No bickering and nonsense please, no non-VW tittle-tattle, Rattletrap and non VW images such as fat ladies….
I don't want this thread spoilt :!:
Dad's list of VWs at VW Action back in the 1970s as said earlier;
1946 - LAL 23, D.Smith
1947 - JLT 420, Colbourne's Garages
1948 - 1948 VW, Jim Murray
1949 - TJJ 62, Rod Sleigh
1950 - 10 BXK, Tony Levy
1951 - SLH 16, D.Smith
1952 - MRT 308, J. Miller
Two other very interesting cars from Dad's listings;
1950 Hebmuller cabrio – Robin Arkle
1952 Papler Police car – Tom Dobson
The picture of the Papler he took looks to show that the car is on a later chassis though (has 4 bolt wheels)?
I've also found of Safer VW Motoring from the period, features MRT 308 on the cover, with a sign on the roof written 'First VW Built for the UK' In the write up, the 1952 RHD Beetle is owned by a John Miller who claims to also own the last Beetle built for the UK, a 1978 1200L, although its not silver?
Of all the 'original UK vintage VW enthusiasts' above, I wonder who if any today remain on the scene other than Jim Murray?
Posted by: GKL 7 - 13 December 2011 17:21:38
[quote=Old Blue]
I've also found of Safer VW Motoring from the period[/quote]
What date is on the cover?
Posted by: zelensis61 - 13 December 2011 17:57:38
[quote=Old Blue]
1950 Hebmuller cabrio – Robin Arkle
1952 Papler Police car – Tom Dobson
The picture of the Papler he took looks to show that the car is on a later chassis though (has 4 bolt wheels)?
[/quote]
Where is that heb now? any pictures to share. The papler went to Bob shail? So many questions again about hebs....it will never end in my mind.:shock:
Posted by: GKL 7 - 13 December 2011 18:19:20
[quote=zelensis61]Where is that heb now? any pictures to share. [/quote]
It's the one in Northern Ireland,Peter.
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 13 December 2011 19:01:54
I have a picture of some of those cars at VW Action 77. It is posted on the 'your pre 67 picture of the day thread'.
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 13 December 2011 19:05:36
Rod Sleigh is still around and is the owner of VW Books. Often seen at the shows. John Miller still has VWs but has been a little shy of late.:wink:
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 13 December 2011 19:07:32
Some pics of the old days [ATTACH]6773[/Attach] [ATTACH]6774[/Attach] [ATTACH]6775[/Attach]
Posted by: Sunroof53 - 14 December 2011 06:53:29
A few more pics from old shows .LMS must still be about?
[IMG]https://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/sqeeter/Safer%20motoring%20pages/LMSbug.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/sqeeter/Safer%20motoring%20pages/FNPbuga.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]https://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/sqeeter/Safer%20motoring%20pages/oct67a.jpg[/IMG]
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 14 December 2011 09:26:26
Can you spot Jim Murray and Rod Sleigh in my photos?
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 14 December 2011 10:13:33
Who remembers this Stanford Hall? Mud!! [ATTACH]6776[/Attach] [ATTACH]6777[/Attach]
Posted by: RoRoVw - 14 December 2011 13:18:36
Oh yes! I remember that one.
The split screen Canterbury Pitt in the second photo is still owned by the same person and is in regular use.
Posted by: AW - 14 December 2011 17:21:26
Some where i have the remains of the VW Action Vidio that thay made in i think it was 1981 by Hand Made Films Arrrrrrrrrrr happy days :roll:
Andy W
Posted by: Mike Peckham - 14 December 2011 18:56:51
[quote=AW]Some where i have the remains of the VW Action Vidio that thay made in i think it was 1981 by Hand Made Films Arrrrrrrrrrr happy days :roll:
Andy W[/quote]
I have a copy of that on DVD, funny thing is, I think I can see myself on it during the prize giving towards the end of the film. At least it was someone who was wearing a stripy jumper just like the one I had in 1981...
Happy days
Mike :thumbup:
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 14 December 2011 19:12:30
This car photo is at VW Action 76. The car was at Bad Camberg this year and still has the same owner! [ATTACH]6778[/Attach]
Posted by: 59 Ragtop - 16 December 2011 13:50:09
That's a nice looking Oval in the previous Muddy Stanford Hall pic. Wonder if that's still around? Loved the early Action's at Stoneleigh, were fantastic events in my opinion. Such a huge showground, seemed to walk for miles around there when i was a kid...
Posted by: AW - 16 December 2011 16:28:18
[quote=59 Ragtop]That's a nice looking Oval in the previous Muddy Stanford Hall pic. Wonder if that's still around? Loved the early Action's at Stoneleigh, were fantastic events in my opinion. Such a huge showground, seemed to walk for miles around there when i was a kid...[/quote]
The camp site was amazing. We got in to the Rank Village with the Donkeys :lol: It was like a prison cell in the rooms. Can you remember all the discos that were on the Saturday night Happy days. We made it a rule every year we went in to the town Saturday evening to the Pizza Hut then back to the partys :thumbup: :thumbup:
The photos are from Action in the early 80s
The last photo is of an old pall with his kids at Action when we used to be Officials.
I can also remember setting off to Stanford Hall Saturday morning (when it was a two day show) and it was snowing :omg:
Andy W [ATTACH]6785[/Attach] [ATTACH]6786[/Attach] [ATTACH]6787[/Attach] [ATTACH]6788[/Attach] [ATTACH]6789[/Attach]
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 16 December 2011 18:36:00
I have an entry form for Vw Actions 77, 78 and 79.
The entry prices were 77...75p 78...£1-25 79...£1-25
The camping pass was 77...£1 78...£1-50 79...£2-25
Concours d'Elegance entry was £1 for all years.
Cheques to Paul Harris..............who was at the Ivan Hirst meeting earlier this year. [ATTACH]6790[/Attach]
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 16 December 2011 18:45:23
59 Ragtop
I think that oval is in Ireland now.
Rudy
Posted by: Mike Peckham - 16 December 2011 19:01:01
I think this was the Historic VW club stand at Action '83. Anyone recognise the cars? [ATTACH]6795[/Attach]
Posted by: Mike Peckham - 16 December 2011 19:21:15
Martin Southwells' military styled split at Action '81?
Edit: Sorry, this was supposed to have a picture of Martin's car attached, but I haven't been able to shrink it down enough to upload yet. Watch this space...
Posted by: 59 Ragtop - 17 December 2011 10:53:46
Thats good to know. Lovely looking car that.
Posted by: 59 Ragtop - 17 December 2011 11:00:47
Was a tad young for the discos when i used to go. Can remember camping with the ssvc in the early days, can remember thinking as a kid that i was amazed that there were so many different styles of cars, but still all vws:smile: Oh and the grand parade was great too. Also loved the early bug ins at malvern, before it became bvf...
Posted by: Mike Peckham - 17 December 2011 13:42:40
OK, hopefully it'll upload this time:
Action '81 I think... [ATTACH]6797[/Attach]
Posted by: Old Blue - 17 December 2011 14:32:58
Interesting too see how Ovals were of low regard in those early days, with them being battered about and driven through the mud at the early VW events. Advert in an old (1977) Exchange and Mart of Dad's has a 1954 Beetle for sale with a year's test at £170, another a 1957 for a whopping £190!
