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Feelin’ The V-Dub Vibe: XXX Root Beer VW Fall Fling

  • Story By
    Evan Griffey
Fall Fling 0111 Some of the staunchest, most-committed enthusiasts on wheels, the Volkswagen crowd, can always count on safety in numbers... or at least big numbers. For many, it’s not whether to take their ride to a show, it’s how many shows do they have time for on any given weekend. The interesting thing about the recent Fall Fling VW show at the XXX Root Beer stand in Issaquah, Washington was it was open to both kinds of VWs: air-cooled and water-cooled. There is no official rivalry between the camps but generally speaking the H20 fans are younger than the O2 clique and there are some technological differences between the cars, but the passion is a constant. There were enough sweet rides on both sides of the aisle in Issaquah to make anyone appreciate "Das Auto." [caption id="attachment_24503" align="aligncenter" width="940"] The sleek Karmann Ghia body is in complete disagreement with bulbous, double-bubble Bug. These engaging V-Dubs were produced from 1955 to 1974 and this example is just one of the many directions you can take. The sleek Karmann Ghia body is in complete disagreement with the bulbous, double-bubble Bug. These engaging V-Dubs were produced from 1955 to 1974 and this example is just one of the many customization directions you can take.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24504" align="aligncenter" width="940"] The low and steady Karmann Ghia is done up nostalgia style with a flat brick red paint, super slammed stance, and modern alloy wheels wrapped by low-profile tires. The low and steady Karmann Ghia is done up nostalgia style with a flat brick red paint, super slammed stance, and modern alloy wheels wrapped by low-profile tires.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24505" align="aligncenter" width="940"] The roof rack was a nice touch that drove the nostalgia vibe home. The roof rack was a nice touch that drove the nostalgia vibe home.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24495" align="aligncenter" width="940"] We’d give the air-cooled crowd a 60/40 advantage and it was fun to see how each owner drew from different places to personalize his or her ride. We’d give the air-cooled crowd a 60/40 advantage and it was fun to see how each owner drew from different places to personalize his or her ride.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24496" align="aligncenter" width="940"] This Type 2 Transporter Pickup built between 1967 and 1979 was a standout with its crewcab configuration and trick fold-down bed-side. This Type 2 Transporter Pickup built between 1967 and 1979 was a standout with its crewcab configuration and trick fold-down bed-side.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24506" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Our favorite car in the lot at the Fall Fling was this Coca Cola themed rat bug. The hunkered stance and wide white walls really set the stage for the rest of the vehicle. Our favorite car in the lot at the Fall Fling was this Coca Cola themed rat bug. The hunkered stance and wide whitewalls really set the stage for the rest of the vehicle.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24507" align="aligncenter" width="940"] The interior was just he right ratio of theme and functionality. We especially liked the strategic use of Coca Cola coolers and other memorabilia. The interior was just he right ratio of theme and functionality. We especially liked the strategic use of Coca Cola coolers and other memorabilia.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24493" align="aligncenter" width="940"] The stitched leather visor and squeeze horn and the Bug’s patina made it a real scene-stealer. The stitched leather visor and squeeze horn and the Bug’s patina made it a real scene-stealer.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24494" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Talk about patina and a sense of rattiness this bug had barn find written all over it. An air suspension made sure this was the hardest slammed Dub in the house. Talk about patina and a sense of rattiness this bug had barn find written all over it. An air suspension made sure this was the hardest slammed Dub in the house. Note the severely chopped red Bug in the background. How do you drive that thing? Heck how do you get in it?... through the sunroof?[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24502" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Stitching up rust areas was a cool touch…giving a bit of a Frankenstein vibe. Stitching up rust areas was a cool touch…giving a bit of a Frankenstein vibe.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24498" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Here we have a water-cooled rat of sorts but it has an inner monster… no stitches on the outside but something fearsome under the hood. Here we have a water-cooled rat of sorts but it has an inner monster… no stitches on the outside but something fearsome under the hood.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24497" align="aligncenter" width="940"] A nicely polished turbo set-up is providing the thrills and chills. Looks like a pretty wicked sleeper. A nicely polished turbo set-up is providing the thrills and chills. Looks like a pretty wicked sleeper.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24499" align="aligncenter" width="940"] A bang for the buck leader, we were surprised not to see more venerable GTI’s on the grounds. This graphite two-door hatch illustrated the impact of a dropped suspension and some tasteful mesh wheels. A bang for the buck leader, we were surprised not to see more venerable GTI’s on the grounds. This graphite two-door hatch illustrated the impact of a dropped suspension and some tasteful mesh wheels.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_24500" align="aligncenter" width="940"] There must be a Herbie The Love Bug at every V-Dub meet. We overheard the driver saying he was leaving early to make it to another VW show in the area. There must be a Herbie The Love Bug at every V-Dub meet. We overheard the driver saying he was leaving early to make it to another VW show in the area.[/caption]
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