As a teenager, Giles Smith enjoyed nothing more than smashing around Kent at the wheel of his ’72 Bug. Painted Ford peppermint green and lowered all round, it was exactly the sort of car all the young dudes were rollin’ back in the late ’80s and early’90s. Giles explained, “My older brother had a Beetle as his first car and I instantly fell in love with it so it came as little surprise to my parents that I’d follow suit.” The Bug proved to be temperamental and a bit of a money pit but Giles was passionate about his pride and joy, which was all that mattered at that point. Ah, the good old days when the heart ruled the head... we’ve all been there, right?
Giles recalled, “I really thought I’d own that car forever, so I was devastated to find that my father had sold it while I was away at University!” In hindsight, Giles recognizes the fact that his Dad had probably done him a huge favour as it really wasn’t what you’d call ‘a keeper’ and he would have ended up blowing a fortune on rust repairs and the like. But, the point is that Giles was adamant that he’d own another Bug one day, and wasn’t about to break his promise.
Precious time
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Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Volks World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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SITTING COMFORTABLY?
Newton Commercial has been producing automotive interior trim products for the last 40 years, though the history behind this family-run firm goes back much further. Paul Knight finds out more...
Welcome to the mag
The rapid rise in value of our air-cooled VWs over the last few years is proving both good and bad news for owners.
Bus front step replacement
It’s probably one of the most common rust spots...
WOLFSBURG IN EGGENBURG
This one-day event in Austria is so good it attracts VWs from all over Europe
NICE ONE, SHERLOCK!
It’s fun investigating a car’s past – especially if the vehicle in question dates from the early fifties. That said, the Norwegian owner of this ’52 Beetle discovered more than he bargained for when he donned his deer-stalker
SUBTLY DOES IT (FOR US!)
So often, less is more. And we reckon that’s definitely the case with this oh so subtle ’66 Ghia
The Army era
It may have escaped your notice, but it was recently the 70th anniversary of Britain giving Volkswagen back to West Germany. The years of 1945 to 1949, when the British military ran Wolfsburg, were more crucial than many enthusiasts appreciate
PUTTIN' ON THE SHOW
When it comes down to rating the most desirable air-cooled VWs, I think it’s fair to say that a ’50s Karmann Cabriolet is gonna’ be pretty close to the top of the list. Now add some accessories, Fuchs and a decent stance and you’re talking about the stuff dreams are made of…
Car of the month
Car of the month
A TASTE OF DEUTSCHLAND
Inspired by a couple of renowned German VW events, the So-Cal Vintage Treffen attracted 200 of the oldest and most rare VWs stateside
