Decline of The Big VW Shows: Where Have They Gone?

[henrym]

It's official, I'm getting old. Maybe I've been asleep for 20 years and in some ways, I have. But what has happened to the attendance and overall participation at the VW events?

First, keep in mind that I haven't been to any of these events in 20 years--until recently. I recently attended a few events, combo drag racing and car shows. Both were well run, well organized and fun and I give them full credit. But attendance was really low. At one event, I bet I watched the same cars make 10-12 passes in time trials! Geez I remember the old California, Texas and Washington Bug events where the staging lanes looked like the 405 at rush hour they were so backed up. There are only a few classes now and it's easy to lose intrest and wander off. Same with the car show. Not a lot of cars, few classes the swap meets are more like "rust central". As far as vendor areas? Barren.

I am sad and sentimental. I grew up breathlessly gripping the chain link fence while enduring sunburn while a never ending string of 11 and 12 second VW's bounced their front ends down the 1/4 mile while Gene Berg patrolled the starting line in his scooter and not leaving until the King of the Hill was finished in the long shadows. Or wading through a carshow with more rolling stock than a Walmart parking lot on Saturday. Look, but please don't touch.

I miss real steel cars bouncing wheelies, ridiculous show cars lifted up with mirrors under them, Ms. Bug-In (pre-implants), engine blow contests, engine pull contests, the big yellow Berg truck, Dave Foltz, Dave Kawell, Dyno Don, the turbo bus, the turbo type III, Sonic Muffin, Roger Crawford, Johnny Hefler, Jim Sibley, Cory Mac, Raymond Canales, Scotty McManus, Loyd Mosher.....

I guess I am getting old. Driving back from the last Bug even my wife asked me why I looked so sad. I told her that she wouldn't understand and it went along with my decreasing hair, increasing waistline and wishing I was 19 again.

[RAMZROD]

Dude, like you said-20 years ago! Just 10 years ago I remember seeing early VWs rolling around town all the time! Now it's almost a mirage to see an aircooled VW on the road! The same goes for shows. The ones who are still involved with VWs are the diehards. Years ago people got involved with the shows because they owned a VW. Once they "graduated" from a VW, it's all history from there.
My 2.5 cents...
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[regis101]

Watch re-runs of , "The streets of san francisco" or "The Bullit". The surrounding cars are high in VW number.

By the same token, back in the 70's, the streets were filled with camaros, mustangs, darts, chevelles, fairlanes, and etc.

It's up to us to keep the vintage iron on the road. I'm doing my part.

Regards, Regis
78 Campr

[iowegian]

[53 0val]

[regis101]

Gremlins were in great demand because their front and rear fender have the perfect flare to add to any other pony type car. Just cut 'em out and pop-rivet them on. Add a little bondo. You do remember flared fenders, huh? Needed them beacuse it was the only way to stuff those enormous G-60 to N-50 Kelley Supercharger bias-ply 14" tires up under there.

What was the question?

[wcfvw69]

I went to one of the last Bug-ins in Orange County in the early 80's. I remember the place was packed. I also remember my high school parking lot full of 60's and 70's beaters that us kids in the very early 80's had to drive. The lot was also full of old VW's (S. California). Of course today the H.S. lots are full of new or 1-2 years old max cars. Spoiled brats!

I think many of us 40 somethings here are into these cars as a reminder of our youth. It brings us back to our first years of driving, memories of that time frame and the people in our lives. We don't see these cars on the road as much as many are now locked in our garages to only see the streets on nice weekends.

I think these cars are only now getting more respect from colectors and from people who didn't like them 20-30 years ago. We all drive our VW's now and hear the many great storys of when people had one back in the day and it's always fun to see the smiles on their faces as we go by.
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[53 0val]

Back in the 70's college parking lots in California were full of bugs. I remember looking for my yellow '71 in the dorm parking lot and trying to figure out which one of the six or seven identical ones was mine.
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[pyrOman]

Who cares about attendance and cars?

SCS bikini contests, now THAT's where it was at!!!!
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[wickedwater]

You just have to remember the VW community is like a church. People fall away and then they come back to what they believe is right. So, welcome back to the VW sanctuary. The good thing is you only need forgiveness from yourself. Don't be discouraged, find the vehicle you like and go with it. Its about you and your attendance not evryone elses.

And now for a shameless plug. We are having an engine blow right here in Yuma, Arizona at Volkswagens on the River 5 on November 11th. Sounds like you are in Southern California, we are only a few hours away . There is a thread on this forum about this show.

