SITTING COMFORTABLY?

Newton Commercial has been producing automotive interior trim products for the last 40 years, though the history behind this family-run firm goes back much further. Paul Knight finds out more...

Welcome to the mag

The rapid rise in value of our air-cooled VWs over the last few years is proving both good and bad news for owners.

Bus front step replacement

It’s probably one of the most common rust spots...

WOLFSBURG IN EGGENBURG

This one-day event in Austria is so good it attracts VWs from all over Europe

NICE ONE, SHERLOCK!

It’s fun investigating a car’s past – especially if the vehicle in question dates from the early fifties. That said, the Norwegian owner of this ’52 Beetle discovered more than he bargained for when he donned his deer-stalker

SUBTLY DOES IT (FOR US!)

So often, less is more. And we reckon that’s definitely the case with this oh so subtle ’66 Ghia

The Army era

It may have escaped your notice, but it was recently the 70th anniversary of Britain giving Volkswagen back to West Germany. The years of 1945 to 1949, when the British military ran Wolfsburg, were more crucial than many enthusiasts appreciate

PUTTIN' ON THE SHOW

When it comes down to rating the most desirable air-cooled VWs, I think it’s fair to say that a ’50s Karmann Cabriolet is gonna’ be pretty close to the top of the list. Now add some accessories, Fuchs and a decent stance and you’re talking about the stuff dreams are made of…

Car of the month

Car of the month

A TASTE OF DEUTSCHLAND

Inspired by a couple of renowned German VW events, the So-Cal Vintage Treffen attracted 200 of the oldest and most rare VWs stateside

Getting buff

James breaks out the polishing mop to cheer himself up

Deluxe Delight

Due to their commercial and often gritty roles, factory Split Window trucks remain stark by nature with few frills. But what if Volkswagen had built a Deluxe version? Here is a potential answer, in the shape of Mark Angus’ well-appointed 1964 Crew Cab. It even features an additional suicide door!

Back To The Start

If you’ve been following the VW scene since ’87-ish and/or recall issue 1 of VolksWorld, this car will need no introduction. However, for the benefit of those that may not recognise this particular rad ride, allow us to introduce Europe’s (first) most beautiful VW….

Out Of Africa

Among the Utes, this '66 Ghia certainly stands out. Having been with the same owner in South Africa for the last 47 years, it’s become a familiar sight on the twisting, mountainous roads of the Lesotho massif

Setting the scene

Characterised by fat rear tyres tucked under stock wings, Pro Street has been a popular car trend since the 1970s, though it remains relatively uncommon in the VW scene. But who knows, the stunning 2332cc ’53 Oval you see here could be about to change all that...

BLUE MONDAY

When Giles Smith decided it was time to build the Bug of his dreams he called in the professionals and, as you can see, the guys at Creative Coachworks certainly delivered the goods… and then some!

GROUND CONTROL

A chance conversation with a family friend lead Neil Wilkinson to this unfinished project. Two decades on Neil says it’s still ‘unfinished business’, only this time he’s talking about his PB on the quarter mile

Planes, trains, boats and automobiles

Ian went one better than Steve Martin when he acquired this one owner from new ’67 Beetle...

BAY GENE BELIEVER

As a child, Zoe Cox was inspired by her grandmother’s travels in an old Bay Window Van and promised herself that she’d one day retrace Grandma Gene’s footsteps…

Zwitter picker

Having bought it, he couldn’t even give it away. Just as well we say because Steve Ridley’s £800 hybrid Oval has gone from a pile of rubbish to being part of the family.

Sweet like chocolate

Around a decade ago, Kevin Villa turned his back on air-cooled Volkswagens and got into the watercooled scene. We are glad to say he decided to come back, and what a comeback he has made!

Like (grand) Father Like Son

Barry Grunnell’s grandad bought this car new in 1967. Barry inherited it in 1997 and, though he’s chosen to mildly modify it, he looks after it every bit as well as his grandpa did.

Back-to-black Comparison

There’s more than one way to skin a cat as these two Lowlight Ghias prove. Paint or patina? Let’s find out

Where to start?

Having finally arrived, Ian decides where to go next with his Portuguese import ’68

Project EA266

What if the Volkswagen Golf had never happened? Well, we might have been driving rear-engined VWs for a little longer. And they might have looked like this

Out with the old

In a bizarre twist, James swaps a shiny ’60 for a patinated ’66. Yep, there’s nowt as queer as folk

Show and shine

Paul Ridgwell may have bought this wild Buggy already built, but he quickly began to make improvements until he had a car he could exhibit at shows but still use for regular driving

Tempo Rising: the story of the Matador

Before Volkswagen got its own Type 2 off the ground, there was the Tempo Matador – Volkswagen-powered, but front-engined, frontwheel drive and with a very distinctive front

Flock yeah!

Sometimes it’s the smallest detail that makes one car stand out in a crowd. In this case, it’s the treatment of the wheels