Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2023 i dune buggies and hotVWs

If you belong to the 35-40-year or older age group, you have very likely used a non-digital, single-lens reflex camera (SLR). On the other hand, if you are younger than 35, digital is likely all you know. Fortunately, I'm old enough to be part of one of the former group. I used to carry several dozen rolls of Kodak Ektachrome or Fuji Velvia/Provia films whenever I traveled somewhere to cover VW events, and spent much money on developing these films for magazines. I started using a digital singlelens reflex (DSLR) camera for magazine publications around 2000. It was a Canon D30 that featured only a 3-megapixel (i.e., smaller than 35mm full-size APS-sized sensor), which was OK to use on magazine spreads but not quite ideal yet. So, I kept using…

This time I am not going to talk about things in Germany, Volkswagen's fatherland. This time I will tell you about a lovely experience I had in England at the VolksWorld Show in Esher, near London. As you may know, Dean Kirsten, former hotVWs editor, traveled to the event together with Ron Fleming (FAT Performance) and Dave Andrews (Raceshop) to display the former Darrell Vittone A/MC 1967 race car. All three of them also held a seminar on Saturday and Sunday, talking about the early days of EMPI, the Raceshop and other anecdotes from their youth in Southern California. After the first seminar on Saturday, my long-time VW buddy Pete Englezos said: “You know what, George, I have the February ‘75 issue of hotVWs, still in the envelope, addressed to…

In this article, I am going to talk about intake and exhaust valves and how they relate to an air-cooled engine. This is my opinion from years of seeing and playing with different engines. The relationship of the valves is important. Think about it. If you put in a bigger intake valve, you can let in more fuel and air. Yes, this will make more power. The more you cram in the cylinder, the bigger the bang. The bigger the bang, more power. Now, this is what you're probably not thinking about. The fuel has fired and now you have a cylinder full of exhaust. The piston comes up and the exhaust valve opens, and the piston pushes it out the valve. Here lies the problem. You can only get…

The 1960s Fiberglass dune buggies fall into two main categories. The first encompasses models clearly copying the father-of-them-all, the Meyers Manx conceived by Bruce Meyers. The second includes vehicles that show distinctive lines, though still relying on VW underpinnings. This month's article features one of the latter, the Bandido produced by Argenta Inc., Michigan, which originally appeared in our pages back in November 1969. BORN IN A GARAGE In 1968, Raul Bravo completed the very first Bandido (a buggy of his own design) in his home garage. The Argentinianborn Bravo had a commendable background in the automotive field, being an industrial designer/engineer at Ford Motor Company. With practicality in mind, he envisioned a vehicle based on a full-length Volkswagen chassis, thus allowing four passengers to enjoy the ride. Thanks to…

Joe McRae recalls his dubious beginnings in the VW world: “It all started when I was 15 and my sister bought her first car, a ‘60 Bug. I remember my mom sewing new seat covers for it. When I turned 16 it then became my way of getting around. Sadly, it wasn't long until I wrecked it. I didn't get hurt but the Bug was damaged beyond repair. It was then sold to the Bug Hut in Orem, Utah for parts. Like most VW owners, our family had developed a relationship with our VW repair shop. During one visit, I mentioned that I had worked in an autobody shop for a few years and they offered me a job building Baja Bugs. Thus began my love/hate relationship with air-cooled cars.”…

When Jeff was a high school student, he took a vocational automobile repair shop class. Then, right after graduating, he started at a Chevrolet service department a career he kept for 33 years. However, his first car wasn't a Chevy but a Volkswagen. His VW journey started as a teenager, when his brother bought a 1966 Bug and passed it to his dad shortly after. Jeff learned how to drive with his father in that same Beetle, which eventually became his first car. Also, around that time, his neighbor got a Manx buggy – and soon Jeff was hooked on Volkswagens. Since then, he has owned countless VWs and he loves working on them to this day, making a ton of fun memories in the process. This 1969 Manx buggy…

While at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida this past March (see feature story elsewhere in this issue), we had the opportunity of seeing a rare 1949 Split Window Beetle, along with her delightful owners, David Sanborn and Jennifer Huber, who shared their remarkable story. The Beetle used to belong to the German musician Florian Schneider-Esleben of the electronic band Kraftwerk. David and Jennifer are huge fans of Kraftwerk, and in fact, bought the Beetle because of the connection to Florian. They've traveled throughout the U.S. and Europe in the footsteps of their favorite band, and even dress like them. Their wedding in 2017 was Kraftwerk-themed, with everyone from the bridal party to the guests, all dressed in Kraftwerk's trademark red shirts and black ties. For those who are…

Many years ago, when I was fairly new to collecting, a friend told me about the difference between collector's items and decorator's items. Apparently, something can be very cool, yet not hugely valuable, and something else can be less cool, but much more valuable. (Of course, there are also things that are super cool and very valuable, and vice versa). This applies to the Buses themselves, as well as some of the parts and accessories that we hang on to. In an entirely logical world, the coolest cars and the coolest items would be the most valuable. People have recognized that Buses are darn cool, also useful, fun, etc. So they are currently the most valuable vintage models of mass-produced Volkswagens. It hasn't always been this way. In fact, it…

