Tagged: Slough

Horizon Blue ’56 Oval

Back in the late 1990s a gentleman by the name of Avtar decided that he would like to acquire a nice, original oval window beetle and, after scouring the UK unsuccessfully for a nice one, got in touch with Owen Warlow who worked his usual magic and came up with this low-mileage example which was imported to the UK from Sweden.

Having bought the beetle in 1999, it remained untouched in Avtar’s garage in Greenford until this year. With his children now grown up, It was time to get the beetle on the road. It’s been treated to a set of new shocks, steering coupling and a complete mechanical overhaul along with a small amount of welding around the wing mounting nuts and a few other places. Avtar has the original carpets and rubber mats which will be refitted and will be keeping the beetle as original as possible with perhaps just a respray of the wings as they are starting to show their age.

Now that the bugs back on the road, Avtar and his son (now 21) hope to make it along to a few shows next year so hopefully you’ll be able to check out this ’56 survivor for yourselves.

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Slough Swap Meet 2011

An early start for the hour-ish drive down the M40 got me to the Montem Sports Centre in Slough just after the 9am opening time.

There was still a huge queue winding it’s way around the building so I parked up, met up with Jay from Wales, emptied my boot of wing and wheel which he’d bought from me and took a wander around the car park, camera at at the ready.

It was a bright, sunny day which must have tempted many to bring out their VWs for the swap meet. Plenty of lowered vehicles as usual and the normal hand full of stock VWs. I think I found them all but sorry if I missed anyone! I was fortunate to be able to talk to Avtar, the owner of a loverly unrestored ’56 Horizon Blue Swedish Oval, more to follow on that one…

I then ventured inside for a couple of laps of the stalls. It never seems to be a busy as it used to be. Perhaps it’s the recession or, maybe it’s due to everyone trading parts on the internet? Still, I always look forward to heading to Slough to catch up with everyone and search out any bargains, few and far between this year. I guess I should have joined the queue instead of taking photos in the car park!