November - New Beginnings

Dear wondrous humans and their pets,

It's time for an update.

November, the autumn in the UK is in full swing and my mind is lucky enough to move onto new challenges.

After a year at the hub of all things VW, it was time to say goodbye to VW Heritage and their crew. I was instrumental in the growth of their Returns and refunds department and met many, many good people along the way! The suppliers were wicked, and I was thoroughly impressed by the manner in which EMPI, a parts powerhouse in the USA, wished me farewell.

For the challenge, it's working in a construction company. Now this does seem like a huge step from VW's and my knowledge is thin, but I have been privileged enough to gain a role their doing what I love.

WRITING!

I never thought that would even happen in my wildest dreams, but I am glad to see it truthfully happen, so I am really pleased in this respect.

As for everything else, the VW's have been going strong, the Bus has been wicked and I am due to send it bed at some juncture. The Golf needs a good clean and eventually that will happen.

The blog needs a bloody clean too, a jump to Tumblr/Wordpress is in the works, whilst using this as a channel too to you all!

Thanks, and see you soon for more information on my favourite boys right now, Ultra VW Magazine.

Peace,
Christian.

Caught The VW Bus.

Photoshop skills are 'on fleek'

Welcome to what a series of posts will be referred to as 'Caught The VW Bus'.

The time was roughly July 2015, and I was lucky enough to sell off my project Beetle, Lennon who I loved so dearly but hated me in equal parts. With the money and savings, I was proud enough to put my money into other variants of the VW stable, the Type 2 Bay.

Now, this bad-boy was originally named ALBert. I was initially warming to the name ALBert and was going to name it Einstein. This was because it would be an evolution of the bus's name and ownership.

However, the lady was a retched cow and tried to pull a move I wouldn't ever forget in all my vehicle purchasing career - she tried it on and wanted an extra £2000 from me before sale.

That was fine, I threatened for the courts and I fought my corner. Never was I wanting to travel 5 hours north (twice) to pay an extra £2000. She could do one, and she did as I drove off in my new Bus.

So I called it Van Doran, after Vans Shoes. Why? It's a fucking van. There's literally nothing else to it.

Up north sucks eh?

A bit about the bus. It's a '69 Devon Eurovette. Meaning it has a 'Pop Top' roof.

I have been informed that it's perfect height for banging people in as you can slew your missus over the rear, where the bed lies and you can stand up in the pop top roof. Perfect eh?

This is precisely why I bought one.

The engine, 1600cc and new to the tune of a 1000 miles. It's basically one of The Proclaimers.

Would it do 500 more, just to be that one who drives a 1000 miles to breakdown at your door. BADADADA. BADADADA.

Better? Better/

Yes, yes it would.

Welcome Van Doran, you're pretty cool already.

Imagine All The People, Driving You Away

Hello all,

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the consistent inactivity to the blog. This has been a case of dealing with new projects, work, and also my writing for magazines. But I want to continue as my passion does lie within writing and undoubtedly, this blog started it all and gave me the amazing breaks in my freelance career that I achieved, and that's all to you. 

Therefore, with a change in my personal life and my friends heading back to university, I will spend my time more freely with my hub, and relishing a challenge to build my audience once more. 

I will communicate with you all in various stages of significance, it won't be in chronological order for now as I build up all the cool experiences I have had, but we will be up to date in time. 

Well then, what are you waiting for? Let's get to it.

The last photo and memory of Lennon, with my new (not so new now) recruit, Tiger Woods.

Do you remember Lennon, the '67? Well, May rolled around and I decided after a whole year, my longest tenure to date with a car, I decided to sell Lennon onto a new prospective owner. I absolutely loved that car, and I was so very proud to be a part of it since the conception and the purchase in 2014. It was amazing to finally have the chance to write about my car in Ultra VW Magazine, which I have contributed for a whole year now around the time of writing. No doubt this gave me the boost to sell the damn thing. 

Lime green seats, never been done in a VW.

Those door handles. Never been done. 

