Innholdsfortegnelse for August-16 i VWT Lifestyle

HEAVENS ABOVE [Sub Editor's note: the following letter is exactly (bar the ALL CAPS) as it was sent to us. Had it been put into English, it would not have the same effect. You have been warned…] I don’t know what to write somebody is stealing my concept here, so i’ll make this short, in my personal opinion today the volkswagen auto is poor quality, if it’s not poor quality then it sure are ugly, all of them, but i bet you people will write back if you write back you’ll write that i'm wrong again at least about them cars being ugly, to you they’re good looking aren’t they, i say you’re all so damn blind that you lost your sight, and your ability to distinguish what is better…

Understated cars built with innate consideration to every detail are very special things. When any change is done only in order to enhance the synergy of the vehicle as an entity, the result could be a vehicle that needs not shout for attention, it’ll look so right any connoisseur will feel drawn to it. This Single Cab is a perfect example. It’s not that different to how it left the factory, but the minor changes make it, quite literally, a truck load cooler. Oli Bäggli from Frauenfeld, Switzerland is the man behind this Volkswagen. He’s owned plenty since he got into them in 1993. His previous projects confirm he’s up for pretty much anything VW-related as he’s owned just about everything, from a 1956 Oval Window Beetle up to a…

When Mark Reynolds took himself to Brazil at the tail end of last year he was there for just one thing, Volkswagens. This mission was a little different to the normal trips he makes as Managing Director of Just Kampers, though, as this time he was there specifically to hunt down the best examples of VWs unique to Brazil that he could find. The reason behind this was he wanted to put together a special display at our sister magazine’s show, The VolksWorld Show. Mark headed out to Brazil with a hit list in his pocket, and high on that list was a 15-window Split Screen Kombi. You might think this would be easy, but you’d be wrong. Tracking down the right example involved numerous wild goose chases that led…

These days, it’s fair to say there are probably more US imports in the UK than Buses from anywhere else and, if you’re thinking of buying one, it’s worth noting they generally need a few things checking over when they arrive in the UK due to the lack of annual vehicle inspections in many US states. Just about every imported VW I have seen has needed work in the wiring and lighting departments. Whether it’s old, crusty, sun-baked wiring looms, US-spec front sidelights in the indicators, red indicators or the rear lights or Early Bay Windows having a combined stop / tail and flasher function, these Buses need a couple of hours spending on them to pass a UK MoT. 01 Prepare Before you dive into this job, have a…

’67 Split Screen, Terry Sawyer Terry Sawyer’s foray into VW ownership is very recent, having purchased his ’67 Split this spring. “It was an extremely long drive home from Manchester, where I bought it, to my home in Essex,” he enthuses, “but I was so excited. I think the journey took me about seven hours to complete, at night, in the rain and the windscreen wipers weren’t working, making it a pretty scary first drive. However, at least I got to know the driving characteristics extremely well on that trip.” Terry’s Bus had been stored in the UK for 25 years before the previous owner restored it to the standard you see here in the eye-catching colours of Spanish Green and white, set off beautifully by the polished replica Fuchs…

When Nathan Giles was just eight-years old, his family were struck with some truly devastating news. Nathan’s mum, Lisa, was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease. Being a degenerative disorder, the prognosis was that she would not live long enough to see Nathan climb behind the wheel of his first car. However, in true British stiff upper lip fashion, the Giles family flicked two defiant fingers at the harbingers of doom and, nearly 10 years ahead of schedule, bought Nathan his first car – a car that would ultimately lead to him owning this cracking ’72 Westy, affectionately known as ‘Lottie’. Nathan: “Ever since I first watched Herbie racing about on the TV at around five years old, VW Beetles have appealed to me. There’s just something special about a classic Volkswagen,…

With operation stack still in force on the M20, we set off early in the morning to make sure we had plenty of time to catch our Channel Tunnel crossing. The M3 and M25 were unusually kind to us for a Friday morning and, even allowing for the diversion onto the M2 / A2 to get around operation stack, we made it to Folkestone for our scheduled time. Due to our roof cargo we were instructed to line up with the other high vehicles to wait for loading to begin. When the queue in front of us started moving, I turned the ignition key and… nothing! We sat there helplessly turning the key, hoping the problem would sort itself. A man with a walkie talkie strode down to see if…

Craig Handley hails from Kingswinford, in the West Midlands. He’s 35 now but, having wanted a Camper of his own since camping in tents from a young age, he decided the time was right to finally buy one and fix it up. The only trouble was, Craig set out with a budget of just £1,000, which, as we all know, doesn’t get you very far in terms of buying VW Buses these days. What Craig’s bag of sand (grand) bought him was a Type 25 from 1988, via the medium of eBay. Fortunately, it was fairly local. Unfortunately, it was rough, but for that price that was to be expected. With the Bus safely home, it was given a thorough once over and, after a bit of poking, it soon…

SHOW INFO When: May 1 2016 Where: Stanford Hall, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 6DH Cost: Adult day ticket, £10 on the gate Great for: A fabulous concours d’elegance, huge swapmeet and an epic amount of Buses for a one-day VW show Next year’s date: Always on the Sunday of May Bank Holiday weekend…

WHO IS HANS? Our man Hans is the expert’s expert. He was at Hanover in the glory years. Think of him as a German Uncle Albert, albeit one you want to listen to when he starts talking VWs One of my colleagues at our new publishing house did something that few men have ever done to me before. It took me quite by surprise and robbed me of my breath. That is right, Paul Wager of Classics Monthly, I am talking about you. Herr Wager presented me with a VW Bus brochure that I had never seen before. The one I simply had to share with you here. That is indeed correct, here is a press release that, until now, was AWOL from my comprehensive collection. The reason being, it…