! cene g! egas ma M y t W igh st V e i v a AirM e d’s H Worl
Issue 14 | Summer 2013 | AirMighty.com
Shows
> AirMighty’s own Summer Picnic, The Spa Bug Show, Herford Swap, Splits at the Lake, and more! €14,95 | £12.95 | $23.95 | ¥2600
German Folks Pick Up
Slammed and rollin’ on chrome Fuchs, typical GFK threatment!
Wendler & Beutler
Two super rare coachbuilt cars that are owned by a Dutchmen
Perfect Paint Type 3
Andy’s 1964 1500S Notchback and its “mile deep” paint work!
14
Up-To-Date There’s a lot going on in the scene, be sure to catch the latest news, events, forum chats and photos on our website: www.AirMighty.com
French ’52 Vintage Split
Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AirMightyMegascene
Featured cars 118
1957 Wendler
78 8
Cal-Look ’50 Split
14 | Pastel Green Perfection Built in France, Tom Wheatley shot this perfectly restored 1952 Crotch Cooler Split Window Beetle for us.
34 | Painted Perfection Andy got reunited with his old Notch and gave it what it needed; one of his signature “Mile Deep” paint jobs!
60 | Doin’it German Folks Style! Niels shot this cool Resto-Cal GFK Type2 Pick-Up in Southern California. It’s a typical So-Cal cruiser!
60
106 | Coachbuilt by Beutler Made in Switzerland in 1958 this Beutler coupé has a VW underneath its exquisite bodywork, not a Porsche!
GFK Pick-Up 1958 Beutler
34
118 | The Wendler “Sportster”
106
One of just 2 known survivors of this very special Ghia based coachbuilt.
136| “Little Bomb” 356 Dragster! Built in America, perfected in France. This Porsche got a full revamp when it arrived in Europe and we haven’t seen the end of it yet...
1500S by Andy “The Paint”
136 Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
9
26 | AirMighty Summer Picnic A “Relaxed” weekend in Holland. Time for camping and chillin’ by the pool with family and friends.
44 | Le VW Bug Show in Spa One of Europe’s biggest Aircooled shows held on the famous F1 track.
128
70 | The new Bugs on Wheels A brand new event on the Belgian Aircooled VW Show calendar.
Splits at the Lake 2013
88 | Time for Herford! It’s the annual German VW season opener. Plenty of spare parts all over!
98 | Classic Remise Düsseldorf Vintage VW’s at an amazing location!
128| Splits at the Lake The Dutch Type2 Split Window Bus gathering next to the Laco Strandbad.
Herford Teilemarkt
44
10
88
148| El Dub’s Nostalgia Corner Rick Mortensen tells El Dub all about how he got into Custom VW’s...
...and more!
Spa Francorchamps: Le VW Bug Show
AirMighty Summer Picnic
Bugs on Wheels
26
70
The Shows 98
Classic Remise
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
11
’52-SPLIT
Words: Kobus Cantraine
Translation: Yves Maertens | Georg Otto
Pictures: Tom Wheatley
After 30 years in a barn, this Split was treated to a top-level restoration. It was a while since we’d shown a completely stock Beetle in AirMighty, so we couldn’t resist featuring this ’52 Crotch Cooler Split, shot by Tom Wheatley. 14
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
15
26
Show | AirMighty Summer Picnic ’13
AirMighty Summer Picnic 2013 Words: Niels Timmerman Translation: Kobus Cantraine | Yves Maertens | Georg Otto Pictures: Kevin Maquoi | Erwin Stok | Niels Timmerman
Already in its fourth year, the AirMighty Summer Picnic stood out once again as “The Most Relaxed VW Show” of the year! It’s all about the relaxed “camp out and chill out” vibe that you’ll find at the Kristalbad open-air swimming pool in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. > Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
27
Words: Ivan McCutcheon Translation: Yves Maertens | Georg Otto Pictures: Niels Timmerman
Everyone loves a little nostalgia, especially in the VW Scene, but Andy Finch from Great Britain has taken nostalgia to the next level with his stunning 1964 1500S Notchback >
34
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
35
Le Bug Show
Spa Francorchamps 2013
Chromed Smoothies for this bare metal VolksRod Hi-Boy from France!
