The Open Road

Simple pleasures in life are the best.

Pondering on the way home from work, I usually think to myself as a lack of a radio and other human contact for around an hour would usually bore anyone to tears but it's my sixty moments of solitude that I love the best as it's just me and Lennon. Him, sounding sweet (or a bag of farts, as most stock Beetle's do) as it allows me to think about the most random, harrowing, and pleasing thoughts I have offer in this very quirky mind of mine. Today, dawdling on the open road, not going a touch over 55mph was perhaps one of the most relaxing moments I have experienced in recent weeks purely because I felt that as a team, we have achieved something. Something big. I know what it is, but it is yet to come to light to other people. I don't know if it's down to me being deliberately mysterious or even that I am unsure how to word it, but this project has become more than just a car that I could get in an go, especially with the finances.

This car as a completed unit has meant more than any other, anything I have ever written, for all the websites and even when I hit a front cover of a VW magazine on a rookie attempt which is a very mean feat to achieve.To me, I have never been in a position to rest and say "yes, what an effort." because to me, this is effectively my life.

I, with my family will always keep plugging on and bringing something wild and free to the mainstream show scene in VW's. I will look back on this in numerous years time and who knows, maybe we were a catalyst for something new. A new trend upon VW's maybe? If I don't receive the plaudits because some young brace-face nicked the idea, I'll still be happy because the kid will never have the satisfaction of victory. 

Or even in a number of years, I'll look back with a dog and a wife (maybe kids) and say in my armchair full of dribble and stale piss that I owned lots of Beetle's and my kids will say I'm boring or tell me to go do one. But I know I would have achieved something very big in my life, I suppose at 19, I will never look back because...

...The job is not done.

But I am well aware that Lennon is an excellent creation formed deep in the mind and souls of my family and I and is a just a taster of what we can achieve. I for one am absolutely ecstatic about showing him off in full. 

*Moving away from Philosophical Corner*

Tomorrow marks the time I man up and reveal the whole car to you all. As much as I love teasing you all, I would rather share my wonderful car with you! I thought I would share with you a couple of exterior shots while I grab some more for you all when the sun is still out of the finer details, and a change of scenery maybe! The best thing is, those smaller accessories are something magical and very, very clever...

Put a hand up for 'LimeCream'. More will be explained soon.

SEX-Y AC-SEX-ORIES: BRM/Speedwell Wheels

As with any Bug, when it nears its completion, it needs a decent set of wheels. Some people enjoy landing upon the industry/scene standard of EMPI's, EMPI being a very successful aftermarket company that anyone in the VW scene will know from their mad Bug's and Van's in the USA back in the '60's and '70's.

EMPI 8's (Lola had a set of these, albeit in much more haggard condition)

Enthusiasts on the higher end of the wage packet may opt for a set of ENKEI Flat 4's. Flat 4 is the Japanese answer to the VW and back in the '90's had a magazine of the same name, when the company were at the height of their popularity.
                                     

Bug, presumably in the late 90's sporting a set of ENKEI Flat 4's

We at Caught The VW Bug chose the left-field approach. BRM/Speedwell's. From the offset, I may be coming across by saying these wheels are the rarest and peculiar wheels around. To be honest, they're commonplace in the modern day era of the VW scene, which is absolutely fine with me.

However, like I always aim to achieve and preach, we're subtly different.

Did you notice that little green block on the wheel? Let's have a closer look.

Lego dustcap!

That ladies and gentlemen is a bespoke dustcap, with a screw machined out of an actual Lime Green Lego block. Beauty is, if any beggar tries to have them away in a fit of rage, I will know exactly who sells or fits them to their car. 

It's also a great look in to what is in store. I won't reveal what, but I will keep you all guessing. 

The center cap isn't bespoke, but definitely of a premium. Supplied from IAP West 'Across the Pond', these make any bog standard BRM wheel look that much more breathtaking.

I hope you liked my new rims, I can't reveal the whole car just yet...

