VW Heritage Blog

What a porka! Introducing Gary's 356.

2010-03-10T14:08:00.002Z

While out on a morning run Gary caught glimpse of an elderly lady struggling with some shopping bags on her drive.
Being a gentleman he offered his assistance, and in taking a compost bag to the garage had him stumble accross an unexpected suprise.
Tucked up, and layered in dust was the car belonging to her husband, having not been used in years as he had since passed away.
He showed an understandable interest, and the lady told him more.
Months passed and Gary had become a regular odd job man, cleaning windows and mowing lawns for her. The lady, who was so pleased with his efforts, gave him the car as a reward for all his help.
Amazing story, and next time you see an old lady struggling......

Here are the pics!

With a bit of a hose down she was good to go. Off to Gary's good friend Jez Parsons at Carrera Performance for an mot and a service.. expect to see it on the road soon!

See you tomorrow!

Andy

Daily Driver Does the Donkey Work!

2010-03-09T15:14:00.003Z

A rare old beasty is this!
Dropping by for a few parts yesterday was this cool '73 type 412.
Used as a daily hack, and a great promo tool for the customers website
www.wonkeydonkeyemporium.co.uk, it really turned our heads!

Hope you enjoy these as much as we did!

See you tomorrow!

Andy

VW Heretics; The Saturday Social Part 3.

2010-03-08T14:20:00.002Z

After the last 2 being a success we have done the decent thing and organised another, the shop will be open throughout and the Fuel Coffee van will be on hand with Beverages and Pastries.
Heres the flyer!

We were down on aircooled attendance last month, so get in the garage and dust the ol' girl off!

See you tomorrow!

Andy

Dubfreeze Pics, Feb 2010

2010-03-05T17:10:00.004Z

The Season opener, and called "freeze" for exactly that reason, this is a good way to get back into the show year.
We are at this show every year trading with the aircooled parts, and always very busy.
Ian managed a quick scout around with the camera for us, here are his findings!

Enjoy the pics, have a nice weekend!

See you on Monday!

Andy

Special Delivery: Volksworld Show Beetle arrives

2010-03-04T13:56:00.002Z

All eyes were at the window yesterday afternoon as a very smart looking trailer pulled up, inside was the Beetle for the Volksworld Show.
We decided it was best to give the car a once over before the show build starts on the Saturday, we are working with an old car this time after all!

First inspection was good - well the door opened and the engine started!

Time to get busy with the WD40, making sure we don't get any stubborn bolts on the day.

See you at the show!

Andy

Shake, Rattle and a Roll of masking tape.

2010-03-03T15:15:00.003Z

Daves been busy in the garage with some DIY paintwork of late.
Having spent a few of his years in the trade he is quite handy with an aerosol,
and spending some extra time on the prep work is really paying off.

The Car's paintwork had mopped up well, but there were a few areas that could do with attention.
The heater channels were a little tired, so recieved a nice coat of primer then 2k colour.

The Deck lid was missing when the car was collected, but the monster has donated its one to the cause, albeit in the wrong colour.

The deck lid made it on, even if it was dark by the time it was finished!

See you tomorrow!

Andy

Sun comes out and the top comes off.

2010-03-02T16:14:00.003Z

Yesterday, quite like today, was making us feel that spring may finally be on its way.

Only driven with the top down, and chosen over a new mini cabrio as a retirement present, this made our day!
Having been owned for the last few years it has been all over Europe, including being the only UK car at a Bosnian show last year!

Here are a few snaps.

Thanks to the owner for letting us share their car with you.

See you tomorrow!

Andy

The Jetta has packed its trunk and trundled off to northants!

2010-03-01T13:45:00.010Z

Thanks to Dave for a sterling blogging job last week, hope he kept you all suitably entertained!

So while i was off i sold my Mk2 Jetta.. as seen on the cover of our BBT catalogue.

