Cal and Resto

Link: Deek Stalker

2011-11-28T21:39:00.002+02:00

A link to blog having photo collection of Der Kleiner Kampfwagen (DKK) club cars 1977-1985: http://kampfwagen.blogspot.com/

2011 Porsche Palooza

2011-11-16T03:52:00.007+02:00

While on Arkansas due to work I managed to squeeze the PCA Porsche Palooza to my agenda. I didn't have high expectations about the event but I was wrong as there were number of cool older cars present apart from the watercooled ones. The drive through Ozarks was interesting one, I must have seen 50+ or so 3rd generation Chevrolet C30's lying in backyards and fields :)

My favourite line-up in the show, Beck Spyder and two real Speedsters.

My favourite car in the show, backdated 1987 911.

Both cars same vintage!

Awesome 912 Targa, really liked the unusual colour and 14" Fuchs.

I guess the newer cars bring certain element to the show, looked like the club members were judging the cars and it was pretty interesting to listen in some "experts". There was a guy having strong opinions about 914s while wearing the participant badge that said 1997 Boxster, resale value probably smaller than the restoration bill on these cars :)

And the long distance award goes to?

For all of us who were teenagers in mid 80's :) Looks so right.

The rarest beast was parked outside the event area for some reason.

Off to the Winter Storage

2011-11-04T18:02:00.000+02:00

Even though it's exceptionally warm here the 'Vert is hibernating for the Winter.

2011 Extreme Car Show

2011-09-24T15:22:00.000+02:00

First things first, the Luftsick lineup at the show.

One of the newest cars in our club is Alhoracing's 914.

Our Swedish enforcement still has his 50/50-project, 911 undercarriage with Split Window body on top.

North Coast Type II factory has been productive again..

The old Wild Tomato Volvo Gasser from Sweden was my favourite car in the show.

1965 Split Panel Bus For Sale

2011-09-14T11:43:00.007+02:00

In late June our car community, Luftsick, received sad news about loosing Pauli, one of our members. Continuing the sad theme, his old ride is now for sale..

Bus is located in Espoo, next to Helsinki. Pauli's Bus was re-built between 1987 and 1998. Since that it has been maintained and through one engine swap, current engine is a "cruiser-type" 1776cc.

Bus is fully drivable and it has carried it's owners to several European road-trips, including trip to Gross Glockner in Austria, Bad Camberg VW event in 2007 etc.

If you're interested you can contact me for more information.

Bus was painted in late 90's orange VW colour. The paintwork is now 13 years old and naturally not perfect anymore but showing proudly the "battle scars". Mirrors are from JJ Lehto's Dallara Formula-1 car if I remember correctly.

The engine is a 1776cc unit, perfect for the long-distance running Type II. Behind the engine is a Beetle gearbox (swing-axle) conversion. The Bus is lowered with adjusters at front, front brakes are discs and drum brakes are used in rear.

Interior-wise the Bus is equipped with two Recaro seats (don't know their origin), Standard Beetle steering wheel and Berg-shifter.

The cargo area is upholstered and the Bus was used as a camper van even though it's a Panel.

2011 Bad Camberg Vintage VW Meeting

2011-07-08T09:54:00.002+02:00

Well, I am not too good at keeping promises I make to myself, 4 years ago I swore I won't return to the event and there I was thinking "what am I doing here" :) That doesn't mean that there weren't good cars as the '38 Beetle, Berlin Rome race car, "Mille Miglia" Split etc were present.

Did take some photos, transferred them to work laptop to be edited during a job-related trip but then the hard disk got corrupted and lost the photos. These two with phone camera are the only ones left.

Gärdesloppet 2011

2011-05-29T21:00:00.003+02:00

Some quick snapshots from Gärdesloppet event in Stockholm.

the roadside notes

2011-05-29T10:58:00.002+02:00

Link to Luftkraft/Lowtech Marc's US Road Trip pictures. When you know it's Marc behind the lense the stuff is good :)

Some Random California Shots

2011-05-12T21:29:00.000+02:00

Air-cooled Coronado daily drivers

"Loma" means vacation in Finnish, couple of colleagues appreciated this picture as MMS message :)

Drive through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Took a small scenic driving trip from San Diego to Palm Springs via the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, there is just something I like about American country side and desert. Maybe watched too many road movies.

Julian, CA.

Salton Sea, that was surreal sight in the middle of the desert.

Spotted this very cool boat in the Redondo Beach marina parking lot while jogging by..

NHRA Motorsports Museum

2011-05-11T20:28:00.000+02:00

I missed seeing NHRA Motorsports Museum while in California last year so managed to sneak it to our agenda for the Pomona Swap Meet Morning. Very much worth the visit, set of quick snapshots follow..

Bug-In 36

2011-05-08T20:33:00.007+02:00

Steve Niendorf's Rolling Blackout. That is one unbelievable car.

DKK line-up. Too bad that there weren't other So Cal VW clubs in full force in the event.

Roy Maple's '67.

Mark's '67, it has been cool to follow the evolution of this car in the Cal Look Lounge during the past 2-3 years. Really dig finishing of the wheels, but I do like Fuchs, sorry Alloys, in other finish too :)

Marc Buehler's Split that was featured in 1975 Hot VWs Cal Look issue, now totally rebuilt. Car was dismantled shortly after the magazine was published and remained in pieces until two years ago when the restoration started. Awesome to see it, I don't know how many times I've read Keith Seume's bible or have stared of the pictures of green and red Der Rennmeister Association Splits side by side.

The former owner of the Green Der Rennmeister Association Split, Ed Graig, currently owns this green KG.

Der Selten Käfer members line-up consisting Hecker's '67, Bruce's '66 and Larry's '58. Thanks guys for the good times, beers and stories, highlights of my trip.

Couple of shots more of Ted's cool late model.

John Rayburn's '64. Iconic trird generation DKP car, along with Art Gutierrez '67 below.

Splitdog Jim's Split is one of the coolest Splits I've seen in real. Spend some time around it at Nick's and saw it driving in to the cruise night, cool to see a car that is so well detailed/build/working.

Convertible which I have drooled over in thesamba, now I was able to do it in real :)

That's some pretty clean and straight Bus, fast too was following it after the event on freeway.

On our way to hotel spotted Fabien and Mark on Interstate 10 on their way home from the event.

Cars & Coffee (April 30th 2011)

2011-05-08T20:25:00.002+02:00

Bugs for Breakfast (April 30th 2011)

2011-05-06T18:35:00.005+02:00

Breakfast meeting which idea was originally presented by Hecker in Cal Look Lounge. The meeting is held at Ruby's diner in Whittier Blvd at Whittwood on every month's first Saturday. Only a handfull of cars this time (arrived bit late due visiting Cars&Coffee before it) but had really good time and enjoyed great stories, hope it has long following and it evolves to one of the legendary meetings.