As for Splits, they really did seem to be like hen's teeth here in England. Up until going along with Dad to an early VW Action in 1977, I'd nether seen another since seeing 10 BXK years earlier. But I'm sure on the continent you could have picked one up for a few hundred pounds.
If one was to have a UK history VW museum, three must haves would surely be JLT 420, 10 BXK and MRT 308. I think that all three still reside in the UK, which is an achievement in itself.:thumbup:
Posted by: AW - 17 December 2011 14:55:56
[quote=Old Blue]Interesting too see how Ovals were of low regard in those early days, with them being battered about and driven through the mud at the early VW events. Advert in an old (1977) Exchange and Mart of Dad's has a 1954 Beetle for sale with a year's test at £170, another a 1957 for a whopping £190!
As for Splits, they really did seem to be like hen's teeth here in England. Up until going along with Dad to an early VW Action in 1977, I'd nether seen another since seeing 10 BXK years earlier. But I'm sure on the continent you could have picked one up for a few hundred pounds.
If one was to have a UK history VW museum, three must haves would surely be JLT 420, 10 BXK and MRT 308. I think that all three still reside in the UK, which is an achievement in itself.:thumbup: [/quote]
For me the internet has made the world a much smaller place. Being away from the VW circuit for some time i was amased at how many L-H-D cars are at the shows now in the U/K.
As Old Blue says above about Ovals were of low regard. Yes i can remember seeing poor examples of them and am guilty of such a crime myself. But as for the splits am i right in thinking that thay would have been all private imports?????? A lot harder back then for the common man to do than today.
In post number 10 by rudolf hucker is the green 1303 cabro that of Master class winner Jack Sanor of the oval in North Anston ?????
Andy W
Posted by: Old Blue - 17 December 2011 15:03:18
[quote=AW]As Old Blue says above about Ovals were of low regard. Yes i can remember seeing poor examples of them and am guilty of such a crime myself. But as for the splits am i right in thinking that thay would have been all private imports?????? A lot harder back then for the common man to do than today.
Andy W[/quote]
MRT 308 a 1952 Beetle was claimed to be the first VW built for the UK, it is right hand drive and came here brand new apparently.
JLT 420 a 1947 Beetle and left hand drive was a private import, but the first Beetle to be sold in the UK.
Posted by: AW - 17 December 2011 15:50:46
Guilty as charged sir I did many miles in this car and to be honest had the most fun with her over the years. Sat on a 1500 pan this car was number one or two for Guilders of Sheffield.
At the time i did not know or she would have had a better life with me :cry: She was going to be put back to as origional as i could get her but some one made me an offer and so i sold her.
( and thay say the rat look is new ?????? Photos are about 87? at Action [ATTACH]6799[/Attach] [ATTACH]6800[/Attach]
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 17 December 2011 16:40:09
AW The green cabrio could well be Jack Sanors car. It was a regular at Stanford Hall. If it was his car he would not have been pleased to see the mud as the car was VERY clean.
59 Ragtop. There was an early Bug In at Castle Ashby. [ATTACH]6801[/Attach]
Posted by: 59 Ragtop - 18 December 2011 12:47:17
Wasnt aware of that. Got any pics Rudy?
Tom
Posted by: AW - 18 December 2011 18:14:59
Before Stanford hall started with event plaques there was a trader selling a plaque and you could have what you wanted on them. These are two i had done to remember the event.
Andy W [ATTACH]6803[/Attach]
Posted by: Old Blue - 19 December 2011 09:58:42
[quote=AW]Guilty as charged sir I did many miles in this car and to be honest had the most fun with her over the years. Sat on a 1500 pan this car was number one or two for Guilders of Sheffield.
At the time i did not know or she would have had a better life with me :cry: She was going to be put back to as origional as i could get her but some one made me an offer and so i sold her.
( and thay say the rat look is new ?????? Photos are about 87? at Action[/quote]
Shocking way to treat an old lady - but you forgot to finish the job and lower it into the weeds. What's with the 1964 registration, didn't think the 1500 was around then :?
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 19 December 2011 10:24:58
59 Ragtop.......i do have some photos of Castle Ashby...mainly custom/modified though and all are slides. The photos I am posting now are all digi photos of old prints, hence the quality.
AW There were event plaques before 1982...see below. Some of the ones you have were given to the concorse entrants and had the car reg on them. Stanford Hall also produced a Split Beetle model with Stanford Hall 85 on the side. [ATTACH]6805[/Attach] [ATTACH]6806[/Attach]
Posted by: AW - 19 December 2011 11:14:08
Thats right old blue she had a three way split personality :d :d
Andy W
Posted by: Mike Peckham - 19 December 2011 11:48:38
[quote=rudolf hucker]59 Ragtop.......i do have some photos of Castle Ashby...mainly custom/modified though and all are slides. The photos I am posting now are all digi photos of old prints, hence the quality.
[/quote]
I’d be interested in seeing any of the photos you took at Castle Ashby. I was there in my 71 1200 Beetle. It was a comparatively local show as I was living in Bedford at the time. It was memorable for me in that a friend had borrowed my beetle a few days before and broken the lock on the petrol filler cap when he went to put some petrol in it. He couldn’t find the remote pull under the dash and forced the flap open with a screwdriver!
I picked up a second hand one from Bug In, so it was worth the trip.
I don’t remember much about the cars but one Split Screen Camper Van stands out in my mind, it was in the car park with a For Sale sign in the window. It had been driven to the UK from South Africa by it’s original owner and was in incredibly sound condition. I wasn’t in a position to buy it but drooled over it for a while.
Mike :thumbup:
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 19 December 2011 11:52:11
Mike
The pictures I have are all slides. I do have a slide copier which I have borrowed but have not used yet (bit of a technodunce). Watch this space.
I remember it was very hot and the afternoon broke with a thunderstorm.
Rudy
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 19 December 2011 11:54:51
AW
Your car had a three way OVAL personality surely?:wink:
Posted by: AW - 19 December 2011 13:56:12
[quote=rudolf hucker]AW
Your car had a three way OVAL personality surely?:wink: [/quote]
:thumbup:
Andy W
Posted by: GKL 7 - 19 December 2011 16:10:20
[quote=rudolf hucker] There was an early Bug In at Castle Ashby.[/quote]
That was one of the hottest days in the UK i can remember.
I don't know Rudy,all these years we've been walking around ignoring each other:wink: To speak only last B.C, MAD.
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 19 December 2011 16:21:52
I must be getting careless in my old age. I usually ignore everyone.
Posted by: AW - 19 December 2011 17:00:14
Taken at Action many years ago Any one know the car or where it is now ???????????
Andy W [ATTACH]6810[/Attach] [ATTACH]6811[/Attach]
Posted by: RoRoVw - 19 December 2011 18:22:27
Yes, I was at Castle Ashby that weekend too and yes it was very hot.
Posted by: pre67vw - 19 December 2011 21:35:14
When did castle ashby end?
Posted by: GKL 7 - 19 December 2011 22:29:53
1 year only, if i remember correctly Rob....Great location.
Posted by: pre67vw - 19 December 2011 22:41:21
[quote=GKL 7]1 year only, if i remember correctly Rob....Great location.[/quote]
I was there that year then! I would have been 15 :thumbup:
Posted by: GKL 7 - 19 December 2011 22:44:01
[quote=pre67vw]I was there that year then! [/quote]
Yes i know.It wasn't just Rudy i was ignoring:roll:
Posted by: AW - 19 December 2011 23:47:45
Stanford Hall dont know the year but the owner is the man with his hands together. Any one recognise him ?
