Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2022 i dune buggies and hotVWs

A couple of months ago, we used this column to discuss the game plan of the biggest VW event week held in Southern California: the So Cal VW Week in June. We listed all the major events and mentioned the location change of the Blackstar Campout and El Prado Show. However, we need to make a few adjustments this month, since there are some schedule changes due to an additional event joining the program. The exciting news came to us a few weeks ago: Bugorama Promotions decided to bring The Classic back this year. So, we will now have eight Volkswagen events lined up between the 3rd and 19th of June. You can bet it will be huge again – the biggest VW week in the World is getting even…

GTV-2 Cylinder Head Featuring Manley Valves EMPI GTV-2 Cylinder Heads feature machined intake ports, exhaust ports and combustion chambers to precisely increase flow. All EMPI ported performance heads are assembled by hand in EMPI’s machine shop in Anaheim, California and loaded with Manley single-groove valves and finished with US-sourced seats, guides and springs to handle more horsepower. The GTV-2 Cylinder Head NHRA Legal Oil Pan Containment System Mandated by NHRA and all VW sanctioning bodies in 2022. Prevent the accidental oil down from occurring. Designed to bolt easily to existing frame horn bolts or slip fit on to RLR wheelie bars. Tig welded .063 aluminum. Complete with RLR oil absorbent mat and hardware kit. For more information, visit Ronlummusracing.com. Rally Series Speedometer & Tach Combo Gauge New Rally Series gauge…

BACK FROM THE GRAVE THE ARONSON/HOLMES LOOKER IS BACK TO ITS FULL 1975 GLORY! It was the front cover car that became the launching point for an entire industry. Up to 1975, the face of the VW street scene was primarily wrapped around wide fenders and oversized tires, but once the readers saw the new images displayed in the February 1975 issue, so much began to change. Within those famous pages there was even a blueprint of what made that white 1963 sunroof look different, thanks to creative minds of Burly Burlile and Lane Evans. So who started all this? The quick answer is Greg Aronson. Then Jim Holmes purchased the VW and continued to change it until the car was ultimately sold again in 1977. The longer answer should…

The Solex 30/31 by Brosol of Brazil is one of the best choices for a stock VW. It has it’s quirks and special needs, but nothing that can’t be adjusted or cured by careful rebuilding. While many mechanics claim to have the magic formula for making the (smog-era) 34 PICT-3 carb run properly, I have found that they give spotty results at best. Furthermore, if you should get a fairly good example, it will only run well with the stock “dual vacuum” distributor. The 30/31 PICT on the other hand is a very adaptable carb, and will work with almost any type of distributor. With a little re-jetting of the carb for use on dual-port engines, it solves all the running problems associated with the 34 PICT-3. (Like hesitation, poor…

One of the common threads that seem to tie car people together are the stories of the ones that got away. Whether it be a car that someone sold and regrets or the ones we had a chance to buy but somehow lost out. They leave a hole in our hearts and minds that seem to stick with us forever. For me, there are many cars that I have owned in the past that I would love to have back. My first VW to make it in a magazine, my 1962 Double Cab, is one I would love to have back, even though its condition and restoration is something that I would be embarrassed by today. It was nice enough to win many awards and even get a full magazine…

The story of the VW Transporter started with the simple sketch by Dutch VW importer Ben Pon. The inspiration for Ben’s sketch was a vehicle that he saw at the factory, the “Plattenwagen”. This was a simple flatbed transport used in the factory that had been made from a modified Beetle floor pan. Now, a couple years into the production, VW had four models of Transporters, and they decided to add a radically different model, which was actually somewhat like that first inspiration for the transporter. Introduced in August 1952 was the VW Pritschenwagen, or as most of us know it, the “Single Cab” pickup truck. It didn’t get the name “Single Cab” until later though, because the “Double Cab” was still years away, and for us, months away in…

In this month’s article, I’ll be talking about axle boots for IRS. Most of you know what an axle boot is, but for those of you who do not, this is the boot that goes around the axle tube on a swing axle transmission or around the axle and CV of an IRS transmission. Last month, we discussed about axle boots to swing axle. If you have a 1968 and later Bus, 1969 and later Bug, Ghia, Type 3, or 1973-1974 Thing, you have IRS. IRS folks, now, it’s your turn. IRS stands for independent rear suspension, NOT your favorite uncle Sam. With these, you have two pivot points on each side, so two boots on each side of the car. The axle is open. In other words, when the…

