Post by CrazyBrit on Nov 28, 2014 22:13:30 GMT -8
I'm Mark. As the online name suggests, I am originally from the UK. Blyth, in Northumberland county, just North of Newcastle to be exact. The online moniker was created by my fabulous wife shortly after we met, who affectionately referred to me as her "Crazy Brit" for far too many years.
My parents had a Savanah Beige 1968 1500cc Beetle when I was born. Sadly, my pram did not fit in the back so Dad sold it and bought a Renault. Doh. Eventually Dad came to his senses after a string of less than desirable cars (Vauxhall Viva anyone?) and bought himself a VW Polo (pale blue, circa 1977). That was followed by a Passat (Inca Red Metallic, circa 1979), then a trio of Audi 80s (Metallic Gold, 1980. Bright red, 1984, Bronzish red, 1990.) They now drive a diesel Golf, a 1998 Polo and Dad is restoring a 1960 KG coupe that I found for him in Cape Town back in 2001 (the resto' has taken him a little longer than he expected....)
My first real memory of wanting a VW, was when I was around 14 or 15. I was camping in the English Lakes with my parents and was lying outside in the sun (yes, that happens in England) reading a copy of VW Motoring. Then an immaculate ivory 1967 Split camper rolled down the campsite. It was love at first sight and I had to have one to learn to drive in. This was one of those occasions where my parents were most definitely wiser than I was and suggested that a car would be more appropriate as the van had zero crash protection in the front, which retrospectively was a wise suggestion for a new, young and totally inexperienced driver. So as I neared driving age the hunt began and I ended up with a very nice 1973 1303. I know they are not the most popular model, but I loved my Bug and didn't really care that it had a curved windscreen or padded dash. It was two tone grey and we fitted a set of Wolfrace chromies to it. It looked the dogs bollocks. I drove this car for many years, until it eventually entered the garage due to rust. I replaced both heater channels, the rear valance, rear quarters and other bits and bobs, but never actually finished it. My dad finally sold it this year after over 20 years in my ownership.
I still hankered for a Split, and a bus that I knew of locally stopped being driven on the road and was parked up in a local farmyard. It was the perfect project (!) and for 600 pounds the 1963 Canterbury Pitt camper was mine, rust and all. However, the love affair with this one was cut short, when the chassis gave way and it automatically lowered itself by 6 inches. The bus was sold on, as were all of the bits that I had accumulated.
I began the hunt for a better Splitty, but had trouble finding one, even then, for the small amount of cash that I had at 19 years old. Then I found a 1971 peppermint green (it was the early 1990s) Karmann Ghia coupe advertised locally in the AutoTrader for very little money. I bought it. The steering and suspension had been rebuilt, the engine was decent and the car seemed solid. It drove great, but I wasn't a fan of the green paint. So I stripped it, with more than a little help from my Dad, and uncovered a sea of bondo. It was repainted in cherry red metallic and cherished for a couple of years until I needed something a little more modern to get to college every day in the British winter. The KG made way for a 1990 Scirocco in metallic green, the best VW I have owned to date. Again, this car wash cherished, until I was hit in the side by a semi on the highway on the way to VW Action with my girlfriend (now wife). It was a little more action than we were looking for and a real brown trouser moment. The car was repaired, but it was never the same and besides, I missed my Ghia. So I bought another one - my current 1971 convertible. The Scirocco was sold to my Brother in Law for a very low price and the KG became my daily driver - big mistake. The KG is a fabulous car, but convertible KGs are not the best all weather car in the North East of England. This is probably the main reason why I will be repairing rockers this winter.
I finally found my split in around 2001 through a trader at VW Action. I think it was the same year that my Scirocco was hit. The stories about the KG and Split are elsewhere on this website. I still have my KG and my Split, with no plans to part with either. Both were imported into Canada in 2006.