Andy W [ATTACH]6812[/Attach]
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 20 December 2011 10:20:47
I don't remember his name but I think that he owned a very good condition oval in blue as well.
Posted by: six-o-one - 20 December 2011 10:49:04
[quote=pre67vw]I was there that year then! I would have been 15 :thumbup: [/quote]
I went to a VW show at Castle Ashby too around '85.
I'm probably wrong but wasn't this the one which moved to Billing Aquadrome and became VW Expo?
:?:
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 20 December 2011 12:52:43
[quote=AW]Stanford Hall dont know the year but the owner is the man with his hands together. Any one recognise him ?
Andy W[/quote]
Is his name Tony Broome???
Posted by: RoRoVw - 20 December 2011 14:57:38
[quote=rudolf hucker]Is his name Tony Broome???[/quote]
Yes, and he still owns the Horizon Blue oval.
Posted by: AW - 20 December 2011 15:11:51
I remember that name from the past :thumbup:
Andy W
Posted by: GKL 7 - 20 December 2011 16:24:14
[quote=AW]I remember that name from the past :thumbup:
Andy W[/quote]
Not far from you either Andy.
Matlock.
Posted by: AW - 20 December 2011 21:17:13
----Matlock----- Well i never knew that thanks GKL 7 :thumbup:
Andy W
Posted by: Old Blue - 21 December 2011 14:33:00
Slight detour as my 'British Built Beetle' thread has been locked, and really, with respect to the site's owner, why - it just means that postings are disjointed and posters put off!
Anyway, it is interesting to note in the current Practical Classics magazine they have the familiar Morris Minor versus VW Beetle test. While they 'seemingly struggled' to find a good thing to say about the Beetle, the end result was a draw between the two cars. To solve this problem they awarded a winning point to the Minor because it is 'British'. Says a lot about the magazine and its reader ship.
I can say as the owner of both types, our 1968 Beetle Old Blue, is a more capable car in 21st century daily traffic, I can't say the same for our oval Beetle though, its been lowered and so is awful to ride in.:(
Posted by: Old Blue - 21 December 2011 14:43:06
[quote=AW]Taken at Action many years ago Any one know the car or where it is now ???????????
Andy W[/quote]
I am rather sure that this car was an oval put into military style. Sometime later it, as if by magic, became a split window.
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 21 December 2011 15:02:52
[quote=Old Blue]I am rather sure that this car was an oval put into military style. Sometime later it, as if by magic, became a split window.[/quote]
Yes, the car started life as a '55 Sunroof Oval.
Posted by: Old Blue - 21 December 2011 15:06:32
[quote=Rich Oakley]Yes, the car started life as a '55 Sunroof Oval.[/quote]
Yep sure enough, it can be seen at an earlier Action in one of Dad's pictures. Through the windscreen there is no sight of a rear window dividing bar.
Posted by: Old Blue - 21 December 2011 15:09:41
I wonder if some unfortunate person now has it thinking its the genuine thing.
Posted by: AW - 21 December 2011 16:12:21
Another from Stanford Hall from the early 90s i think
Andy w [ATTACH]6817[/Attach]
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 21 December 2011 19:06:42
Stanford Hall again [ATTACH]6819[/Attach]
Posted by: AW - 22 December 2011 10:41:11
Seems like yesterday Andy W [ATTACH]6823[/Attach]
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 23 December 2011 10:52:34
Some more old stuff.. [ATTACH]6831[/Attach]
Posted by: Old Blue - 23 December 2011 15:24:33
[quote=AW]Seems like yesterday Andy W[/quote]
Well it is really - 1976, well that really is a long time ago. Ovals for sale at £150, they were the days.:roll:
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 30 December 2011 13:50:54
Early VW Action Stafford...1977...I think.
Posted by: ovals4ever - 30 December 2011 15:31:20
I came across these in my collection.
Who was a show winner in 1979? I think I have his trophy :d [ATTACH]6844[/Attach]
Posted by: kevsplitty - 30 December 2011 22:17:52
My dad owned MRT 308 for most of the 70's only sold it to John Miller later. John wanted to do a straight swap for a 56 oval but dad said no,he returned with a 72 Marathon which at time was very modern:d ,dad again said No as paintwork on it was'nt great,he returned again with Marathon & money for respray! As MRT 308 was our only car used every day,dad let it go.
My dad paid £90 for MRT ,had it 15 years. He got it off a chap called Philip Kett from Walberswick Suffolk,where the small local car garage collected it from a dealer in kent,after it came over to Dover,think Philip was second owner of it in the village.We only live about 10miles from there & the local garage is still going,now run by the son of the fella who collected the bug.
I say to dad often wish you kept it but he always says,kev every year my holidays were spent working on the bug to keep it running through out the year,he used to take it to most shows but when people started bringing them on trailers & he got docked points for having mud,cow s**t under the wings as it was used allways,he said sod it & never bothered anymore.
He still goes to shows now,got a 73 bug,T25 bus,still a few of the old fellas about but not many:( My dads name is Maurice Goldsmith by the way:wink:
Posted by: kevsplitty - 31 December 2011 18:58:38
Spoke to my dad today,he says he thinks he bought MRT 308 in late 66 early 67 & had it 12 years so would have owned it til the late 70s,he's gonna try & find up some old pics,he's definately got one of the first Historic VW club meet,with a few splits there,i'll post them up when he finds them:wink:
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 02 January 2012 15:09:33
[quote=kevsplitty],still a few of the old fellas about but not many: [/quote]
Oh I don't know! There are still lots of us out there still enjoying our VWs. It's just getting more difficult to work on them, its easy enough to crawl underneath but its almost impossible to climb out and stand up again!!:lol:
Posted by: AW - 02 January 2012 17:10:17
[quote=rudolf hucker]Oh I don't know! There are still lots of us out there still enjoying our VWs. It's just getting more difficult to work on them, its easy enough to crawl underneath but its almost impossible to climb out and stand up again!!:lol:
[/quote]
I second that :omg:
Andy W
Posted by: kevsplitty - 02 January 2012 19:15:14
:d Thats what my dad keeps saying when i get him to crawl under my buses! Ive got him a nice job standing up at the moment,he's rebuilding my single cabs engine:d
Posted by: Rattletrap - 03 January 2012 14:00:15
[quote=kevsplitty]My dad owned MRT 308 for most of the 70's only sold it to John Miller later. John wanted to do a straight swap for a 56 oval but dad said no,he returned with a 72 Marathon which at time was very modern:d ,dad again said No as paintwork on it was'nt great,he returned again with Marathon & money for respray! As MRT 308 was our only car used every day,dad let it go.
My dad paid £90 for MRT ,had it 15 years. He got it off a chap called Philip Kett from Walberswick Suffolk,where the small local car garage collected it from a dealer in kent,after it came over to Dover,think Philip was second owner of it in the village.We only live about 10miles from there & the local garage is still going,now run by the son of the fella who collected the bug.
I say to dad often wish you kept it but he always says,kev every year my holidays were spent working on the bug to keep it running through out the year,he used to take it to most shows but when people started bringing them on trailers & he got docked points for having mud,cow s**t under the wings as it was used allways,he said sod it & never bothered anymore.
