Bye Bye Beetle!

Another iconic car is set to become a thing of the past, as it was announced last Thursday that Volkswagen are to stop producing the Beetle in 2019.

The move comes as Volkswagen plans to focus more on what consumers are looking for in a new car, such as electric cars and larger family-orientated vehicles. Although there are no plans to replace it, there is a 'Never Say Never' attitude towards it, just like when the company decided to unveil a revamped Volkswagen Bus last year. 

"The loss of the Beetle after three generations, over nearly seven decades, will evoke a host of emotions from the Beetle's many devoted fans." – Heinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group America.

Volkswagen will finish the run by adding a pair of Final Edition models – the Final Edition SE and the Final Edition SEL – to the line up, available in both coupé and convertible body styles. Along with colours such as Pure White, Deep Black Pearl and Platinum Grey, these models will feature two unique colours: Safari Uni, a reinvention of Harvest Moon Beige, a colour from the New Beetle, and Stonewashed Blue, which pays homage to the 1970 Jeans Bug, as well as being more recently seen on the 2016 Beetle Denim. Convertible Final Edition SEL models will be available in all colours (expect Safari Uni) with a unique Brown soft top.

A timely publication, Richard Copping's Volkswagen Beetle – A Celebration of the World's Most Popular Car charts every aspect of the original Beetle's lengthy history – from Porsche's design for Hitler to it's successful move to South America. Written by an enthusiast, this tome contains a wealth of archive imagery, including some rarely seen photographs of the Beetle across the decades. What better way to help commemorate the end of an era than with this excellent book.

The third generation Beetle is set to become a collector's item with this latest announcement. It really is a shame to be saying goodbye to such an iconic model. 

Beaulieu Events 2018

Famous for its collection of veteran, vintage and historic cars, the National Motor Musuem has grown into a spectacular destination for days out. It's also the go-to place for autojumble,  its International Autojumble event winning Tourism South East's Beautiful South Award this year.

The UK's National Motor Museum, is sited on land that was once home to a medieval royal hunting lodge, adjacent to a 12th Century Cistercian Abbey. Set in the picturesque village of Beaulieu, in the heart of the beautiful New Forest National Park, it's a wonderful place to visit, year-round.

Well known amongst auto buffs, it has been a firm favourite for family days out since the 1970s, and today is bigger and more popular than ever. The museum recently released its 2018 events calendar, covering from May, all the way to November. It's a great destination for a family or a solo visit, so why not take a look at what's on offer, and pencil in a date in your diary for next year?

Further details coming soon!

2018 sees the 70th anniversary of the Morris Minor, and the Spring Autojumble will see the Morris Minor Owners' Club attending with its own display. Veloce will be celebrating the Minor's anniversary with Morris Minor – 70 years on the road, coming in April 2018. We'll be releasing more details about this timely book, hailing from Morris Minor authority Ray Newel, over the coming weeks.

If you're looking for some Summer fun, you could do no better than the Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day, complete with Vintage Village. Or, if you'd like a retro-themed Father's Day weekend trip, pop along to Simply VW.

Beaulieu National Motor Museum 2018 Events Calendar

APRIL

April 8
Simply Aston Martin
Back for its third year, Aston Martin owners are invited to start Beaulieu’s events calendar and bring their prized motors for a celebration of the iconic marque, with vehicles of every age and model.

April 22
Boatjumble
In its 41st year, search for boating bargains at the largest outdoor sale of maritime items in Europe. Browse hundreds of stands with boating spares, accessories, clothing, tools, as well as new and used boats.

MAY

May 6
Simply Ford
This event is one of the biggest and most popular simply rallies when we expect more than 1500 Fords to join the display in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, in the 50th anniversary year of the Ford Escort.

May 19-20
Spring Autojumble
Start the motoring calendar by buying, selling and swapping anything automotive at more than 1000 stands offering everything from automobilia to cars for sale. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Morris Minor.

May 20
Land Rover Rummage at Spring Autojumble
A spares-sourcing opportunity, selling anything and everything related to Land Rovers as part of Spring Autojumble.

JUNE

June 3
Simply Porsche
Last year a record 1,000 cars roared into the grounds for this event, which welcomes Porsche owners and enthusiasts to the National Motor Museum.

June 10
Mini Cooper Day
Beaulieu is the host venue for the 32nd annual National Mini Cooper Register Rally, attracting thousands of Minis of every age, marque and model to the heart of the New Forest.