Of course, when it came to selling, it was a tough decision, but now I couldn't be happier as my family and I created a whole legacy with varying degrees of respect and nothing but good feedback in the VW community with just one '67 Beetle. Don't get me wrong, I'm not some internet star and I thoroughly enjoy kicking back at shows where nobody knows me but my cars and my name on a few articles. That's good fun still, but I have a few more years under my belt until things get mega.

That pesky Tango Man, always there for me.  

That was cool. Lime green as a colour has started to seep into the VW scene with people starting to incorporate my trademark hue in their cars, subtly of course. People don't want to be affected or have a bad word against them in this scene. 

Don't think that the sale went without a hitch though, it was a bloody nightmare. How does that sound? Apt that this wonderful, awesome car was an absolute pain in the arse from purchase to sale. 

The lake, and one amazing photo for someone lacking in photography skills.

May 2015, a significant point in this car's life. Ultra VW Magazine

Overall, I was a little bit choked to see the car go but it really did spark something new and close a very important and significant chapter, not only in my life but also within the community, our family created a monster and a very tasteful monster that should have had more plaudits in the shows than we really gave it. 

But the next post will explain so much more.

Goodbye, 

Xtian

Tschüs, schoen.

What have I been up to?

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!!?"

I have been stuck on the side of the road.

I have been to Wolfsburg.

I have been writing in Ultra VW.

I have been spending many days drunk.

I have been buying more cars.

I have been selling some too.

I have been seductively love making. (HAHA. No.)

I have been embroiled in turmoil and change.

I have been having a wonderful time at shows.

I have been collectively forgetting to inform you.

I have been apologising,

I have been writing poetry.

I have been in my room.

I have been away.

I have been sorry.

I have been returning.

I have been leaving.

I will be back.

See you soon.

Meet & Greet: Tiger Woods, the Mk2 Golf GTI

The year was 1991, an aspiring golfer named Tiger Woods was breaking into the Golfing world with national amateur championships titles to his name and stunning the sport from inside and out. Yet, he was to make his name in Golf and become one of the best recognised athletes in the world.

Also in 1991, the setting was Wolfsburg, Germany for the birth of H265 JDU. Manufactured by hand, jigs and primitive robotics this Golf 1.8 8 valve GTI model would roll off of the Wolfsburg production line and be shipped over to the UK for sale in its RHD format, much like its 6.3 million ancestors of the Golf family from 1983 to 1992 did the same around the world. 

Fast forward to 2015 and both entities made their own respective histories and probably covered the same amount of mileage too over the 24 years and now as the new owner of the Golf GTI, I have decided to call this car Tiger Woods. 

With all flamboyant explanations behind us, I chose the name because it is a Black Golf and Tiger Woods is a black golfer. There's literally nothing else to it, but they are both as iconic as each other so if the shoes fits...?

Anyway, I can tell you that I have had this badboy for about three months now and my quietness has basically given me a chance to briefly brief you all on my purchase a while back. 

I will try and talk to you all in as best chronology as possible but I understand that I have lost about 4 months worth of motivation and history which I will try and recoup. 

I love this car more than life itself. I will talk more in detail about the finer things in Golf GTI life as time goes on!

 

This Empty Space, Watch It. It Will Be Filled. TONIGHT

A New Era: Chapter 1 - The Stickerbomber

Oh Rolo, oh Rolo,
Where art thou Rolo,
The Stickerbombed Polo.

"IN A SCRAPPY WITH TWO ESSEX BOYS MATE."



I, Christian Tracey was in hiding again because I knew I had created something of a monster over the winter. That monster was one of a simple VW Polo with a rattling Automatic gearbox and various other irritating niggles that would drive me to he point of insanity on any given weekday.

But that monster was my monster, and above all it was a VW monster and that makes it slightly credible.



A question that's often never asked in this modern society is that what do people do with their cheap, shitty cars. They run them into the ground or fall in love with their sub standard handling, power and leaking engine and brand the endless amount of rust a fashion statement or 'tired'.

