Sommaire pour Issue 108 de VWt

Hello and welcome to issue 108 of VWt. I’ve got to admit, I bloody love this time of year. The sun is shining (sometimes), it’s light until late and show season is in full swing, at least what there is of it this year. And, I’m going to appreciate being out and about more than ever, in fact after last year I don’t think I will ever take being at a show for granted again. It’s not just being released into the wild though that’s getting me excited, it’s the chance to finally see some vans and put some faces to those builds I’ve been following on social media over the last year. Usually a lot of our feature vans are sourced whilst at the shows, so it’s been nice…

I’m not saying that every van VWt feature isn’t different in some way from other vans; many of the vans we feature adhere to a similar recipe of parts and modifications, but they’ll always carry through the owner’s interpretation of what’s cool. You could put two vans side by side that are the same model, year and colour and they’d be like chalk and cheese. Likewise, you could have two vans parked side by side with the exact same combination of parts, but they’d likely be from different years, different colours, or would have a few things that one owner preferred over the other. Some people, though, like to blaze their own trail. They look at everything that’s out there and conclude that they quite like the concept, but the…

MOON LIGHT CAMPING FURNITURE It’s no good camping without somewhere to chill, so what about this trio from Easy Camp? First, nestle back into the deep padding of the Moonlight Chair – super snug for an evening around the campfire and it even has large feet for better stability on soft ground and groundsheet protection. Then, when sleep beckons, the extra-long Moonlight Bed will cushion you from the hard, cold ground for a tranquil night’s sleep. Or, if you want to kick back and relax while the sun shines what better than the Moonlight Hammock? Comfy polycotton, wooden spreader bars and it even comes with a pillow and carry bag. Moonlight Chair £33 Moonlight Bed £48 Moonlight Hammock £29 www.easycamp.com OUTWELL MOVIE SCREEN With so many cheap projectors now available,…

I’ve worked on automotive magazines for 15 plus years now and I’ve written and snapped more show reports than I’ve eaten overpriced venue ‘gourmet’ burgers – a tenner, for that?! So, it feels pretty strange to be writing this, the first event I’ve attended for well over a year. I knew I had missed show season and events, but I didn’t realise quite how much until I started seeing low slung VAGs scrapping the tarmac on the roads towards Northamptonshire. Nothing beats that feeling as you drive towards a show with your tribe and people that just get it, get you and get your way of life. I guess, as cliché as it sounds it’s just a Dub thing and others wouldn’t understand. Luckily, I arrived at Early Edition just…

If you saw last month’s issue, you’ll know my month was mainly made up of driving, dealing with house renovations and breaking things on my ‘5.1. Well this month was a lot better, as it started off with a special delivery from TAROX - a set of gorgeous F2000 308mm curved groove discs and some Strada pads. And, I was so excited to get ‘em on the van, I booked myself in with Spencer at The Old Dub Shop pretty much immediately. Many people may think what’s the point in fitting performance brakes to a big ol’ van, but other than making you stop quicker and more efficiently it also makes you real-world faster. The sooner you’re done on the stoppers the sooner you can get the pedal to the…

Sid Ford (43) is a builder and has been for more than twenty years. He runs his own company, Stonehaven Construction, and builds beautiful barn conversions, extensions and, if you’re feeling flush, he’ll even build you a brand-new home. He’ll show up in his trusty and beloved Transit van, get the job done and leave you to enjoy your new thing that he built. That all sounds very lovely, but it’s unlikely you bought this mag to read about that. You see, as much as Sid is a fan of his ‘backbone of Britain’ Transit (and with a surname like his, why wouldn’t he be?) his real love is his bit on the side. Yes, this 2010 T5.1 which did serve a hot minute as his work van was deemed…

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed the all-new Multivan, featuring a daring fresh design, more flexible interior, and, for the first time, a plug-in hybrid option. The Multivan is the replacement for the current Caravelle, but despite some confusion it is not a replacement for the T6.1. Even though it’s being called the T7 Multivan, there will be no panel van, kombi or California version on this platform. The Multivan will no longer be built on the Transporter platform and will be based on VW’s MQB platform which sits underneath the likes of the Tiguan, Seat Tarraco, Skoda Kodiaq SUVs and even the new Mk8 Golf. The Multivan will also eventually replace VW’s Touran and Sharan in the MPV section, so this gives you an idea of where it sits in…

JUST KAMPERS ROCK & ROLL BEDS FULL & 3/4 WIDTH Check out the all-new Just Kampers Solution Bed, one of the most adaptable and versatile Rock & Roll beds we’ve seen. The system is designed for SWB T5s and T6s - not Caravelle/ Shuttle models - and JK tell us it’s the first pull tested and TUV approved seat/bed to be introduced in the UK that doesn’t need evasive chassis modifications. Which is great news! It also offers 3 or 2 seat options with integral fitted 3-point belts, integrated adjustable headrests and ISO Fix child seat fixings. In its upright position, the full-width & 3/4 width seats offer great support and with over 6 inches of comfortable foam you can be pretty sure you’ll get a good nights kip on…

