In the 80s i used to be quite into my VW's, never got one but i really liked them and still do. We used to go to custom shows and there was always a good turnout of air cooled VW's until the late 80's when (mainly due to the difference in music) they split into 2 seperate groups. The last couple of years i've noticed a few more VW's on the show fields, Billing was a good example of this. And after going to a couple of Volkswagen events recently I saw that there events are excellent, the quality of the cars is excellent and the people are great, good sense of humour and just enjoying there cars.
So why are they so seperate?
Yesterday i was following a beetle, the owner couldn't have been more than 20, his car was the nuts. Satin black, seriously low, loud, with teardrop rear lights, it even had a turtle picture (might have been a tortoise) on the rear. I bet he uses it everyday too.
Recently, everyone has been talking about getting on with modern car modifiers (you know how i feel about that ), but shouldn't we be looking at inviting these guys to our events. After all we've got far more in common with them.
too true... I quite like beetles especially the new breed of volksrods and the so-cal style. I've got a friend building a beetle at the moment on full hydraulics, so that should be good when he gets around to finishing it.
unfortunately it's the elitist values of some people that will kill the scene, it's really daunting to start a project if you think that everyone is going to slag it off because it's not steel/the right colour/wrong year even
youngsters with VWs are part of the future of rodding , I mean loads of youngsters like beetles/campers, then they go to shows with rods and are inspired to buy/build one themselves, if they can't get into the scene because they arent driving a show winning 32 Ford or whatever, then how can they gain interest?
everyone I've met since I've had my truck has been fantastic, but I'm sure there are some people out there who would not speak to me because I don't have the "Right car"
I have also noticed from driving around town that a lot of the modern car modifiers are giving the thumbs up , waving and paying attention to the truck, it's a good feeling to know that the scenes are being brought together, after all a good modified car is a good car
As you know Mitch Ive had both a beetle and a camper. Been to a few shows etc with them and in the late eighties and early nineties they were all part of the same scene. This was mostly as the then editor of custom car, Keith Seume was a VW nutter!! The VW's broke away alot when Keith moved from CC to Volks World and the final nail in the coffin was when VW's became the fashion accessories for the acid house boys.
Ive always considedred classic cars, VW's and Yanks as part of the same scene. Not sure about London Taxis though!!!!! LOL
Yea thats the one!!! It was great to drive up until it came off the road. I only worked on it once in 2 years and she did warn me that she had no problem with it there if I worked on it, but if I didnt it was going......I didnt, it went!
Mate I think its so cool. I travel around the UK going to Car Dealers and always show them a pic of the truck and ask them what it is. No one yet has got it right.
I never realised until recently that hot rodders hated VW's and all that type of thing. But that's where groups like Turtlespeed, Mods & rodders and a few others come in with their open minded attitude towards the scene (for want of a better term).
The Beetle is considered a style icon and a classic, in much the same way as the Mini and the Minor are. Mike was into the VW scene when he first learnt to drive and for many people like him, they are a way into the scene.
I know you bang on it being a way of life, with the cars, the music & for some the clothes. Most of the VW guys & gals have a simular out look on life to us and inderstand what we are doing in the much the same way as you understand them. As you say you either get it or you don't.
Interesting to note that Pimp my ride has "pimped" both a Beetle and a camper.
There is NO hatred between VW's and rods, quite the opposite, i believe each group likes and respects each other. Just that there is not that strong a link between them. Lets face it, both groups have a passion for there chosen vehicle, they usually modify them in similar ways, and they nearly always get on when they meet. I mean, if i went into a pub and got talking to a VW owner i know we'd get on as we have a lot in common. The modifications i mentioned on that beetle i saw yesterday were classic custom car touches that would work well on most old cars, its just that some how these two groups have grown apart and seem to keep them selves to them selves. That said, when i saw that car yesterday, we both aknowledged each other. I'd like to see a couple of air cooled VW's at our first event
There is NO hatred between VW's and rods, quite the opposite, i believe each group likes and respects each other. Just that there is not that strong a link between them.
Ok perhapes hate was too stronger word or maybe those that have a strong opinion are the ones that make the most noise. Sorry, if I have cause any offence.
I have a massive dong, it just looks small because im fat!!!....and I think we should probably get off the subject of my dong under a thread 'custom cars and vw's'
), but shouldn't we be looking at inviting these guys to our events. After all we've got far more in common with them.
