Everyone's Blog Posts - Volks Culture

DUBBOX the retro caravan,visit www.dubboxaustralia.weebly.com

2016-05-21T09:54:18.000Z

Wanted Vw beetle

2015-12-31T06:33:36.000Z

Vw beetle convertible. Any model up to 1970. Must be a runner and registered. I live in SA. Happy to travel to pick up. Cheers Brad

Wanted Karmann Ghia -pre-69 model RHD

2015-09-16T06:23:41.000Z

Hi Guys,

I've been searching for one of these for quite a while now.

Does anyone know of someone who owns a Karmann Ghia and wants to sell it.

I'm looking for any condition.

Thanks

Moi

adding photos

2015-09-01T16:15:15.000Z

seem to be having trouble getting my photos to post,,, need assistance

cool site

2015-09-01T16:11:39.000Z

thank u 4 having a site to view and share the vw lifestyle

2 x Volkswagen Cabriolet Golfs for sale

2015-05-03T03:36:58.000Z

I have to golf cabriolet for sale contact me on 0435 746 326

T64 Comes to the 36hp Challenge

2014-08-01T05:26:24.000Z

Creating a T64 from scratch is an expensive and time consuming process. Here is the latest photo from Bruce Cook and his crew showing the car is now resting on the chassis, windows and frames installed. Plans are to have the car ready to race in 2015 and take it to a ECTA meet in Ohio for preliminary test and tuning. And hopefully set a new 36hp Challenge Unlimited top speed record.

Stay tuned for more photos as the project proceeds...........................

Burly

The Passing of a Legend - Bill Moore

2014-03-28T23:36:59.000Z

Sadly Bill Moore, affectionately known as Country Buggy Bill, one of the founders of Volks Culture and all round great guy, passed away last Saturday evening. He was at home in Nowra and surrounded by family and friends.

Bill was always the dependable voice of reason, quick witted and a real pleasure to spend time with. He was a great friend.

He was always keen for another Volks adventure having travelled around the world to VW shows, Volks museums, Wolfsburg and of course having been to Lake Gairdner as a pivotal part of team Ratmuller in their successful pursuit of Volks land speed records.

Bill was known far and wide in the VW community, both locally and abroad. Some knew him for his passion and depth of knowledge of the Australian VW Country Buggy. Others knew and respected him as a keen Volks historian who had amassed an impressive collection across a life time of enthusiasm. Some just knew him as a nice guy who was generous of spirit and who looked like Santa Claus.

For years he has was one of the chief organisers behind the Blast from the Past VW show for his club, the Shoalhaven VW Club. He would always proudly show both his Country Buggy and split Westy camper.

He will be sorely missed, but his spirit will always live on.

My Bus - Version 3.0

2013-07-02T21:55:38.000Z

So, it's been a long time in the think tank, but my bus has gone through some very distinct versions.

Version 1.0 (March 2003 - Jan. 2008) - Basically just the owning it and driving it phase. The dream of the Shasta Snow Trip was always there, but hadn't materialized.

Version 2.0 (Jan 2008 - Present-ish) - The Shasta era. For me, it was all about building the bus up to be a trail basher. Tow ropes, extra lamps, gas cans, CB radio, all sorts of gear and kit! Took the bus on four Shasta Snow Trips in this timeframe, did some rust repair, went through a couple sets of bumpers...but this year's SST had me feeling like something was off. The magic and romance of it all was a little lost on me.

Version 3.0 (July 2013 - ????) - I have always loved Aussie buses. If I could, I'd sell my camper and import a '64-'67 era kombi over and love the crap out of it! Honestly, shy of winning the lottery over here, it's likely never going to happen. But I love the look and I love the style. So that's the route I'm headed. I actually am going to be working with a friend to fab up a roo bar (way cheaper than shipping one over) and I'm going to find a way to covert my bus to upper vents. Yup. It'll be a strange hodge podge, but I've studied the structure of how it all goes together and it can be done with some smart cutting and welding! In fact, I even have a guy down under checking on a clapped out '67 he's cutting up to see if the parts can be sourced that way.

My 72 Deluxe Microbus

2013-04-17T05:30:00.000Z

Howdy All

Just wanted to post a few pics of progress on our bus. Bought it about four months ago and plan to have it ready for the 3,000km Volks Enthusiasts trip called Ratex up to the Simpson Desert in a months time. So a pretty quick turnaround for someone who has never done a resto.

This pic was taken the day before I bought her. Having never owned a VW I took a mate who told me it was a bit over priced at $4,000 but I have been looking for a lowlight and reckoned it wasn't too bad. My reasoning was if I was doing a full resto and keeping the car then a grand here or there wasn't going to be the end of the world.

I have since learned it is the "cross-over" with disc brake front end and larger, late model style engine bay. The van was a runner but had no glass and rusty cab floor both sides. I honestly originally hoped to spend five or six grand and get her on the road however as you would know the scope of the project has blown out of all proportion and the van went on to spend 250 hours in panel and paint at our families panel shop. Needless to say, after that I found myself getting more and more fussy over how things looked.

