VWt -julkaisun Issue 111 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

Hello and welcome to issue 111 of VWt. Don’t you just love that funny feeling you get inside when you arrive home after being out all day, sit down in your favourite comfy chair, kick back, pause for thought and just feel loved? Fear not, I’m not going all Loose Women on you, I don’t mean any of that relationship malarkey. Hell no, I mean that warm fuzzy feeling you get after an awesome VW meet or show. And, Sunday evening after I got back from Busfest I could have nearly exploded with fuzziness. Why’s that? First off it was a great a show, with awesome people and that VW style atmosphere that reminds you why you spend so much time messing around with your Dub, especially in the lead…

A massive thanks to the crew at Blyton Park Circuit for letting us shoot Andrew’s T6.1 at their awesome circuit. Like many modern circuits, Blyton Park started life as an airfield. Opened in April 1942 as RAF Blyton, it was home to 2,355 service personnel during the Second World War. With three runways, several large hangars, bomb stores and plentiful space for accommodation its first purpose was as an Operational Training Unit for Polish aircrew learning to fly Wellington bombers. 199 squadron moved in during November 1942 and flew 119 sorties over enemy territory during a four-month residency. Later in 1943, RAF Blyton became home to No1662 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU). Their Wellington and Lancaster bombers were based in Gainsborough until the end of the war. Post 1945, Blyton Park…

GIVE US A WAVE Hello VWt and all other Veedubbers, Please wave! We’ve just upgraded to a T6.1 and now feel ostracised by the VW community as no-one is waving to us anymore (sad face). Are people jealous? Do they think we have just bought into the lifestyle? Then please think again. We bought our previous, already converted van, a T5.1, in 2017 to see if we liked the way of life, having camped under canvas for years and visited Busfest as day visitors for a couple of years, and we loved it! VWs draw people in, and random people come and talk to you, wherever you are, which we are very happy to do as we enjoy meeting new people. Lockdown hit us and we could not go anywhere…

BC RACING 2K CADDY BR SERIES COILOVERS BC Racing have announced its BR Series coilover kit for the 2k Caddy (with 49.5mm struts). The adjustable dampers come with 7kg rated springs and are designed by the factory to have the best overall compromise of spring rate, ride height range, top mount design and damping rate. These competent coilovers are more than capable of dealing with fast road and track work, but also retain a high degree ride civility so your Caddy can still be used for mundane duties and long journeys without the ride becoming tiring. The BR series coilovers use a large 46mm diameter piston in a 53mm diameter damper body to maximise oil capacity. As the damper unit operates the oil contained within heats up. The viscosity of…

It’s funny how you notice certain ownership patterns when writing for different magazines. In Volksworld and Camper & Bus, where I also contribute you notice that people tend to buy an earlier car each time they swap cars until they get to a point where they realise that later cars are more practical to use. One thing I’ve noticed across all the magazines is that there’s a trend for going lower and lower with each subsequent build until a point is reached when people are well and truly over the lowered life, after which a swamper build tends to happen. A more recent thing I’ve noticed, though, is the gravitation towards a Crafter; at least 30% of the feature van owners I’ve spoken to for VWt in the past six…

First off, I have a confession to make, I may be the editor of VWt and may have been a van fan for quite some time, but I’ve never been to Busfest before, yes really! I know, criminal right? The thing is, although I’ve had a van for quite some time the show always clashed with an event commitment I’ve had for many years. I’d often see the convoys of Transporters on the M5 from Busfest on the Sunday evening as made my way home and thought one day I’d love to be in my van coming home from that. Well, this year I finally popped my Busfest cherry at the ripe old age of.... let’s just say 40-something and God I am a glad I did, as I can…

Whenever something new and automotive surfaces the reaction is always the same, right? “It’s ugly. Looks like a bulldog chewing a wasp. Why did they bother? It’s nothing like the old one. I’m never selling mine, what’s the point?” Six months later when all of the cool styling parts are out and every tuner has jumped on the bandwagon, and you start noticing more and more on the road, that initial scepticism always subsides. “You know what, I quite like ‘em now.” Remember all of the guppy like comments that were hurled at the T6.1 Sportline when it first made an appearance? Yep, that’s what we mean. Now though, as with any next gen model, it’s the talk of the town. The one thing you can always rely upon with…

The problem I’ve always had with awnings is there has never been something that suits my needs and that’s potentially because my needs are always changing and different each time I use the van. It’s why after a good six years of van ownership I’ve never actually owned an awning. I’ve always looked at them and wanted something, but nothing has ever ticked all the boxes for me. I had an idea for something that I wanted to make for the van and got a few parts in, I spent several hours scratching my head and then attempting to stitch something together. The concept was sound (I think), the build unfortunately was not. I’m all up for having a go at making things but sometimes things should just be left…