T6 & T6.1 ALPINE ADVENTURE AUDIO Looking for the ultimate audio for your T6 or T6.1, but want to keep things looking OEM and subtle? It’s your lucky day! In fact, it’s your lucky year as our friends over at Alpine have released their Adventure Audio pack, an awesome tailor-made audio solution suitable for the California, Multivan, Caravelle, Kombi and even the trusty panel van. Alpine offers three special sound systems for the various series and models. Also, due to the original VW connectors and usage of the original wiring harness, installation is fast and easy. The system is also compatible with the front windscreen roller blinds in the VW T6 and 6.1 California. ALPINE SPC-106T61 - VW T6.1 First up, for the 6.1 owners is the 2-way front speaker…

1. The Wild Atlantic Way At over 1,500 miles long, and stretching from Malin Head in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, this ones a full week trip at least. The Wild Atlantic Way made the Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List last year and was revered as ‘the ultimate road trip’. With the route carving it’s way through County Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare and Limerick this spectacular route skirts the island’s Atlantic coast and delivers breathtaking views around every bend. Pull over on a cliff edge and feel the sea spray in your face, walk for a while on a golden beach, go island-hopping off the coast, and indulge in the island’s finest seafood as you immerse yourself in the wild, rugged beauty along this unforgettable route. Highlights include…

We wouldn’t normally dedicate a section just for the ‘thank yous,’ but Brogan has had help and been influenced by so many people that it almost demands it. So, Brogan it’s all you - “The main person that really helped me is my girlfriend’s dad, Rob. If I’m ever stuck with anything or need a hand - which is often - he’s always been a great help. Also, my girlfriend Georgie. She’s the best! The van probably wouldn’t be where it is now without her. Of course, my good friend Luke Stevens for the initial help getting low and Shane Phillips is honestly the nicest bloke going. He is a wizard when it comes to getting T4s low. There’s my best mate Dom Smith, and Jack Matsell. Jack was a…

Black Sheep Belgium has been present on the automotive market since 2010 and as previously mentioned we featured their Cherry Red T6 TSi back in 2019 in issue 82. Everything is on offer from alloy wheels, lowered suspensions, tyres, rim repair, polishing, compaction and powder coating services and so much more! As an importer and distributor for more than 20 different brands, it is a ‘one-stop shop’, as it were, not a vague internet company, but an established value to help all of mainland Europe make their motors ever tastier.…

Ah, the exuberance of youth! I remember it well. Good to see it alive and kicking in Worcestershire and going by the name of Brogan Tully (or Broski depending on how well you know him!). Now, we only recently met Brogan (23), but we know for an absolute, concrete fact that he’s the kind of person who would be described as ‘the salt of the earth.’ How do we know this so emphatically? Well, after being with his girlfriend Georgie for just over two months, her dad (Rob) handed Brogan the keys to his T4 camper and said “why don’t you take Georgie away in it for the weekend and see how you like the van?” Now, I’ve got quite a few mates who are dads to girls and this…

I’ve had the most amazing month getting out in the van and attending different events all over the place, but it very nearly all came to an abrupt end this month! I spent the bank holiday weekend at Rivo’s Hub in Poole for a couple of events. Monday evening I headed to the shops to pick up some supplies and when I jumped back in the van to set off the steering felt very heavy and the battery light was also on. I turned off the van as quickly as possible and then started to investigate, I soon noticed the aux belt had snapped. I was incredibly lucky though, because it was a super clean snap and came straight off, whereas it seems like it’s common for them to tear…

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! ASHLEY EDWARDS’ 2016 T6, Shropshire Hey VWt, here’s my 2016 VW T6 T32. I wanted a Transporter for years and years, especially since it looks like we won’t be going…

JULY 8th – 11th GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED Goodwood Motor Circuit, Chichester, PO18 0PX www.goodwood.com/motorsport/ festival-of-speed/ 10th – 11th CUMBRIA VAG Westmorland County Showground, Cumbria, LA7 7NH www.cumbriavag.co.uk 23rd-25th BUG JAM 34 Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough, Northants, NN29 7XA www.bugjam.co.uk 30th-1st (August) MIGHTY DUB FEST Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, NE66 1NB www.mightydubfest.com AUGUST 1st TATTON PARK VW SHOW Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN www.vwnw.co.uk 5th – 8th BRISTOL VOLKFEST Birches Farm, Bristol, BS48 3RN› www.bristolvolksfest.co.uk 6th – 8th VW FESTIVAL Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG www.vwfestival.co.uk 13 - 15th VWT CHILL Beaulieu, New Forest, Hampshire, SO42 7ZN www.beaulieu.co.uk 19th-23rd VW Whitenoise Festival Norfolk Showground, Dereham Road, Norwich, NR5 0TT www.vwwhitenoise.com 20th-22nd VOLKSFEST WALES Watton Show Fields, The Watton, Brecon, LD3 7PL www.volksfest.wales SEPTEMBER 3rd - 5th EDITION 38 Overstone…