Then I decided I would remove the motor to paint the engine bay and powder coat the tinware. Anyway. It grew legs and is looking pretty cool.

I chose a late 60's beetle colour called Bahama Blue for the bottom half. I saw a pic of another early bay with that scheme and I fell in love with it. The top is Blauweiss which is a bay window colour. Both colour codes I found on The Samba website paint code pages.

Anyway the scope grew and the dash came out. I had seen coloured dash's and they looked good but I wanted the ninterior colur to be the same so the dash was painted in the off-white. Then I started to fit all new lights, door seals, quarter vents and door glass seals and the car went to the trimmers.

I have a rock and roll bed being fitted to the rear and the whole car is being done in a fawn vinyl with a "factoryish" looking horizontal pleat in the front seats that follows through to the rear.

Here is a short video of progress to date. In addition to the video the front and rear seats are now in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swmuP8eRkmw

Other goodies include six original 14" rims with white walls.

Ceramic coated headers and exhaust plus a dual stage progressive carby.

Original Deluxe belt line trim. Sanded then polished to within an inch of their lives.

And of course obligatory sub-woofer and amp hooked up to a 7" in dash digital DVD player with Digital TV receiver.

Fitment of Rock'n'Roll bed.

It is now only four weeks until Ratex and I have some work to do on the running gear yet.

So stay tuned for Part 2.

UN T3 - Engine Rebuild Complete!

2012-11-11T10:53:17.000Z

Today, after a year off the road for one reason and another, I finally got my T3 back after a full top end overhaul. Being the South African JT3000 model, it is fitted with a 3l V6 and the overhaul included:

new lifters
Lifter faces re-profiled to suit cam lobes
new valve springs
new valve retainers & collettes
new intake/exhaust valves
heads have been ported and polished
custom cam shaft grind
new timing gear
new Pacemaker headers
New custom 2 1/4" custom exhaust system
Edelbock classic series air filter
New custom made leads

The engine block was repainted, as were the rocker covers. Jamie (mechanic) also replaced much of the wiring and hoses in the engine bay as well as new insulation etc. The motor presents very well. Pretty much no stone was left unturned, with the result being lots more power and ability to rev as well one of the best engine notes I have ever heard. And what a blast to drive!

Today I also fitted a set of smoked tail lights.Bodywork is next for this beast.

Volkswagen Golf Mk7 video review - autocar.co.uk

2012-10-04T00:22:58.000Z

Bay Camper - New cabinet mounted

2012-09-14T03:12:19.000Z

New cabinet in and TV mounted on adjustable arm, now at the front of the bus...nice. Thanks to Tony from Kombi Cabinets. Top shelf!

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimers now also offers Ex Works Restoration

2012-09-11T08:57:13.000Z

Company installs 100 vehicles in 7,000 square meter premises

Hannover, March 29, 2012. Hardly any other automobile has such a high cult factor as the Volkswagen Bus. Today, 65 years after its first appearance, it stars in cinema films and commercials and stands – more than any other vehicle – for freedom, travel and fun. At Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles this legendary VW Bus has its own department dedicated to preserving its heritage: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimers. Formed in 2007, the team has expanded fast over the five intervening years. Not only have the experts purchased and restored about 100 vehicles – from now on, they are offering the restoration of historic Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ex works for external customers, inclusive of detailed documentation.

For this purpose, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimers moved to a new building in Hannover at the beginning of this year. An area of approximately 7,000 square meters now not only accommodates the historical treasures, but also houses a machine park which includes everything from a sheet metal bending bench, lathes and milling machines to its own paint shop. The department now has a staff of 13, from mechanics to a technology historian and an event planner.

Owners of a historic Volkswagen Commercial vehicle can now have it restored here, at its place of origin. No matter whether a full or partial restoration is required, or a Bus is simply to be made roadworthy, the 'Bulli' workshop team will undertake any assignment. Paint renovation or an inspection is also possible. The staff talk through all personal restoration wishes with the customer before preparing an individually tailored offer.

The unique feature: only here does the customer receive certificated ex works restoration. In addition, for each customer the team of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimers provides comprehensive documentation of the restoration of the vehicle, in which every step is photographically documented and described in detail. Thus the work performed by the specialists from Hannover is recorded for posterity, and customers can leaf through their folder whenever they wish. Some of the replacement parts needed when working on oldtimers are even taken from Volkswagen's original stock.

Here Volkswagen Classic Parts supports the VW Bus workshop as a partner.

Another BIG Volks Culture cruise

2012-08-26T04:30:00.000Z

I was reading the paper and came across the ten best drives in Australia which gave me the inspiration for what will be a fantastic cruise for early next year. Many of you came on The Big Blue cruise to the Blue Mountains in January. Make way for The Big Snowy, cruise to the Snowy Mountains in January 2013 - weekend of 26-27.

I'd like to gauge interest and get some ideas for interesting places to stop along the way. Also, this will obviously be a multi-day cruise, so best places to stay/camp along the way? Should this be two nights away or one night?

Let's make this a good one. Got an idea? Put it on the table.

