Photo of the week #23 – My 1955 Oval window beetle is now finally in its new home after 3 months in storage. It’s nice knowing it’s now safe and sound next door at last, the final bit of my move is complete.
Tag Archives: Oval
Rust in peace
One of the most interesting photo opportunities for me would have to be a visit to a vintage auto graveyard, full of rusting classics waiting peacefully to be discovered and captured on camera. Rust and decay seems to lend itself as the perfect subject for HDR photography and there are many excellent examples on the internet. Perhaps one day I’ll make a trip to one of the few places that still exist like this and come away some pictures of my own. In the mean time I’ll feature some graveyards around the world and some of my favourite VW photos.
Autofriedhof, Kaufdorf – Switzerland
Autofriedhof, on the edge of Kaufdorf near Switzerland’s capital Bern was, until recently, one of Europe’s biggest vintage-auto graveyards. It contained more than 1,000 vintage vehicles including rusting Wolseleys, Ford Prefects, Porsches and several vintage volkswagens. Vehicles with ages ranging from the late 1920′s right up to the 70s.
Walter Messerli opened the brakers yard in 1933. A part time racing driver, Meserli’s collection numbered 2,000 vehicles at it’s peak and it was his intension to open a museum which would cover the history of modern motoring. His son Franz took over the graveyard in 1975 and planted trees due to complaints that the site was an eyesore.
In 2009 the authorities declared that the collection was an environmental hazard and ordered the site to to be cleared. A campaign was stared to preserve the site with over 10,000 people attending an open day. The aim was to preserve it as a ‘national work of art.’
An auction of the vehicles was held in September 2009 and as far as I can establish, the site has now been cleared.
Photos by www.mth-fotografie.ch
Coral
Photo of the week # 20 – This very original coral red oval window beetle was photographed at the Peppercorn Vintage VW show in 2007.
The VolksWorld Show 2012
Last Sunday I drove down to Sandown Park in Esher for this years VolksWorld Show. Advertised as Europe’s premier Indoor and outdoor VW show it occupies all three floors of Sandown Park race course along with a huge car park and outdoor areas for club displays.
As in previous years the weather was great, the show usually seems to mark the start of spring with lots of sunshine, which is always handy for an indoor show! I spent a while looking around the car park before going in as there were still queues of people waiting at the doors. There were a few interesting vehicles in the for sale area including a white ’52 split window beetle on a trailer. Plenty of incorrect parts and a price tag of £25,000!
I ventured inside and straight out into the paddock area which was ringed by vans, beetles and a few trade stands. Some nice busses here including a pale blue pickup which was for sale. This is a great show for custom VWs, particularly Rat-Look busses which are always plentiful. Never too much in the way of stock Vintage VWs at this show but, there was the Grundmann’s fantastic VW38 Prototype Beetle which was on display by the VolksWold magazine stand. It was nice to see it on display but It looked a bit out of place in these surroundings!
Photo of the week #7
Black VW oval window beetle photographed at Bug Jam UK 2006.
Aaron Joslin (Vdub Prints)
Based in Clearwater, Florida, Vdub Prints is a mixture of obsession, love, passion and a way of life!! When the four were put together, vdub prints was made! Vdub Prints is strictly a photography based website with various types of products available (they are not a print company, only photography).
Aaron has been shooting photography and been around the VW scene for years and drives VWs too: “I love what I do and enjoy every bit of it. I am here to attract the people that enjoy my work! I don’t limit my products to just photos.”
He’s had shoes made, skateboard decks, hats, shirts, mouse pads, calendars… pretty much anything a photograph can be transfer to Aaron can make a product from!
Wolfsbürg West
Wolfsbürg West is probably the ultimate source for Volkswagen Beetle and Bus restoration parts. Their comprehensive inventory exceeds 5000 parts, making them the largest “stock” Volkswagen parts dealer in the world.
Wolfsbürg West only carry parts for the Beetle and Bus. They are a direct importer of original parts from all over the world. Germany, Brazil and Mexico are all countries that they import from extensively. They are not only an importer, they’re also a producer and manufacturer of their own line of quality reproduction parts for the VW. Their focus is strictly on originality and therefore, they do not carry high performance parts or accessories that were not available for the period.
The waiting game…
Recently acquired by Richard Oakley, this very original UK supplied ’57 Oval Karmann Cabriolet is one of the few which have survived and is in remarkable condition.
Richard writes “I’ve always fancied a British-supplied RHD Oval Cabrio. Trouble is, there are only 7 or 8 survivors on their original floorpans. I nearly bought one of them back in 2002 (a ’55 Iris Blue model), but it needed heaps of work. I also contemplated buying the car Martin Fenner owns now, but that needed even more work.
Anyhow, my dream came true when I became the forth owner of this Sepia Silver ’57 model. This car has been off the road since 1977 and only has 55,000 miles on the clock. It was originally supplied by VFM Motors in Crowborough, Sussex (it’s a local car, and I love that!). The first owner kept the car for four years and part-exchanged it at a garage in Hove, Sussex. The new lady owner gave up driving in 1977 and the car was laid up until it sold to it’s third owner in 1985. I’m the next owner.
The outer hood was replaced in 1986 as the original was shot. The car also received a respray at this time. There’s no way the original metallic paint would have lasted all these years in good shape. The engine (original) was fully rebuilt in 1985 and never installed!! It’s very nice. Unfortunately, the front two door cards are missing- they went up in flames in 1986 when removed from the car. The rears are there. I need to try and match the cabrio-material and get some made. All the accessories on it are original to the car (it was ordered with US-spec bumpers). It apparently didn’t have gravel guards. The firewall card should be the smooth one, not ribbed thankfully!”
Photos by Richard Oakley
Trailer Queen Restorations
Award winning paint and restoration services based in Bude, Cornwall.
Multi Award winning ride pimpers, specialising in VW Paint and Modification and restoration. Too many awards to mention, including Volksworld Best of show, Best paint and numerous top 20 cars!!!!! Its all in the detail and detail is what we do. 
Evil Ben’s
With over 20 years experience, Ben Lewis offers a show-winning air-cooled service without compromise.
Based in Truro, Cornwall, he caters for anything from a simple service to a full restoration of Bugs, Buses, Porsche and even coachbuilts in his fully equipped workshop. Need an oil change or a full rebuild for your air-cooled VW? No problem!
