Stitch Up

This is Bernard Newbury in action, making clear he likes smoking rubber. Shouldn't be to difficult with all those racebred ponies in the back. And as you can already see from the finely detailed outside, this car is not all go and no show. I your as fine a coachtrimmer as Mr. Newbury, you don't go out to play in an empty shell, there is a full custom interior inside.
Do try to notice the spindlemount front wheels, they are kind of fake, if you can call it that. They do not mount on the spindles, but on the brake assemblies like in regular set ups. Trick!

Goldleafing

Some more excellent goldleafing done by maybe the best signwriters shop in the UK, let alone Europe, Prosign. These guys rock, even though they also stripe Goldwings. This doorpanel is of the Bernard Newbury '67 Tar Babe homage, Stitch Up.

Number of the Beast

A few more visitors and we're there, The Triple Six. Another of my recent favourite cars, what with the blue lexan rutor and all. And the beautifull part-goldleafed signpainting over the deep as the abyss black is just magnificent. Topped of with sealed beam frontlights and zero offset ercos on the frontaxle this is one fine ride. And lets not forget the obligatory T-Bars.
If you're visitor #666, and you don't have hooves for feet, feel free to comment and get your coupon for a milkshake now.

Orange Delight

Still, in a way you have to admire those early cars. Who in their right state of mind would even consider running ATS on an Oval window. Yet, you could back then, and when the centercaps went awol, you could always put on those of a Saab 900. Apparently they fit like a glove. Genious me thinks.

Tidskrift

An old Swedish magazine for VW Entusiasten. I found the cover for this one on the homepage of the owner of the Orange Delight pictured on the front. The same car was also featured in Volksworld and VWTrends, somewhere in the early nineties. When you look back at cars like this you can't imagine someone would run them like this right now.
Oh, and if someone knows where I could find copies of the magazine, let me know. What better way to freshen up on my Swedish.

Olafs Käfer

Luckily I had some help getting in touch with Andreas from DSR. Olaf from Der Fieser Luftkühlers is an avid reader of the DVF blog and he's the one that patched me trough to Andreas. Thanks for the support Olaf, I think I owe you a Milkshake, just pick your flavour.

Rarest wheels available

I got good news concerning Der Steiner Rads from Andreas, the guy who fabricates them. He has some new alloy centerpiece castings coming his way, ready to be finished and fitted to those shiny BBS rims. I was already thinking that those DSR where nothing short of a legend, that's how hard it is to find the fabricators, Schwarzwald Performance. Very cool website, but works like hell.

Upgraded Vdubs

And if funding keeps on lacking, there's always this project to be finished. If you ever see the word "iserplokaded" in an add, this is what you will have to look forward to. Mind you, I first saw a picture of the 356 when it was still complete, and was tempted by the nice price range of "only" 4000 Euro. But I got quite a cold shower, in the form of an email loaded with rust.

Upgraded Vdubs

If only I have luck on my side, this one here is merely waiting for me, lurking in the shadows of its dry garage. There will be some saving up to do first, but one day, I'll be behind the wheel. This one doesn't live in Sweden though, but close enough, in Denmark. It's a 56 Porsche 356 Coupe, so actually the first modelyear of the A. It does look as if it needs some serious looking after, but hell I'll just run it like an outlaw, just like that.

Swedish craftmanship Pt3

And even when you look under her skirt, nothing but spotless clean underpinnings. Every single bolt has been restored to original spec, every panel beaten into perfect shape, every crease ironed out of the interior. If you have to see for yourself, just look at all the other pics of this nice Cabbe. And don't get your hopes up, it has been sold months ago, only for some 15000 euro, if I remember correctly.

Swedish craftmanship Pt2

Yeah baby yeah, the swinging sixties, check out the humps on her. And what about that nice soft top.