I have owned an aircooled VW since I was 16 and have and continue to meet great people because of them. I doubt that I will ever be without an aircooled VW in this lifetime. My wife thinks I am nuts and she is probably right, but I am quite content with that. Now I just need to talk her around to the idea of another Ghia or an early Bug to fill the empty spot in the garage.....
My parents had a Savanah Beige 1968 1500cc Beetle when I was born. Sadly, my pram did not fit in the back so Dad sold it and bought a Renault. Doh. Eventually Dad came to his senses after a string of less than desirable cars (Vauxhall Viva anyone?) and bought himself a VW Polo (pale blue, circa 1977). That was followed by a Passat (Inca Red Metallic, circa 1979), then a trio of Audi 80s (Metallic Gold, 1980. Bright red, 1984, Bronzish red, 1990.) They now drive a diesel Golf, a 1998 Polo and Dad is restoring a 1960 KG coupe that I found for him in Cape Town back in 2001 (the resto' has taken him a little longer than he expected....)
My first real memory of wanting a VW, was when I was around 14 or 15. I was camping in the English Lakes with my parents and was lying outside in the sun (yes, that happens in England) reading a copy of VW Motoring. Then an immaculate ivory 1967 Split camper rolled down the campsite. It was love at first sight and I had to have one to learn to drive in. This was one of those occasions where my parents were most definitely wiser than I was and suggested that a car would be more appropriate as the van had zero crash protection in the front, which retrospectively was a wise suggestion for a new, young and totally inexperienced driver. So as I neared driving age the hunt began and I ended up with a very nice 1973 1303. I know they are not the most popular model, but I loved my Bug and didn't really care that it had a curved windscreen or padded dash. It was two tone grey and we fitted a set of Wolfrace chromies to it. It looked the dogs bollocks. I drove this car for many years, until it eventually entered the garage due to rust. I replaced both heater channels, the rear valance, rear quarters and other bits and bobs, but never actually finished it. My dad finally sold it this year after over 20 years in my ownership.
I still hankered for a Split, and a bus that I knew of locally stopped being driven on the road and was parked up in a local farmyard. It was the perfect project (!) and for 600 pounds the 1963 Canterbury Pitt camper was mine, rust and all. However, the love affair with this one was cut short, when the chassis gave way and it automatically lowered itself by 6 inches. The bus was sold on, as were all of the bits that I had accumulated.
I began the hunt for a better Splitty, but had trouble finding one, even then, for the small amount of cash that I had at 19 years old. Then I found a 1971 peppermint green (it was the early 1990s) Karmann Ghia coupe advertised locally in the AutoTrader for very little money. I bought it. The steering and suspension had been rebuilt, the engine was decent and the car seemed solid. It drove great, but I wasn't a fan of the green paint. So I stripped it, with more than a little help from my Dad, and uncovered a sea of bondo. It was repainted in cherry red metallic and cherished for a couple of years until I needed something a little more modern to get to college every day in the British winter. The KG made way for a 1990 Scirocco in metallic green, the best VW I have owned to date. Again, this car wash cherished, until I was hit in the side by a semi on the highway on the way to VW Action with my girlfriend (now wife). It was a little more action than we were looking for and a real brown trouser moment. The car was repaired, but it was never the same and besides, I missed my Ghia. So I bought another one - my current 1971 convertible. The Scirocco was sold to my Brother in Law for a very low price and the KG became my daily driver - big mistake. The KG is a fabulous car, but convertible KGs are not the best all weather car in the North East of England. This is probably the main reason why I will be repairing rockers this winter.
I finally found my split in around 2001 through a trader at VW Action. I think it was the same year that my Scirocco was hit. The stories about the KG and Split are elsewhere on this website. I still have my KG and my Split, with no plans to part with either. Both were imported into Canada in 2006.
I have owned an aircooled VW since I was 16 and have and continue to meet great people because of them. I doubt that I will ever be without an aircooled VW in this lifetime. My wife thinks I am nuts and she is probably right, but I am quite content with that. Now I just need to talk her around to the idea of another Ghia or an early Bug to fill the empty spot in the garage.....