June 16
Simply VW
As part of a celebratory weekend, Vee Dubs of every type are invited to join this great day out for Volkswagen fans and visitors. Don’t miss Vintage Village, which will be selling fashions, accessories and homeware.


June 17

Father’s Day
Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day
A celebration of colourful Custom, Hot-Rod and Classic American cars and bikes especially for Father’s Day. Featuring live entertainment and Vintage Village nostalgia and bargains.


June 24
Simply Land Rover
In the 70th anniversary year of the Land Rover, this celebration of the legendary 4x4 will attract Land Rovers and Range Rovers of every age, model and condition. Watch out for an extra feature to be announced soon.

JULY

July 8
Simply Jaguar
Returning for its third year, this impressive display of treasured machines will range from classics to the latest models.

July 29
Simply Japanese
More than 56 car clubs gathered amongst the 1500 vehicles at last year’s event, showcasing members’ cars from city runabouts to performance sports cars.

AUGUST

August 4-5
Beaulieu Supercar Weekend
A high octane two-day event celebrating the supercar and including iconic models and special feature displays in the stunning backdrop of the Beaulieu parkland.

August 12
VW T Fest
Beaulieu plays host to this family-friendly event which is back by popular demand.

SEPTEMBER

September 1-2 TBC
International Autojumble
Beaulieu’s most famous event and the largest Autojumble this side of the Atlantic, with more than 2000 stands selling classic and vintage spares, plus full-size cars and Bonhams auction.

OCTOBER

October 27
Fireworks Spectacular
One of the biggest fireworks displays in the south and choreographed to music, this popular event offers a range of family entertainment.

NOVEMBER

November 11

Simply Smart
This final rally in Beaulieu’s busy events calendar makes a colourful display of some of the smallest and most characterful cars on the road.




For more information on great days out, and all that Beaulieu has to offer, visit the website, or catch them on social media … you won't be disappointed!

https://www.beaulieu.co.uk

   

ME AND MY CAR/MOTORCYCLE #4

This month's winner of the Essential Buyer's Guide of her choice is Fiona Easterby from Southampton, UK. Fiona won a copy of VW Bus - The Essential Buyer's Guide for sending us these pictures of 'Pedro' the 1969 Baja Beetle. Please keep your entries coming in to prize@veloce.co.uk, and you never know, it could be YOU in this space next month!

Pedro is a 1969 Baja Beetle. I bought him in San Francisco at the beginning of 2009, shipped him home to the UK and, after months of preparation, and modifications, set out to drive overland to Australia.

My journey took me across Europe to an explosive minefield visit in Kosovo. Into Turkey where the biggest hazzard was avoiding amorous men, through Iran during the volitile period following the disputed elections. I wound up in hospital in Quetta, Pakistan – a stone's throw from the Afghan border and infamous Helmand province. We outwitted corrupt police in India, struggled over the Himalayas to Everest base camp in Tibet, suffered altitude sickness, happened upon a brothel in Lhasa, and wound up drinking beer with the prostitutes, helped amputees in Laos, visited floating markets in Thailand, drove through a major earthquake in Malayasia, and limped into Singapore, topping up the oil every 20 minutes.

I kept a diary of my travels and am currently writing a book of my journey. Next year I plan to drive the same car from Alaska to Argentina on the Pan-American highway. In the meantime Pedro continues as my daily driver ferrying me to work and shopping, as well as regularly being invited to supercar events and shows where he is a common sight amongst the Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

Fiona Easterby
www.worldrallies.com

Fiona selected VW Bus – The Essential Buyer’s Guide by Ken Cservenka & Richard Copping as her prize!

A unique volume dedicated to three generations of VW’s legendary Transporter. Meticulously researched with many model specific photographs reproduced to illustrate a genuinely informative text.

More info.


Do you have an unusual car/motorcycle with a story to tell?
We want to see it! Send photos & description to prize@veloce.co.uk
We will pick one a month, and any we feature will win an Essential Buyer's Guide (worth £9.99 / $19.95) of your choice.
Click below to browse the whole series.
.