Cal Look Lounge member Käferdog's '67.

Bruce from Der Selten Käfers owns this '66.

Ted Dominquez's late model. Really like this car and what's not to like about well functioning and beautifully finished Cal Looker :)

Pre-Bug In DKP Cruise Night

2011-05-06T17:42:00.009+02:00

I have yet to make DKP Cruise Night on Classic Week, but this cruise night was a lot busier than the previous one I visited a little over year ago. Great to see a lot of cars from two traditional Cal Look clubs, DKK and DKP.

This black '67 looked awesome. My favourite "new" car along with Jim Splitdog's Split (which I didn't make photos before it came too dark).

Ed Graig's Ghia, Ed is famous from Keith Seume's 1st Cal Look book for owning the green Der Rennmeister Association Split Window.

Hecker from Der Selten Käfers owns this '67 Cal Look survivor.

Dave Mason's '62, the car that started the Old School Cal Look trend in Finland when Luftsick-member Alhoracing build replica of the car in early 90's as first such car in the country. Before that Cal Look was very much pastel colours.

Another Cal Look survivor from DKK club.

Sarge's '67.

Yet another Cal Look survior originally build in 80's by DKK club-member, owned and by DKP member Greg Brinton for a long time.

Pomona Swap Meet (April 17th 2011)

2011-05-05T20:57:00.004+02:00

I guess this answered to my question: "was this the correct off-ramp" :)

For certain guy in Rusutjärvi :)

Cars & Coffee (April 16th 2011)

2011-05-05T20:18:00.004+02:00

Some shots from the Cars & Coffee event, held in former Ford campus in Irvine, CA.

For all of us who grew up in 80's :)

Pauli Toivonen's 1968 rally car

2011-04-07T13:03:00.003+02:00

Piece of Finnish motor sport history restored to original spec. How surprising that the 911 had received a bodywork update kit during the years :)

Foxy's build thread

2011-04-07T09:40:00.002+02:00

GFK UK member Simon Fox has created retrospect build-thread of his cool Squareback http://restowagenuk.com.

2011 Volksworld Show

2011-03-28T17:48:00.004+02:00

Martin Fenner's '55 RHD Oval Cabriolet. My favourite car in the show based even on the body style!

Simon Fox's amazing Squareback.

Eric aka Madfrog's Hebrod.

One more ultra clean Notchback from the Bavarian assembly line :)

One of the cars in the first Volksworld / Hot VWs magazines I bought.

Chris Lincoln's '54 Oval redone.

I guess the Sunset Red is now my second favourite in orangish-reddish-brownish factory colours.

Steve's '64 'Vert, hearing it firing up I think the future of my 'Vert involves an engine change :)

2010 Volksworld Show Trip

2011-03-23T22:01:00.023+02:00

Now that it's time for Volksworld Show of 2011 thought to publish some photos of the previous trip. As part of the feature for the magazine agreed not to publish anything from the studio session before the magazine comes out so decided to skip the travel photos too until now. Here is some coverage from the trip.

Ran out of time for so many details, but still very happy moment, yet pretty slippery.

One of the things on my list I decided to skip was new rear tyres, the old no name pokemon tyres were turning into plastic and trying to reverse the car to the trailer with it's new shiny plywood ramps with wet crappy tyres was an ordeal I hope I don't have to do anytime soon again. The hydraulic cylinders of the trailer's tilt-system had lost some "bounce from their bungee", so Pete and Juse had to stand at the edge of the trailer to make it tilt using their body mass. Reversing with your just finished car to a trailer on ramps that are like ice with no rear visibility and aiming between couple of your close mates..

That was the upper deck of the cargo ship we took to Lybeck, Germany from Helsinki, Finland. Pretty tight squeeze and almost wiped couple of trucks clean with my clothing while searching for our ride.

After the crappy Winter we had in 2010 (and in 2011 wasn't much better) it was nice to escape the slush from melting snow in Finland. The drive on the evening/night when we arrived wasn't too nice, being tired, driving in rain in dark autobahn etc. So, it was pretty cool to wake up to sunshine and +15C weather in the next Morning.

Approaching Osnabruck, Germany. This was the place where my 'Vert was manufactured almost precisely 50 years earlier in April of 1960.

What happens in Belgium, stays in Belgium? :) Somewhat funny to see this in the middle of beautiful suburb and homes.

After great stay over our friend Gunter Hofmanns, we headed towards France and Eurotunnel train to Folkestone UK. The traffic was getting pretty hectic and packed around Antwerpen.

Eurotunnel. In Homer Simpson's voice: "Note to self, find out the clearance beforehand next time". No issues, no hits, but not a lot of extra room.

Yes, we're in UK!

Oatland's Chaser, our base camp for Volksworld weekend, great price/quality-ratio and (my favourite) Aspall Cider on the tab. On arrival we noticed some signs about Brooklands museum and we decided to take a visit there before dinner and some drinks to celebrate succesful first part of the trip.

Couple of shots after unloading the car in Kent, UK for the Volksworld-magazine photoshoot next to Undutchable Barry's unbelievable Single-Cab. Loading of the car back to trailer was again little bit of an ordeal because it was just the two of us, luckily found a guy from local pub that helped us by standing on edge of the trailer to make it tilt :)

When the car was unloaded a couple of driving shots was supposed to take place, unfortunately I had a car to finish and so while Neil from Volksworld was shooting Barry's Pritschenwagen and I had to open my toolbox and start installing the pieces I got from Gunter couple of days earlier.

Last minute detail job on the NOS bumpers during the photoshoot.

My favourite angle of the car.

Just awesome seeing your own car in the show you've read about so much during the past 15+ years and visited a few times. The Top 20 trophy was a huge suprise and I was caught totally off-guard when I heard my name on the PA. Me and Juse had been preparing everything to easy push out of the hall, on to the trailer, hitch the trailer to the tow-car and off to Eurotunnel as fast as possible. Decided then to kill time to check out who won.. Of course I had played a little "what if" in my mind while seeing the show and calculated 15 cars that easily should be in Top 20 and then summing an odd few that will get a trophy to recognize the styles I don't like (camper busses, buggies, customs or other wild creations etc).

I think Juse took this artistic picture of the 'Vert inside the trailer during the home trip.

Back home after 9 day trip. The snow we had melted during our trip which was good news. 4000 kms (including the boat-ride) round trip and pretty much uneventful. No hassle with the trailer, apart from the tilt-springs, not even one missed exit with the trailer on tow.

Porsche Museum Revisit

2011-03-21T20:32:00.003+02:00

One of my favourite attractions in Stuttgart and place to visit whenever in the area. Some quick snapshots of the cars I haven't had here before.