Swedish craftmanship

Because lately I have been showing some of the lesser examples of the Swedish lifestock, I have some pictures of one of the nicest cabrio's I have seen up 'till now. This puppy was for sale some months ago, sadly I don't have money lying around to play with or I would have walked to Sweden to bring this baby home.

What an honour

If you want to check out gazillions more of VW related blogs, you just have to have a look at this one particular blog. Espescially since they added mine to their list. Coming in at 90 and going strong.

Leader of the pack Pt2

This must be one dedicated driver to cut and paste in one of the nicest cars ever built. But this car is so purposefully fucked up it can only be described as cool. I'd only ditch the spoiler, but then again, I think at the speed this car wants to be going, it can use a bit of downforce. But maybe that's why the engine lid has to be open that far, just to get the only breath of cool air that didn't bounce of that wing. And I just hate to love those Turbo Ronal wheels.

Leader of the pack

Hell no, this isn't a vintage picture. Ffred eat your heart out, this is real type III rallying, Sweden style. While surfing, I tripped over this racers website, and do they put the pedal to the metal.

Swedish Gasser ? Pt3

And this hot engine is just waiting to be refitted to the enginebay of the "Swedish Gasser". Single port action, this one will rip on the strip.

Swedish Gasser ? Pt2

This turned out to be the actual car, what a tease. On this picture you can't see, but it does have the flared frontfenders. But the topchop has miraculously disappeared. Maybe I should call him, a lot of Originalis would love to know that trick. And the decklid ? Damn, they even refit the correct rearvalance, so it won't fit anymore.

Swedish Gasser ?

And one more project to finish, a real Swedish Gasser. Or do we have a snafu on our hands.
I was already planning my trip to sweden, untill I clicked the fler bilder link. Man, was I disappointed.

The Swedes must be crazy

How about this Volksrod/Speedster under construction. Only in Sweden. Altough the besiktnung is very fierce and strict, the Swedes seem to get away with amlost everything. I guess they have a system quit similar to the German TüV, with the difference that they skip the proffesionally installed part and do it all within the confines of their own garage.

Dirt Devil

And how about this dirty devil, I think it still is for sale, but if you want it, you'll have to be persuasive as he this Dirty Swede doesn't want to sell to us clean foreigners. Maybe you can use the plywood finishing as a way to skim of the price. No, just kidding, I've seen more pics and I know I like it, and it's only 1100 Euro.
Who wants to drive a Baja anyway you say. Well, look at the buggy ressurection, it's like night of the living dead, then why not sit dry and warm and have the same sort of fun inside a Baja.

Folkracebil

Here's another pristine example of the finer Swedish Bubbla. For the Nice Price of 450 Euro this one can be yours, don't forget to calculate the shipping costs, as this one doesn't seem to be roadlegal. Just put on some new fenders and you've got yourself a winner. Check out more of this mayhem at the bamboozlerracing homepage.

Balihai, Sweden is calling

The sun is bright today, and memories of near-death are fading. So once again I'm looking or the nicer Swedish cars. I still have this nice 59 waiting for me on Norköping, it is near perfect, except for the lousy paintjob. As it is a european model, it still has the very sexy pilar mounted. But just like sex, they tend to be on the unsafe side every once in a while. I guess that in a month or so I'll be on the road again, driving the 1600 km stretch from Norköping in a car far too old to be on the highway. But just like sex, sounds like fun, doesn't it.

Bug Porn

I searched the Triple W for days, and this is about the raunchiest picture I've seen. I'm not sure I know how Fernando does it, but I guess it involves a lot of hard handy work and kissing arses. But don't be fooled, underneath all this male bravado, he has a small heart when it comes to Volkswagens. I challenge you to prove that he wouldn't choose his smooth black Notch over any smooth black Crotch.