He still goes to shows now,got a 73 bug,T25 bus,still a few of the old fellas about but not many:( My dads name is Maurice Goldsmith by the way:wink: [/quote]
Hi Kev.:smile:
MRT although the first [u]known[/u] 'new' RHD VW to arrive in England, has alas never been accepted as official.
The first 'official' imports were the batch of 945 units imported by VW GB in 1953. The first one of the 1953 945 VW GB batch to be loaded onto the dock would be the first 'official car', and probably an oval too, I think that official imports began in June 1953 the oval era. These cars were all official dealer sales.
MRT 308 did not go through a dealer, it was a private order from a worker within the VW factory for a relative in Walberswick, Suffolk, England. It was driven all the way to this address on German registration plates from Germany where it was already registered. So, when registered here it had above the norm delivery mileage, and it could so be argued that it was a 'pre-owned car', and so not new, although this was the only use prior to UK registration as far as I know.:mellow: [ATTACH]6854[/Attach]
Posted by: AW - 03 January 2012 15:28:01
This was one of the first two to be deliverd to Gilders of Sheffield
Andy W [ATTACH]6855[/Attach]
Posted by: kevsplitty - 03 January 2012 19:14:34
[quote=Rattletrap]Hi Kev.:smile:
MRT although the first [u]known[/u] 'new' RHD VW to arrive in England, has alas never been accepted as official.
The first 'official' imports were the batch of 945 units imported by VW GB in 1953. The first one of the 1953 945 VW GB batch to be loaded onto the dock would be the first 'official car', and probably an oval too, I think that official imports began in June 1953 the oval era. These cars were all official dealer sales.
MRT 308 did not go through a dealer, it was a private order from a worker within the VW factory for a relative in Walberswick, Suffolk, England. It was driven all the way to this address on German registration plates from Germany where it was already registered. So, when registered here it had above the norm delivery mileage, and it could so be argued that it was a 'pre-owned car', and so not new, although this was the only use prior to UK registration as far as I know.:mellow: [/quote]
Thats my dad just after he got it,parked in my nans garden:d You must have got that pic off a post i put up somewhere. Just rang dad he said yes you are correct,it went to a german dealer near the border in Karlsruhe,dealers name was John Gramlin he thinks,from there it was driven over,he said it had the dealers stickers on the crotchcoolers but over the years these wore off. John Miller claimed it was the first RHD built for the uk later,dad did'nt realise:smile:
Posted by: Rattletrap - 03 January 2012 19:38:24
[quote=kevsplitty]Thats my dad just after he got it,parked in my nans garden:d You must have got that pic off a post i put up somewhere. Just rang dad he said yes you are correct,it went to a german dealer near the border in Karlsruhe,dealers name was John Gramlin he thinks,from there it was driven over,he said it had the dealers stickers on the crotchcoolers but over the years these wore off. John Miller claimed it was the first RHD built for the uk later,dad did'nt realise:smile: [/quote]
The first VW built for the UK for certain (though not official). Nothing has shown up earlier to disprove that, but there's always the slim chance of something earlier like it 'unofficial' being discovered. It is worth remembering that RHD split windows were made also for places such as South Africa. RHD splits were also assembled in Ireland I believe in 1952 from shipped over 'kits', [i]CKN assembled [/i]I think is the correct name for such cars. Rudolf Metz worked at VW in Wolfsburg, and placed the order for his car through Gramlings. Its a shame the car was registered for use on German roads first though, as Metz wanted the car purely for shipping to his sister (I believe thats who the lady in England was) in Walberswick.:mellow:
Posted by: kevsplitty - 03 January 2012 20:07:29
Dad mentioned a fella called Metz, i see what you say then,prob was the first but who knows,thanks for the info:smile:
Posted by: AW - 05 January 2012 14:58:41
Taken at malvern in 86
Andy W [ATTACH]6858[/Attach]
Posted by: kevsplitty - 06 January 2012 20:22:00
Sorry guys prob my fault it got side tracked to MRT,ive just joined & as it was in my family for around 12 years was lovely talking about it,did'nt realise.
cheers kev.
Posted by: pre67vw - 06 January 2012 20:47:42
[quote=kevsplitty]Sorry guys prob my fault it got side tracked to MRT,ive just joined & as it was in my family for around 12 years was lovely talking about it,did'nt realise.
cheers kev.[/quote]
Not a problem at all, no need to apologise... but lets get back to the topic - thread cleaned :thumbup:
Posted by: Rattletrap - 09 January 2012 11:35:14
[quote=kevsplitty]Sorry guys prob my fault it got side tracked to MRT,ive just joined & as it was in my family for around 12 years was lovely talking about it,did'nt realise.
cheers kev.[/quote]
MRT has a dedicated thread here, I should have told you.:thumbup:
Posted by: Rod_vw - 17 January 2012 23:42:33
Sorry to start with MRT 308 but that car is the embryo of the current Historic Volkswagen movement here in the UK.
Back in 1972 or 73 I met Maurice Goldsmith with his car at the VW Convention at Stafford Showground , that meeting and view of the car prompted a conversation in the pub with a local dealer's salesman. From that conversation we purchased TJJ 62 (1949er 1-101991). This car was resurrected (I don't mean restored!) and became a second family car, second to UDH 235F a 1968 1500.
TJJ 62 spawned a serious interest in early VWs and with Robin Allen's help began the 'Split Window Section' of VWOC(GB). In later years this section of the national club became independent and was re-named The Historic Volkswagen Club www.historicvws.org.uk .
It was our involvement with VWOC(GB) and a passing comment at a committee meeting in early 1976 that spawned VW Action at which for many years I was Concours Manager. At a couple of early events Keith Snelling and myself competed in the Pit Stop competition. Later along with Gordon Oakey I competed with some success in the engine change competition using UDH 235F (then painted Cliff Green or Apple Green for GT Beetle enthusiasts). There is a photo of Gordon Oakey and myself further back in this thread.
After VW Action became a serious commercial venture VWOC(GB) planned and started a new event called Bug-In which was held at Castle Ashby for two years before moving to the Three Counties Showground at Malvern. Again I was Concours Manager until about 2000 when involvement with VW Books absorbed our time at events. By this time the name of the event had been changed to 'The British Volkswagen Festival' (BVF).
As for Stanford Hall, we've been to every one! The Historic Volkswagen Club were co-organisers of the early events and are still involved with organising the prestigious Historic Display onwards to 2012. Anyone interested in the history of this event should seek out back issues of 'The Historic Volkswagen' the magazine of the Historic Volkswagen Club where Brian Screaton has described its history.
The Scottish Volkswagen Festival - Doune Motor Museum - Blair Drummond - Biggar, we were there at the first event and followed it through until about five years ago. Someone else will nodoubt write this up.
Rod & Liz Sleigh
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 18 January 2012 10:02:40
Rod
I have a video of your engine change somewhere. It was of VW Action and was produced by a guy who owned a red cabrio (can't remember his name.....Jeff Barham???).
As I remember the camera is focusing on your attempt to remove the engine but another team actually do it first, the camera then focuses on this car for the refit and you refit the engine first!
I think that on one of the photos that I posted earlier you can be seen walking in the background.
Looking back at my photos of the early days it is very clear that the Beetle is by far the most common VW in attendance. Bay windows were quite rare (expensive) and there were very few Split screen vans (most rusting away peacefully somewhere).
Happy days Rudy
Posted by: Rattletrap - 18 January 2012 11:28:15
[quote=Rod_vw]Sorry to start with MRT 308 but that car is the embryo of the current Historic Volkswagen movement here in the UK.
