Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2023 i VolksWorld

FROM THE TOP Last month I rambled on about the dream of owning a classic Porsche, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be spending our time dreaming about old VWs, too. Back in the days of Ultra VW magazine, I mentioned an ongoing discussion that takes place between a bunch of my closest VW buddies each year when we catch up around a campfire. The topic is simple. ‘If you could have any air-cooled VW, which would you choose, and why?’ Why is this an ongoing thing? Because, as we’ve grown older, had kids and worked our way through various old VW projects, and life itself, our needs have changed, and our experiences have changed our opinions. It’s now interesting to think back through the cars we picked when we…

’68 AND ’69 TYPE 3s I’ve always loved Type 3s, even though they were historically a lot harder to sell than Types 1 and 2. I don’t currently own one, but have had eight over the years, a good mix of Squarebacks, Notchbacks and one original Panel Van. I’ve always fancied an early Fastback, and remember Johnny Montana’s ’68 from its VolksWorld features of old. Yes, that’s features plural, as it first appeared in the November 1995 issue, shortly after it had been bought from the original owner, Mrs. Gladys Foxwell, who’d purchased the car new at Renwicks of Newton Abbot, Devon in late 1967. At that point, it had just 42,000 miles on the clock. The same car was then featured again in the March 2000 issue after it…

As the Porsche 356 series coupés, cabriolets and roadsters (roadster bodies produced by Drauz in Heilbronn and final units assembled in Stuttgart) rolled off the German assembly lines in 1950, it didn’t take long for local toy and model manufactures to take notice of the svelte new Porsche’s popularity and tool up to produce their own miniature versions. One of those toy manufacturers was Johann Distler KG, located in the heart of Germany’s toy industry, Nürnberg, from where it had been producing tin toys for years. The first Distler Porsche 356 appeared on the shelves in the early 1950s and was part of the company’s Electro Matic 7500 line. At first look, it’s easily recognisable as the famous Porsche (you know, the rounded corner, inverted bath tub one). It’s big,…

Email news, thoughts and products to VolksWorld.ed@kelsey.co.uk Killer griller Aircooled Accessories has been producing Porsche 356-style headlight grilles for VWs with sloping headlights for several years but the hot news this month is they are now available for upright headlights, too. This means post-’67 Bugs, Bay Windows, Type 3s, Trekkers and more can all get the Outlaw look, too. The grilles require no modifications to fit as they simply clip between the top of the glass and headlight rim and use the stock mounting screw. How much? £70 per pairFrom: www.aircooledaccessories.com Dub Dogs VW photographer and VolksWorld contributor, Eric Arnold, has recently launched a book entitled, Dub Dogs, A Portrait Study of A Volkswagen Owner’s Best Friend. The content is self-explanatory and the 8.5 x 11in hardback features photographs of…

Beetles remained an anomaly in the United States until the establishment of Volkswagen of America (VWoA) in 1955. Prior to that, the German company relied on a much smaller distribution network. A handful of VWs made it to America during that time span, thanks to private endeavours – what automotive historians refer to as ‘grey market’, or ‘grey imports’. It should be noted that VWoA never officially imported the stark Standard Beetle, sensing the US clientele would be more receptive to the Deluxe version. Indeed, the Standard was more akin to a WWII KdF-Wagen, with cable brakes, a three-spoke steering wheel, no exterior trim and various painted components. If you want a little more information on Standards, check out the October 2021 issue of VolksWorld, which features a comparison between…

Through its 36 years of existence, VolksWorld has unveiled its fair share of vehicles with little apparent resemblance to the air-cooled VWs we all know and love. Examples include Fiat 600s and 850 Spiders, Renault Dauphines, Porsches and all manner of Buggies and kit cars. The common denominator was, of course, their Volkswagen running gear, from front suspension to engines, gearboxes and complete floorpans. Indeed, these various components have proved themselves ideal for just about any type of application as they are inexpensive, plentiful, robust and functional by design. So, you won’t be surprised to hear the two 1957 Goliaths divulged in this article also have more than a hint of vintage VW technology beneath their skins. A largely forgotten German automobile manufacturer in the 1950s, Goliath-Werke Borgward & Co.…

In some people’s eyes, the only thing better than a Beetle is a Karmann Cabriolet, while the only thing better than a Karmann Cabriolet is two of them, especially when they both look as good as these beauties. Jay ‘Ballbag’ Townley (50) and Si Gallimore (52) have been mates for a long time, as Mr. er, Ballbag, explains: “Simon and I met over 30 years ago and we’ve been like brothers ever since.” In absolute defiance of growing up, the pair still do the same things they used to do as kids. Jay’s Instagram handle, @growing_up_is_futile says it all, and we are absolutely here for that attitude. Behind the scenes, Jay is working hard on an LT28 motorhome project, whilst Si has the keys to a Trekker, an Austin 7,…

We’re throwing it back to 1971 this month, way before VolksWorld to a time when a select few Volkswagens were making a big impression on the drag strips of America, and were consequently garnering their fair share of ‘ink’ in the big US magazines. This led to an explosion of ‘performance’ parts on the market, all aimed at giving your VW the feel of an Inch Pincher, or a Deano Dyno Saur for the street. Here’s just a few of the lesser-known parts that popped up around then that have since been lost in the mists of time. IECO of Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica specialised in parts for VWs and Corvairs, and made some wild claims in its advertising literature: “Unique ram induction systems that increased horsepower to 40%.” “The…

Leane and Alun Owen named their ’66 Beetle ‘Boris’ some 22 years ago, though more recently it has been nicknamed ‘Bionic Boris’ by Pete Morley at Californian Classics, for reasons that will soon become clear. Boris’ journey began on a sunny day in June 1966 when the car was proudly driven out of the car park by a Mrs. Ferguson of Brighton, East Sussex. She had chosen L518 Java Green from the range of new colours launched for the Beetle in August ’63, and was presumably very happy with her new purchase. However, little did Mrs. Ferguson know that her Beetle would go on to become a beloved member of another family in the decades to come. In December 2000, Alun happened upon Mrs. F’s Beetle by chance, sitting neglected…