Meet returned triumphantly to the grounds of Shoreline Community College located in Shoreline, Washington. The event marked its 39th showing, after being put on hold for two years due to the pandemic. Despite a number of obstacles, the club put on one heck of an event with a fantastic turnout on a picture perfect day.

TECH ALERT #69
Once you’ve bought all the VW specialty tools you think you’ll ever need, there will always arise an occasion when you can’t get something done. Let’s take a look inside the author’s bin of homemade tools!

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On the cover: On the cover: Cruising the back roads of America, Mike Russell’s perfect ‘64 Notch. (Photo: Chadly Johnson)

GOTTA BE A ’50
Cars built by German Folks Klub members keep on getting better… and older. This is the story of one of their latest rides, Donnie Howard’s genuine 1950 Ragtop, a powerful ground-scraper finished to the highest level and laden with rare accessories.

A DREAM COME TRUE!
Following a U.S.-based German Folks Klub Bug (see previous article), how about another GFK rarity from... the Netherlands? Richard Krom is making waves in the European VW scene, being heavily influenced by the VW culture some 5,600 miles away in California. He especially fell in love with the iconic German Folks Klub based in So-Cal, 15 years ago – the group inspired him to build a mega-detailed Beetle. Richard has since become the first official member of the club’s Dutch chapter.

THE AMAZING AUTOMOTIVE ART OF STEVE STANFORD!     
The always imaginative Steve Stanford has been treating hotVWs magazine readers to fantastic drawings for 25 years. Recently, we hooked up with Steve to see what new VW art he had created. This visit also allowed us to ask him about his remarkable journey within the car world. 

BUGGY WONDER YEARS Part 7
The stack of color slides from the 1960s/early ’70s uncovered in our archives have brought out some gems, most of them revolving around dune buggies. While many of the latter were destined for dirt roads, others enjoyed the limelight of indoor car shows. Such was the case of the distinctive Bugs Buggy, penned by famous automotive designer Harry Bradley.  

A NOTCH ABOVE!
A lifetime of dreaming of the perfect Volkswagen. The concept, style, color, stance and other details trapped in the head of each dreamer. As car lovers, we all have them, but few are fortunate enough to make theirs a reality. Nonetheless, all are held closely on the off chance that their dreams can become reality.

SILVERADO CAMPOUT 2023
Silverado is a 3-day event with numerous enjoyable activities open to campers and swappers from Friday to Sunday. Additionally, there is a VW car show on Sunday as well. The venue exudes a serene, national park-like atmosphere on a private property in Southern California. Upon entering the park, you will immediately feel disconnected from the “real world”. 

HOT ROD 36HP MOTOR V2.0 FINALE
In last month’s article, we showed you that my 1488cc, 36-horsepower hot rod V2.0 motor was finally installed back in my ’58 Bug, and mated with a newly built tunnel case transmission. The engine oil and transmission fluid have now been filled up, the fuel line hooked up, and the accelerator and clutch cables connected to the drivetrain. It should be ready to roll back onto the street. Let’s see how it runs!

KELLEY PARK WEEKEND
This event weekend is a must-have on all VW enthusiasts’ bucket list. The Golden Gate Chapter of the Vintage Volkswagen Club of America (GGCVWCA) presents the Annual Spring Meet at History San Jose (aka the Kelley Park Show), which is a one-of-a-kind VW meet you don’t want to miss. The 38th edition enjoyed a huge turnout.

VOLKSFEST CURITIBA, BRAZIL
Traveling for over 25 years to Brazil, I have been visiting suppliers and, in the last couple of years, customers alike. I love the coffee, the meat, and the warm, big-hearted people with their generous hospitality. However, I have never had the chance to attend one of their incredible Volkswagen festivals, of which they have several.

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A NOT-SO-TAME STOCKER!
Heavily involved in the VW drag racing scene over three decades ago, brothers Nick and Danny Romero took a break from Vee Dubs in 2003. Yet their itch to return playing with air-cooled toys proved too strong to resist, hence they recently went to work on Nick’s ’64 sedan, a car bound to become a tame stocker. Well, plans changed along the way…

MOAB BUS ADVENTURE!
Twice a year, VWs from around the Southwest converge in Moab, Utah, for a campout and tour put on by Lin and Sonny Ottinger. Lin Ottinger, now 95, has been an icon in Moab for decades.

