How much of a VW fanatic are you?

amishman · Post by **amishman** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:14 am

So, most of us here are probably VW fanatics in some way. I am curious how much of a fanatic you consider yourselves. Does thinking about VW in some form during the day take up most of your thoughts? Do you get excited that the end of the work-day has come and you can go home and tinker on your ride? Do you collect every book about VW and enjoy reading them every night? Just curious is all.

Since I caught the VW bug, it seems that is mostly what I think about these days. Thinking all day about what I am doing next on one of my rides, how I can track down a needed part, searching for that local deal of a nice old VW that I must have, collecting VW books and magazines, thinking about my next camping trip in the Syncro, etc....

Out of all the hobbies I have ever had, this VW one seems to taken my brain over and like a cult member, I can't shake the need for more words from the VW heavens.

tj

vwlover77 · Post by **vwlover77** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:37 am

My introduction to VWs was through the water-cooled cars, specifically a 77 Rabbit that my parents bought brand new when I was a senior in high school. I've personally driven nothing but VW products since then, and have always had at least one and usually two air-cooled models in the stable since 1984.

I like working on them, but LOVE driving them. I've been a member of the VW Club of America since 1977 and have been a pretty regular contributor to the club magazine, "The Autoist" since 1999 when I bought our New Beetle and started writing a column about my ownership experience with that car (surprisingly, very good!). Some of my other stories have even made the cover! http://www.vwclub.org

Discovering thesamba and then this site has added an entirely new dimension to my VW affliction! In my part of the country, air-cooled VW fans are pretty few and far between. This forum is like an oasis in the desert and I'd never would have attempted some of the work I've done on our '78 Westy without the great info and support it provides! I'm on here nearly every day!!

amishman · Post by **amishman** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:05 am

vwlover77 wrote: I like working on them, but LOVE driving them. I've been a member of the VW Club of America since 1977 and have been a pretty regular contributor to the club magazine, "The Autoist"

Tell me more about this magazine. How many pages is it? Is it monthly? Color or b&w?

Curious.

I had been thinking about joining this club.

tj

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:34 am

I'm getting that "man-Beetle" operation like that crazy cat guy who looks like a tiger.

amishman · Post by **amishman** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:37 am

hambone wrote:I'm getting that "man-Beetle" operation like that crazy cat guy who looks like a tiger.

Just make sure it is not a "dung" beetle. hehehe

tj

spiffy · Post by **spiffy** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:06 pm

I like them but I take my thermometer out regularly.

I defenitely do not get OCD from my hobbie.

vwlover77 · Post by **vwlover77** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 5:59 pm

amishman wrote:Tell me more about this magazine. How many pages is it? Is it monthly? Color or b&w?

It's a cross between a newsletter and a magazine. It's black and white, on regular white paper (not glossy) with good image quality and a prefessional layout. It arrives 6 times / year. It's usually 30 pages or so, 7" x 8 1/2" format.

The club tries to appeal to both current-model VW owners as well as the air-cooled crowd, and has a few regular contributors that write something for every issue (I try to be one of those).

We'd love to have you as a member!

Post by **Amskeptic** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 12:54 pm

I love the entire experience of air-cooled VWs, working on them, their design brilliance, driving them, their quality, their place in history.
But they are just cars and I am conflicted about the role of cars in the human experience. I haven't named my bus. I use the hell out of it. If it burned to the ground tomorrow, I'd just drive to the next chapter of my life with nary a backwards glance. . . with the Squareback

Colin

upnorthman · Post by **upnorthman** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 1:18 pm

Yes most of the time it is on my mind. It comes down to two things for me usually they consist of Bus and cash. How much can I pack away to get stuff to fix-er up? The one problem (I think) is being a parent tends to keep you restricted to one hobby! I have trouble putting down that fishing pole and the fine, fine glass-o-beer which both take away from the bus fund! (more the beer than the pole!)

My bus thoughts are also generally driven by the weather due to the lack of heated garage!

amishman · Post by **amishman** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 1:51 pm

Amskeptic wrote:I love the entire experience of air-cooled VWs, working on them, their design brilliance, driving them, their quality, their place in history.
But they are just cars and I am conflicted about the role of cars in the human experience. I haven't named my bus. I use the hell out of it. If it burned to the ground tomorrow, I'd just drive to the next chapter of my life with nary a backwards glance. . . with the Squareback
Colin

I for one would like to go back to the horse and buggy (hence my user name) but since we are in the day and age of cars, I figure I may enjoy them since they are here. I would love horse and buggy as it would keep you confined to a much smaller area and I feel the family factor would be strengthened that way since less travel, more around the home stuff being done, and rely on others to get the days chores done. But again, like having sex, that once you have tasted the flesh, kinda hard to kick the habit. So, I have tasted aircooled VW, and even if I tried, this demon would never be vanquished.

tj

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 5:04 pm

I'm with Amishman. I think that if I could drive a Stanley Steamer I would. I guess it's all technology, ultimately.

Post by **Amskeptic** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 6:16 pm

hambone wrote:I'm with Amishman. I think that if I could drive a Stanley Steamer I would. I guess it's all technology, ultimately.

If I had to go back to a horse and buggy, you bet I'd have real transverse torsion bar suspension with inertia-controlled four wheel brake equalization and a beautiful tight carriage with a perforated headliner and the horse would be pushing from the rear, "get over it horse, I am housing and feeding you, you know."

amishman · Post by **amishman** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 6:19 pm

Amskeptic wrote:
hambone wrote:I'm with Amishman. I think that if I could drive a Stanley Steamer I would. I guess it's all technology, ultimately.
If I had to go back to a horse and buggy, you bet I'd have real transverse torsion bar suspension with inertia-controlled four wheel brake equalization and a beautiful tight carriage with a perforated headliner and the horse would be pushing from the rear, "get over it horse, I am housing and feeding you, you know."

I guess with the horse in the rear if they get a little too gassy you won't have any worries. Good idea!

tj

VWGirl · Post by **VWGirl** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 5:07 am

I'm an addict... VW's are my life... Never owned anything else... I go to as many vw shows as i can... all my spare change goes to them... i met my bf through them (tho he is not a vw guy)... i have a vw tattoo... i am branded for life.

skin daddio · Post by **skin daddio** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:31 am

stanley steamer, buggies, horseless carriage,, vws are fine especially when they have manual tranny, and they're not so loaded you can't push 'em. color is a distant third. i think of these little acvws as covered motorcycles for six.

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Itinerant Air-Cooled

How much of a VW fanatic are you?

How much of a VW fanatic are you?