In August 1945, the British military government (specifically the REME: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) took over the management of Wolfsburg's Volkswagenwerk. The Beetle's manufacture restarted on December 27, 1945. During the developing stage of the “People's Car” in the 1930s, Ferdinand Porsche had already built some convertible prototypes; however, the world would have to wait a few more years to see the production version of the Cabriolet model. In 1949, Volkswagenwerk ordered two coachbuilders to produce two different styles of convertibles. The Type 14 featured a two (2+2) seater Cabriolet body, built by Josef Hebmüller & Sons in Wülfrath, while the Type 15 was a 4-seater coachbuilt by Wilhelm Karmann. As a side note, Volkswagen offered a third convertible model, the Type 18, aka Polizei Cabriolet, built by Hebmüller…

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-compartment design was created. The Type 3 series was introduced in September 1961 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Models in the series included a sedan (Notchback), 4-seater cabriolet (Notchback cabrio), station wagon (Variant), sports coupe (Type 34), and sports cabriolet (Type 34 Cabrio). The Cabriolets did not make it into mass production. The introduction of the Variant/Squareback would wait until February 1962. The price, listed at DM6700 (US$1675), was 5% more expensive than the Notchback sedan. Although America would absorb a huge percentage of the Type 1 and Type 2…

If you are a past owner of a stock VW, you no doubt were impressed with the outstanding reliability and durability of the original 1585cc dual-port engine. The engine was standard equipment from 1971 to 1979 Beetles. Some were carbureted, and some were fuel injected. Let's go over what is involved to get close to the original German product with currently available rebuild items. We'll be building the engine from scratch, using items that the author currently has in inventory rather than disassembling an aging long block. Our engine case number for the record is AK 181027. It's a dual-relief case set up for 8mm head studs. The case had previously been rebuilt by Rimco Machine, probably sometime in the mid-1980s. An interesting feature of our case is the method…

In my last column, I shared my most recent find in my quest for a VW that was built on my birthday. This is something I have been chasing now for many years, and while it really makes little sense to go for such a thing, it has certainly been a lot harder than I ever would have expected. With a birthday in the end of November of 1966, I have been looking for a 1967 model year car, and over the past couple decades, I have bought cars thinking they were close, only to realize that they were months, weeks or even days away from the target date. The closest I have gotten so far was a car that was just five days before my birthday. Regarding the Beetle…

002 TRANSMISSION NOSE MOUNT FOR BUS 08/71-07/79 Transmission mount for the nose of your Bay Window, 1972-on. For 1972-79 Buses, there are two different mounts: 002 and 091. The forks from the transmission nose mount for 002 transmissions are slightly longer. Made by BBT from NOS samples. For more information, visit bbt4vw.com. ROBRI-STYLE REAR FENDER STONE GUARD FLAT4 has reproduced the high-quality Type 1 stone guard made of cast aluminum, which was originally made by ROBRI in Europe in the ‘50s. The fully polished stone guard fits ‘67 and earlier Beetles, giving it a ‘50s and ‘60s look. For more information, visit www.flat4.co.jp. TYPE 3 REAR LICENSE LIGHT TRIM PLATE New Type 3 Notchback trim plate with “S” logo. Fits 1964-1965 S-Model Notchbacks. Excellent reproduction! Made by ISP West. For more information,…

Now in its 28th year, the Concours traditionally features a special class that stands apart from traditional categories. In the past, The Amelia (as it's often known) has featured movie and advertising cars, as well as custom coachwork Beetles. This year, with the North American debut of the ID. Buzz on the horizon, officials chose to highlight and celebrate VW's Microbus heritage with a special Transporter Class. The Bus is undeniably a cultural icon, and Volkswagen is hoping fans will embrace the new ID. Buzz with the same enthusiasm. Since its acquisition by Hagerty, The Amelia has evolved into a fourday event, featuring driving events, auctions, and two days of shows on the grounds and greens of the Ritz-Carlton, as well as surrounding locations on Amelia Island. Saturday's pre-Concours event…

The names Ed and Sonja Bostwick might ring a bell to some of you, both having been heavily involved in the Volkswagen scene for years. Sonja owned a black ‘67 Beetle, built with help from her dad, Max Lippka. The car went to win numerous trophies at shows, such as the VW Jamboree, and appeared in hotVWs Magazine in June 1991. Her husband Ed drove his share of air-cooled toys as well, including a fast right-hand drive Oval Window Beetle. It eventually morphed into a 10-second Pro Racing Association (PRA) Super Street car. Incidentally, the Bostwick couple met during a VW drag race in 1985. After getting married in ‘87, they continued their journey within the Volkswagen scene, which led them to open a VW shop. Ed thereby partnered with…

Now, the fun begins! All the parts have been staged on the workshop bench at Wolfsburg West. Everything was cleaned, went through inspection, reconditioned, balanced, and lined up with new components for the upgrades. My motor is now in the hands of Tony Moore, the boss at Wolfsburg West During the first step, the left side of the 36-horse crankcase was mounted to the engine stand and turned 90 degrees counterclockwise. To ensure a correct assembly, first, Tony placed the main bearings No. 1, 3, and 4 in the left side half of the crankcase. Next, ensure that the dowel holes are in the correct position, and the oil holes match the oil passages in the crankcase. The dowel hole in main bearing No. 1 must be towards the flywheel.…