TJJ 62 spawned a serious interest in early VWs and with Robin Allen's help began the 'Split Window Section' of VWOC(GB). In later years this section of the national club became independent and was re-named The Historic Volkswagen Club www.historicvws.org.uk . [/quote]
Regards[i] TJJ 62[/i], the 1949 right hand drive [i]Standard[/i], you later sold the car to [i]Tony Shelly[/i], who gave it a body restoration, that today would not meet the high standards, but back in the early 1980s knowledge of the cars was a little sketchy. He fitted [i]Deluxe[/i] trim strips to the exterior for example, there was extensive use of body filler too. The car did however look great and took the prize at [i]VW Action[/i] 1981 over [i]MRT 308[/i] that I had entered in the concours.
A couple of years rolled by and I became the owner of TJJ. The car secretly held some mechanical horrors, damn dangerous in fact, as I soon found out. I had to fix virtually the lot, including the gearbox which I soon found out was shot.
Looking back I don't regret the purchase of TJJ too much, I'm still alive, I learnt and experienced so much about the mechanical side of Beetles from it.
MRT has also moved on, but its a shame that it has gone to a collector that never shows his cars here in England.
Today, as you may have guessed, I am the very proud owner of [i]10 BXK, (Rattletrap)[/i], Tony Levy's 1950 Beetle.
Posted by: Rod_vw - 18 January 2012 14:22:57
Hi Rudy,
You are quite probably correct about the camera man and yes Geoff Barham is still around the VW scene! He was at VanFest last year.
Rod
Posted by: kevsplitty - 18 January 2012 21:22:30
Dad has got this small magazine which he was sent from Holland years ago when he had MRT 308,it was an experimental first split window magazine. In it are various old pics but there is one of the first Historic VWOC (GB)
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/kevsplitty/SAM_1196.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/kevsplitty/SAM_1197.jpg[/img]
A lot is in dutch & German but some English too
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/kevsplitty/SAM_1198.jpg[/img]
In this pic are From left
William Foottit,Derek Smith,Maurice Goldsmith (dad),Rod Sleigh & Jacques Mertens who travelled from Brussels for the meeting
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/kevsplitty/SAM_1195.jpg[/img]
Posted by: Rod_vw - 18 January 2012 22:35:10
The meeting was at Federated Garages, Market Harborough and yes I was just as cold as I looked!
Rod
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 19 January 2012 00:41:33
I love the latest updates on this thread! This is just my cup of tea- early UK Split Beetle enthusiasm!
Until the early 1970s, very few people appreciated these 'split window' Beetles in the UK. In fact, very few UK people had actually ever seen a split window Beetle in the flesh. These early gatherings fascinate me as they were the basis of the UK historic VW movement that we know and love today.
Incidentally, there was a 1947 Split Beetle sitting round the back of Federated Garages in Mkt Harborough for a while in the early 1970s. It had been purchased from the classified ads in Safer Motoring from a village in Wiltshire in 1966 (I have the original ad somewhere). For one reason or another, it ended up laid-up behind Federated Garages in the early 1970s (an ex-colleague of mine worked at the dealership at the time briefly and remembers the car). The car eventally ended up in the hands of Brian Screaton who sold the car to the US. The reg number was HOY 955.
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 19 January 2012 00:43:33
PS: Rod- your input into this thread is great- thanks! Please tell us more.
Posted by: Rattletrap - 19 January 2012 09:37:49
[quote=kevsplitty]Dad has got this small magazine which he was sent from Holland years ago when he had MRT 308,it was an experimental first split window magazine. In it are various old pics but there is one of the first Historic VWOC (GB)[/quote]
An excellent find Kev. Your Dad still has some goodies from his [i]MRT[/i] days:beer:
Posted by: Rattletrap - 19 January 2012 09:49:56
[quote=kevsplitty]
In this pic are From left
William Foottit,Derek Smith,Maurice Goldsmith (dad),Rod Sleigh & Jacques Mertens who travelled from Brussels for the meeting
[/quote]
I eventually became the owner of [i]William (Bill) Footit's[/i] green [i]Deluxe[/i] split window, [i]42 BXA[/i]. This car was rock solid with hardly any welding. Mechanically it was superb, Bill certainly knew how to maintain his car. The only downer was that the headliner had been white-washed. The engine was the best 25 hp I'd had, other than in my low-mileage 1949 split, [i](YSV 1)[/i]. It was earlier than the car though and I fitted a 30 hp to 42 BXA as I was using it as a regular driver around London. That 25 is now in my 1950[i] Standard[/i] model which had the 30 hp, (I swapped them around).:smile:
I'm glad I did as the next owner of 42 BXA wrecked the engine on a long run with a broken belt.:x
Posted by: Rattletrap - 20 January 2012 14:07:33
[i]VW Action '78[/i] and I'm lining up for the arena in MRT… [ATTACH]6944[/Attach]
Posted by: Rattletrap - 20 January 2012 14:12:33
[i]VW Action '78[/i], the first and last Beetles built for the UK, (well MRT with the last [i]Last Edition Beetle[/i]).:beer: [ATTACH]6945[/Attach]
Posted by: Old Blue - 21 January 2012 14:42:34
[quote=Rod_vw]Sorry to start with MRT 308 but that car is the embryo of the current Historic Volkswagen movement here in the UK.[/quote]
The MRT car is dominating the thread again, which is about early UK VW shows.
MRT 308 was not the embryo of the current - is there to be another? - Historic VW movement here. That according to my Dad's notes and pictures was JLT 420, a 1947 Beetle, in this country in the late 40's and the first Beetle sold by a dealer here. JLT is also somewhat historic in its own right, as it was a Beetle built under British contol.
I myself remember it being a feature of the 1980's BBC's Top Gear programme, with a complete test drive and appraisal. It was a main feature in Autocar and Dad kept a copy that I now have.
Posted by: AW - 21 January 2012 16:18:45
I have that Top gear item on Vidio somewere :thumbup: I think it was Chris Goffey/ that did the test drive in 1940s dress and he crunched the gears on her as well :thumbdn:
Its probaly on Utube some where
Andy W
Posted by: Rattletrap - 21 January 2012 16:39:37
[quote=AW]I have that Top gear item on Vidio somewere :thumbup: I think it was Chris Goffey/ that did the test drive in 1940s dress and he crunched the gears on her as well :thumbdn:
Its probaly on Utube some where
Andy W[/quote]
I remember that. A different attitude to the Beetle then than by the current [i]Top Gear[/i] presenters.:smile:
Posted by: Rattletrap - 21 January 2012 16:43:50
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/kevsplitty/SAM_1195.jpg[/img]
I'm pretty certain that the car on the far left and off the edge of the picture is [i]349 GMO[/i]. When I got the car about that time it was in a light-mid blue metallic [i]Hamerite[/i] paint, with early 60s on indicator light units.
Posted by: Boo - 28 January 2012 13:30:58
Hi.. Really interesting thread. Brought back loads of memories.
I was at VW Action with my dad from the last couple at Stafford until late '80s at Stoneleigh. I remember nearly all of those reg numbers from those shows! (and from Safer Motoring's "Ancient Beetles Register")
Always was fascinated with the vintage stuff, especially the cars with British history, before the influx of early VW imports after Beetles became expensive and fashionable. I haven't owned a VW for about 20 years now, and may well never do again, but I've joined the forum to see the old pics and share a few you may be interested in (as and when I find them)
SLH16 at Action '78.[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2536/3911534942_87b4b12c0f_b.jpg[/img]
Taxi at Action '78 or '79.