Candy for the asses

Or ass-candy as these should aptly be called. This might be the kind of seating that I would love to sit in, riding Aku. Of course there are no real Empi's on the menu for me, but maybe I can build my own, based on pictures of these small wonders. Or should I rather go for a set of Simca 1000. A friend of mine, Mister Messie, has a nice set lingering in his hallway. And if I don't put them in Aku I'm sure no-one else will ever want them.

Land of plenty

Sweden is like heaven for us Bubbla-lovers, there are plenty around. So this must be how the Swedes transport their cars. This one Swede went to pick up his new Bubbla, plenty of room for more, it might just have been his first stop.
In reality, there isn't a Bubbla on every streetcorner, but still, a lot of barnfinds can and will be made in the Nordic states, as years ago a lot of cars got laid up because of stricter regulations at the besiktigung.

Far gone

This is exactly how far over the edge I am. I bought this zundverteiler just on the assumption that maybe, if I'm lucky, it could be a 010. It'll be like Christmass time when I open this parcel up, either it will be like receiving a pair of Adidas socks from my aunt or either like the pair of stockings my girl gives herself for me. Just guess my favorite pick.
I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Ponerdeponerdepon

As I can't tell anything really exciting, I'll have to talk about my adventures on the TripleW. It seems as if I have a bit of a monkey on my back ever since I bought that little blue ragtop on Ebuy. This is one of my latest acquisitions, a lapel pin of Pon, has a nice ring to it doesn't it. It's kind of an undercover VW statement, only the initiated will know what hardcore cult I belong to.

Julklappen

As I got the scare of my life on my last trip to Sverige, slipsliding through snowstorms, I decided against making another trip to the land of no sun at all. At least as long as winter lasts. That means that I will spend the days of Julklappen at home, which is maybe better as my girlfriend would probably finish me off if I left her all alone during these family-filled days. But as soon as the wheather clears up I'm off like a bow from an arrow. So for now no reallife adventures to brag about.

Der Steiner Rads

These are the infamous Steiner Rads. Don't they look oldschool, and yet they are as modern as they get. Timeless. These are actually one of the prototypes of the Empi Rader wheels that didn't make it into production. They were dug up by Dave Deal some years ago and a picture was taken for the now defunct VW Trends. Shortly after the publication some geezers from Germany had copied the wheels, and made a short production run of only 50 sets. To bad they didn't consult Mr. Deal himself, as he and some Norvegian were busy redesigning the wheels themselves.
But even though the wheels are a bit tainted, they still look the dogs bollocks. And I'm sure they would fit right under Aku. Too bad they are so darn expensive. But it's either those or a set of genuine Mahles, so I'm broke either way.

'57 Aku ! Pt3

If and when I start altering the '57, I'm planning on using the darkest hue of deep brown heavy metalflake I can find. Only to be brightened by Redish Orange Lexan windows all around except the front. And to finish it off, Pinstriping in Dirty Mint and white.
The chassis will also be detailed in the same Dirty mint, while the interior should remain black as the night with either red or with piping. For wheels I would like to get hold of a set of der Steiner Rads, as I think those really fit the wild hairdo of Aku.
Oh and before I forget, an eyebrow decklid is obligated.

Otto-matic

These are two other nice specimen, a bit closer to home, my home I mean. These were built by the Otto brothers, and although they don't match up to the Inch Pincher IV -but which car does, as the I.P. is in a totally different league altogether- they look mighty fine. And they sure have the power to match their looks.
If I'm not mistaken, cool graphics are done by Dams and pinstriping by pinhead El Cheapo.

Inch Pincher IV

This is exactly the style I would love to finish the '57 in. This is a recent Inch Pincher replica, built in the UK by a devoted chap called Travis. This car is perfect in all it's small details, and the most wonderfull part of it is that, actually it isn't really a replica, more of a homage to the original Empi car, and in this way highly original itself.