Entering the market for a cheap, shitty car was tough. Coming from a finished Beetle restoration I wasn't really keen on the idea of a cheap, shitty car but it made sense to get through the cheap, shitty winter with a warm workhorse.

The question asked at home was what statement can we make with this cheap, shitty car such as Rolo the Polo.

Then 'The Stickerbomber' was born. Essentials such as Borbet alloys were purchased to guarantee at least 90mph and for 80hp at the wheels... To be fair, the Borbet alloys were remarkable and after a little light restoration, the project was ready to be 'bombed.

Over the course of 5 months we covered the sides, bonnet and boot in what was estimated as 1000+ stickers. A mean feat for a man, with a little help of course, who struggled in his youth to complete just about anything and see it through.



However, March finally rolled around and after chewing up thousands miles, thousands of vibrations through the gearbox and steering wheel respectively, a thousand stickers and a new exhaust, it was time to hand over the reigns of The Stickerbomber to someone else who no doubt will be taking the credit in good faith!

But it doesn't matter, for £150 you can't even buy a mobile phone or even a designer coat in the UK.

To have a cheap, shitty car and transform it into a cheap, shitty car that delivered a million smiles from both myself and innocent bystanders of today's society with its ballsy and quirky styling, incorporating what I love and what facade I want to display to the world, the outcome was just divine.

For every motorist, every female who stood in disgust, every female who saw the bright side of it all (contact me...) and every young'un who when you come to drive your first car, a 6n Polo will be a classic car and I am genuinely sorry I ruined one, am thoroughly glad you all enjoyed the story of 'The Stickerbomber'.

Because to me, that was my idea of displaying this all out madness and that should always be something that us humans for the time we are on Earth need to find and tap into. It's a must and like a cult of personality would, I want you all to take a leaf out of my book and go mad.

I definitely will be showing you some throwbacks in the coming months of varying levels of progress when I soft through the archives :

To make £20 profit for a £170 cash sale. I was pretty happy and excited to reveal what came next.

But that's for another time...

First Day of Spring: Jake's Off to Respray

The first day of spring yesterday marked an important day in the calendar for me. A busy winter spent planning and discussing how 2015 should pan out.

Early on a very chilly Saturday morning, we were all up and ready to go. What were we doing? 

We were getting ourselves into gear and starting another project.

Remember Jake Bugg? The rare '67 Beetle has finally been sent off to go for his respray which has been nearly a whole year of finalising ideas, working out a cost and finding the perfect moment to send what is merely a semi welded bare shell away to be a fully welded bare shell with a lovely paint job on.

I admit, however we played it and at whatever time we decided to send him would ultimately cause a dilemma as it will mean a fresh paint job may be left outside over the winter, much like Lennon. Sadly, the overpopulated UK don't enjoy many warm days a year so we have a trade off. 

It's no sunny climate in the high 80's here.

I managed to depict the moment he was winched up onto the trailer, ready to be towed away to Jake's new undisclosed temporary residence for what is to be an approximate three months, where he will arrive home with a new lick of paint. Join me at some point in the next week where I will get around to talking about his colour scheme and various ideas we have in store.

As always, our interior plan is a hot topic and never to be disclosed.

During the next week, I will be updating you all on Watercooled affairs with what can only be described as...

...developments.

Setting the Wheels in Motion

What does Pirelli say to you?

Tyre supplier for the Formula One World Championship. Yes.

Production tyres for road cars. Of course.

Annual calendar with leather clad and topless ladies. You dirty bastard.

Wheel manufacturers for early VW Golf's? Really?

Indeed. Pirelli produced the P-Slot Wheel for both Mk1 & Mk2 VW Golf's with minor difference distinguishing both versions. 

As this isn't a tech-y blog and I would hate to steal someone else's handiwork and thorough research, here is a link if the geek inside you would like to learn more. 

http://cartype.com/pages/3610/pirelli_p-slot_wheel

But for all concerned, this is the Pirelli P-Slot Wheel.

An iconic branding masterstroke, incorporating the Pirelli logo into the design of the wheel, arcing around the whole of it.