[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2399/1874020664_35d6dc240b_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]
Action '78. Strange rear lights.. Bigger than '62-67 Beetle but the same style.
[img]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3431/3910748439_1de469351e_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]
and.. 'scuse this being not at all standard :oops:
I realise this site is really for standard spec cars but it seems to fit the thread theme... Remember this machine? :omg: Action '79 I think.
I was 12, and impressed! :roll:
[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2149/1873191671_90373b9531_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]
Hope they're interesting! More to come when I find things hopefully.
PS.. What became of LAL23.. It was a favourite of mine (the oldest there?) but never saw it after Stafford.
Posted by: kevsplitty - 28 January 2012 15:23:53
Great pics,i can remember some of those cars8)
Posted by: pre67vw - 28 January 2012 22:04:45
[quote=Boo]I've joined the forum to see the old pics and share a few you may be interested in (as and when I find the)[/quote]
Great pix! Thanks :thumbup:
Posted by: Jollychuffy - 29 January 2012 11:56:11
Thanks for the picture, Boo ! I still own (since 1964 ) the oval "1956 VW" but the original snowflakes replace the "Strange Rear Lights" mentioned : Actually they're Minor 1000 ! Although trespassing onto an earlier forum I'll try to dig out and show a picture from 1981 at Stoneleigh after which date the car was off of the road until service and MoT six months back, since when it has been featured in January "Ultra VW". Though I have dozens of early pictures I don't have any with those "strange Rear Lights", so Many Thanks !!
Closer scrutiny reminds me that for a short while I used chromed later rear lights to replace the Minor items - another " C R A F T " moment ! ( Can't Remember A Forum Thing " ! [ATTACH]6981[/Attach]
Posted by: Rattletrap - 30 January 2012 18:15:54
[quote=Boo]PS.. What became of LAL23.. It was a favourite of mine (the oldest there?) but never saw it after Stafford.[/quote]
I believe that [i]LAL23[/i] was a '47, but according to [i]Old Blue [/i]at the start of this thread, it's a '46. It belonged to [i]Derek Smith[/i], he also owned [i]SLH16[/i] that you've pictured. I think that both cars went of to the States back in the mid 1980's.:wink:
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 30 January 2012 20:10:46
[quote=Rattletrap]I believe that [i]LAL23[/i] was a '47, but according to [i]Old Blue [/i]at the start of this thread, it's a '46. It belonged to [i]Derek Smith[/i], he also owned [i]SLH16[/i] that you've pictured. I think that both cars went of to the States back in the mid 1980's.:wink:
[/quote]
LAL23 is an April 1947 car.
Posted by: Old Blue - 04 February 2012 14:13:54
[quote=Rich Oakley]LAL23 is an April 1947 car.[/quote]
Dad used to talk to the owners and write down details about their car. He has LAL23 down as 1946. I also have the photo he took and it has the back number plate light type before the nose shaped one that later splits have from 1947.
Dad's list of VWs at VW Action back in the 1970s as said earlier, and he was pleased to get each consecutive year of split production from 1946-1952:
1946 - LAL 23, Derek Smith
1947 - JLT 420, Colbourne's Garages
1948 - 1948 VW, Jim Murray
1949 - TJJ 62, Rod Sleigh
1950 - 10 BXK, Tony Levy
1951 - SLH 16, Derek Smith
1952 - MRT 308, John Miller
Posted by: GKL 7 - 04 February 2012 15:06:25
[quote=Old Blue]
Dad's list of VWs at VW Action back in the 1970s [/quote]
Why did he miss 1950 out and list a Zwitter in it's place:sneaky:
Posted by: Rattletrap - 04 February 2012 16:39:02
[quote=Old Blue]Dad used to talk to the owners and write down details about their car. He has LAL23 down as 1946. I also have the photo he took and it has the back number plate light type before the nose shaped one that later splits have from 1947.
Dad's list of VWs at VW Action back in the 1970s as said earlier, and he was pleased to get each consecutive year of split production from 1946-1952:
1946 - LAL 23, Derek Smith
1947 - JLT 420, Colbourne's Garages
1948 - 1948 VW, Jim Murray
1949 - TJJ 62, Rod Sleigh
1950 - 10 BXK, Tony Levy
1951 - SLH 16, Derek Smith
1952 - MRT 308, John Miller[/quote]
Ah, those halcyon days...:smile:
No age related plates either, I just love these cars, the days before the influx of all those Swedish imports.8)
Posted by: GKL 7 - 04 February 2012 19:28:02
[quote=Rattletrap]the days before the influx of all those Swedish imports [/quote]
What's wrong with them?Some one has to replace the numbers.
Only 2 cars on the list are still in mainland UK
Posted by: Rattletrap - 05 February 2012 12:28:11
[quote=GKL 7]What's wrong with them?Some one has to replace the numbers.
Only 2 cars on the list are still in mainland UK
[/quote]
I'm proud to own one of those two on [i]Old Blue's [/i]list still here after all those years.:wink:
But that list isn't exhaustive, there are other splits that have resided in the UK for many, many years and are similarly regarded as 'UK' splits, that is cars from those very early days of [i]Volkswagens[/i] in the UK. My 1947 [i]Type I[/i] for example was here in the late 1950s. My 1951 [i]Standard, 349 GMO[/i], has been here since 1956.
This interesting point raises the question, what is the total of early import splits still here on the mainland:?
There is nothing of course wrong with later imports, I imported my 1949 [i]Deluxe[/i] from [i]Belgium[/i] in 1985 because it was far more original and unused than anything here, or most anywhere infact. Its just more special to me when a car harks back to those early days here and embryo UK shows - [i]the halcyon days[/i].:smile:
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 05 February 2012 15:50:17
[quote=Old Blue]Dad used to talk to the owners and write down details about their car. He has LAL23 down as 1946. I also have the photo he took and it has the back number plate light type before the nose shaped one that later splits have from 1947.
[/quote]
Sorry, you're wrong, it is a '47.
Posted by: GKL 7 - 05 February 2012 17:01:32
[quote=Rich Oakley]Sorry, you're wrong, it is a '47.[/quote]
True this.
I always knew it as a '47.
Posted by: GKL 7 - 05 February 2012 17:08:34
[quote=Rattletrap] I imported my 1949 [i]Deluxe[/i] from [i]Belgium[/i] in 1985 because it was far more original and unused than anything here, [/quote]
Exactly the same reasons for importing from Sweden.
I thought Harvey Simpson imported that car from Belgium.
Posted by: Old Blue - 06 February 2012 11:25:01
[quote=GKL 7]Why did he miss 1950 out and list a Zwitter in it's place:sneaky:
[/quote]
Back in those days I don't think that the term Zwitter existed, and indeed knowledge of split window details was not so thorough. Dad would probably not thought much about different lights, bumpers or whatever on 10BXK, more that they had been replaced over the years. He took down the details of each car when talking to their owners and taking photos, that includes LAL23 which is noted as 1946, and indeed looks such to myself. His list of years is correct as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by: Old Blue - 06 February 2012 11:32:18
[quote=Rich Oakley]Sorry, you're wrong, it is a '47.[/quote]
Posted by: Old Blue - 06 February 2012 11:37:45
[quote=GKL 7]True this.