I spent all of last saturday cleaning it, to find it tipping with rain sunday morning when the chap came to collect it.. always the way.
Before i let it go i took a few snaps of it, and thought i would share them.. its the cleanest its ever been -in my hands at least.

If you live near Northampton keep an eye out for it, or watch its progress at www.dublow.co.uk

See you tomorrow!

Andy

Gearing up for the Volksworld Show

2010-02-26T09:09:00.004Z

Due to the huge success of last years VW Heritage Beetle Build, the same team have clubbed together and hatched another plan to draw the crowds.

The plan is to convert a rather run of the mill 70's Beetle into a replica of the classic Empi GTV Beetles of days gone by. Then one lucky person will win the completed car and drive it away after the show!

The team will start work on the Saturday of the show, fitting a narrowed and lowered beam, Empi Sprintstar wheels and a Disc conversion. The engine will be removed for a detail job, twin carbs and a brand new performance exhaust system. (now we're just showing off!)

As far as brightwork goes the car will be treated to a new set of rear popout windows, new screen seal with chrome trim and new U.S spec europa bumpers with overriders. Neil Melliard from Prosign will be in on the act too providing the stripe work to re-create that classic GTV look. Newton Commercial will be swinging by to overhaul the interior with one of their fantastic trim sets.

The Crew

You may remember this lot from last years Beetle build. Well they're back again and ready for another big challenge in 2010! As always they're very confident they can complete on time. Come and check it out!

Hope to see you at the Volksworld show 2010 cheering the team on. Who knows, you could even be driving it home!

Thanks for reading this week, normal service resumes with Andy on Monday.

-Dave

Super Quick Split

2010-02-25T12:08:00.003Z

We always enjoy seeing something a little special roll up on the forecourt of VW Heritage HQ, and this morning is certainly no exception. Most of the staff here left their chairs and peered out of the window when they heard the distinctive rumble of a performance air-cooled motor getting closer.

The Vehicle in question was this customers awesome 1964 21 window samba.

He informed us that it used to be used as an airport bus in Sweden, used for shuffling passengers around. Since then it has had a substantial lowering job and fitted with radar wheels.

The bodywork hasn't seen any changes and remains as it was from the factory, apart from the holes cut in the decklid behind the numberplate to help vent what lays in the engine bay.

A monster 2332cc 190bhp motor which pushes this bus down the quarter mile in less than 15 seconds and earning the owner a place in the BWA club (buses with attitude).

Future plans for the bus include a fuel injection system which should see 220bhp on the dyno and the quarter mile passes tumbling down to the 14 second mark.

It's great to see old VW's being used even on days where the conditions are far from ideal. Hopefully we'll be seeing more great vehicles like this gracing our forecourt in the summer months.

Thanks to the owner for letting us include this on our blog.

Until tomorrow

- Dave

Wishing the rain away

2010-02-24T09:33:00.003Z

I don't know how everyone else feels, but I'm certainly getting a bit bored of this rain! Roll on the summer months, light evenings, driving to work with the windows down.....can't be that far away now....can it?

Our usual blogger Andy is away this week celebrating yet another birthday so the task has been left to me. You may have read the post following the progress of my Beetle build. Well, updates are the installation of wing beading, running boards and side trim. Just waiting for the weather to brighten up a bit before i can push the car out of the garage and have some half decent space to work around it. Volksworld show is the deadline!...piece of cake.

And here are some pictures from last years sunny Heretics meets.

Not long now until the evening meets start again. We'll keep you posted.

Take it easy!

- Dave

2nd Time Lucky

2010-02-22T11:01:00.005Z

After the disapointment of realising the first Beetle was better used as a tea strainer than a car, our I.T Guru Dave went back out on the hunt for a replacement base.

The search for the ideal project car had almost come to an end until one of our customers cars was offered for sale.

He described it as a rock solid car, 1 owner from new, a great base to start. The paint was tatty but there was a lot of it on there, so could possibly be saved. Lynton from sales went and had a look but realised he didn't have time to finish it.