After an inspired decision and various examples at VW events in 2014, I grew tired of wishing and ogling over wheel designs, so I went out and bought a set of Pirelli P-Slot wheels, incorporating and accelerating my desire for a Mk2 Golf GTI.

I bought a set for £160 including shipping and I must say that they don't quite look in the condition of the previous image, or at all.

The plan is to spend a little bit of time and money to get them reconditioned to a specification that resembles the originals and including my own personal quirks as I have displayed and showed off so very well.

Anyway, here are the WIP's.

It's evident that the wheel(s) have had a bit of wear over the 30+ year lifetime, but that doesn't mean that they are nowhere near salvageable. These will take a little bit of time to be in use, but will hopefully will coincide with the progress of the MK2 Golf GTI purchase. 

A quick note too, the centrecap's (pictured below) are worth as much as the wheel! These are original MK1 Golf centrecap's and will be duly sold in time. 

The wheels are in motion.

More soon, what topic it will be, I don't know.

Keep You Waiting, Stop You Hating.

Hi all,

Sorry.

Sorry for my frequent long periods of inactivity of writing to you. I cannot say I have been sunning myself in an exotic hot country or busy planning a new life abroad with someone I love.

Instead I have been contemplating. What about you may ask?

• Writing. 
• Cars. 
• Life.
• Fear...

I have been taking some unplanned time out to gather thoughts and get myself together as to me the winter time has always been a dark season for me and never one I can experience much emotion, elation, and joy in.

It's all about work, bed, work, bed, work, bed, alcohol, bed, work, bed, alcohol, drugs, bed until it's March time as that's what gets me through dark, ugly days where the days roll into nights and you never know what time of day it is, because the night grips you. Changes you into something you don't want to be. The negativity is strong, fear grips you about most things and we all hate it as it feels like the dark is never ending.

Don't even get me started on the weather.

However, it got me thinking. Back to beginning of the year to be precise.

I'm going to get a MK2 Golf GTI. Why? Because I think they're great cars and being a VW fan, I don't care if it's a Watercooled, Aircooled, Suncooled, or Hamstercooled, I like a good car when I see one.

So it's going to happen, their isn't much of a time frame but I can safely say that it will be a valued edition to the team.

March also marks the rebirth of Lennon, which I cannot wait for as he served me very well for the months I had him in 2014.

I have also been doing my own non-VW writing in the form of poetry. I can't see this being released on here or anywhere really but it has kept my mind fresh and involved.

BRING IT ON.

A perfect dream. Black Mk2 Golf GTI.

He's back soon.

Rag it 'til the Exhaust Falls Off - Autosport International Show, NEC, Birmingham.

Off Topic, but certainly VW related.

A tale about Rolo,

The Stickerbombed Polo

Went on a trip for some blog promo.

I was invited by a friend,

Who was driven around the bend,

And later wished he didn't attend.

20 miles away,

The exhaust started to fray.

Which was a great start to the day.

Poor Rolo's engine note was dire,

As it sounded like a Spitfire,
Not to mention it was as loud as a town crier.

140 miles later,
The journey home I had to cater,
and the problem grew much greater.

Sparks ablaze,
Town folk caught a gaze,
These were certainly the best days...


The Autosport International Show, held at the NEC (National Exhibition Centre) in Birmingham, West Midlands marked the first event of 2015 and coincided with my pledge to visit more, be more and do more over the year.

It was a thrilling affair; the show content was all about drifting, racing, and very attractive show ladies all doing their bit to thrill young lads and their loins as they collected second-rate goody bags of paper and pens as well as looking around the inevitable cheap tat that most fayre's display.

HOWEVER. What made this a show of comedy gold was the following news flash:

'Stickerbombed VW Polo Hits More Trouble'

My exhaust went full retard and fell off the car, thus sounding like an absolute TANK in front of hundreds of people who assumed I was just another chav with Monster Energy stickers on a car.

I got some classic VW related photo's of the event, however I felt too embarrassed to capture an image of my ailing car.