Firstly I would to wish all my readers wherever you are in the world, a very Happy New Year. This weeks blog review is the third and final review all about the Wolfsburg Bus Crew's 2nd Birthday Bash that was held at the world famous Ace Cafe in London on Sunday 3rd September. So what is the WBC all about? Well it's best if I let Rich Coxhill (who runs the WBC) tell you in his own words. The following text is taken from the WBC Facebook page:
The Wolfsburg Bus Crew is a club based in London & the midlands (but with members worldwide) for owners of Volkswagen split screens, bay windows &T25's. Even though we are based in London and the midlands we have members who live all over the U.K. as well as all over the world. Your bus doesn't have to be a show winner or completely mint to be part of the Wolfsburg Bus Crew, it you love your bus, then we love your bus! We have monthly meets, club stands, various runs, camping trips and discounts from VW parts companies as well as many other things.Thanks for your support and let's keep these beautiful machines on the road!. Well said Rich!.
I have been a member of the WBC for about a year or so, and it's a fantastic club, and as I missed the first anniversary bash because I didn't know about it, I was determined that I wasn't going to miss the 2nd anniversary bash. As I mentioned earlier the hard work of running this successful club is done by Rich who never seems to stop promoting the club, getting discounts from VW suppliers for club members, organising club meets at various shows throughout the year, arranging the production and distribution of the club stickers and this year has even organised a calendar to be produced featuring 12 lucky members rides to appear in the calendar with all the proceeds of £226 have, as I write this review, just been donated to the charity Age U.K. If you want to join the WBC, and why wouldn't you?, you can do so by going to their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/684035321730942/
(you may need to copy and paste the address.)
To see all my other blog entries, go to ‘My Blog Archive’ to the left of this page. Simply click on an arrow for a particular year, then click on an arrow for a particular month, this will then give you a drop down menu for all the blog entries for that month
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| This lovely 1965 walkthrough split screen panel van belongs to Robin. Robin has owned the van for about 4 years after buying it off E-Bay without seeing it, but it was a walk through model which Robin wanted so the condition didn't really matter. This slammed van is able to sit this low because the steering box has been raised with a shortened steering column all linked to an adjustable front beam with drop spindles. |
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| The bus needed all the usual repairs to the lower body, sills, rear corners etc. Once all the body repairs were complete the bus was painted in the Porsche Brumos racing colours as this is where Robin works. the van has a 1600TP motor with a beetle IRS and gearbox. The van also has a dual circuit braking system with disc brakes and a servo. The wheels are Porsche 356 reproduction items with original hub caps. |
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| This immaculate 1973 white over orange bay is owned by Luke. This high riding late bay looked great parked up at the Ace. I do like bay's at stock height. Luke has only owned this bus since April this year and he describes it as an ongoing restoration. |
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| The engine is a 1600cc unit with twin carbs. The interior is partially finished and will continue to improve as and when Luke gets the time. |
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| Fiona attended the bash in her gorgeous 1963 split screen bus. This bus was originally from Oregon, U.S.A. and Fiona has had him for just over 5 years. Yes, she's adamant the bus is male as vehicles are normally female. Fiona calls her bus 'Yucky Doo Dah' and no-one is ever allowed to drive him. |
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| Power comes from a 1914cc all steel turbo engine although the turbo isn't on the engine at the moment as the bus still has the original drum brakes fitted. The bus still has the reduction boxes fitted but will still cruise at 60 MPH. This bus is Fiona's daily driver and she says it's the best vehicle she's ever owned. |
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| Just some nice sign writing on the tail gate of Fiona's gorgeous 1963 split screen bus. |
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| An exceptional turn out of WBC members in their buses came to the Ace Cafe to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the club. |
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| Fiona's '63 splitty in the foreground of this photo with other WBC members buses in the background at the Ace Cafe, London. It doesn't look that busy from this photo, but I'm guessing most of the WBC members were inside getting some food. |
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| More WBC members buses at the Ace Cafe, the sheer numbers of members that attended this great event provided a great diversity of buses of all models and all years. |
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| Robin's '65 walkthrough panel van flanked by Luke's '73 late bay and the mango and white split screen (owner unknown). |
