Inhoudsopgave van Issue 123 - VWt

Hello and welcome to issue 123 of VWt magazine. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, when it comes to modifying your van it’s not what you spend, but how you spend it. I’ve seen big bucks builds that look worth every pound spent on them, and I’ve seen similar big budget builds that look awful, like someone has literally thrown everything they can find at it with no thought to how one thing effects or works with or against another. As with anything, there’s a lot to be said for learning the art of enough. Then, I’ve seen builds where the budget has been significantly less than some have spent on a set of wheels, yet somehow they’ve built a superior looking van. Obviously, styles, like fashion…

OUTWELL AIR SHELTER The awesome Air Shelter features the time proven Outwell One Air System frame. Erected from a single inflation point, it’s fast and easy to pitch with ample headroom plus superb stability via guylines and tube bracing straps. The durable polyester Outtex 3000 Select fabric offers reliable protection from the weather and optional side walls can be added to all four sides to suit wind direction and privacy preferences. Side walls include a zip version for easy access. Perfect for people looking for a modern quick-pitch shelter. Price £406 www.outwell.com RESERVOIR KANISTER SILVER Inspired by the RPM counter of the beautiful Porsche 356 Speedster, the new Reservoir Kanister Silver features a silver-finish dial and a minute hand with polished reflections. Worn on a timelessly elegant black or taupe…

HOT VANS If you’ve always looked at a Volkswagen Camper and been put off by some of the astronomical prices boosted by the Covid camping craze then grab a coffee, make yourself comfortable and get stuck into the next few pages. Calvin and Ann Chinsang are here to show you how to get stunning results on a comparatively humble budget. Sadly, the story begins on a rather sombre note after Ann’s elderly father, Harry passed away. Calvin told us, “Ann was his sole carer for 11 years due to him having a stroke. This meant we couldn’t have any holidays as we were both on call 24/7. When he died in 2017, he left Ann some money and she decided to use it to buy something that would help give…

This month is another big one for me. When I first got my van the roof lining had a bunch of holes in it and it was sagging, eventually it started to drop out and then got ripped out. But, after having no roof lining in the van for so long, I had kind of just got used to it. However, I decided it was time to finally do something about it, so I spoke to the good guys down at Simply Surf Bus. I basically asked if I could raid their bins for a standard roof lining kit, they fit loads of pop tops so there should be something suitable going in the bin most weeks. Dan said to pop on down so that’s exactly what I did. I…

HOT VANS There’s no other way to describe Lloyd - he’s a petrolhead. He’s the kind of guy who puts Four Star on his cornflakes in the morning - that’s leaded petrol to any of the younger readers reaching for Google! “I’ve always been interested in cars and motorbikes,” he says. “Over the years I’ve had my share of both. My first car was a Vauxhall Nova SR and since then I’ve worked my way through several modified Vauxhalls, Fords and VWs.” In the same way you can gauge a person’s age by the first single or album they bought, the mention of a Nova SR puts Lloyd quite firmly in the early ‘80s baby group. In May 2020 he found his way to Transporter life having sold his Aprilia…

HOT VANS As an outsider looking into our scene, you could be forgiven for making the assumption that we all drive campers. I mean, we tend to congregate in our vans at shows and many of those shows also have a camping element to them, so why wouldn’t you look from the outside and make this assumption? The reality, though, is that only a percentage of the vans in the scene are campers and the rest comprise all kinds of uses, from panel vans to Kombis and pickups – we feature them all here at VWt. There are a growing number of people, though, who want the best of both worlds; they need a van with plenty of space in the back for work, but they also want to be…

HOT VANS When your painter opens the tin of paint you’ve provided, and his first reaction is: “What the hell is that?!” you know you’re onto a winner. That’s exactly what Ben’s good mate Ian Jones said when he opened up the Hot Rod Candy Pink you see on the wheels in the pictures. Although it was quite the reaction, it really came as no surprise to Ian as Ben has always liked to blaze a trail with contrasting wheel colours, although Ben thinks Ian assumed he’d finally lost the plot. Although this is Ben’s first VW van, he’s had countless other cars after starting out his driving days with an Escort van (remember those?) and most of his vehicles have been slammed and rimmed in his own style. Ben’s…