Congratulations to the happy-few who displayed their amazing VWs during “A Gathering of Hot VWs”, a special exhibit presented by EMPI during the Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS). You guys were part of an historical moment that will never be forgotten. You might say that “air-cooled VW power” had a massive impact not only on Volkswagen fans, but also on the hot rod and custom audience worldwide. 104 HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT VWS GATHERED IN BUILDING #9 The Grand National Roadster Show is an indoor event that started in 1950 in Oakland, California. This is the oldest and longest continuously operating exhibition of custom vehicles in the United States. For over seven decades, the show’s grand prize called “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” (AMBR) has arguably been the most wanted award in the…

ANDREWKREMERSAND PATDOWNS TAKE FLIGHTINTHE HEAVYCLASSATSAMOA Why else would racers and fans drive from out of state and piece together highway routes due to wildfires and highway closures, just to get to Samoa Drag-strip? The answer is simple: Because they are a part of one of the coolest VW racing communities on the West Coast. Not only is it a great drag racing event, with big payouts (we’re talking $10-15k total depending on event) but you truly get the sense of family. Staff and organizers alike greet you with the warmth of an old friend, happy to have you be a part of the experience. HAWAIIAN HOSPITALITY One of the family-like attributes to this event is what’s lovingly referred to as the Kinney Cafeteria. Tom and Sherri Kinney, owners of California…

VW drag racing has thrived and been part of the Volkswagen scene for almost 60 years. Since the early ’60s, someone has been racing a Beetle! Everything from bracket racing and VW event classes to competing in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) championship. I have raced over this same time period for about 50 years and have noticed a number of changes affecting the VW drag racers. First, I would like to talk about the National Hot Rod Association and the changes they have made. Originally. if you wanted to race a Volkswagen with the NHRA, you had a choice of two different gasser classes: H/Gas or I/ Gas. These were weight-to-cubic-inch-based classes. They were in a division called Modified Eliminator composed of street-type or “door slammers” of many…

The world premiere of the ID. BUZZ concept car at the Detroit International Auto Show in January 2017 triggered a sensational response around the globe. The positive feedback made only one decision possible: the concept car had to go into production. Volkswagen is activating the countdown for a double world premiered on March 9th, the all-electric Bus will be unveiled as the ID. Buzz (5-seater) and Buzz Cargo (van). Right now, the pre-production fleet is touring Europe. Kai Grünitz, Head of Vehicle Development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, says: “Before we start full production of the ID. Buzz, these final trials with vehicles that are virtually identical to the ultimate full-production specification provide us with indispensable input for the final vehicles.” MEB CONCEPT ENABLES HIGH DEGREE OF AGILITY The new model…

For the 72nd edition of the Grand National Roadster Show, it was an honor for us that promoters picked air-cooled Volkswagens to fill the Feature Building, thanks to a special exhibit called “A Gathering of Hot VWs”. This means a lot to the Volkswagen industry/community. We therefore became part of the world’s most prestigious hot rod/custom car show, the Grand National Roadster Show. These posters were used for advertising in hotVWs Magazine in 2020-2021.…

Richard’s interest in VWs began as a teenager, thanks to a few VWs. He also helped fixing his dad’s own Volkswagens. Yet another reason got him involved in the scene: he met Leilani, who always wanted to drive around the beautiful island with classic VWs. They later got a Coral Red 1957 “Baby window” (that’s how Hawaiian folks call the Oval Beetle), started cruising and attending car shows. He finally realized that Volkswagens were fun and super easy to work on. Richard is a general manager of a large-scale collision shop, Global Auto Repair, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He has various skills, from bodywork and paint to other craftsmanship technics – they come in handy to build top-notch show cars. His previous VWs were always trophy winners at local events. You…

Migration over the last few centuries has played a key role in shaping today’s diverse America. Irish led the wave of immigrants during the mid-19th century, together with Germans, many of whom settled in the Midwest. Cincinnati, Ohio proved to be a popular destination for newcomers traveling from Germany at the end of the century. Their influence can still be perceived nowadays through the local architecture, city street names – and the pool of cars residents choose to drive. Indeed, Volkswagen and other German brands have a strong following here. Based on these premises, a regional show mixing VWs, Porsches and other vehicles from the same family does make sense. Cincinnati VW Club cofounder Mark Schlachter felt strongly about the concept, when he launched the event with a few of…