[bad dog racing]

[Asunder]

Some day VW bugs will be as rare as a Model T Ford.

We are not there yet, but certainly you don't see as many on the road as in the past. Nothing lasts forever...and you always see here on Samba basket cases or rusted out bugs being parted out. This can't go on forever.

People who have a fondness for these cars are becoming much more attentive..garaging them in the winter etc...and you see them at the yearly shows. It is the daily driver beat up cars you don't see any more on the road..they are no longer just an ordinary used car.

[henrym]

Hi Greg,

Thank you for your post which I enjoyed immensely and yes---I am waaaaaay out of touch. To give you an idea of how far, the last "Pro Sedan" i saw run was the R&R Machine car! Geez how things have changed. I have in fact read VW magazines recently, and managed to shake my "butt" (as you say it) to a few events. I have enjoyed them completely and am looking forward to going back out to the West Coast to see how things are looking. (your NASA group I have read up on and seems really great).

I agree with most of what you are saying. The internet has been a wonderful gift to this great hobby. And while I won't compare birthdates with you, I am old enough to be sentimental about the big days. I was a "VW head" back in the 70's and 80's and one day sold my last car and walked away. Totally. Now that I'm older, have some bucks in my pocket to afford what I please, I am diving back in with full relish. But after a few trips to California, going to some events and reading, it sure seems to not be the same it was back in it's power-heyday.

After I purchased my 67, I actually flew to L.A. one day and realizing my knowledge was "dated" so I spent the day just driving from VW place to VW place. Some like W. West sprouted up after I left the scene. Others like Berg which I had visited in the 80's shocked me with the downsizing of business. Same story at a lot of legacy places I went to.

The person who said that the cars are still there, just tucked away and not driven daily was spot-on. I am a prime example. Mine sits safely in a garage and is driven infrequently. I'm just enjoying ordering parts, fixing it up and enjoying it to no end.

In summary, I guess I'm still figuring out if I like the "new" scene. Things change as you get older. But I will take your advice and attend more quality events. Hoepfully you can keep your eyes out for me and show me your car!

[bad dog racing]

That's the Spirit!
It takes us to be there to make the events big. Hope to meet you at the next event. Let's have cold one and talk about Mitch Evenson and that R&R Machine car (my all time favorite). I bet you have some great pics from "Back in the Day".

Best Wishes

-greg
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[henrym]

Okay Greg let me tap your knowledge. My wife and I work for the airlines so we fly for free and it's no problem going anywhere. Given that, if you were in my shoes, what do you think are the best shows on the west coast that are "must see"? I like a nice combo of show and drags.

As far as pictures, you dont want to see mine. They were taken on a Kodak Instamatic in the late 70's and early 80's and i either smoked too much pot or drank too much Ranier as the quality is suspect. I grew up in Seattle so most of them are of the Muffin, Berg Black car (still my all time favorite), Brian Steele Small Car Performance, Gary Berg car, ones like that. Later I moved to Texas and ran my own lame excuse for a drag car and have lots of pics of the Hefler/Cherry, Canales, etc.

I appreciate your courtesy and help. I checked out your website and really enjoyed it. Let's keep in touch!

[bad dog racing]

Without a doubt, the VW Classic is the best collection of VW events held over a 5 day period. All in close proximity.
The Sacramento Bug-O-Rama's held over Memorial and Labor Day weekends are the world's longest running VW events. Record setting runs have been set there recently in more than one class. It typically brings out the current "Big Boys" like VW Paradise, the Eserini's, and all the PRA regulars including the largest gathering of Pro-Mod Cars.
Welcome back to the scene. I'll put a one of our T-shirts on hold for you.

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[Banzai KG]

[splitpile]

BUG-IN 2008 will have all the old school feel you'll ever need.
Now if we can talk Rich into an engine pull and a BIKINI contest it will be just like the old days. The revival of BUG-IN 32 would have been Deja Vu for you.

One of the trends in todays VW world are bus related 2 and 3 day events. We've all grown up and slowed down, buses are the thing. Go some where, hang with a couple hundred people for a few days and talk about all the topics in this thread.

Come to Buses by the Bridge in January 2007 and all the talk of the old days abounds along with 300 plus buses all camping for 3 days. Hell you might run into some old buddys from the 80's
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[DraginInk]

[VWHoward]

[
Come to Buses by the Bridge in January 2007 and all the talk of the old days abounds along with 300 plus buses all camping for 3 days. Hell you might run into some old buddys from the 80's[/quote]:[/quote]

SECOND THAT