BUGGY WONDER YEARS
In case you missed the latest hotVWs issues (you should subscribe, ya know?), we have been digging into a forgotten box of high-quality color slides from the 1960s and early ’70s, most featuring dune buggies. This month’s focus is on the good-looking, street rod-inspired Berry Mini-T. 

THE CAVE REVEAL
Many European VW enthusiasts probably know about him, and maybe some in the USA too. Walter Jelinek of The Bug Box in Germany, whom we highlight in this Cave Reveal feature, used to run one of the most upscale VW shops in Europe and built numerous magazine-featured VWs, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s. He is still renowned as one of the top builders in the world. However, he now enjoys a slower VW life, residing in the beautiful small town of Weiden in der Oberpfalz, located in the eastern part of Germany, along with his perfect Vee-Dub man cave.  

THE OVERLANDER
After years of seeing the shell of an 11-window Bus sitting on railroad ties outside a Utah storage building, Jason Smurthwaite would ultimately parlay restoration of the owner’s 1970 camper in trade for the 1965 body. This would lead him down the path of not only owning his first Split Window Bus, but also building a tribute to the family who once owned it.

COMING TO AMERICA!
Volkswagen’s new electric vehicle, the ID. Buzz has arrived in America, carrying forward the DNA of one of the greatest automotive icons ever—the VW Bus—into the era of electric mobility. To celebrate this milestone, 300 VW Buses gathered in Huntington Beach, California, unveiling the longer wheelbase version of the US-market ID. Buzz. 

FROM FLOWER POWER TO ELECTRIC POWER
Many hotVWs readers will recognize the name Steve Stanford, whose art has been gracing our pages since the 1990s. It’s been a while since we last featured his work, hence we recently asked him to sketch a new piece, based on VW’s latest offering – the ID. Buzz!

HOT ROD 36HP MOTOR V2.O PART 6
In our last installment, we showed you the process of completing the long-block engine. Finally, we fired up my 1488cc 36-horse hot rod V2.0 motor. However, we encountered a small mishap during the installation of the oil pump, resulting in a significant problem—no oil pressure. Fortunately, we promptly corrected the error, ensuring proper oil pressure. It started immediately, emitting a very healthy sound. Now, we are prepared to reinstall the engine into my ’58 Bug.

HOTVWS DRAG DAY
Since Rich Kimball of Periscope Enterprises brought the HotVWs Drag Day back to Southern California in 2002, the tradition continues with the event attracting a massive crowd. The action-packed drag race, car show, and swap meet are always certain to entertain VW fans from all over the nation.
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On the cover :Chef and social media influ- encer Aaron Brown got a Bug – and a fast one too! (Photo: Heather Nickles)

IT’S SMOKIN’!
FROM SMOKIN’ AND GRILLIN’ ON HIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO SMOKIN’ TIRES ON THE TRACK, AARON BROWN (“SMOKIN’ AND GRILLIN’ WITH AB” ON YOUTUBE) IS ENJOYING PLAYING WITH THE BIG DOGS IN HIS 5-SECOND DRAG BUG.

THE LONG ROAD AHEAD
THE SIGHT WASN'T PRETTY. PICTURE A VW BUS USED AS STORAGE UNIT, FILLED WITH ITEMS READY TO BE RECYCLED. BUT TEXAS-RESIDENT JOSH HATTON HAD A VISION. HE ENDED UP TURNING THIS “RECYCLE BIN” OF SORTS INTO QUITE A SHOW STOPPER, THANKS TO COOL DETAILS SUCH AS A BAMBOO-COVERED INTERIOR.

FROM DOWN UNDER
LAST MONTH, WE SHOWCASED A RARE SEMI-KNOCKED DOWN (SKD) VEHICLE, A 1958 KARMANN GHIA CALLED MONTAGE SUISSE, ASSEMBLED IN SWITZERLAND. IN THIS ISSUE, WE HAVE ANOTHER EXCEPTIONALLY RARE EXAM- PLE OF A CAR PUT TOGETHER OUTSIDE OF GERMANY, A COMPLETELY KNOCKED DOWN (CKD) VEHICLE FROM AUSTRALIA.