Dealership is the next building, this is the museum..

A shot for you know who :)

Volksworld Feature

2011-03-19T21:10:00.002+02:00

Bit surreal feeling :) But just awesome.

Vintage Photo Galleries - Finnish Museums Online

2011-02-06T17:18:00.012+02:00

While I was recovering from flu and killing time by random surfing, found the Finnish Museums online website. One of the participating museums is Mobilia the Finnish "road and automotive" museum, so there is some interesting content for the average gearhead. Take a look at the contents by searching; http://suomenmuseotonline.fi/en#tabs-1.

First 10 officially imported VW Beetles in Helsinki 1950.

Driving school taking a delivery of brand new Beetles in early 70's.

Eläintarhan ajot, the "kind of a grand prix" of Helsinki, organized until early 60's when speeds became too high for road race. Here's a herd of Swedish 356As in 1958.

Old Shots From Porvoo Swap Meet And Alastaro

2011-01-16T18:14:00.005+02:00

Some older shots I got from Jarkko who is the first Volkswagen guy I ever got to know. We served in same garrison of Finnish Army in 1989 and were borrowing each other's magazines, my Popular Hot Roddings or Super Chevys to his Hot VWs or VW Trends. I bought my first Bug years later but I guess that was when I got infected to this disease.. I never participated these events ranging from late 80's to early 90's but can see some very familiar faces in photos.

Porvoo Swap Meet

West Coast Aircoolers event in Alastaro

Kaj Stenvall Artwork

2011-01-12T22:21:00.003+02:00

Pretty cool, huh? http://www.kajstenvall.com/ Think I know couple of guys like this..

Link: www.restoredsportscars.com

2010-12-13T10:27:00.003+02:00

Found this site from up North while surfing for fun yesterday. That's pretty rapid restoration I would say!

www.restoredsportscars.com

2010 WCA Swap Meet II

2010-11-07T18:47:00.005+02:00

Some shots from the 2H/2010 Olari Swap Meet..

Is there a club for clean '58 - '64 Bugs? :)

My favourite car was actually a truck.

Juse's latest addition to his collection.

After party at Studio 44
Big thanks to Heebah&Jatimatic for fun night in the garage.

My '52 Split

2010-10-27T22:21:00.019+02:00

I bought this '52 Split some time ago in Spring and have been storing it in "secret lair". Started slowly taking it apart, but for some reason took first pictures only couple of weeks ago, so these are as much as "before" pictures as there are. I was originally looking for roughly 10 years younger car as my first Beetle was a 1963 and I really like the combination of looks looks and practicality on 1962-64 Sedans. I like the square rear window as the whole car looks perhaps better balanced than Splits or Ovals, but this Split was too much to resist, so it'll replace the one that got away.

Just in case you're wondering the background, no, I am not into 80's Peugeots too :)

One major issue is the poor panel fitting done long time ago. The car had been out of traffic since Summer of 1971, so maybe this repair took place already in 60's. The driver's side has some pop-rivet mounted thin metal sheet baked with filler, just something that gave one more year of driving until the next MOT test. Wonder what the guy who did these repairs would think about some idiot 40 years later trying to fully restore the car :)

Pan is surprisingly solid. Bit strange detailing on the hand brake lever, shifter and pedals.

Spare-wheel well doesn't look too bad neither.

The headlining didn't escape the "hippie" detailing neither.

The Plan

Gotta have the layout, right Jyri? :) As I've read "real" (native Californians) Cal Look guys' stories in the Lounge I was toying with the idea of what if I had been in their shoes and got a Beetle as a first car when 16 years old; "how could or would I have built it or where would I have picked the influences". This was the trigger for finding a new project Beetle and sort of a theme for the car.

Okay, when I was teenager in mid 80's I wasn't interested in VWs but Street Rods and Muscle Cars. I did like Porsches back then and actually 944 even more than 911 (well, that has changed..). So as I was thinking about the theme, I wanted to use Porsche stuff like gauges in this project but with Split dash both the speedo and rev counter should be same size which is not the case with 911 or 914 gauges. Couple of ebay searches later I learned that 924/944 gauges are same size and to my surprise when receiving my "proof-of-concept" gauges (don't know whether these suckers work or not.. cheap anyway..) arrived they bolt right into Split dash pods.

924/944 seats also look suitable so at least the plan now is to hunt a pair of them. Wheels-wise I am going to start with wheels I already have; 4.5/6" Fuchs or Gas Burners, but if you happen to have vacant a pair of 911-numbered 7x15s Fuchs do email me. Colour-wise I have been thinking would the world be ready for the nostalgia revival of India Red?

Continuing with the 80's theme I need to find C-cassette player to the car and find out whether my mother threw my NWOBHM collection away :)

With that nipple-type of glass swapped to flat one I think the gauges are going to look just great. Great thing about the speedo is that it's from some US spec model from the times when lower speed limits were enforced and it displays only 140 km/h. The dials with "typical Porsche speeds" exceeding 200 km/h would look rather ridiculous in Bug (even though it could be theoretically capable of reaching them depending on the engine).

Next steps on the "layout-list" are to figure out what switches etc to use among other details and on "real project-list" continue disassembly, scrape the rust protection stuff off, have the empty shell blasted and off to body shop. I am not going to do the body work, being old enough to know the constraints I have. The fun starts when I get the painted shell back.

Vintage Helsinki Photos

2010-10-24T09:41:00.005+02:00

Yesterday's local paper had an article about exhibition of Helsinki photos from 40 years ago.

Looks like every traffic/rush-hour related photo has a Volkswagen in it, but strange that the most of the photos have crappy weather, just like in sunny weather the photographers have had better things to do. Or maybe they have wanted to get the maximum depression in the rush-hour photos? :)

The Type III Fastback above with Fuchs-like hubcaps is pretty cool.

The latest Boxertje magazine

2010-10-04T15:32:00.001+02:00

Received a copy of the Dutch/Belgian VW magazine Boxertje today, I'm "well chuffed" as they say in UK :)

2010 X-treme Car Show

2010-09-16T19:31:00.006+03:00

Holy fook!! Looks like I won 3rd prize of the Retro Class in X-treme Car Show meanwhile I was at home watching the Italian GP (which turned into crap with El Banco's win).

2010 X-treme Car Show

2010-09-11T21:53:00.007+03:00

First things first; Luftsick Lineup :)

From stock pea-shooters to wheelie bars to Type IIs..

One more kick-ass Type II from North Coast.

Bengt Stafberg's '23 Buick Roadster he raced in mid 70's. Thanks Bengt for the nice chat and the insight about the car.

Unbelievable skills and effort but don't float my boat stylewise.

Oh yeah.. One more Volkswagen from the show..

