dune buggies and hotVWs July 2023

If you are reading this magazine, we might assume you own one or more VWs, or dream of owning one someday. I am sure Volkswagens are not just cars to you. They might have a stronger meaning in your life. So, let me ask you a question: What does VW mean to you? Why are you so fascinated by Volkswagens? Do you love VWs because of the incredible history behind these vehicles? Are you fascinated by their timeless and unique design? Or is it the simplicity of the car? The ease and fun of wrenching on them? The impressive performance capabilities of the air-cooled engine? The availability of the parts? Or simply the joy of driving? I am sure hundreds of people have hundreds of different answers. Whenever I have…

Large Rims ‘n’ Low Stance Hi Jon, I’m in the process of purchasing a 1971 Super Beetle. It needs some bodywork and pan replacement. I’m hoping to fit New Beetle 17×7 heritage rims and disc brakes all around. Will I have issues with clearance? I might put wider fenders if needed. I want to use 17-inch (or larger) wheels and a get that “low stance”. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks! Brian Hines Madison, WI Brian, this is a combination that we see all the time. It’s a basic “German Look” setup. On the ’71 to ’73 Super you’ll want a 7-inch wide rim (front and rear) with an ET (offset) between ET 40 and ET 55. With an ET of 40 to 45mm, you won’t need any spacers or…

As some of you know, I recently had a birthday in April, and it was the seventh of what I call double-digit birthdays. By that I mean two of the same number like 11,22,33 and so on. In these seventy years, I’ve had many ups and downs, but mostly ups. A lot of the ups or success has been because of my attachment to Volkswagens! Those cars have been my profession and my passion and have created two families for me: the obvious one of my wife and children, and a bigger one of Volkswagen people. It was my job for over 50 years, the first five working for other people’s companies and the last 47 years for my own company. In those first years, I worked for some pretty…

Did you ever wonder how people get to know the location of abandoned vehicles? And do you ask yourself what one would do with the remains? Here is how my friends and I once found a late-1950s/early-’60s Type 2 and a 1950 Split Window Ragtop Beetle. I used to live in the Moselle Valley, a rural region in the West of Germany, close to the French, Luxembourg and Belgium borders. The biggest city in the vicinity is Treves, with a population of little over 100,000 inhabitants. The area is characterized by the river Moselle, the steep vineyards to the left and right, and little villages. You get the picture. Well, one day I heard the story of a steep woodlot just opposite Minheim, a tiny village around 10 miles from…

The 17th Annual Lakeland VW Classic was held this past March in Lakeland, Florida, and we couldn’t wait to take it all in again this year! The weekend’s activities began with a meet-up cruise night on Friday at the RP Funding Center, followed by Saturday’s Bus Show. But the main event was Sunday’s show, with over 500 Volkswagens, both air- and watercooled, filling up the parking lot of the RP Funding Center. Every model was represented - from early originals to full out custom and everything in between. There was also a great swap and vendor area, live music as well as a DJ, and lots of food choices. This is a fully judged show, with 47 classes, each with first, second and third place trophies, as well as Best…

The summer is on the way and once again I find myself in the sweet spot of completing a winter restoration. Well… it’s been more than a winter, it’s been more like a year, but there is nothing like having show season creep up on you and to feel that motivation to complete a project. The old saying, “If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done” has some truth to it. Putting a deadline on a project is a great way to motivate and focus your energy In years past when my creative “VW Freak Show” activities were in full swing, it seemed like I was able to really crank out the cars. Every year before the big VW Week in So-Cal I would be mad thrashing…