THE LAST RIDE FOR WILD HORSE
THE BUGORAMA IN PHOENIX HAS BEEN A STAPLE OF THE ARIZONA SHOW SCENE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME, BUT IT SEEMS IT MAY BE RIDING OFF INTO THE SUNSET. THIS YEAR’S EVENT WAS BITTER- SWEET, WITH IT RUMORED TO BE THE LAST EVENT, AT LEAST AT THE LOCATION IT HAS USED FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

BUGGY WONDER YEARS
Countless companies surfed on the dune buggy wave during the 1960s, with one of the most prominent being the aptly named Dune Buggy Enterprises. In this fifth installment featuring our treasure trove of 1960s and early ’70s color slides, we take a look at this manufacturer’s extensive line of vehicles, which had something for – almost – anyone.


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On the cover: A very rare Ghia! Paul Smet’s ‘59 coupe, assembled in Switzerland! (Photo: Shin Watanabe)

VINTAGE SPECIAL

TWO EXTRAORDINARY UNOFFICIAL VWS
Created by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, the Volkswagen Beetle had a chassis that combined an advanced torsion bar suspension and an air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine mounted in the rear. Some German coach-builders found the vehicle to have great potential, especially the fact that the body could be easily separated from the chassis/drivetrain. Introducing two of these coachbuilt cars.

AUSTRIAN POLIZEI CABRIOLET
Vehicles used for public service or by government officials have often had a difficult life due to their daily use, leading to high mileage. Even well-kept and maintained cars usually ended up in wrecking yards, thereby being rarely handed to car enthusiasts. Take this police vehicle for instance – no one seemed interested in it except the current owner’s grandfather.

A SWISS MADE LOWLIGHT
HotVWs magazine has featured its fair share of pre-1960 Karmann Ghia (aka “Lowlights”) during its 55 years of publication. However, this is the very first time we highlight the unique model featured here, which even hardcore VW enthusiasts may not know about.

DOUBLE STANDARDS
Among the already rare Split Window Beetle models, Standards remain the most unusual, especially in the United States. Imagine our surprise, when we found a pair of them painted L21 Pearl Grey residing in the same region. Better yet,these two 1951 examples are entirely original, unrestored and feature some great patina.

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On the cover : Photographed in 1969 and found in our archives, the most unusual Bandido buggy.

BUGGY WONDER YEARS PART 3
In our April 2023 issue, we told you about the hundreds of color slides from the 1960s and early ’70s, which we uncovered in our archives – most photos feature dune buggies. Time to dig further into this forgotten filing box... This month, we take a look at the unusually styled Bandido.

THE BEST OF SHOW!
SPLIT WINDOW-ERA TYPE 15 KARMANN CABRIOLETS REMAIN SOME OF THE RAREST AIR-COOLED VWS IN THE WORLD TODAY. HOW RARE? WELL, THE NUMBER OF SURVIVING EXAMPLES MIGHT BE LOWER THAN THE HEBMÜLLER CABRIOLET’S COUNT. THIS MONTH, WE ARE PLEASED TO HIGHLIGHT A 1952 MODEL, ONE OF THE 4,763 PRODUCTIONS THAT ROLLED OFF KARMANN’S FACTORY THAT YEAR.

TRANSPORTERS AT AMELIA ISLAND
VOLKSWAGEN’S ORIGINAL TYPE 2 TRANSPORTER TOOK CENTER STAGE THIS PAST MARCH AT ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS COLLECTOR CAR EVENTS IN THE WORLD, THE AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE IN FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA.

PANEL NO MORE
AFTER BUILDING AND SELLING HIS FIRST “DREAM BUS”,JOEMCRAE–THEOWNEROFRUSTOLOGY GARAGE – WAS LOOKING FOR A QUICK AND EASY BUILD TO DRIVE AROUND WHILE WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS. A FRIEND IN LAS VEGAS TOLD HIM OF A PANEL BUS AVAILABLE, AND A DEAL WAS MADE. NOW JUST ONE YEAR AND A FEW CUTS LATER, JOE IS BACK WITH THIS SHOW-STOPPING 21-WINDOW STUNNER!