Link: US Road Trip in VW Bus

2010-09-06T08:01:00.003+02:00

Came across this cool blog of road trip pictures with VW Bus from Canada to US and back.

2010 Scandinavian Cal Look Classic

2010-08-23T12:49:00.010+02:00

The Bug Run seems to be lost cause but now there is a replacement in Nordics and not that much further for us Finns. My first SCC and had really good time over the weekend. Nothing to bitch about, everything was very smoothly run and organized.

Inside the SCC Taxi, cool to arrive to event in style. Thanks Tor-Odd for the ride.

Scandinavian action hero Leif Nyström.

It was pretty cool to see CSP Ghia pushing below the 9-second barrier, especially having Peter from CSP explain us his vision about the car (original German engine block and transmission cases) the night before.

The famous Skinne Beetle.

Vegard's new one. One of my favourite cars in the show, some very cool parts and really good thinking layout-wise.

Another cool Norwegian Looker that I hadn't seen before.

I am not very keen on Super Beetles but really liked this one (okay couple of details don't float my boat). Maybe it is the exception that enforces the rule :)

Heebah's Split draw a steady crowd of onlookers whole weekend.

SCC Photos: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5

2010 SCC - More pictures

2010-08-23T12:33:00.010+02:00

The proximity of the airport (runway just behind the drag strip) is cool, apart from giving the camping a challenge, you can see both planes and drag racing cars taking off at same time.

Pekka Laitinen's awesome 914-6.

One of my favorite Nordic cars. Also one of the cars that are always in Bug Run (along with that black ghia), finished long time ago and still looking awesome. The photo doesn't do justice to it's striking white paint.

The Bus that was rescued from fjord after few decades.

Pair of Vaasa Ovals.

The Split of Heebah's older brother.

Besides the engine interior was fully Speedwell equipped too.

SCC Photos: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5

2010 SCC - Racing Shots

2010-08-23T12:25:00.007+02:00

Berserk in pits.

Event organizer Kalle's Turboed '67.

Joran Larssen launching.

The sticky tarmac match-race between Jon and Johnny.

SCC Photos: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5

2010 SCC - Nordic Nostalgia

2010-08-23T12:18:00.004+02:00

This was the style/stance of Cal Lookish Volkswagens when I became interested in them in early 90's.

SCC crew member Jon's first car from late 80's or early 90's

Another Cal Look survivor.

SCC Photos: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5

2001 SCC - Convertibles Galore

2010-08-23T12:03:00.004+02:00

I doubt that I have ever seen so many Convertible Bugs in any event in Nordics.

SCC Photos: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5

Refreshing Sight

2010-08-20T20:39:00.001+02:00

Quite refreshing to see this Roadster while driving home from work (sorry 'bout the crappy cameraphone shot).

2010 Bugshow @ Spa Francorchamps - More Photos

2010-07-27T23:53:00.002+03:00

2010 Bugshow @ Spa Francorchamps

2010-07-26T01:36:00.000+03:00

BMW Welt & Museum

2010-07-20T23:39:00.000+03:00

BMW Welt and the Museum were sort of last thing to cross on "my list" to visit among the "major German car brands factory" museums (well, I don't include Opel to that list :)

Seeing that late 70's/early 80's 3-series reminded me about my teenage years as that was one of the desirable first cars back then when it was one generation older than a new one.

The Lotus-BMW Formula 2 engine

Focke Wulf FW 190 engine.

Omistettu Lohjan tähtimoottori-harrastajalle :)

I guess the "please don't touch" texts should be translated to Italian too?

The 2002 and Isetta displays were really beautifully done.

While all of the factories have service to pick up your new car I had never actually witnessed that happening. Some other visitors gave even a standing ovation to new car owners. Okay, I can understand that if you're buying something special like Porsche or higher end BMW or Mercedes but there were several "start of the price sheet" 4-bangers..

2010 Kitzbuhel HD Treffen

2010-07-18T12:49:00.003+03:00

Nothing we planned but stumbled upon while driving in the Alps..

Now this is something I would like to own..

When I had my '55 Oval I was thinking that two things separate me from perfect happiness (machinery wise) were the Porsche and Panhead of the same vintage.

Audi Forum

2010-07-18T12:33:00.005+03:00

At this leg of our "Amazing Race" I could choose between two tasks; the Ingolstadt Outlets or Audi Forum. So..

Even though I drive an Audi I am no fan of the brand in general but cannot undig any of the German Silver Arrows from the 30s.

Really liked the Rosemeyer concept car, it looked something like out of Tintin comics.

Sort of German version of original Ford Thunderbird.

I wouldn't mind if this Wanderer would wander to my garage :)

Hamburg Prototype Museum

2010-07-17T09:14:00.004+03:00

Finally was able to cross this place from my list :) Really cool place and worth a visit.

Really loved this restoration of a race car display.

CSP catalogs.

Hmm.. A chinese EMPI(?) breather box on car like this and installed updside down.

Cabriolet Summer

2010-07-12T11:15:00.015+03:00

Ah finally. First week of Summer holiday and got the 'Vert out.

I missed buying the hooks that secure the top in down position and the new padding plus the piece of shit TMI hood bag lifts the top slightly, but enough to mess up the rear visibility. Found the worn out original (moldy) hood bag some time ago which is like one size larger than the TMI one. Too bad I didn't realize to have Lenny re-pop one based on original measurements. Anyway when I get the hooks in place they'll do the trick.

While the interior smells like new everything in the rear smells still burned. Probably remains like that for some time before the new paint, rubber etc settle down.

The only trouble with my 25Kkm driven 30hp was oil smelling gasoline when I got the car running for the MOT tests in last October. Assumed first the carburetor causing it as it was oxidated internally beyond belief and cleaned/installed carb repair kit during the Winter, after the Volksworld trip (heh, driving the car on/off trailer 3 times..) oil smelled gasoline again. Oberschlachter supplied (thanks "Rusakko"!) a repair kit for the pump really quickly.

And where else but from Kotten's stash would you expect to find the tool to preload the 30hp fuel pump diaphgram :)

2010 Biggin Hill Air Fair

2010-06-27T23:18:00.006+03:00

We wanted to skip the traditional Finnish Midsummer by visiting my wife's relatives in UK and so googled a bit for a "motoring event", found the Biggin Hill Air Fair with 70 years from Battle of Britain theme. Being somewhat anti-war person didn't care the modern planes displaying modern warfare too much but the Red Arrows and WW II planes really made the day.

Link: Speedwell Archives

2010-06-20T21:26:00.002+03:00

My buddy Fabian has again scanned huge load of vintage Cal Look photos. Check out his site or the thread in Cal Look Lounge.