Dave jumped straight in and the car was collected on Saturday without a viewing!! (20-10-2010) and trailered back to Daves driveway.

Sunday morning saw a quick trip to the shops for a tub of hammerite, wirebrush, 1500 grit wet and dry and some Cutting compound.

The exterior of the car was completely flatted with 1500 grit and lots of water then flatted again with 2000 grade abralon pad, then mopped. While that was going on the interior was completely stripped of sound deadening ready for a coat of gloss black paint.

Before polishing began

Before polishing began

Floorpan Stripped and cleaned

Floorpan Stripped and cleaned

One side flatted and polished

Nice and original

Quite a difference already! Dave is hoping to be driving this to the Volksworld show in just over a months time. Keep checking back to see if he makes it!

Introducing: James V's Mk1 Cabrio

2010-02-19T13:36:00.002Z

There's a lot of us here at Heritage HQ, each with our own cars, and the stories that go with them, gradually we will be getting all of them online, and following the progress, no matter how slow it may be!

Today comes the turn of James V, he works for us as a designer, and is responsible for the Big Boys Toys catalogue and also alot of the adverts, and marketing material we use.
He has been with us over 2 years now, and in that time his car has gone from clean daily driver, to a forgotten project back to recieving a renewed sense of enthusisam, albeit still off the road for the time being.

So thats how it was... but there are some plans already in place, and work has been happening - stay tuned!

See you soon!

Andy

Wet, Wet, Wizard

2010-02-18T12:26:00.004Z

A break from the norm, a Wizard Roadster paid us a visit today.
The customer not only braving the rain in a car with a soft top, but the cold too as his heaters dont work!
The car was originally built back in 1991, but has only recently come into our customers ownership in the last 6 months.
Plans for the near future include an exhaust swap, and an engine change is on the horizon too.

Thanks to the owner for letting us use his car on the blog.

See you tomorrow!

Andy

Good things happen in threes....

2010-02-17T16:53:00.002Z

So the third and possibly the final installment of the Heretics photos, you all know the score with these by now... enjoy!

Was really loving the 70's graphics on this bay - sadly i only took this picture!
Please, if its yours, bring it next time too!

Old and New, Mk2 G60 Edition 1, and R32 Mk5 Golf

This VR6 made the most awesome noise as it arrived.. gotta love that 2.9 V6 single silencer exhaust note!

Thanks for reading, See you tomorrow,

Andy

Saturday Social, picture update #2

2010-02-16T14:18:00.005Z

As promised another picture heavy blog with the cars from last saturdays Heretics meet.

Martin's Grey Mk2 1.8 Turbo looked the business, and packed a 300BHP punch too, so good he swapped his Porsche for it!

And just so you Airheads don't feel left out, heres a most pleasant Split van.

See you tomorrow!

Andy

VW Heretics, Second Saturday Social

2010-02-15T13:34:00.002Z

Firstly a huge thanks for all of you brave enough to of made the Second Social a great success.
With freezing temperatures, and snow falling for some of it, understandably some were put off.
The majority of the cars were from the watercooled stable, with a great selection of Mk2 Golfs on show, aswell as some nu-skool offerings with the Scirocco, Audi TT and Mk5 R32. Well done to all those who brought something Aircooled - even bigger well done if it had no heaters!!

Here is the first of a what will be a few installments..

See you tomorrow for more pics!

Andy

Howabout a Mk1 with a blower?!

2010-02-12T17:11:00.003Z

Heres a silly photo to round off a quite a busy week..

Sorry, not had time today for a full post, but we will make up for it next week.
If you are local to us don't forget heretics saturday social tomorrow!

Have a good weekend, see you monday!

Andy

Staff Car build ups..My Polo

2010-02-11T16:34:00.003Z

As we have been profiling other members of staff and their cars, there was bound to be a time when my little old polo would come to the surface and be seen.