I always knew it as a '47.
[/quote]
Do you both go to shows and fault people's cars, that you know more about it than the owner, this is wrong, thats wrong, thats a later part etc, etc.
I like to go along and just enjoy seeing the cars for what they are.
Posted by: pre67vw - 06 February 2012 11:58:05
[quote=Old Blue]Do you both go to shows and fault people's cars, that you know more about it than the owner, this is wrong, thats wrong, thats a later part etc, etc.
I like to go along and just enjoy seeing the cars for what they are.[/quote]
Are you not at all bothered about originality? Do you always just believe what the owner tells you regardless of your own knowledge? Some people enjoy cars for what they are, others like originality - neither is a right or wrong way of enjoying the hobby.
I don't know the car in question, but it's usually pretty straight forward to find the year if you know the chassis number.
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 06 February 2012 12:53:15
[quote=pre67vw]Are you not at all bothered about originality? Do you always just believe what the owner tells you regardless of your own knowledge? Some people enjoy cars for what they are, others like originality - neither is a right or wrong way of enjoying the hobby.
I don't know the car in question, but it's usually pretty straight forward to find the year if you know the chassis number. [/quote]
Indeed Rob.
The chassis number of LAL 23 is 64229. It was built on 14th April 1947!
Posted by: Rattletrap - 06 February 2012 14:14:17
[quote=Rich Oakley]Indeed Rob.
The chassis number of LAL 23 is 64229. It was built on 14th April 1947![/quote]
Always thought it was a 1947 car, I'm sure [i]Derek Smith[/i] advertised it as such when he sold that and his other split, the '51 off back in the '80s. I think that there is one 1946 here in the UK, owned by [i]Paul Blofield[/i].
I think that the rest of the list is correct though.:wink:
Posted by: Rattletrap - 06 February 2012 14:23:05
[quote=GKL 7]Why did he miss 1950 out and list a Zwitter in it's place:sneaky:
[/quote][-x
[quote=GKL 7]Exactly the same reasons for importing from Sweden.
I thought Harvey Simpson imported that car from Belgium.
[/quote]
Harvey offered me the car that was kept in a Belgium barn by the widow of the first owner who'd passed away.
I agreed to buy it unseen (very good result too), and he bought it over for me. It would probably not come to the UK otherwise.8)
Posted by: GKL 7 - 06 February 2012 14:45:30
[quote=Rattletrap]he bought it over [/quote]
So Harvey Simpson DID indeed import YSV 1.
Posted by: GKL 7 - 06 February 2012 14:53:19
[quote=Old Blue]Dad used to talk to the owners and write down details about their car.[/quote]
Does your dad collect train locomotive numbers aswell? :cry:
Neither Rich or i walk around shows pulling holes in peoples cars.
But you made a statement on a fact based forum,that was incorrect.All we did was take the time out to point you in the right direction.
Posted by: Rattletrap - 06 February 2012 14:57:08
[quote=GKL 7]So Harvey Simpson DID indeed import YSV 1.
[/quote]
He imported it for and on my behalf.
It wouldn't have been imported to the UK otherwise. It would have almost certainly gone to [i]Canada[/i], but [i]Harvey[/i] didn't want the risk and hastle of shipping such a rare car so far.:smile:
Posted by: pipvan - 06 February 2012 15:50:00
As an outsider and pretty new to this old bug thing, i cringe when i read through this discussion, are you all out to get one over each other. [-x
Posted by: GKL 7 - 06 February 2012 16:12:39
[quote=pipvan]As an outsider and pretty new to this old bug thing, i cringe when i read through this discussion, are you all out to get one over each other. [-x [/quote]
It's all a lark Pip.
People that have seen each other around for thirty odd years.
Don't think it's all serious.Only bits of it.
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 06 February 2012 17:11:38
[quote="GKL 7"]
Neither Rich or i walk around shows pulling holes in peoples cars.
[/quote]
Why not...................it's good fun!!! :wink:
Posted by: nicolass - 06 February 2012 21:51:01
VW Action 1987 i was there with my 1959 ragtop i have only 2 pictures found .the problem is i can't upload them sorry :?
Posted by: Rich Oakley - 06 February 2012 23:21:15
Seriously, I really have no interest in 'getting one over' or 'pulling people's cars apart'. Why bother? I have better things to do with my time. I really appreciate all types and styles of VW, especially Mk1 Polos. I was just simply pointing out Old Blue's error with regards to Derek's old '47. It's not a '46, it's a '47.
Posted by: pipvan - 07 February 2012 07:26:48
The point im trying to make as a newby is, that when you read previous posts it apears that there is alot of bitterness and it kind of puts you off getting involved if you know what i mean, especially when your knollege of the old bugs is not up to scratch, but hey if its all banter, thats great its just not the way i read it. Peace out.
Posted by: Rattletrap - 07 February 2012 16:46:09
[quote=pipvan]As an outsider and pretty new to this old bug thing, i cringe when i read through this discussion, are you all out to get one over each other. [-x [/quote]
A good thread/discussion which has gone a little sour with its originator [i]Old Blue [/i]getting trampled underfoot for his enthusiasm. Sounds familiar to me...:mellow:
Posted by: pre67vw - 07 February 2012 17:18:43
I don't think it's gone sour at all, nothing wrong with somebody correcting someone else with more accurate information. If your knowledge of old bugs is not up to scratch, then don't write your post as though you're stating a fact - make it a question. If you take exception to being corrected then make sure your right.
As a general forum rule, I don't like peoples opinions stated as facts. They're facts if they can be backed up with compelling evidence.
Posted by: AW - 07 February 2012 19:07:01
Is it a fact that this thread is supposed to be about early VW shows?
If so why carn't people stick to it.
Andy w
Posted by: GKL 7 - 07 February 2012 22:08:31
[quote=AW] fact [/quote]
Key word
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 08 February 2012 10:38:48
The first time that this topic started to go off track was on Jan 3rd. Guess who??
Pot calling kettle???
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 08 February 2012 10:41:31
Back to the topic. There were some T2s at the show! [ATTACH]7020[/Attach]
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 08 February 2012 10:43:25
Ooops.................should have been in the old VW shows thread.
Sorry.
Posted by: six-o-one - 08 February 2012 10:52:18
[quote=rudolf hucker]Ooops.................should have been in the old VW shows thread.
Sorry.[/quote]
Moved!
8)
Posted by: rudolf hucker - 08 February 2012 10:59:21
Thanks!! Pic taken at VW Action 77 at Stafford Showground.
Posted by: pre67vw - 08 February 2012 11:31:34
[quote=rudolf hucker]Back to the topic. There were some T2s at the show![/quote]
They don't look very pre '53 to me...
[quote=GKL 7]Does your dad collect train locomotive numbers aswell? :cry:
Neither Rich or i walk around shows pulling holes in peoples cars.
But you made a statement on a fact based forum,that was incorrect.All we did was take the time out to point you in the right direction.
[/quote]
My late father loved old trains as well as cars, and indeed kept records of types and numbers as his boxes of old books show. Is there something wrong about that? There's no old cars or trains behind the pearly gates as far as I'm aware.:(
Posted by: Old Blue - 08 February 2012 13:07:11
[quote=pre67vw]I don't think it's gone sour at all, nothing wrong with somebody correcting someone else with more accurate information. If your knowledge of old bugs is not up to scratch, then don't write your post as though you're stating a fact - make it a question. If you take exception to being corrected then make sure your right.