2010 Turku Concours d'Elegance

2010-06-20T21:05:00.004+03:00

I was positively surprised the Turku Councours event last time I visited it. This time there were not so many cars that float my boat but it is still pretty nice event to visit, good weather and beautiful surroundings.

Reclaim Bug Run

2010-05-02T15:16:00.004+03:00

Now here is a good idea:

Interior Shots of my Vert

2010-04-23T16:25:00.005+02:00

Couple of interior shots I forgot to add earlier. Seat covers and door panels came from Lenny Copp, carpets from Himmelservice. Kai Aulankoski installed the seat covers and modified the carpet kit. Going back to TMI in the future would be very difficult.

Quick trip to Germany

2010-04-21T20:33:00.018+02:00

Booked cheap flights for a quick trip to Metzingen - Stuttgart - Hockenheim. The trip turned out in the end little bit different than we planned, but good trip like most of trips are, and lot of fun anyway :)

Our hotel in Stuttgart was located on the old race track called Solitude. The whole track is a public road which local motorcyclists have taken a liking. That track tower was really cool sight, sadly that kind of a preserved motorsport heritage is missing from Finland.

Cheapest available rental car (booked on a short notice), had luck with the weather for top down driving.

As the flights got canceled due to the volcano in Iceland we had to figure out plan-B for return. I could have worked from Germany but there was too much uncertainty about when the flights would start to take place and where. Call to Lufthansa's hotline showed only how clueless/unprepared they were so decided act quickly. Trains or other means of public transportation didn't really appeal with all the transfers with luggage and traveling through night etc, and they probably would have been fully booked anyway. Browsed quickly few different type of options of buying a car and driving it home and selling it or finding a keeper, decided that it's too risky on a short notice..

Luckily Hertz at Frankfurt airport had a Norwegian rental car that could be returned to Sweden, I guess the Hertz's personnell's lack of geographical knowledge paid off (considering it's 600 kms from Stockholm to Oslo where the car originated). So 1600 kilometers to Stockholm and off we went. I've driven similar route a few times but never had a deadline, like the 24h rental agreement, so felt little like the guy in Vanishing Point. But speaking about Vanishing Point, don't do drugs, didn't have a cool car, didn't crash in the end, so what's left.. not much.

20+ degrees didn't really suit the studless winter tyres on the car, not even after checking the tyre pressure which were totally messed up to start with, anything beyond 140km/h was scary, just like a Beetle with lowered front without caster shims :) That "start of the price list" type of Merc behaved like a Beetle or Type II in the winds too. During the drive North the temperature dropped and the car/tyres started to behave. I had really hoped to cover some mileage on the open speeds in Germany but no luck.

The Mr K's Fiat returned to haunt us!

Forgot to reset the trip-speedo when we picked the car up, so don't exactly know the mileage but pretty good drive starting in Frankfurt just before noon with normal stops for food/coffee/gasoline.

Return "flight" from last hotel in Heidelberg with changing cars in Frankfurt.

2010 Hockenheim Historic

2010-04-21T20:05:00.008+02:00

I had never before visited any sorts of Historic Racing in Germany and after this visit I can only wonder why the hell not :) I found the event and it's web-site via Google and didn't know about anything about it beforehand and neither did many of my German friends. Had really good time as the photos proof..

"Let the big dogs hunt" :)

Porsche Club in the parade.

The girl on the right was holding the keys to that A4 Cabriolet whole time the guy was manouvering the rig, funny :)

Cool Cal Look Bug in the pits. Don't know this car but based on the wheels and colour it looks like being built a some time ago. Perhaps started as early German Looker? Swap bumpers to t-bars and add little bit of black to the wheels and it's perfect.

As much as I dislike kit cars and buggies, if I would have the luxury of living in warmer climate a properly built 550 replica with nice Type IV engine would do nicely.

The guy who did this sculpture should have sharpened the axe before the attempt :)

Porsche Museum revisited

2010-04-21T19:54:00.006+02:00

After visiting the new Porsche museum around an year ago revisit was in plans. Still an awesome place and cannot get enough of these cars :)

Some shots of the cars not present an year ago..

Pål Rui's Pre-A.

Stunning architecture.

The best view from any cafe in the world..

Front yard was invaded by French 914 club.

2010 American Car Show

2010-04-05T14:32:00.006+02:00

American Car Show has improved during past years, again it offered a pretty good selection of Hot Rods and Choppers plus the usual nightmare of car audio and tuning cars in the next hall etc.

Kaitsu's Honda chopper was in good company.

Awesome Royal Endfield.

Awesome X2.

Pekka's 914 next to Juhani's rally Beetle.

:)

1962 Bel Air, one of my favourite cars 20 years ago.

This 'Vette brought a lot of memories from late 70's model kits, the supercharger, the wheels etc.

The current retro trend of bloated pony cars does nothing for me, I liked the Mustang, but Camaro or Challenger are bit too much.

Three letters "W", "T" and "F" come to my mind..

"Join the gang"? Maybe a little update would be in order.

2010 WCA Spring Swap

2010-04-05T14:23:00.004+02:00

'65 Pritschenwagen on it's maiden voyage.

Pauli was the only one of us with any sense of arriving with style.

Finnish VW scene is doing better than ever, at least as far as I remember or have been around, with two active parts businesses Aircooled.fi and Oberschlachter this kind of a widespread selection of parts is just awesome.

Brooklands Museum

2010-04-01T21:39:00.007+02:00

While we approached our hotel in Weybridge for Volksworld Show we noticed signs saying Brooklands. After checking in to the hotel and googling a little we decided to leave the trailer to hotel and see the museum.

A lot of the cars displayed weren't my cup of tea but the surroundings and the buildings plus the aircraft displays were really cool.

Wellington bomber lifted from the lake Loch Ness.

I guess at times airplane displays looked more like air-plane crash than airplane museum :) The banking of the old track was really cool and a lot steeper than in looks in the photo.

Return to Home

2010-04-01T21:02:00.007+02:00

Shot from Ghent Holiday Inn on the way back to Finland, Juse checking the Bug was securely attached inside the trailer.

Thanks to TN-Trading for renting the trailer for out of the country trip. Trailer was the most carefree thing we've ever seen giving us 2400 road kilometres without any problems.

Big thanks to Juse for taking part to the trip and making it happen.

Getting the car out of the trailer near our garage. Finally back home after 9 days. We had 1 day more buffer in getting to the playgrounds than on the way back. I guess the return trip was as fast as it can be with a trailer from UK to Finland. We left Sandown around 6PM (GMT) on Sunday, reached Ghent in Belgium around Midnight, left Ghent in Monday Morning and arrived to Lybeck in Germany around 8 PM (CET) on Monday, boat to Finland left around 3:00 AM (CET) on Tuesday and arrived to Helsinki on Wednesday Morning around 7:30 AM EET.