Oh it's ready, I just love teasing all you readers.

#ActionShotz: Trim

DONT' TAP IT, WHACK IT!!!!

If I was to look back on a project and say during my fledgling blogging career what the hardest car to write about was, I'd say it was writing about Lennon. Purely because I am so excited about a reveal of him when he is fully finished, it's tough to write about the finer details without sounding like I am an anorak in their late 70's.

Therefore, I will share with you some action shots. As any typical politician would do in a run up to an important event, such as the forthcoming and inevitable result of Scottish independence, the people behind the madness have to seem like they're in touch with their constituents, hence why I posed for the flash when we were busy plugging away with Lennon.

I was placing some of the car's chrome trim onto him, while I was smiling and acting up to no good on the camera.

Here are some photo's of me placing the trim onto Lennon mid-resto. For people that are interested in the finer details, the trim that you see on most cars is obviously a vanity/aesthetic touch. I personally think it adds depth to the car and when it's coupled with an interesting colour, it brings out the paintwork. Only ever so slightly, but enough to provoke though. It's a standard trim and all Beetles had this when they rolled off the production line in Wolfsburg.

Posing with the competency of any politician, it's just a shame they're so good at hiding their deformities.

Moreover, it adds to the styling of a classic car as nowadays, fantastic plastic is the way to go; especially in matte black.



Placing the trim into the car is really simple, as suppliers actually have a bespoke clip that slots into the chrome trim. After lining up the chrome with the holes, with a good old whack the spline in the clip disperses and splits into the hole, leaving it locked in place. This is ingenious yet can prove costly if done incorrectly!

Enjoy

"Place it here." "F*ck off Dad, I 'know' what I'm 'doing'" - Any important father/son moments usually folloe this route

Swede on Tour: Horsham

Saturday marked a local event on the VW show calendar, a meet and greet in Horsham, West Sussex hosted by the Horsham VW Club, who regularly interact on the Volkszone Forum, which is brilliant for all things Volkswagen, from build stories to the latest events.



The event was really a small affair, with only 5 or so cars and I could safely say that the Swede won the self-acclaimed 'Best in Show' award for the event. For me, it was nice to have a drink with the family, check out the lackluster female talent, and combine all that with something to do on a Saturday in the local area.



After we packed up, triumphant with our non-existent victory, we went into town and took a few photo's of the Swede in Horsham which I must say, came out excellently.

Straight outta '66

Overused Tabloid Headlines: Lights, Camera, (VW) Action!

Traditionally the last of the VW shows held at Santa Pod, which is the largest and drag strip in the UK and regularly hold host to events from the RWYB (Run What You Brung) days, right up to the European Championship of drag racing, as well as a few VW shows here and there, notably Bug Jam and the bridesmaid to it all, VW Action.

VW Action was the event we decided to attend last week in our trust Swedish workhorse, the Swede and although it is by size and attendance the smaller of the two shows at Santa Pod in the VW scene, it was still a decent show with a wide array of cars, both classic and modern, ratty or pristine, slammed and narrowed, or stocking out with it's cock out, all audiences were covered. Even the boring T4's had there own little stranglehold on the event.

My outrageous claim for 2015 is that I seriously think Lennon, when he is ready to come out of his camera shy shell, will dominate, or at least have a good run at some shows next year.

Also, we thought we'd stop off for a few photo's in Olney village with the Swede, which I have included for you, along with event photo's!

Much VAG

So much VAG

Who's that?

Harking back to UKR 247H

Sting's fellow friend, number 213. No doubt they used to smoke in the park as youngsters.

Jeff, aged 5 designed this one. Thank you Jeff.

Following my mum's footsteps of high quality photography.

A Split Screen Crew Cab. More on this soon!

And the award to 'Best in Show' goes to...

the Swede strutting his stuff outside a retro garage.

My favourite note about the VW scene these days. VAG is a perfectly acceptable word. I like vag. All hail VAG (Volkswagen/Audi Group).