As a general forum rule, I don't like peoples opinions stated as facts. They're facts if they can be backed up with compelling evidence. [/quote]
I posted what I considered to be factual information, otherwise I'd not placed it. Okay so one car's year on the list was not correct, and could have been inaccurate by a few months. I have the car down as December 1946.
Posted by: AW - 08 February 2012 13:15:44
Thanks for posting the film 64rotbox :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Andy W
Posted by: Old Blue - 08 February 2012 13:21:29
[quote=pre67vw]They don't look very pre '53 to me... [/quote]
I should have started this thread under 'general chat', more popular than I thought.
Posted by: Boo - 10 February 2012 18:32:11
[quote=64rotbox]Moving pictures, anyone?[/quote]
Amazing! :smile: So many memories jogged there. The 'wacky races' display / chaos was the efforts of the "Ribble Valley VW Club" (who used to organise quite a bit of VW road rallying, autotesting etc. round Lancashire in the late '70s) and the "Clitheroe VW Club", a less serious offshoot. I remember those cars when they were still on the road! :lol: I think the dark red one with the passenger door off may have actually been driven there! (with door still on). The owner of that, Ian Chadwick also had a bright yellow 1964 KG which he used to road-rally. A proper ratty thing with Porsche 356 wheels and a roll cage in. Wish we'd had digital cameras then!
Anyway.. here's the matt black car.. Probably Friday evening or early Saturday as they look fairly undecorated compared to the film.
[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2325/1873186113_60f8c5b408_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]
..and this is it still road-legal in '78 being the Clitheroe club stand.. They painted a number on the roof, inverted it and sold 'guess the number' tickets. On Sunday it was pushed back on its feet and the winner won some cash. It wasn't its first or last time inverted.. The owner used to go playing in Ribble Cement's quarries where he worked, and had rolled it a few times for fun!
[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2262/1874007042_510be16c93_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]
This was Ribble Club's 'clown car' in '78.. They did some kind of arena display (I remember it had a coup[le of eccentric wheels) which is probably what led to the display of general chaos between the two clubs in '79 on the film!
[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2372/1967118705_f750b0b715_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]
PS.. Good to see the VW scene still contains so much argument and bickering! Back in the day it was all air vs. water cooled. Noad or anti Noad! :roll: :lol: :beer:
Posted by: 64rotbox - 10 February 2012 18:41:26
Excellent snaps! I always remember reading about the Ribble antics in the Safer Motoring show reports, but can't recall seeing it at first hand. I did go to Action in 1980, but I was nine years old and if I was witness to such activity, it's fallen out of my brain along the way! I do remember the engine change and the thing where people loaded and unloaded boxes into T3 Variants... possibly something involving buckets of water too.
Whatever happened to G.R. Derrick, I wonder...?
Posted by: Boo - 10 February 2012 18:42:04
[quote=Jollychuffy]Thanks for the picture, Boo ! I still own (since 1964 ) the oval "1956 VW"... ...I have dozens of early pictures I don't have any with those "strange Rear Lights", so Many Thanks !!
[/quote]
Wow. Really pleased that it's still around, and what great synchronicity! That pic's been sitting in a tin unseen for years, and on flickr a couple since I scanned it, but happening to post it on a forum the owner happens to frequent, just after the car's restoration! :smile: When I next lay my hands on the print I'll get in touch to post it. It should be with the car! Might be some time before it turns up (chaotic filing system) but when it does it's yours.
Likewise if anybody knows SLH16's owner by the way.. They're most welcome to the original print when I find it.
Posted by: pre67vw - 10 February 2012 20:03:04
[quote=Old Blue]I should have started this thread under 'general chat', more popular than I thought.[/quote]
Moved.
Posted by: Old Blue - 11 February 2012 15:12:05
[quote=pre67vw]Moved.[/quote]
Great thanks.:smile:
Posted by: Jollychuffy - 11 February 2012 16:26:20
In an earlier reply to BOO I mentioned that I had fitted the original snowflakes back onto the rear of my Jungle Green 1956 Oval and hopefully can attach a more-recent ( summer 2011) photo showing the current unrestored ( 74,000 mile) overall state. I'd really welcome a print of that picture sometime, BOO, to add to my collection.[img]https://OS Rear[/img]
One week on I have at last mastered the technique of changing photographs from Jpeg to Pdf format thus enabling attachment of my picture of the rear of my '56 Oval wearing the correct rear lamps . [ATTACH]7082[/Attach]
Posted by: Barrie - 10 March 2012 16:17:44
[quote=Boo]Amazing! :smile: So many memories jogged there. The 'wacky races' display / chaos was the efforts of the "Ribble Valley VW Club" (who used to organise quite a bit of VW road rallying, autotesting etc. round Lancashire in the late '70s) and the "Clitheroe VW Club", a less serious offshoot. I remember those cars when they were still on the road! :lol: I think the dark red one with the passenger door off may have actually been driven there! (with door still on). The owner of that, Ian Chadwick also had a bright yellow 1964 KG which he used to road-rally. A proper ratty thing with Porsche 356 wheels and a roll cage in. Wish we'd had digital cameras then!
Anyway.. here's the matt black car.. Probably Friday evening or early Saturday as they look fairly undecorated compared to the film.
[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2325/1873186113_60f8c5b408_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]
..and this is it still road-legal in '78 being the Clitheroe club stand.. They painted a number on the roof, inverted it and sold 'guess the number' tickets. On Sunday it was pushed back on its feet and the winner won some cash. It wasn't its first or last time inverted.. The owner used to go playing in Ribble Cement's quarries where he worked, and had rolled it a few times for fun!
[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2262/1874007042_510be16c93_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]
This was Ribble Club's 'clown car' in '78.. They did some kind of arena display (I remember it had a coup[le of eccentric wheels) which is probably what led to the display of general chaos between the two clubs in '79 on the film!
[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2372/1967118705_f750b0b715_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]
PS.. Good to see the VW scene still contains so much argument and bickering! Back in the day it was all air vs. water cooled. Noad or anti Noad! :roll: :lol: :beer:
[/quote]
Hi All , my first post
The clown car was driven by Ian Chadwick who I believe lives in South America, I was inside the car making red smoke come out of the motors cooling fan via. a hole in the fire wall we had wires to the wings so when one was pulled a wing or bonnet fell off, also one of the club (Ribble VW ) was dressed up with a mask and cape and he pulled the bits off, that was Paul Smith now called Smax Smith ( https://www.smax.co.uk/about-smax.asp ) and in 2003 Smax won the FIA top fuel championship. who would have thought it all came from a clown VW
Barrie
ps. A good shot of me at 10.27
Posted by: AW - 14 May 2012 16:06:08
[quote=64rotbox]Moving pictures, anyone?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVQZj1rgCck[/youtube][/quote]
Just whatched this again and at 17 seconds theres an old pall of mine in the jacket with the tash. :omg: All those years ago :wink:
Andy w
Posted by: pre67vw - 04 July 2026 08:29:40
Digging up this old thread in the hope that people who have posted on it will see.
I have an idea for a little display at the next Lavenham show - it’s a line up of ‘British Pioneers’ in the VW hobby. The idea would be to try and get some of the old cars from these early shows that are still around on display in 2027. I’m not sure how many cars are still in the UK and how many would be up for attending, so at this stage it’s just an idea.
Any help gratefully received!