44
We will go in depth on this crazy Fridolin in an upcoming Airmighty, it’s nuts!
Show | Le Bug Show Spa 2013
Ever been to the Aircooled VW meeting at Spa-Francorchamps? If not, you might find it hard to grasp the Aircooled vibe that takes over the world-famous F1 circuit all weekend long. The 2013 event was no exception! > Words: Frederic Peeters Translation: Kobus Cantraine | Yves Maertens | Georg Otto Pictures: Kevin Maquoi | Niels Timmerman
The “Coolflo Cooler” bagged another trophy, it was part of the Spa Top20!
Another Mad ride from the Belgian RadikalBugz called “The Green Thunderbolt”
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
45
60
Slick Single Cab The Single Cab Pick Up is not the most common basis for a Resto Cal. But this one proves that they can be made to into the perfect So-Cal cruiser, and it was good enough to be the first-ever official Original German Folks Klub Pick-Up Type 2. Words: Ivan McCutcheon Translation: Yves Maertens | Georg Otto Pictures: Niels Timmerman
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
61
Bugs on Wheels 12-14 July 2013 in Lubbeek, Belgium Every year there are new events on the VW show calendar. Some are small, others are set up very big, you never know what to expect... Unless you head down there and find out! > Words: Karl Smits
Translation: Kobus Cantraine | Yves Maertens | Georg Otto Pictures: Kevin Maquoi
o be honest, what can one expect from the first edition of a new VW Show? Geert Mommen, who’s been involved with Aircooled cars for a few decades with his MG Racing Company, and running his Beetle in the Käfer Cup races, had spared no cost or effort to get a great display of VWs together in his hometown: the tiny settlement of Lubbeek in Brabant province in the north of Belgium. Among his aides was Karl Smits: “I was very honoured when Geert asked me to be part of the team,” he says. “We spent months planning every small detail and then taking the show all over the country on a wild promo tour.
T
70
The fair was planned as follows: starting Friday we opened the campsite and treated visitors to a great party inside our marquee. We rented a 15 x 35m tent and built a big stage inside and set up a VW-decorated VIP lounge, and then on Saturday night the Rumblejetts (Kansas City – USA) played until “Koyle” (Genk – Belgium) took over and the ensuing revelry went on till 5.00am! Plenty of “famous partyheads” told us that it was one of the best parties of 2013!” That wasn’t all that went on in Lubbeek: once the empty beer barrels were cleared out, the show-and-shine was set up in traditional concours d’elegance style.
The judges inspected all the cars with a fine toothcomb, and took their time to pick 53 winners out of the 300 or so Aircooled VWs in attendance. Every detail was checked. “We also had a cosy swap meet, and a Gasser line up with the “Beat The Strip” bus as a backdrop. Some of the top-level cars came over from England and Germany, but most of them were built in Belgium.” The Bugs on Wheels crew made sure the crowd didn’t go hungry, and hosted a massive BBQ, and in fact if there was one complaint, it was that there was just too much food!
Show | Bugs on Wheels #1
The Bugs on Wheels was held in the town of Lubeek, every square meter of grass was filled with VW’s
“Then came the highlight of the event. Everyone gathered inside the big tent for our awards ceremony, and that’s when we presented each show car in turn!” Each one received a nice personalised presentation while the photographers clicked away. There were Top3 awards in different classes and, on top of that, Best Engine, Best Interior, Longest Distance, oldest Car, Chrome Bitch, Most Club Members, Bugland.be Award, BBT-Choice, plus two Best of Show trophies and, of course, an Airmighty Award! The Public’s Choice award and the Crew’s Award went to Marc Airbug’s “White Delight” and GhiaStef’s Dyno Pincher Gasser. The Best of Show trophies were so large that they didn’t even fit inside the cars that won them! “Looking back at the event, I think it was a great first edition, even though the weather could have been better,” comments Karl. “But every opening act is always a tough one, with lots of trial-and-error, and now
AM#12 cover car Mark Haenel’s White Delight ‘63
In the show and shine all types found their spot
Ex-Kieft en Klok patina bus now lives in Belgium
Stefan “Ghiastef” Dendievel’s Dyno Pincher gasser
we know we can fix a whole bunch of things for next time. Everyone who gave us feedback has helped us to improve our game for the next one.” With that attitude we’re sure the next edition will be even better, and a welcome addition to the Belgian and European VW calendar.