2010 Volksworld Show

2010-04-01T17:48:00.009+02:00

Alex's ride greeted all the visitors at the main door.

Xav's Brazilia, still really crazy car :)

While I am starting to have hard time figuring out the Nostalgia Gasser Scene I can totally dig beautiful modern race cars that are fast and follow today's rule technical book like Matt Keene's Oval above. I do understand the restoration of a race car with history but the repopping something which isn't really fast in the end nor doesn't have history is a waste of time and effort IMO and one Beetle off from road.

Oystein's Heb Coupe.

Me and Juse had the pleasure of meeting the bunch of Dutchs with this awesome Pritschenwagen on Friday Morning.

Unbelievable time-machine, a Cal Looker built in Germany 20 years ago by Ingo Neustadt. Car hardly shows any signs about being built that long ago.

WTF? They have misspelled "Autolanski" in the credits! :) Strange feeling in seeing your own car in such place and among such cars.

Some tough customers visiting the CSP booth :) Have to take this space to thank Peter, Thomas, Gunter, Jakob and rest of the crew for their hospitality and fun evening out on Saturday.

Walter's unbelievable Sand Scorcher.

Mike Walraven's Oval, one of my all time favourites.

Roland has edged Mike's Oval from being my favourite European built Cal Looker. Noticed Roland's car in the parking lot of the Eurotunnel entrance, if that meant the car was driven all the way, even more cooler!

I think Mario's Notch looked even better than the previous show-winning Low Light Ghia.

Mark Cross' Oval looked awesome. Good work.

This guy was fondling all the Type IIs downstairs :)

Yeah, air-cooled and slammed Golf..

Looked like a lot of car for 5000 pounds.

If I still remember correctly the Volksworld feature of this car from back 1997(?), this car was restored from Baja.

Cool Belgian Notch in the parking lot.

Volksworld Show Trip

2010-03-27T10:32:00.006+02:00

Getting it out of the trailer in UK. Very happy with everything apart from the stance, had to make a trade-off with stance as got the tyres on the wheels, new interior, new trim, the NOS bumbers etc mounted during the week before I left to UK. Just ran out of time. Last pieces went on the car actually in UK.

See the rest of the photos from 2010 Volksworld Show.

Off to Volksworld Show

2010-03-24T21:37:00.006+02:00

Me and Juse are officially off to Volksworld Show, Sandown Park, UK where the 'Vert will be participating the show. Being accepted to the show etc are a highlight of my "career" in Volkswagens. Just awesome feeling.

My 'Vert

2010-03-20T22:03:00.002+02:00

One of the last shots of the car.

Awesome '54 'Vert

2010-03-05T18:10:00.002+02:00

Came across this picture in thesamba.com and couldn't resist of linking it in here.

Pete Rides Again

2010-03-01T10:39:00.003+02:00

Some pictures of Pete's recently acquired new ride, a '66 Standard Bug.

Wasn't too easy to analyze the car in all that snow :)

The '66 Standard as it arrived.

After an hour of melting things were looking better. The car turned out more solid than anyone expected. Probably doesn't require any welding to pass the MOT.

Petersen Automotive Museum

2010-02-18T00:42:00.003+02:00

Got to say that Petersen Automotive Museum was a disappointment. While I liked the displays like the Hot Rod or Kustom shop there wasn't much interesting apart from couple of Hot Rods/Street Rods. I know it's called "Automotive" not "Hot Rodding" museum but it wasn't much as I was expecting from the publisher or leading Hot Rodding publications for past 70+ years. Not sure about the gift shop neither, maybe there could have been cooler merchandise if they had brought something from the vast amount of material Petersen has published over the years.

Misc California Photos

2010-02-18T00:20:00.010+02:00

Just what the doctor ordered in the middle of Nordic Winter.

LA Kings vs Anaheim Mighty Ducks in Staples Arena, made a trade with my wife about hockey vs. Winternationals, got to see drag racing if I went to see hockey with her. I guess life could be worse, huh? :)

Fast and Furious display at Universal Studios, entertaining.

Bump cars at Disneyland, I guess this is where most immigrants take their driving lessons? Well based on some of their behaviour on freeways.

That's something I don't have to take lessons nor read a book :)

Cool Ford panel van near Hermosa Beach, looked like someone practically lived in it. Saw few really cool vintage driver cars.

Like from the movie "The Duel".

Now I can reuse line from "Beavis&Butthead do America"; "is this the god damn?" Pretty awesome scenery. The build in 1930's is an unbelievable effort (along with the new bypass bridge seen in Discovery Channel documentaries).

So if you're dog on foot and after dark?

Driving Shots
I love the South West desert, unbelievable rugged terrain, awesome colors (even through dirty windshield). I like how much it changed during the drive. I am a big fan of Travel Channel's World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides program (the US episodes) and it was pretty cool to see some of the scenery presented in the series.

One of the 3 Cal Look Volkswagens we saw in traffic outside the DKP Cruise or shops.

2010 Winternationals

2010-02-13T08:04:00.008+02:00

Managed to squeeze in a day in Winternationals for our holiday. I haven't followed any sort of drag racing for years but got huge kicks from the nostalgia display and Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying.

Nostalgia Display

One of my all-time favourite race cars. I remember how in mid 80's I bought huge pile of discount auto books from mail order book shop (Roadster in Seinäjoki if I remember correctly) with money from summer job at construction site, among the books was Petersen's History of Drag Racing and I kept coming back to the black&white picture of this car again and again. Luckily it didn't materialize as me buying a Mopar :)

Picture for you know who :)

My favourite gasser along with Mooneyham&Sharp coupe but I like this one more in the later blue disquise.

Pits

White Fords for Alhoracing..

Racing Shots

The snow-topped mountains in background are just surreal considering it was over +20C at the track.

That elderly gentleman acting as a starter just oozed authority :)

Garlits' dragster a moment later..

DKP Cruise Night on Super Bowl Sunday

2010-02-08T07:54:00.014+02:00

While touristing California with no "car-agenda" the Der Kleiner Panzer's Cruise is something not to miss for me. Me and Sanna had a chance to hook up with Jim Edmiston before the event and ride along some of the club members to the cruise location. NFL Super Bowl taking place at the same time naturally affected the number of people/cars that attended but we had a blast anyway. Big thanks for Jim&Sharon for the hospitality and it was really great to meet a lot of the people and see the cars that have affected my Volkswagen hobby a lot.

Sanna getting an "e-ticket ride". The moment Sarge started the engine I realized that I cannot drive with stock 30hp.

Jim Ratto's '67.

Carlos De Alba's '67.

Leaving to the DKP Cruise in Chino.

The ride through twisty canyon road, this is where we lost contact for few minutes as the rental car couldn't keep up, we could hear three pair of IDAs revving higher in the hills but that was all :)

Meeting some other club members on the way to Nicks.