'57 Aku ! Pt2

The friendly looking fellow in the back is of course the evil Aku, the one in front being Samurai Jack. As the story goes, Aku enslaved the people in the samurais fathers empire, when he was still a child. Once grown up, he made it his bussiness to destroy Aku, and almost succeeded but Aku threw him trough a time portal into the future, where Aku himself was master and commander. Here it is his lifelong quest to defeat Aku, and return to his own time.
And even though Aku is the bad one, he sure ain't the ugly one, and he will make a great theme for a nostalgia inspired racecar looker, stylish and dangerous being the keywords.

'57 Aku !

Doesn't This car look evil in the fluorescent light at the gates of Shell ( well to be honest, it was probably a Total gas station, but grant me some poëtical freedom, will you ). And it is supposed to look evil as I hope to transform it into the earthly incarnation of this Japanese evil spirit called Aku. For the kids amongst you, frequently to be seen on the cartoon network, as the arch-enemy of Samurai Jack.

On the safe side

It's better to be on the safe side when travelling in an old VDub. Although nothing major, there will always be this little breakdown to trouble your high spirits. No more, as I joined the A.D.A.C. and this badge is proof of just that. You can see it is the Germans version of Touring Wegenhulp, or triple A to you Yanks.
Enough with the rambling. This is my latest catch on the net, a vintage Ratlook ADAC badge, in bronze that is. Hope to recieve it later this week.

Obsolete

Just a few posts back I was talking about Mr. K., this is him, in the flesh. Check out his pages on hard to find, vintage VW parts, and life on the road nailing those parts, the simple life. If you don't have it, and you definately want it, stop looking around and contact Mr. K.

Back in the days

This is a period photograph I got from my mom's boyfriend. Just to prove Vdubs were cool to be seen with or in even then. He's the hoodlum second from the right, hands in his pockets, just hanging. This is his dads 53 oval, bought in 54. All of those kids went inside, three of them on the backseat, and the remaining 2 in what we call "de kattenbak".

Bugtour 2006

Date has been set for Bugtour 2006 on May seventh, a sunday. This all-in daytrip in true Rallye style, will be held in and around the beautifull town of Ghent. As you can see from this pic it is really a family friendly meeting, so bring the wife and kids.
Also on there is the Neukebeute 1 on the right, the first swedish bubbla to arrive in the DVF and the nice Pre-A Porsche 356 of Mr. K., the car go-getter avant la lettre.
Oh yeah, if you want to read more about the bugtour go to the Official DVF Blog

Souvenirs Pt5

One more, the break the habit. This metal Russian container has got zilch to do with VW. I found this one on one of my emergency stops during my last trip, on top of a dumpster. Almost completely covered with snow, it just begged me to take it in. I haven't got a clue as to what it was used for, as my Swedish is better than my Russian, and I assure you no Swede in his right mind would understand a word of what I'm saying. My best guess is it could have been a container for either nuclear waste or to transport some bio-weapons. Or is this the cold war syndrome acting up.
It will go to a good cause, as I will donate it to Mr. Stripe, to put his pinstriping gear in it. He's long gone and fumed anyway, so...

Souvenirs Pt4

Some old lamp-containerboxes, both OSRAM. The plastic one on the right has its foam lampholder still inside, and even some of the appropriate lamps and fuses. The one on the left looks nicer to me, and is genuine Swedish, but misses the inside, it also had some lamps and fuses in it, but an assortment, as they would say, with even some 12 volters.

Souvenirs Pt3

Along the way, I'm trying to collect some nice VW paperworks.
The cards on the left, were used in the servicestation, to announce to you that your car had been properly serviced on the date marked below. On the back there is some space to write down the faults discovered. which of course they didn't have to use much, it is a FolkVagn after all.
On the right there is a technical guide for the bubbla in Swedish, published by Scania-Vabis, the Swedish VW distributor. This one is for the 65 model and is in mint condition. You'd be very afraid to even leaf trough it.

