Table of contents for Issue 137 in VWt

GOOD TIMES… Hello and welcome to issue 137 of VWt magazine. As I hit the keyboard keys on my Mac and type these very words it’s deadline week and the day after Busfest (probably the biggest Bus show of the year) and it must be said I am not feeling that healthy. Maybe it was the 25,000 plus steps a day I did looking at vans and dancing, or maybe it was the weather that left me sweating like a person having their internet history checked by their partner – though all they’d find is Only Vans. Then again, it could be the barrel of Thatchers that found its way into my mouth. What a weekend! Busfest was a great reminder of why this scene is not only awesome, but…

FEATURE VAN Many people refer to their van as ‘part of the family.’ Some go as far as to give them names, although that seems to be something more prevalent in the quirky world of air-cooled Volkswagens. Most often it’s a bit of a throwaway sentiment. The feeling is honourable, but the reality is the van could quite easily be sold if a decent offer came along, and a new one acquired without too much heartache. When you speak to Josh Wilce, the 36-year-old owner of this pre-face 2007 T5 you get the impression that he genuinely may never sell his. He bought it in 2011 with just 30,000 miles on the clock after running around in a Volvo 850 estate. “I was very fortunate to be gifted the Volvo…

FEATURE VAN Never let it be said that we don’t entertain you with variety! Thanks to Heinz Niederbichler, a 41-year-old train driver from Gnesau, Austria that trend is set to continue. If a regular picture says a thousand words, then these ones say a million! First impressions must be that Heinz is a guy with a real zest for life. You certainly won’t find anybody shy and retiring behind the wheel of this creation. And that’s exactly what we’re going with on this one. It’s not just a ‘build’ or a ‘project’ - this machine is a creation and the inspiration is Heinz himself! The reality is, it was already a pretty cool van before he took it to the next level. Underneath this captivating exterior is a humble, 2015…

FEATURE VAN Since the inception of Car Wizard in May 2005, it’s been a shining example of ingenuity in the field of mobile car body and alloy wheel repairs, primarily serving the Bristol, Bath, and Chippenham areas. Although Oli could only dream at that point of the business he’s built today with his passion and drive, it was always about VWs for him and he started the business as a one-man-band with a Caddy van. Today, his unique approach to business and the company fleet of T6.1 Transporter vans have become a symbol of excellence in the local area. Oli’s story is one of dedication, passion, and a deep love for Dubs. He embarked on his entrepreneurial journey as a one-man operation, armed with nothing but a VW Caddy and…

ADAM DYOSS’ 2022 T6.1 Hey VWt, this is my modified VW Transporter T6.1. I got into VWs at a very early age and have been attending shows with my brothers Dean and Lee Dyoss for years, in fact you featured their T4s in VWt issue 119. Having owned two Caddys, a white Highline and a Viper Green one which I had for three years, the time came to move onto a Transporter having always liked everything from the T4 to the latest T6.1 I’ve gone for a clean commercial look. External modifications include staggered 20” Navis Holey wheels, SoLow coilovers and I love how my van sits. There’s also THQ LED headlights and sequential indicators, I’ve de-chromed the front with gloss black grill pieces (not seen in these photos) and…

HOT VANS FEATURE VAN If you’ve been to any major VW show in the last few years, it’s likely that Marcus Saunders’ hyrdo-tastic T5 needs no introduction. It has been taking the scene by storm since its debut shortly after the COVID hiatus. Looking at it now, you would never believe that this outcome wasn’t particularly planned. It sort of just happened. A story of ‘one thing led to another’ on a monster scale! “I’m just a bit stupid really and never know when to stop,” laughs Marcus. Having always messed about with low vehicles, Marcus decided he fancied something on hydraulic suspension for an added bit of spice. “I found this T5 with the Rayvern kit already fitted,” he says. “The thing is, it was like it had been…

FUEL CYCLE AT As the Swamper movement grows, so does the demand for new wheels, and Fuel - one of the OGs of the Swamper wheel market - is back with a wheel that looks tougher than Chuck Norris’ old work boots. Damn, we think this Cycle AT is ‘ard enough to survive the apocalypse, just look at it, if it could speak it would prob just say “grrrrrr!” This all-terrain roller has been purposely developed for the T5 to T6.1 and packs a mighty 1133kg load rating, so more than enough for heavyweight Swampers and even a fully loaded LWB Crafter. Size wise they come in a 17x8.5” only and an et34, the perfect size for big ol’ chunky tyres and sliding door clearance. Colour wise choose from Blackout,…

31 years is a long time. Damn, in 1992 I was just 13 years old and was dreaming of owning a Volkswagen - back then it was a Wizard Roadster thanks to the many hand-me-down issues of Volksworld I had from my Grandad, a massive VW fan and owner of the same Bay Window for almost 30 years. 1992 was also the inaugural year of Bristol Volksfest. Oh, and if you’re reading this and think I can’t count, BVF missed a show due to covid, hence 30 shows in 31 years. So how did it start? Peter Ashby of BVF tells us: “In the ‘90s the VW scene in Bristol was buoyant, full of colour, character and you could pick up a Bug or a Bus for a few hundred…