THE RAREST PEARL
Volkswagen knew it needed a more modern model series by the late-1950s. A burned-out building in Wolfsburg was secretly renovated for the development of this series. It needed a 1500cc engine and more space for luggage and passengers, so a three-compart- ment design was created. The Type 3 series was introduced in September 1961 at the Frankfurt Auto Show.


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On the cover : Jason Field’s subtle custom ‘55. (Photo: Chadly Johnson)

A RARE AIR RAGTOP!
Jason Fields purchased the shell of a late ’55 Oval Window. The once plane jane sedan now sports a ragtop, semaphores, and crotch coolers. Jason not only installed these rare options, but he also manufactured most of them.

BUSES BY THE BRIDGE XXVI
Setting off the new year in a style as only they can, the London Bridge Bullis host over 500 Buses for the annual gathering known as Buses By the Bridge in beautiful Lake Havasu City, Arizona. As one of the largest VW Bus-only camping events in the country, enthusiasts from across the nation journey to the small desert oasis, home of the famous London Bridge.

THE 30-YEAR COUPE
Initially purchased in 1991, this 1959 Karmann Ghia was packed with parts and rolled into a storage unit, not to emerge until 2017. That’s when Steve Richardson finally decided it was time to give this coupe the attention it deserved.

SPECIAL MODEL #16
THE TRUCK FEATURED WITHIN THESE PAGES IS ONE OF THE RAREST VW MODELS. YES, IT LOOKS LIKE AN ORDINARY CREW CAB, THUS EXPLAIN- ING WHY FEW FOLKS KNOW ABOUT THIS COACHBUILT PIECE: A PRE-VW FACTORY-ASSEMBLED TRUCK CALLED BINZ DOUBLE CAB. BINZ GMBH & CO HANDLED THE CONVERSION, BASED ON SINGLE CAB BODIES CONVERTED INTO A DOUBLE CABS. PRODUCTION COUNT IS ABOUT 550, I.E., LESS THAN HEBMÜLLER’S 2-SEATER CABRIOLET PRODUCTION FIGURE. LET’S SEE WHAT’S SO UNIQUE ABOUT THE VEHICLE, COMPARED TO THE VW FACTORY-PRODUCED DOUBLE CAB.

FAST4CARTEL FALL BRAWL 4
THE CARTEL RETURNED TO THE HISTORIC REDDING DRAGSTRIP FOR A SECOND TIME IN 2022, BRINGING WITH IT THE LARGEST SHOWING OF VWS THEY HAVE EVER HAD AT ONE SINGLE EVENT.


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On the cover : The awesome Kiddieland Fire Trucks! (Photo: Shin Watanabe)

THE KIDDIELAND FIRE TRUCKS
The “working class” models of the VW Transporter line, since their release, have been used to haul all levels of business assets. Tall versions for nurseries and clothes cleaners, wide bed models for large items, and even special adaptations for medical use and even firefighting. These serious-minded creations have all been built to do the job that needs to be done, and the Volkswagen basis underneath them did just that.

DUNE BUGGY LEGACY
DUNE BUGGIES PLAYED AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN DEFINING HOTVWS MAGAZINE DURING THE 1960S. MANY OF THESE FIBER- GLASS CREATIONS GRACED OUR PAGES BACK THEN, THOUGH READERS MADE DO WITH BLACK AND WHITE PICTURES. DECADES LATER, WE OFTEN WONDERED HOW THESE IMAGES LOOKED IN COLOR – UNTIL WE FOUND HUNDREDS OF THEM IN A FILING BOX. IT WAS A MAGICAL MOMENT.

GO NARDO!
IN 1985, ANTHONY BELL CHOSE HIS FIRST VOLKSWAGEN FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON – HE SIMPLY WANTED AN AFFORDABLE “A-TO-B TRANSPORTATION” WITH GOOD GAS MILEAGE. HOWEVER, HE QUICKLY DISCOVERED THE PURE JOY OF DRIVING A VW AND BEING ABLE TO TINKER AROUND WITH IT, LEADING TO HIS 4-DECADE- LONG INVOLVEMENT IN OUR SCENE.