> Not a bad turnout for the first edition of this new Belgian Aircooled VW event < The date has already been set for 20th to 22nd June 2014. In 2015 the Bugs on Wheels crew will give it a miss, because they will all be attending the vintage event at Bad Camberg, but after that it should be a biennial event, which can only enhance the quality and the quantity of the attending cars. For this year, they’ve promised us a Coachbuilt Corner and a Hobo Theme Party on Saturday night, with a guest appearance by Sergio, a well-known Belgian Tom Jones
kind of character… So, will we be seeing you and your Aircooled ride in Lubbeek next year? al ehrlich, was erwartet man von einem VW-Treffen, das zum ersten mal stattfindet? Letztes Jahr feierte “Bugs on Wheels” Premiere im belgischen Lubbeek, ins Leben gerufen von Gerd Mommen. Gerd ist bekannt in der Szene und schon lange involviert, vor allem durch sein MG Racing Company-Team, mit dem er bei Käfer Cup-Rennen teilnimmt. Mit an Bord holte er Karl Smits, mit dem er vorher auf Promo-Tour ging und kräftig die Werbetrommel rührte. Das bei diesem Treffen nicht gespart wurde, zeigte sich dann am zweiten Juli-Wochenende im letzten Jahr. Bereits am Freitag öffnete man den Campingplatz mit kostenlosen Duschen, am Abend startete bereits die erste Party im großen Festzelt, in dem es auch eine VIP-Lounge und eine Bühne gab. Auf der spielten am Samstag Abend die Rumblejetts aus Kansas City,
M
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
71
Belgian Chocolate Words: Kobus Cantraine Translation: Yves Maertens | Georg Otto Pictures: Kenneth Anno | Kevin Macquoi
On Sunday at Das Drag Day it received a ‘Best Cal Look’ award, and at Spa’s Bugshow it got in the Top 20. Amazingly, just eight days earlier it was totally in pieces! Days and nights were spent getting the car finished... And it paid off! Here’s Melvin Anno’s Cal Look Split! > 78
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
79
88
Show | Herford 2014
Herford
6th VW K채fer- und Veteranenwintertreffen Words: Igor Vucinic Pictures: Igor Vucinic Translation: Kobus Cantraine | Yves Maertens | Georg Otto
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
89
4th Vintage Volkswagen Meeting in D端sseldorf
98
Show | Classic Remise
Classic Remise ‘VW Treffen mit Atmosphäre’ The Vintage Volkswagen show at the Classic Remise is something that shouldn’t be missed, the location is quite unique and the mix of cars present there is just phenomenal! > Words: Claus Missing Translation: Kobus Cantraine | Yves Maertens | Georg Otto Pictures: Claus Missing | Paul Peeters
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
99
106
Beutler &
Wendler Pictures & Words: Paul Peeters Translation: Yves Maertens | Georg Otto
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
107
108
1958 Porsche
Beutler
Switzerland In the wonderful world of special coach building, things are often not what they appear to be at first glance. Many cars are subject to confusion, as little is known about them. For this extremely rare 1958 Beutler Porsche, sometimes also referred to as ‘Beutler Special’, it is no different. Certain media even suggest the car is a thoroughbred Porsche, and fail to unveil its hidden secret…
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
109
118
1957
Wendler Not much is known about the early history of this Volkswagen Wendler, except that it was delivered to its first American, Californian owner in 1957. So, back in the fifties, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good chance this car could be spotted cruising along the Pacific Coast highway. Today, the car is no longer in Americaâ&#x20AC;Ś
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
119
Spijlbustreffen 2013 Words: Marco Derikx Pictures: Niels Timmerman Translation: Kobus Cantraine | Yves Maertens | Georg Otto
It started out as a small get-together for pre-1967 Type2 owners, and it’s grown to be one of the nicest camp-outs you’ll find here in Europe. The “Splits at the Lake” now brings together around 100 Split Window Buses > hat better way to enjoy those last days of the fine summer weather then chilling with a nice cold beer and a tasty barbeque while listening to some great live band playing by the water! Reminiscing with your friends about how great the Aircooled VW season has been this past year…