Scott's Ghia, unbelievable seeing one favorite car next to another..

Two iconic Cal Lookers from the period that got me into Volkswagens.

Rick Sadler's '67. As yellow as Sarge's car is red. Awesome, the bright colours work for me.

Couple of DKK cars belonging to Dan and Mark.

Fabien Becasse's awesome '67.

The last photos were getting fuzzy as I didn't have a tripod with me.

One more kick-ass Split from Umeå

2010-01-29T10:33:00.003+02:00

My Swedish friend Stefan is in process of building another cool Split, follow the progress from his splitblitz blog.

Build looks as flawless than the Split below he did before.

American Nitro

2010-01-27T22:25:00.005+02:00

Just noticed this in Tom's Wheelerdealer blog. The same film I saw in local movie theater around in 1981 having then Finnish title "Funny Cars - Hassut vauhtihirviöt".

Der Splitkrieg Käfers

2010-01-26T16:07:00.001+02:00

This photo by Pip in thesamba.com just made my day :)

Some 50's car movies from Youtube

2010-01-22T20:14:00.017+02:00

Came across these 50's car movies in Youtube. Cool, funny and little bit retarded at the same time :)

The Choppers

Teenage Thunder

Hot Rod Girl

Time to get cracking..

2010-01-21T18:49:00.003+02:00

In Wallace&Gromit speak; time to get cracking..

Few weeks to season start and some tasks still remain. Biggest thing is the decision about which wheels to run.

New interior is in the plans as the current TMI kit just doesn't cut it.

New Magazine: AirMighty Megascene

2009-12-31T09:23:00.003+02:00

My Dutch buddy Niels teamed with other well-known European Volkswagen enthusiasts have created a new quarterly published magazine, check out the details on AirMighty Megascene.

World's Greates Motorcycle Rides

2009-12-01T11:46:00.004+02:00

World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides is one of my favourite travel shows in cable, especially the ones covering USA. Found the following clip where the presenter is sounding like your average frustrated Volkswagen guy during a car trip :)

Interserie at Keimola 1972

2009-11-07T13:35:00.000+02:00

DHK's So Cal Bugorama photos

2009-11-04T20:51:00.003+02:00

Link to DHK club's photos from Southern California Bugorama.

Cool vintage photo gallery

2009-11-04T19:44:00.002+02:00

Vintage photo gallery from Germany: http://www.v-like-vintage.net

Cool photo ofSunroof Split and Ju52 in Munich airport 1937; one of my favourite vintage cars and aeroplanes in same photo, not sure about coolness of the circumstances of the photo :)

Alhoracing's Mercury Marauder

2009-11-02T18:09:00.007+02:00

If I have had to make a guess in January '09 about who among your closest buddies would buy a full-size Ford this year I would have never guessed right :) Well rust-free mid 60's car with freshly built big block, why not.. Reminded me about my cousins' ex white 390 cid '62 Galaxie.

On the move

2009-11-01T00:14:00.006+02:00

Probably one of the last nice, chilly but sunny and dry, days of Fall, so last moment of moving the 'Vert back home to Helsinki. Didn't have time to lower the rear but lowered the front somewhat from the MOT/technical inspection in order to get the tracking closer to where it was originally adjusted for the home drive. Strange feeling to have working heater too in Volkswagen for a change :)

The way 'Vert was moved from Kaitsu's garage to my (in Doctor Evil's speak) secret lair. It was kinda "interesting" to follow that dude through the smaller country roads as the highway was closed due to crashed tanker truck.

On the way from Kupla Kopla garage to Kaitsu's garage for top upholstery.

Spa Francorchamps Petition

2009-10-30T13:34:00.003+02:00

There seems to be pressure to shut down the operations of one of the most famous race tracks in the world, Spa Francorchamps of Belgium. I am into saving the nature, preserving rare species, recycling etc as anyone even though I am into old cars. I really cannot understand red-green people sometimes, like here, surely everyone new who has moved into Spa Francorchamps area must have been aware that the racetrack exists in the neighborhood and it didn't come as a surprise. If the track bothers or pollutes how about all the busy motorways that go across the same areas.

You can state your opinion pro spa by signing the petition below:

Along with Formula 1 and many other forms of motorsports the track hosts one of the best Volkswagen events in the world, the Bugshow.

Better late than never :)

2009-10-23T22:51:00.002+02:00

Driving the 'Vert first time since 2003.

Off to the our equivalent of MOT tests.

Well, saved some MOT-mans' time for rust checking :)

Opening Scene of Movie Le Mans

2009-10-14T17:45:00.003+02:00

Opening screne of LeMans with Steve McQueen driving through French countryside in 911. Whole movie seems to be available in Youtube, too bad that the widescreen measurements are f**ked up in the clip, but pure car porn anyway :)

Awesome 'Vert

2009-10-13T20:50:00.003+02:00

Red 60's 'Vert with 901-numbered wheels, what's not to like :) Photo linked from user cande83821 pictures in the samba.com.

Link: Singer 911

2009-09-27T13:48:00.002+02:00

Singer Porsche 911 in autoblog.com.

Some progress

2009-09-26T18:44:00.002+02:00

Bleeding the brakes turned into bit of an ordeal. Big thanks to Takis who quickly identified the master cylinder being not suitable for rear discs, even thought a local parts supplier sold me it as such. Thanks are also in order for CSP who quickly supplied correct master cylinder. Well, after all the hassle the 'Vert finally has brakes. One of the last tasks that remained before attempting the inspection. If I only had more time to work on the car..

Ultra VW Bug Boogie

2009-09-21T19:33:00.005+02:00

Some shots from Ultra VW Magazine's event held in conjunction with 911&Porsche World's Picnic.

911&Porsche World Picnic

2009-09-21T19:25:00.003+02:00

Pictures of 911&Porsche World magazine's picnic.

Mexi Beetles

2009-09-14T01:34:00.006+02:00

Got short an assignment in Mexico City, which has been very interesting to say the least :)

Late Beetles and Bay-Window busses practically everywhere. Neither are among my typical favourites in German air-cooled cars (few exceptions exist that enforce the rule, like certain cool white Dutch Bay and my friend Roland's late model Cal Looker plus the light blue and beige DKP III cars) but seeing/hearing them in so large numbers is just awesome.

How cool is a taxi with 8-spokes, even repros? Saw another one with 4-lug colour coded Sprint Stars in same company livery.

Supported the local magazine by buying couple of issues :)

German Folks' Poison Berry Oval

2009-09-01T17:04:00.004+02:00

Link to German Folks member Tim's Poison Berry Oval build topic on thesamba.com. Tim's Oval has unbelievable amount of detailing and smoothing out parts that left factory in very unfinished form.