GO EXPLORE Popular with windsurfers, golfers and bathers, the characterful seaside resort of Elie and Earlsferry in the East Neuk of Fife is one of many harbour villages in the region. With reliable surf along the coast and five golden sandy beaches to pick from, it provides a taste of the traditional Scottish seaside. The village is home to numerous historic buildings, several dating back to the 17th century, while golf fans can test their skills on two courses, or venture to the renowned St Andrews Links course just 30 minutes to the North. Not a fan of hitting your balls with a metal pole? Then outdoor adventurers can explore this vast stretch of coast via the excellent Fife Coastal Path. Why not travel 1 km west of Earlsferry -…

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! ROB WHYLES’ 2002 T4, LINCOLN Hey VWt, I was into bikes before Transporters, but the time came when I fancied a change to something my whole family could get involved…

THE PAMPER VAN IS HERE Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has launched the ‘Pamper Van’ to offer lucky festival-goers a full makeover this summer. Based on the new Volkswagen Multivan, the unique vehicle has been converted into the ultimate beauty bus for those needing some TLC at festivals. And let’s face it, who doesn’t need a freshen up after a few hours drinking and dancing? The Pamper Van is wrapped in a multi-coloured design and transformed inside into a photobooth with seats, lighting, camera and everything you need for perfect pampered photos for the ‘gram. Twinned with the vehicle is a canopy tent where hairdressers and beauticians are on hand to offer new hair up-dos and face glitter for visitors. We wonder if they do beards? The one-off Pamper Van debuted at…

SUPERMETAL RIG WHEEL The Swamper wheel market is going all guns blazing of late and the guys at Supermetal – who already make some seriously tough looking rims - have just launched their latest offering The Rig. This strong and durable wheel is made from high grade aluminium alloy composition and given extensive heat treatment, to ensure The Rig is as superior on the inside as it is on the outside. This wheel is all about utility, designed and refined in its contours and patterns to resonate its no-nonsense approach. It features fine detailing, exposed bolt heads and is Supermetal’s first multi-colour painted wheel using their Smart Masking process which applies two separately painted colour variations on one wheel with precision seamless edges. Specs wise they come in at 8x18”…

I imagine you’re looking at the images, reading the heading and expecting to read an article about a Volkswagen show with stacks of information about classic Splitscreens, remapped campervans and concourse spec engines. Well, you’re going to have to forgive me. I know this is VWt, but I’m going to talk a bit first about music festivals. Dubbed Out really isn’t just a VW show. It was never meant to be. The organisers, myself (Germaine) and my good friend Neil always intended to bring something new to the VW scene. The Facebook group, Dubbed Out Community, which began almost three years ago is about the people, about building friendships and ultimately building a festival which reflected the community. Our backgrounds in the event industry had always been club nights and…

We’re all familiar with LWB variants of the ever-popular T6 Transporter, but have you ever wondered what it would be like if VW decided to build an XLWB model? The extra space would certainly come in handy while the standard width would usefully remain the same. When Lee Holland of Doncaster Van Conversions and Jo Riley of Jo’s Fab Lab met together over a beer, they came up with the radical plan to build something totally unique. Up until five years ago, Lee worked as an installation engineer on power plants but found himself in need of a change. “At the time I owned a Vauxhall Vivaro camper if you could call it that,” Lee smiles, “I used the skills I’d learned working in power plants to build myself a…

SEPTEMBER 1st – 4th BULLI SUMMER FESTIVAL Ausesee, Wesel, Germanywww.bullisummerfestival.de 2nd – 4th EDITION 38 Overstone Park, Northampton, NN6 0ABwww.edition38.com 2nd – 4th VW ACTION Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough, Northants, NN29 7XAwww.vwaction.co.uk 9th – 11th BUSFEST Three Counties Showground, Malvern, WR13 6NWwww.busfest.org 11th TRAX SILVERSTONE Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, NN12 8TNwww.fastcar.co.uk/trax-silverstone/ 11th SOUTH WEST MOTORHOME & CAMPERVAN SHOW The Showground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QNwww.outandaboutlive.co.uk 17th INTERNATIONAL CAMPERVAN SHOW Luddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9SEwww.international-campervan-show.com 16th – 18th GRILL N CHILL The Hop Farm, Kent, TN12 6QF www.grill-n-chill.co.uk 16th – 18th V-DUBS IN THE VALLEY Bewdley, Shropshire DY12 1SUwww.vdubsinthevalley.co.uk 23rd – 25th MOTORHOME & CAMPERVAN SHOW FINALE Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln, LN2 2NAwww.outandaboutlive.co.uk 25th OH SO RETRO The Rec, Margate, Kent, CT9 3PPwww.ohsoretro.co.uk OCTOBER 2nd GTI FESTIVAL Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough, Northants, NN29 7XAwww.vwaction.co.uk…