Like all owners of older vans, once a year I must face the dreaded MoT centre. A trip that’s about as high on my highlights of the year as having root canal. However, I now use this annual annoyance as a chance to dump my van on Spence and Myles at The Old Dub Shop and get them to sort out all the little niggles that have accumulated over the year. Plus, give the ol’ girl a good servicing and use it as an opportunity to get a few mods done. And yes, I’ll be honest I do very little work on my vans myself these days, as I just don’t have the time. So, these guys are a true godsend, as nothing is too much bother for them. On…

SEPTEMBER 29th – 1st (October)DERBYSHIRE DUBS BRAVARIAN BASH 2023Seed Low Rake Camping, Wardlow, Derbyshire,SK17 8RWhttps://fienta.com/bavarian-bash OCTOBER 1st DAS GTI SHOWAirfield Rd, Wellingborough, NN29 7XAwww.santapod.co.uk 6th – 8th OKTOBERFESTRiver Dart Country Park, Ashburton, Devon,TQ13 7NPwww.oktoberfestuk.com 13th – 15th NIGHT OF THE LIVING DUBZHayfield Lakes, Doncaster, DN9 3NPhttps://w.wescantickets.com/ch_nzzlwmbVzw 17th – 22nd MOTORHOME & CARAVAN SHOWNEC, Pendigo Way, Marston Green, Birmingham,B40 1NTwww.thenec.co.uk NOVEMBER 5th ULTIMATE STANCEThe Telford International Centre, Telford, TF3 4JHwww.ultimate-stance.co.uk DECEMBER 1st – 3rd DUB IN THE MIDDLE XMAS CAMPCroft Farm, Bredon’s Hardwick, TewkesburyGL20 7EEwww.dubsinthemiddle.co.uk 2024 MARCH 16th – 17th VOLKS WORLD PLUSSandown Park, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9AJwww.volksworld.com JUNE 21st – 23rd JUNE VWT FESTIVALKent County Showground, Maidstone, ME14 3JFevents.fastcar.co.uk/vwt-festival/ GET ADDED Got a meet or event that should be in here? Drop us an email to glenn.rowswell@kelsey.co.uk*Please note dates and…

CALIFORNIA CONCEPT REVEALED Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has unveiled a near-production California concept vehicle at the Caravan Salon trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany. The concept offers state-of-the-art powertrains and the latest assist and infotainment systems as well as the next generation of camper van equipment. The California Concept is based on the long wheel base version of the Multivan launched in 2021, which makes it larger than its predecessor, the California 6.1. VW state the extra length and width offer more living space, better comfort and more flexibility. The new MQB technical platform enables use of eHybrid drive, improves ride comfort and offers more assist systems. The base vehicle with two sliding doors creates a new three-zone concept with a kitchen that can be used from outside the vehicle, giving users…

OUTWELL MAGANTE KITCHEN UNIT Bring home comfort to the pitch with the all-new Magante Kitchen Unit. The steel and aluminium frame quickly and easily opens whilst the legs adjust to ground conditions for stability. The weatherproof top is heat, UV, and water resistant. The work surface offers plenty of room for food prep, with the open lid supplying shelving, hooks and a magnetic knife holder. Set off nicely by the lid’s chic tile-like finish. There’s also a dedicated space to store cloths and kitchen roll to one side, and a pull-out frame for an Outwell Collapse Wash Bowl on the other. Pots, pans, and consumables are housed in the tough polyester cupboard whilst the top zip-close shelf offers well ventilated storage for fresh food. Two roomy shelves also sit below.…

In the quiet corners of North Cornwall, where the sea meets the land in a harmony of waves and salt-tinged air, Nigel Walford’s dream comes to life. On the winding roads, Nigel’s ‘97 T4 Transporter stands as a testament to his undying love for the surf and the freewheeling spirit of North Cornwall. This isn’t just any Transporter; it’s a canvas where Nigel has etched his passion and creativity, turning it into a surf-inspired haven that blends nostalgia with modern-day cool. “I always looked the T4 and said I’d love one, one day – it was a dream,” Nigel reminisces, tracing the origins of his connection with the iconic VW Transporter to his younger years. Nigel, now 66 years young, spent many summers exploring Polzeath and the rugged landscapes of…

When my good friend Spencer of The Old Dub Shop sends me a message saying ‘road trip?’ with some photos of a rusty looking Bug and a screen shot showing a 15-hour long drive, of course there was only ever going to be one answer… ‘Hell yeah!’ Plus, my T5.1 was booked in for a MoT and some other work at The Old Dub Shop, much like Glenn’s van. But, seeing as it was off the road for a few days and no van means no photo shoots, it seemed to make perfect sense to head to Poland with Spence to collect a 73-year-old car in a 36-year-old truck, I mean what’s the worst that could happen? In the end it turns out that the 2000-mile plus trip in the…