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| Chris is the lucky owner of this stunning 1979 high top bay that was gorgeous. The overall finish was amazing, the body was so straight and clean and that bright orange paint was almost perfect. |
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| You can see just how clean this bay really is from this photo. The engine is a 2.0 litre auto, which is quite rare apparently. Chris has had the bus for 11 years and describes the bus as a rolling resto! Aren't they all Chris?! Future plans include getting the bus to sit just a bit lower to improve the ride, although it's not going to be slammed. |
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| The interior was just as nice as the outside. Again the attention to detail was amazing. This very smart and functional interior certainly drew plenty of compliments throughout the evening. |
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| A couple of gorgeous blue buses, Rich's 1972 Westfalia and Joe's 1971 deluxe both these buses featured in part 2 of this 3 part review. |
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| And now a couple of beige buses, Paul's 1967 SO42 Westfalia and Dave's 1969 single cab pick up. Again both these buses in last weeks review. |
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| As promised, here are just some of the girls from London's most exciting burlesque dance troupe, 'The Folly Mixtures', who have been entertaining audiences worldwide for the past 5 years. You can find out more about these beauties at their website: https://www.thefollymixtures.co.uk/ |
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| The girls certainly went down well at the event, this was certainly not your average night at The Ace Cafe! Normally the Ace is full of big hairy leather clad tattooed bikers. |
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| Oops, how did this photo get onto the blog...! The Folly Mixtures taking time out for a selfie with the photographer. This close up photo was just trying to show the detail on the girls costumes.. ,.... honestly.! |
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| Look who I found in the 'Ace', it's only John and Amanda. John is responsible for organising the 'Run the Ring' the charity VW cruise around the M25 motorway, which I have taken part in for the last two years, and plan to again this year. John had brought along some of this years (2017) 'RTR' window stickers and even gave me a couple for my bus. There will be a blog review about this amazing event in the coming weeks. |
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| Just one of the many Wolfsburg Bus Crew window stickers members can purchase from the WBC web site. This sparkly one I think was a limited edition, but it looked great. |
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| As dusk fell over the Ace Cafe, and the lights came on most of the members headed inside to get some delicious hot food.. and a drink of course. |
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| My bus, along with some awesome buses parked up outside the Ace Cafe, London. |
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| My 1969 microbus outside the Ace Cafe at twilight, the velvet green paint looks really dark under the artificial lights. |
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| It's time to present the winners of the evening. Winner of Best T25 was Davyd's 1991 slammed T25 (featured in part 2 of this review) |
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| Arron collecting the best T25 award on behalf on Davyd, I bet Davyd wishes he had gone now as he could have been standing next to all these gorgeous girls!! |
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| The Best Bay went to this stunning 1979 orange late bay belonging to Chris. (as seen in this review) |
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| Chris getting a cheeky cuddle while collecting his award for best bay. |
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| Best split screen award went to this gorgeous 1967 double cab owned by Greg and Stephanie (as featured in part 2 of this review) |
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| Greg collecting his trophy surrounded by the gorgeous Folly Mixtures. |
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| Robin's '65 walkthrough panel van that won the Best Bus overall award on the evening with the Folly Mixtures. (as seen in this review) |
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| Robin collecting his trophy and getting a photo to remember. Well done to all the winners on the night, it must have been difficult to choose the winners as there were so many cool buses in attendance. Thanks to everyone who attended this birthday bash, and I'll see you all again for next years bash! So that was the Wolfsburg Bus Crew's 2nd Birthday bash at the Ace Cafe, London. Overall a fantastic evening was had by all, and a well done must go to Rich and all the people that helped him organise this great event. A fantastic effort by all of you, and don't forget to join the WBC if you haven't done so already. Also a big thanks to all the WBC members who submitted info on their bus, and thanks again to Rich for all his help in producing this 3 part review. Next week's blog review is all about the Chearsley Classic Car Show, where I and a few mates took our buses along and put on a very visual display just to show the classic car folk how the VW crew do things! So be sure to come back next Saturday. |
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