Currently our two route options are as follows:

Route Option 1 - (map link)

Sydney - Canberra (286km 3:14)

Canberra - Cooma (116km 1:28)

Cooma - Adaminaby (51.6km 0:38)

Adaminaby - Tumut (129km 1:33)

Tumut - Bowral (294km 3:18)

Bowral - Sydney (119km 1:25)

Total 996km, 11:35

Route Option 2 (map link)

Sydney - Canberra (286km 3:14)

Canberra - Cooma (116km 1:28)

Cooma - Jindabyne (62.5km 0:49)

Jindabyne - Thredbo (33.8km 0:29)

Thredbo - Tumut (249km 3:23)

Tumut - Bowral (294km 3:18)

Bowral - Sydney (119km 1:25)

Total 1,157km 13:55

And just in case you forgot the last one...

Bay Camper - New cabinet is finished

2012-08-26T03:50:23.000Z

Tony Darbishire from Kombi Cabinets has just finished building a new slimline cabinet for my bus. It includes space to mount my TV arm and adjustable shelving for storage flexibility.…

APR upgrade for my R32

2012-08-16T03:49:42.000Z

I just picked up my R32 Golf from VolksMuller today where it was getting a regular service and an APR chip tune. For the R32 the APR upgrade on paper is only a mild 11kw increase, but the mid range torque has definitely been given a lift. It was fun to drive before, but now I can't wait to hit a nice tight twisty mountain road to really see what she's got.

The Roo Shooter's newest accessory

2012-07-28T22:52:12.000Z

Don't piss off the driver...

German T3 Synchro Camper touring around Australia

2012-07-02T05:04:44.000Z

I caught up with Jurgen and Johannes, father and son, travelling around Australia in this amazing T3 camper. Based on a dual cab T3, apparently, there were 100 total of these campers made, 20 of them being Synchros, with 10 of them still in existence today.

These very nice guys were just at the beginning of their adventure and were getting a few things seen to by Steve at VolksMuller. This awesome vehicle will be travelling the country for the next year so keep an eye out and show them some Aussie hospitality if you see them.

French Riviera in a Karmann Beetle cabrio

2012-06-17T07:18:49.000Z

After a hectic week working in the Netherlands, I flew to Nice in France for a few days off in. What a first day! Edwin uncovered his Karmann Beetle and we hit the roads. First we travelled to a local historic village for breakfast and then on to Cannes where we spent the rest of the day. Wow, talk about lifestyles of the rich and famous. Check it out...

Netherlands Trip - Part 5 (Visit to Kieft & Klok)

2012-06-09T09:02:35.000Z

Here is the drool fest video. My visit to Kieft & Klok topped off a great day (BBT earlier). Got here at about 7pm and stayed until 10pm (even though they closed at 9pm). This place was just off the chart. Don't hate me...

Netherlands Trip - Part 4 (Sight Seeing)

2012-06-08T11:00:00.000Z

Edwin and I dropped off the wheel bearing I picked up yesterday from BBT, and I got out and did a little site seeing this morning before the work shoot this afternoon. Seriously, not an aircooled Volkswagen to be seen on the road anywhere.

Netherlands Trip - Part 3 (Visit to BBT)

2012-06-08T06:30:00.000Z

I took a drive down to Belgium to visit BBT and then headed up to Kieft & Klok back in the Netherlands.I shot quite a lot so will be editing full BBT and Kieft & Klok vids later.What a day...

Netherlands Trip - Part 2

2012-06-07T08:14:08.000Z

I feel a lot better after a good sleep. This morning Edwin and I took his 54 Beetle to the local mechanic to get the brakes looked at. The video shows some of the fun we had.

Netherlands Trip - Part 1

2012-06-06T16:31:26.000Z

I know it's rough but it's pretty much how I feel right now.

Volks scene in the Netherlands & France

2012-06-04T12:19:31.000Z

Hi guys, tomorrow night I fly out to The Nethrlands and France for 2 1/2 weeks on a work trip. I hope to check out the VW scene while I am there (with my local friend Edwin as a guide) and if opportunity permits I will be posting up a video blog every few days. Keep an eye out.

Cheers

Ash

PS. Please post up any suggestions of where I should visit. Already I have Airmighty and BBT on the list...

Mega Sunroof!!

2012-06-01T07:21:12.000Z

I dropped my wife's Jetta in for service today and as a loan car was given a new TDi Golf wagon for the day. It has a massive panoramic sunroof that is just stunning. Interior is so light and airy. An electronic shade curtain slides into place if you get a little bit too hot. I love it.…

The project

2012-04-27T11:02:06.000Z

Some pictures of my 59 beetle, soon to be brought back to life. bought it off of an old guy a few weeks ago with two parts cars and a bunch of parts, cant wait to get my motorbike going and out the way so i can start work on this. Big project for a first timer but should be cool fun.

My Bug was featured in the Daily Herald

2012-04-02T01:41:38.000Z

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120326/business/703269985/

UN T3 - Back on a Table Top

2012-03-27T10:02:28.000Z

Yet again, my South African T3 is on the back of a table top truck, hopefully for the last time. This time it's headed to my mechanic's for the final stage of engine rebuild, exhaust fitting etc.