It must be nice waking up in the morning and heading into work with a genuine smile on your face. It’s one of those rare things that you can’t really put a price on. In terms of trying to buy it at least. The true cost comes in how much you’re willing to commit to it. The business world of Planet Earth is based on two things, profit margin and growth. Here’s a hot tip from the owner and builder of this 2021 Martini Racing tribute T6.1 - ditch both of those ideas and find your inner peace! Andrew Lund has an interesting background that centres around ten years in a management position for a motorbike racing team. “I set up Revolution Leisure Campervans around three years ago after leaving…

MASTER & DYNAMIC’S MW08 SPORT Think you’ve got cool earbuds already? We bet they don’t come with a kevlar fibre case do they? What about 42 hours total battery life, memory foam ear bud tips, IPX5 waterproofing with 11mm Beryllium drivers and hybrid active noise cancellation? Nope? Time to up your game with some Master & Dynamic’s MW08 Sport wireless earbuds then. Price £329 www.masterdynamic.co.uk PIONEER VREC-DH300D DASH CAMERA Take a look at the latest model to join the Pioneer dash camera line-up. This next-generation VREC-DH300D offers a class-leading level of camera features and will keep a sentinel-like watch over both ends of your van, day and night. Pioneer has been able to shrink the VREC-DH300D’s lead camera into an inconspicuous device no bigger than a deck of cards yet…

The North Coast 500 or NC500 is a road trip that we’ve wanted to do ever since we finished our second self-build campervan conversion. Putting in hours of graft at weekends and nights after work, educating ourselves with books and internet info, we felt quite happy that we had done a solid job for two girls! The only help we had was from my electrician brother who did the EHU, spilt charge system and all the electrical fixtures. We’ve taken the van on many weekends away, but never anything longer than two or three nights, and we wanted to make sure the van was mechanically up to the trip. So, first it was off to the garage for a new timing belt and a drive shaft. We also thought it…

Can you believe the T4 has been with us now for just over 30 years?! Released in 1990 it’s the Daddy of all the front engined Transporters that have followed since. This ‘91 model on a H plate has to be one of the earliest still on the road. Sam reports differences in the tailgate when compared with a ‘94 van suggesting VW were tweaking the design even before the ‘96 facelift to accommodate the VR6 engine option. Rusted out sills and wheel arches are common on UK vans of this vintage, but Sam had no trouble sourcing panels from Autodoc.…

Whether you wanted to cut shapes, throw your hands in the air (like you just don’t care) or just play some good ol’ air guitar to classic metal like the Foo Fighters tribute band the Foos, there was something for everyone during the night-time entertainment. There was also all-day music from VDub Radio, as they broadcasted live from the show for three full days and plenty of bands, solo singers and entertainment spread out around the vast venue. We particularly liked the chilled-out vibes of the err... chill stage on Sunday afternoon and Tom Dibb. Oh, and entertainers 2Men, who got up to all kinds of mischief all day!…

Send us yours: Ever dreamed about seeing your van appear in the pages of VWt? Make that dream a reality! Simply e-mail a selection of good quality high-res images of your van to glenn.rowswell@kelsey.co.uk along with a full spec list and add the subject title ‘Your Vans’. But please remember, if you didn’t take the photos, you MUST have permission from the photographer to use the images in the magazine, and all images should be free from watermarks (by submitting an image you assume responsibility for any copyright infringement). So, what are you waiting for? Let’s see those project builds! PAUL HUNTER’S 2005 Caddy, Southampton Hey VWt, check out my 2005 fully facelifted VW Caddy. I’ve owned it for 8 years and it was originally a body shop parts runner…

In some quarters Martini is more recognisable as race car branding than what it actually is - that’s a drinks brand famous for vermouth if you’re in the ‘some quarters.’ Andrew’s van celebrates the first major win for Martini and the romance of the 1971 Le Mans 24-hour race, but the first win for Martini Racing came three months earlier at the Sebring 12-hour event - a prelude to the big one! You can go all the way back to 1962 to find the first car, an Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ with a small Martini Racing sticker on it. In 1968, advertising unrelated to racing was permitted on cars for the first time and the iconic dark blue, sky blue and red Martini stripes were born on the 1971 Porsche…

SILVERSTONE With loads of magnificent metal booked in at Silverstone Circuit on Sunday, 3rd October, the largest performance car show in Europe looks set to be a belter. But this year is set to be even better for us van fans, because VWt will be there with our biggest stand ever! You will find us filling a prime space with a collection of the UK’s best VW vans. From previous cover stars and feature vans to some future feature vans and a few special surprises too, that will have your jaw on the floor. We’ll also be joined by our sponsors Mojo Vehicles, one of the UK’s premium VW Transporter converters and their fleet of stunning vans. Whether it’s an ultra-stylish work van, a versatile family vehicle or the ultimate…

UTOKA COOLERS Ever see something so cool you think I must have that! And, I must have that now?! That happened to us at a recent show when we spotted the utoka stand, packed with the coolest selection of portable hard coolers we ever did see. From the everyday carry cooler, the utoka 20 to the mahoosive utoka tow 110, that’s such a beast it can hold up to 150 cans or 5 days of food and drink. It’s also big and strong enough to be used as a seat for two or even a table. The great thing is, no matter what size you choose, you get all the same great features. These include cooling for up to 5 days, an easy drain system, a lockable lid and then…