BEETLE SOFA AT MUSEUM OF TECHNOLOGY

The official unveiling of the ‘The Major and the Beetle’ exhibition and new permanent exhibit, is celebrated with a historic Volkswagen car show and a ‘meet up’ for Volkswagen enthusiasts, all dedicated to the memory of Major Ivan Hirst, REME

The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and Volkswagen have a long history together from the end of the Second World War when the intervention of a young British Army officer changed the future of the fledgling giant of European motoring.

Sent by the Control Commission to ‘sit on’ the bombed remains of the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg in August 1945, the 29 year old Major Ivan Hirst REME and his team decided to restart production instead. Major Hirst then secured an order for 20,000 Beetles from the Military Government; meeting this order would take all the management and engineering skill he had.

Post-war Wolfsburg suffered shortages of food, skilled workers, housing and work materials. Major Ivan Hirst’s engineering and management skills together with his people skills, his open door policy and his will to succeed, turned the Volkswagen Factory around and ensured its survival.

Part of the exhibition is a video display and a unique ‘Beetle sofa’. Created from half a Beetle, it incorporates a seat and built-in audio facility so visitors can sit in a piece of history and learn about it simultaneously.


Get the app! VW Beetle - The Essential Buyer's Guide iPhone app
Your marque experts: Ken Cservenka & Richard Copping

Packed with good advice – from running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the VW Beetle community, to will a Beetle fit in your garage and with your lifestyle? – the VW Beetle EBG is THE COMPLETE GUIDE to choosing, assessing and buying the VW Beetle of your dreams.

VW BEETLE EBG IPHONE APP DEMO VIDEO

Check out this quick run-through of the VW Beetle - The Essential Buyer's Guide iPhone app!



AVAILABLE NOW through the iTunes App Store. Price: £2.39 UK / $3.99 US.

A VW BEETLE EXPERT ON YOUR IPHONE!

Veloce Publishing releases its second iPhone App

VW Beetle - The Essential Buyer's Guide.
Available now from the App Store.
Priced at £2.49 UK / $3.99 USA.
Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later.

Features
- STOP! Do not buy a Beetle without the help of this App.
- Great value for money!
- Unique buyer’s guide covering VW Beetles produced between 1945 and 2003.
- Many colour photographs taken especially for this guide.
- Informative text written by enthusiastic experts with the novice in mind.
- In-App videos which feature helpful voiceovers by your marque experts, Ken Cservenka and Richard Copping.
- Invaluable guide to avoiding pitfalls and getting real value for money.
- All aspects of buying a VW Beetle are covered.

Description
A unique App dedicated to VW Beetles built from 1945-2003, including Cabriolet, Standard and Deluxe, 1300 Beetle, 1500 Beetle, 1302S, 1303, and Mexican-built Beetles (from 1978). Meticulously researched with many model-specific photographs reproduced to illustrate genuinely informative advice.

Written by enthusiasts, the easily readable text is informative for the first time buyer, while still being of great value to those who have already owned a Beetle.

Packed with good advice – from running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the VW Beetle community, to will a Beetle fit in your garage and with your lifestyle? – the VW Beetle Essential Buyer's Guide is THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE to choosing, assessing and buying the VW Beetle of your dreams. Buy the right Beetle, at the right price!

Use "VW Beetle" to find the App in the App store.

PHOTOS FROM DUBS AT THE BAY WEYMOUTH

The weather was kind on the first ever Dubs at the Bay held at Lodmoor Country Park in Weymouth, Dorset, yesterday. It made for a fantastic location with a turn out of some 2,500 people. Watch it grow over the coming years!

A total of £1029.75 was raised for the RNLI (Weymouth branch).

JAMES HALE INTERVIEW (PART 1)

Volkswagen Past, Present and Future

W12 Coupé, The Scirocco GT24 and The up!
A trio of Volkswagen concept vehicles are set to make their UK debut at The Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend between Friday 11th and Sunday 13th July.

Check out Veloce VW manuals, past, present and future! click covers for more info..

How to Restore Volkswagen Beetle


NEW!VW T5 Van - How to Convert to Camper


Forthcoming...How to restore Volkswagen Bus – Enthusiast's Restoration Manual

Flame On! Ron Patrick's Street-Legal Jet Powered VW Beetle.

Are you into Modded Beetles? Well check this corker by Ron Patrick and also James Hale's great book How To Modify Volkswagen Beetle Chassis.

Could be worse!

I'm sure you've probably seen this before, it's beautiful isn't it?

geneve.jpg (JPEG Image, 1280x960 pixels) - Scaled (68%)