ABURATSUBO VW SHOW & SHINE
HOSTED BY HOTVWS MAGAZINE’S PUBLISHER SHIN MUKAI, THE INAUGURAL ABURATSUBO VW SHOW & SHINE CATERED TO VOLKSWAGEN FANS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE. IT PROVIDED A CAMPOUT, A SHOW & SHINE, A SWAP MEET, LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES, A HULA DANCE SHOW, AND MANY OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES IN A UNIQUE LOCATION – A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE FOR THE JAPANESE VW SCENE.

HOT ROD 36HP MOTOR V2.0
Last month, we showed you the process of taking my 1397cc 36-horse hot rod V1.0 motor apart. After inspection, we gladly discovered that the components were in good shape – nothing was wrong with the engine. Then, we mocked up the new 74mm stroker crankshaft, AA Performance H-beam rods, and smaller base camshaft. But before starting the assem- bly, we still had another important step: getting the parts balanced.


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On the cover : EMPI & Meyers Manx dream project Buggy (Photo: EMPI)

DREAM TEAM BUGGY
If you read Dune Buggies and hotVWs Maga- zine or own a classic Volkswagen, the name EMPI will no doubt ring a bell. Yet how many of you expected EMPI to build a Manx buggy and showcase it at the SEMA Show? Without a doubt, it was a major surprise within our scene in 2022!

YOKOHAMA HOT ROD CUSTOM SHOW
AFTER A THREE-YEAR HIATUS DUE TO PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS, THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY MOONEYES YOKOHAMA HOT ROD CUSTOM SHOW RETURNED AS A PREMIER INDOOR EVENT. IT ATTRACTED OVER 20,000 CUSTOM CAR AND MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, EAGER TO SEE SOME FANTASTIC CARS, INCLUDING A SPECIAL DISPLAY OF VWS SPONSORED BY FLAT4.

TOPLESS ’66
THE YEAR WAS 1986. FERNANDO RAMOS’ COUSIN HAD JUST PURCHASED A 1966 BUG THAT HE WAS CRUISING ALL AROUND TOWN. FERNANDO WAS ONLY 16 AT THE TIME, BUT AFTER TAKING A COUPLE OF RIDES IN IT, HE WAS ALREADY HOOKED. THE STYLE, THE RIDE, THE UNIQUENESS ALL PLAYED A ROLE IN THIS NEW FOUND OBSESSION. HERE IS FERNANDO’S LATEST CREATION, A ‘66 ROOF-LESS BEETLE.

SHAKA! VW WEEKEND
AFTER A TWO-YEAR HIATUS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THE VW CLUB OF HAWAII FINALLY GOT THE GREEN LIGHT TO BRING BACK HAWAII’S “HAPPIEST VW WEEK” IN 2022. THE 20TH ANNUAL SHAKA WEEKEND MADE HISTORY, AS THE CLUB FILLED THE ICONIC ALOHA STADIUM WITH HUNDREDS OF VWS AND BID FAREWELL TO THIS LOCAL LANDMARK, WHICH WILL BE TORN DOWN IN 2023.

STRIKING GOLIATH
NOTCHBACK STYLING, DETAILS REMINISCENT OF OTHER VINTAGE VOLKSWAGENS... CONFUSED? TO BE CLEAR, THESE TWO AUTOMOBILES BUILT IN 1957 CAME FROM A GERMAN MANUFACTURER CALLED GOLIATH. BUT ADAPTING COMPLETE VW BEETLE UNDERPINNINGS GAVE A NEW LEASE ON LIFE TO THIS DUO, COURTESY OF UTAH-RESIDENTS MITCHELL FULLER AND HIS DAD BOYD!


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On the cover : Olivier Boggio’s 219hp Ragtop, shot on the French Riviera. (Photo: Kiki Bois)

THE MAGNIFICENT ‘67
Some Volkswagen enthusiasts get deeply attached to certain air-cooled models. Take DKK club member Darrin Dugan who has only owned Cal Look ’67s since the 1980s. Here is his latest project car, a superbly finished sedan equipped with a furious 227-horse 2386cc motor!