LEGO VW T2 CAMPER VAN Fancy building a camper van you can actually finish in a day and one that won’t leave you bankrupt? Then it’s your lucky day, as our friends at Lego have just released this Officially Licensed Volkswagen T2 Camper. Though at 2207 pieces, it may actually be easier to build a real one! Features include a textile pop top, trademark T2 wraparound Baywindow, kitchen, sliding door, textile curtains and folding chairs. There’s even a retro surfboard and hippy stickers if you want to recapture the spirit of the ‘60s, though we think it looks better in original form. And it’s a big one, as it’s a whopping 13.5-inches long and 6-inches wide. Price £150 www.lego.com VANDETTA ADVENTURE AWAITS T -SHIRT Check out the latest drop from…

The VW world is full of interesting characters. The reasons behind owning any kind of VW Transporter whether that be a stock 1955 Barndoor Split or a full custom T6.1 on air are as varied as the people behind them. After meeting 33-year-old Sam Beard, it’s fair to say he’s definitely not from the mainstream. One look at his van could convince you of that, but then looks can be deceiving. He grew up on a diet of fast cars and one or two run-ins with the law. One particular occasion resulted in a lengthy driving ban. This kind of energy can sometimes result in complete disaster. Fortunately for Sam, he was strong enough to channel it to more worthy causes. Modifying this super-early 1991 T4 for example. But not…

The last few years Busfest has been home to the biggest gathering of VW 4WD vehicles in the UK, most likely the world. And this year was no different, as there were more T3 Syncros than we could count and that’s pretty special, as these days you’d be lucky if you saw a pair of Syncros, let alone seeing them in double digits. But it wasn’t just T3s, as the area and surrounds featured lots of fabulous 4WD Volkswagens, including some LTs and everything from T4s to T6.1s. There were some great looking Crafters as well! As well as the obstacle arena, there was also an off-road play area that looked a lot of fun. Maybe it’s time for a Team VWt Syncro project?…

If you read my ramblings last issue, you’ll know I finally got the Air Lift kit fitted and I started talking about wheels being next on my to do list. However, after last month’s splashing of the cash it seems my bank balance had other ideas, so this month I’ve reigned it in a bit and decided to focus on a few slightly cheaper (yet still awesome) mods for the T5.1. First up, is a mat for the front cabin, something I’ve been meaning to do for ages, yet something I only seemed to think about when my wet feet were sliding all over the plastic floor. I wanted something pretty subtle, so went for a mat from Stitches + Steel. It has a 556gsm pile weight, anti-slip rubber backing…

British Armed Forces & Emergency Services Volkswagen Owners Club Area: National www.facebook.com/ groups/330513957412420/ Bath Air-Cooled Area: Bath & Bristol www.bathaircooled.co.uk Cambs Transporters Area: Cambridgeshire www.facebook.com/ groups/1374742886168935/ Club 80 – 90 T25 Area: National www.club80-90.co.uk Chase Dubz Area: Cannock Chase & surrounding www.facebook.com/ groups/1535643423130892/ Club-Vdub Area: Kent & National www.club-vdub.co.uk Cornwall Volkswagen Owners Club Area: Cornwall www.cornwallvwoc.com Dirty Low Down Dubbers Area: West Sussex www.facebook.com/DLDDVWC/ Donny Dubz Area: Doncaster www.facebook.com/ groups/562792360434388/ Dorset Dub Club Area: Dorset www.facebook.com/dorsetdubclub/ Dubbed Out VW Community Area: Nationwide www.facebook.com/ groups/2434740270141152/ Dubs in Law Area: Wigan & surrounding www.facebook.com/ groups/1415419492007924/ Dunstable Dubbers Area: Dunstable www.facebook.com/groups/ Dunstabledubbers/ Herts VW Owners Club Area: Hertfordshire www.facebook.com/groups/17758385004/ Highlandubbers VW Club Area: Highlands of Scotland www.facebook.com/ groups/1671739203039871/ Just T4s Area: National www.facebook.com/groups/JustT4s/ Kombi Club Area: National www.facebook.com/groups/kombiclub Leicestershire & Warwickshire VW Owners…

The only VW Transporter magazine you need! THE GREAT OUTDOORS WE GO OFF-GRID WITH SHAWN CAMPBELL’S T4 SWAMPER 132 PAGE BUMPER ISSUE INCLUDING INTERIOR SPECIAL EVERYTHING CREATE YOUR YOU DREAM NEED TO INTERIOR KNOW TO ! Plus The world’s greatest feature vans, events, guides, news, products and more Transporter related tomfoolery than you can shake a dipstick at… *Contents of the next issue may be subject to change Don’t miss it! To subscribe visit here: http://shop.kelsey.co.uk/subscription/VWT…