How about smoothed steering box:

Or pedal cluster:

Not your average trunk area, huh.. :)

Top Done

2009-08-05T19:05:00.005+03:00

The Cabriolet top is now installed and have few small details that need attention before the first technical inspection since 2001. I am glad that had time to take part in fitting the canvas top otherwise I wouldn't have any clue how tedious that task is.

Big thanks to Kai Aulankoski for the work with the top upholstery. Kai was one of the three pivotal guys who made the restoration happen along with Kari Kuusharju and Juhani Laaksonen. Thanks are also in order to Frank Stockton and Bob van Heyst from BBT who supplied the correct mohair headliner the car is supposed to have.

Praise for Chuck
One of the tasks we were quite nervous about were the decorative trims that are mounted on top of the rear window and around the rear body. My car came with the rear of the body trim when I bought it 10 years ago but the one over the rear window was long gone. Chuck's Convertible Parts manufactures excellent repros, which were exact match to the originals and very easy to install.

While doing the top we noticed that the 'Vert has frickin' Barndoor Sonderbus colour-scheme or at least similar.

Kaitsu's Ford F100 Panelvan

2009-07-31T13:09:00.005+03:00

Some shots about Kai Aulankoski's latest acquisition. Kai is one of the guys who will never run out of class comments (like infamous Finnish phrase "bermit alle ja tonttiin" in around 1997) and when he mentioned about the car over the phone he said "one will never fall asleep driving this bitch" :)

John Rayburn Artwork

2009-07-24T10:49:00.003+03:00

Received couple DKP Cruise Night T-shirts having John Rayburn's artwork. Awesome :)

Misc holiday shots

2009-07-14T10:04:00.007+03:00

Visit to Custom & Speed Parts
We passed near Bargteheide on the way to overnight stay in Denmark and decided to check out CSP shop and HQ. It was very impressive and things looked very professional/efficient to say the least!

Thanks Jakob for the tour and for the hospitality in EBI III along with Gunter, Thomas, Peter and rest of the crew.

Nurburgring
Went to see the German Grand Prix at Nurburgring and had really great time despite the weather being around 20 degrees colder that it was week before when we were heading to Chimay. Had great seats (sheer dumb luck) and made some nice photos :)

Mark Webber winning his first Grand Prix.

Kimi vs Sutil incident starting.. Second rate Formula 1 driver for a team from 3rd world country doesn't seem to give much room the way the're heading in the photo.

Start of the 2009 German Grand Prix.

Driver's parade around the track before the start.

Start of the Porsche Cup race.

On the way home we spotted this optimist on the fast lane with no speed limit zone, first I thought it might be a sleeper..

Sinsheim Technology Museum

2009-07-09T18:03:00.007+03:00

Sinsheim and it's sister museum Speyer display pretty much everything from a Stihl chainsaw to Concorde :) Awesome places where you can easily spend a day, Sinsheim being the original and older place is easier to go through as Speyer felt bit chaotic at the end of the day.

Sinsheim had a display of "50's American Dream Cars".

Awesome 356B Carrera.

Carrera showing it's Volkswagen origins :)

356SC.

Indian Four.

Indian Scout as Wall of Death machine.

I remember Harlan Thompson from early 80's magazines for being an American racer who toured Europe. If I remember correctly one of the first Finnish Top Alcohol Funny Cars (either Aartomaa's Trans-Am or Dodge Omni) was previously raced by Harlan Thompson.

Blue Flame World Speed Record car.

I am starting to like Coke-bottle shaped Corvettes again even though been told by powers that be that "forget it, looks so ugly, like a crowbar".

Lamborghini Miura.

The mandatory Speedster.

Funny how modern Ferraris start to look old and outdated quite easily but the 50's - 70's cars don't lost their appeal.

Remains of a Stuka.

A frickin' Cal Looker in Sinsheim?

One of the VW Beetles displayed was this de-chromed 'Vert on Fuchs. It is no Aaronson/Holmes car but still nostalgic.

Vintage adjustable front suspension, flip-front supports, "German-style" horns..

Malev!

I liked the idea about displaying planes on these poles but on the other hand it would have been interesting to see them on ground with full interior etc.

Speyer Technology Museum

2009-07-09T17:47:00.006+03:00

Few shots from Speyer Technology Museum.

The 747 viewing platform was pretty cool.
Didn't smell as bad from the inside as the other big plane, Russian-built Antonov, with authentic Russian-smell.

Everything from Nascar car to rocket car to restored truck..

Cool Opel. Two words that rarely fit in same sentence :)

Another Opel, next to Schwimmwagen.

Not a Green but a Red Heart..

American La France firetruck looks just like Tempo Matador's big brother.

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Also VW Firetruck rightly displayed.

Since it is a German Technology Museum I guess a VW Beetle should be displayed :)

Hockenheim Track & Museum

2009-07-09T17:13:00.006+03:00

Holiday in Tikkurila? :)

Stayed overnight in Crowne Plaza in Heidelberg as it was right in between Speyer and Sinsheim Museums we wanted to visit. The drive and first glances of the city weren't too nice but it turned out all right.

Hockenheim

On the way to Speyer Museum we spotted signs to Hockenheim track and decided to check it out. I knew about the museum but had no idea about the contents.

Four 80's Formula 1 cars and load of (uninteresting at my point) motorcycles, I guess I got most kicks out of this V-Twim I didn't knew even existed.

Handful of 997s, a Maserati and pair of Team Rosberg Audi R8s were running the circuit.

EBI III - Cal Lookers and Racing Cars

2009-07-06T22:17:00.013+03:00

2009 European Bug In III

First stop in arriving to Chimay was again set of frites with mayo and Hoegaarden in the Place du Leopold. Nice welcoming view too with the two Greenhearts cars :)

Another UK based Looker among the first cars spotted when we arrived.

Probably my favourite car of the cars that I hadn't seen before. I really like the lay-out of the car, olive green paint and Gas Burners.

Awesome car. I think I saw it first time 12 years ago when Bernie Newbury had just finished it, still love it.

Kurt's '67 Sunroof Standard leading the Flatline pack.

Doug Mische's old "Wocket" now belonging to Russel Ritchie's stable.

DAS pits.

I think I've seen this one before..

Must be getting old as the late cars seem to appeal.

There seems to be a Cal Look / Resto Cal momentum in Italy too based on what I've seen on some blogs and now handful of street cars in EBI.

EBI III - Ghias

2009-07-06T22:17:00.011+03:00

Kai had returned from his world tour.

EBI III - Porsches

2009-07-06T22:16:00.007+03:00

(Sebastian, stil disagree with you, custom wheels don't make the 356 look like a kit car! :)

Must have been quite an effort to create the hard top.