PICTURE THE PAST ‘75-’89
For this California Look-oriented issue, we went digging through hotVWs Magazine’s extensive archives for photos related to the topic. Boy, did we find some gems! Our selection, which covers the 1970s and ’80s, shows the fast evolution of the style, influenced by technology, fashion, and custom trends.

THE RED ALERT ‘63
Living on the French Riviera where you typically need a fancy Italian supercar to impress the crowd, Olivier Boggio chose a different and seemingly humbler route with his 219-horsepower ’63 Ragtop. And locals absolutely love it.

2022 SEMA SHOW
WELL, THE DUST HAS SETTLED ON SEMA (SPECIALITY EQUIPMENT MARKET ASSOCIATION), THE BUILDINGS ARE EMPTY, AND THE BOOTHS ARE PACKAGED AND READY TO BE SHIPPED BACK TO THE DESIGNATED COMPANIES THAT DISPLAYED FOR FOUR DAYS AT THE LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER.

EL SAPO!
BORN AND RAISED IN MADERA, CALIFORNIA, FRED ESPINOZA GREW UP WITH CLASSIC AMERICAN CARS AND TRUCKS AS HIS PARENTS ALWAYS OWNED DOMESTIC CARS – HE STILL DRIVES AND WRENCHES ON A V8 TRUCK TODAY. BUT WHEN TURNING 28 YEARS OLD, HE GOT HOOKED ON A LITTLE CAR FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE...


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On the cover : Rally-ready... or possibly an outing along a Hawaiian beach ! (Photo: Shin Watanabe)

HOT VWS HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you “be of good cheer”... The 2022 Holiday Season is around the corner! Are you looking for a holiday gift? Let us assist you! Here is our selection of a variety of VW-related, fun gift items for our Vee-Dub friends and their family!

ISLAND SCORCHER
LIVING ON O’AHU ISLAND, HAWAII. A FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN. A HAPPY HUSBAND FOR 18 YEARS. AND DRIVING AN AIR-COOLED VOLKSWAGEN... SANG KIM IS ALL THAT. HIS INTEREST IN VOLKSWAGENS STEMS FROM WATCHING HERBIE IN “THE LOVE BUG” MOVIE. HE THEN TOOK A LIKING FOR A WORLD-FAMOUS VW RALLY CAR, THE SALZBURG RALLY 1303S BEETLE, WHICH INSPIRED HIM TO OWN THIS RALLY-STYLE 1966 SEDAN TODAY.

THE EUROPEAN BUG-IN 9
HAVE YOU EVER DREAMED YOU COULD FLASH BACK TO THE VOLKSWAGEN SCENE’S 1970S AND ’80S GOLDEN ERA? IF YOU DID, WHICH OLD VW EVENT WOULD YOU WANT TO ATTEND? I AM SURE MANY OF YOU WOULD PICK THE BUG-IN HELD AT ORANGE COUNTY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY UNTIL 1983. WELL, OCIR HAS BEEN LONG GONE, BUT THERE IS ONE MEET THAT OFFERS ALMOST THE SAME ATMOSPHERE AS WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED IN CALIFORNIA BACK IN THE DAY.

THE BBT OPEN HOUSE & CONVOY
WHEN YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT EUROPE TO ATTEND A PREMIER VINTAGE MEET IN GERMANY, THIS IS WHERE YOU MIGHT START YOUR JOURNEY. ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE SUPPORTERS OF OUR HOBBY, BBT IS LOCATED NEAR ANTWERP, BELGIUM. THE COMPANY HOSTS AN OPEN HOUSE AND CONVOY PRIOR TO GERMANY’S INTERNATIONAL VINTAGE VOLKSWAGEN SHOW IN HESSISCH OLDENDORF.

A TRANSFORMED TRANSPORTER
IT'S EASY TO FORGET THAT TODAY’S HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER AIR-COOLED VWS WHICH ARE BEING RESTORED AND CHERISHED WERE ONCE JUST DAILY DRIVER CARS, OFTEN DISCARDED AFTER THEIR USEFUL YEARS WERE BEHIND THEM. SUCH WAS THE CASE FOR ERIK THORSEN’S GORGEOUS ’60 DOUBLE CAB.


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