By sheer luck in late 1987, I stumbled across the very first issue of Volksworld in my local newsagents!
That magazine was pulled apart to decorate my walls and within two months, I’d bought a (far too rusty!!) 1972 VW Beetle, by Christmas. I’d rubbed it down, hired a paint gun / compressor and painted it ‘Porsche Pink!’ in my Mum and Dad’s garage!
I was 17 years old and now officially ‘air-cooled addicted’
I’ve been obsessing, fixing, restoring and driving VW’s and Porsches ever since!
1989, a few more beetles later, getting older and older: 1972; 1969; 1966 and 1964.
I now ‘needed’ a camper!
Every month, I checked the ‘Splits and Pieces’ for sale section at the back the SSVC magazine and I eventually found one that sounded great and I could afford for just £450!
A 24 year old, rusty, velvet green, 1965 Splitscreen Devon conversion for sale in Kingston Upon Thames.
I hired a trailer and picked it up!
Poor old thing had concrete in the sills and expanding foam holding the front together but I loved her! I fixed her up and painted her and then spend every moment I could travelling all over the UK!
I kept her for two years until: ‘Hannibelle’ came along, my 1966 Velvet green Canterbury Pitt conversion in 1991.
I still own her today!!
Since then: Beetles, Karmann Ghias, Type 2: Splitscreens and Bays, Porsche 911’s, 912’s 356’s have all passed through my hands, some of which I should’ve kept of course but driving and enjoying is the point!!
I established Wonderland Classics Limited in 2003, moving to my beautiful workshop in 2017.
1987 – present, it’s been a fun 39 + years of aircooled driving!!