I will try not to bore you too much, but here is the story, which begins in 2003 if i recall correctly

On a routine breakers yard trip i foolishly asked the question, whats happening with the polo in the corner?
It was a 1976 Polo L, brought in by the family of an old lady who had passed away.
First inspection looked good, and when it was offered for £50 i bit their hand off.
With a tow from my mate in his Golf, we got the car home.. i was so chuffed!

Sadly it isn't just aircooled vehicles which are affected by the rust bug.. and i was about to find out that my damp carpet hid a darker secret!

I will keep you all posted with how the project has progressed, and also why its taken almost 7 years!

See you tomorrow!

Andy

Hand Painted Panel Van

2010-02-10T13:50:00.003Z

Firstly intrigued by the colour, secondly by the wheels, then upon closer inspection a bit of artwork painted on the side!
This late Bay is awaiting a proper stripdown and rebuild, but in the meantime the owner has been having fun with it, like painting a new scene every few months -to amuse people like myself no doubt!
The wheels i recognised, and were identified as Mercedes SLK rims, which suprisingly suit the van very well, better than they do the Merc infact!

The sunset scene on the side was a nice suprise, i had no idea it was there when i went for a closer look.

Nice to see another aircooled vehicle being used in all weathers, and not afraid to show of its personality.

See you tomorrow!

Andy

Norway, Norway Mah Na Mah Nah!

2010-02-09T11:38:00.003Z

David recently took a trip to Norway, and true to form captured us a few VW snaps to share with you.
Burried beneath a healthy helping of the white stuff lie a few aircooled treats!

Unsure if this was a pop top, or just a lot of snow!

Can you tell what it is yet?

Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow!

Andy

Blue Monday..

2010-02-08T15:49:00.002Z

The weather has taken a nose dive, but don't fret, we have some picture based pick me ups to brighten even the darkest of afternoons!

Perhaps a slight exageration, but here is a nicely presented US import Westfailia, which popped by to see us on Saturday.
Unusually sporting a coloured pop top, it caught my eye.. for the right reasons!

The customer was rightly proud of his van, although he has a few plans for improvements in the pipeline.
It recieves a warm welcome wherever it goes, and he has even been stopped by people in the street trying to hire it for weddings!

See you tomorrow!

Andy

Bens Beetle build off, Purple installment #2

2010-02-05T15:52:00.002Z

After introducing you to Bens car a few weeks back i thought it was about time to let you in on whats been happening.
As with most beetles, the pans, channels and boot floor needed attention, just as well that Ben works here then!

Ben has fitted our boot floor repair pieces here, ideal in this case where the whole floor didn't need to be replaced.

For those who just want shiney car pics, a few more of Garys Retromobile show photos.

Have a great weekend, see you Monday!

Andy

Gary Goes To Retromobile show!

2010-02-04T15:21:00.003Z

We let Gary out of the Ebay bunker momentarily, and he offski's to France to the Retromobile show.
He was good enough to take some pictures to show us what he had been up to, and there were some impressive sights for sure.
The VW count from the looks of things was low, but a couple of early Porkers were right up his street, owning a 356 himself.
The pile of rust in the photos is a Bugatti fished out from a lake and auctioned at the show by Bonhams auctioneers.
Enjoy!

Will upload a few more of these over the next week or so.. too many nice, old, unusual cars and motorbikes for one days blog!

See you tomorrow!

Andy

Our Australian friends win a prize!

2010-02-03T15:41:00.002Z

After taking their beloved Bay off to Oz, (see our Blog last month)
Emma and Simon made a trip to a show called "The day of the Volkswagen" where they entered the van into the show and shine.
Their Bay won best in class, reassuring them that taking it to the other side of the world, was indeed a choice well made!

Spotted at the show, an Ice Cream Van Bay window!

Thanks to Emma and Simon for the Oz updates -As we have said to them, we can even send parts to Australia, so you are never too far away from us!!

See you tomorrow!

Andy