Souvenirs Pt2

This box, without the junk inside, also came with the blue Bubbla. It is made out of some sort of cardboard, with leatherlike paper skin, rivetted toghether with a nice leather strap to close it. Real nice, real vintage. The owner told me it was original VW to store tools and junk in, to put behind the backseat. I don't buy that, but still it looks good on any old car.

Souvenirs

Part of the attraction to the whole Svenska Bubbla experience is the opportunity to collect automobilia, car-related souvenirs. On the way back from my first trip to Sweden, just outside of Helsingborg, I had to stop for petrol. And when I opened the front hood, there was this nice period racing jacket, nicely folded up and tucked away in the lugage compartment. It was a bit in a state and even more so after I've worn it for 2 months day in, day out. As I write this down, my petdog is fast asleep, stretched over the jacket. I guess this means it's time to get me a new one, you don't want to get into a fight with this punk.
Check out the gold-look lapel pin I got with the second Bubbla. Although it is hideous, I wear it with pride.

aircooled convoy

After nearly 3200 km of hard driving, this is what my combo looked like. Notice that the Brick is aircooled, only a 1600, yet it managed to get me home. Only just, as I ran out of gasmoney and had to lend some money from some Belgians on a bussinesstrip in Germany. But you can't blame that on the car, now can you, it's just a bit thirsty.
But less thirsty than I would have thought. My estimate is it drinks around 12,5 litres of petrol for a 100 Km. Which is Okay by me.
Oh, and I always wondered why they called it a Brick. Now I know, try running uphill with the wind in your face and you'll soon see it has the aerodynamics of a one. Struggling to get 70 Km on the highway, that's not even 50 mph for you un-metricky ones, is once again no fun at all.

Junk in my Trunk

Look at all that junk in my trunk. The ovals original engine is in there, but I don't now if it will end up in the car or on the dump ( just kidding there ). There's also a near perfect 59 interior, front and backseats and all the panels, in olive green, which may be used to restore the Neukebeute 1. And under all the trash is a NOS roofrack for a T2 or T3, this I brought with me as a gift to Long Tall Eddy, especially now that I trashed his trailer.

Damage done

This was the only damage to the car, and it isn't even that bad because it was the wrong fender anyway. Oh, and the wheelcover is also trashed, which is a shame as it was near perfect, but I'm planning on putting alloys on the car, so...

Salt and Pepper

The saltspray of the passing cars, combined with the setting sun made for quite another driving experience. I think I must have used up to 2 litres of windscreenwash.
Another downside of the bright sun almost made an early end to my trip, maybe even my life. It had melted the snowcovered roads, and when I passed near Granna, there was a cold wind blowing over the lake which froze a thick layer of ice to the road. On this I managed to spin the car with trailer a 180° to end up front facing back on the highway. I managed to pull out some roaddividers during my spin and was lucky to slide to the left, as on the right it was the deep end of the lake, some 400 metres down the slope. And they say your life flashes by when in a life threatening situation, but all I could think of was that the trailer wasn't mine but belonged to Long Tall Eddy von der S. Luckily there was no real damage to any of my vehicles, apart from some bended fenders. And luckily there were rescueteams patroling the highway which blocked of the road so I could turn into the right direction. And they let me go of without a hitch even though I trashed the roaddividers. In Belgium it would have cost me an arm and a leg for sure.

hot pursuit

On the road back home, this part was very snowclean, so I took the opportunity to make some pictures of an Oval window in hot pursuit. It seemed to follow me everywhere I went, maybe just as well.

Winter Wonder Land Pt2

By daybreak they started to clean the road with snowplows, still the conditions to drive in could have been better, but at least I was on the move.

Winter Wonder Land

This is the first premature stop I had to make around 9 or 10 in the evening. Just past Ljungby it started snowing so hard, I couldn't see the road anymore, actually there seemed to be no rad at all, just a white blanket, covering all. So all I could do was stop at the first restplace and camp out. So in my sleeping bag I went, on the front seats of my bus, I slept the night away.