W
The Dutch International Splijlbustreffen, or Split Window Bus Gathering, started in 2006 and quickly it became an event that alternated its location between The Netherlands and Belgium. Jan Bruins and Frank Meels set up the first two events and insisted on free admission. The first two shows were held at Sevenum’s “De Schatberg” campsite, and they quickly drew interest from Type2 owners from all over Europe. That first location was soon outgrown, and they looked for an alternative, which is how they ended up in 2009 at the Laco Strandbad in Nuenen. Everyone loved the new venue, and it was a no-brainer to return there on the 27th, 28th and 29th of September 2013 for the 5th edition of this pre-67 Type2 event. About 100 Split Screen Vans and their owners from all over Europe congregated to spend the weekend together. Today, the “Spits at the Lake” crew consists of Marco Derikx, Luc Naus, Wouter Duyndam and a whole team of volunteers, who collectively run the show and transform the cosy beach-front location into one of the most beautiful settings for a Vintage VW event you can find in The Netherlands. Visitors were treated to Flyboard demonstrations on the lake, and the obligatory Fire Pump blast-off - powered by industrial Aircooled VW engines, of course, what else!? The Coffee VW provided tasty freshly-ground beverages, dispensed from their VW bus, and there was ice-cold beer at the bar, plus cocktails and ice creams for all, served on the wooden deck. Meanwhile, the kids had a blast in the playground, inside the huge Bus bounce-house, or spending hours drawing with chalk on the
128
chalkboard matt-black Beetle that the organisation had provided for their entertainment. The swap-meet was the playground for the grown-ups, who were able to look for the proverbial needle in the VW haystack. There were plenty of parts on hand, and several Aircooled-oriented clothing dealers, so everyone found something to take home. As evening fell, the BBQs were lit, bottles opened, and tongues wagged amongst friends old and new from far and wide... There was also the possibility of joining in the barbeque preparations, hosted by the head chef of No Nonsense Catering. He either cooked what you’d brought from home, or you were treated to what he came up with. He’s also notorious for hardcore catering on the infamous VW Wintertrail expeditions. A Blues/Rock band called Voltage opened the evening’s entertainment, and then DJ Pierre kept spinning records till the early hours. Some folk just chilled by the bonfire and chatted on the beach for hours, but whatever, it was a very relaxed evening.
> Around 100 Split Screen Buses all came together to have a great weekend by the beach next to the Laco Strandbad in Neunen, Holland. < The “Splits at the Lake” show isn’t your average Aircooled gathering; it’s a place where Dub buffs bond and meet likeminded people who become friends for life, united by this shared passion, which is the Split Screen Bus. Spending time with individuals who all seek out that same vibe is what it’s all about. It’s one of the finer things that we all experience and enjoy about our Aircooled hobby, or, actually, our Lifestyle. Thanks to the amazing Indian Summer weather, the great location, the help of sponsors and their main event sponsors, VW Classics and Kieft en Klok, the 5th edition of this event was a success for the participants and the organising committee, and they will be back in this same excellent location in the summer of 2015.
Show | Splits at the Lake 2013
Buses, Eriba Pucks, Westfalia or other camping tents, everyone set up right next to the beach!
13 Window DLX built by Dutchmen RenĂŠ Kaarsgaren with 7â&#x20AC;? Fuchs in the back
So many Split Buses showed up that a second row parked near the bushes
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
129
Little
BOMB
Words: Kobus Cantraine Translation: Yves Maertens | Georg Otto Pictures: Alain Sauquet
136
Summer 2013 | AirMighty Megascene |
137
Next time... Subscribe
> Do it now and don’t miss a thing! Just log on to the webshop on www.AirMighty.com and fill in the form to get this ‘megascene’ in your mailbox every 3 months! 162