There are few automobiles that can turn a car gathering into something resembling a family reunion quite like the Volkswagen Beetle. With their unmistakable silhouettes and cheerful headlights, Beetles attract attention wherever they go, and especially when they travel in a ‘swarm’. That was certainly the case when members of a local VW Beetle club gathered at the Burger Fair in Bellville recently.
For some it’s nostalgia, the Beetle being that happy experience they remember from childhood. For others, it is the simplicity of the air-cooled VW that keeps them hooked. And then there are those owners who simply like the way these cars make people smile.
Cape Town club Aircooled Dubnation has a blend of VW enthusiasts but one thing is for sure, when they get together it’s an event of note. And Burger Fair is the right place. Part of the Bellville landscape since 1960, its old-school roadhouse character provides a fitting backdrop for cars that belong to what is now a bygone era of motoring.
Think vibrant colours, old-school tunes and sunset. Sounds like something out of a movie scene, right, perhaps Grease? Burgers, milkshakes and serious petrolheads as opposed to scandalous goings-on.
Speaking about the universal appeal of the first car ever to sell 20 million units, Oswald ‘Ozzy’ Kleinsmith of the club says: “The park-off brightens people’s moods. Funny how you can be angry on the road but when you see a Beetle driving by you’ll smile.” He makes a great point, so many South Africans have great memories of these trusty little cabbies.
At Aircooled Dub Nation, even though the Beetles have the same shape, the potential for personalization is through the roof. From cosmetic add-ons (like eyelashes for those iconic headlights) to the classic Beetle to the interesting items on roof rack look, creativity abounds, from functional rustbuckets to stylishly lowered custom models with even wider fenders and dropped roofline. There were, of course, a smattering of Kombis and Beach Buggies from a club called Wild Buggers to round out the air-cooled vibe.
Bobby Nitro asked Oswald just what he and the crew get up to. He spoke about parking and chilling, helping each other out with mods and especially breakdowns. Some do charity initiatives and all enjoy the vintage vibe they have going for them. Aircooled Dub Nation started in 2019 and since then the Aircooled family has grown to more than a 180 air-cooled vehicles, that’s Beetles, Kombis, Beach Buggies, Karmann Ghias and variants in Cape Town.
Oswald says: “This last event, it was on June 20, to commemorate world Beetle Day. We do it for all the air-cooled people, to have a bit of fun and to meet and greet people with the same passion. There’s a bonus too. Whenever you need a part, or some advice on a build, you can get it at these park-offs. Even if you arrive with a problem with your car, there will be someone who can fix it on the day. That’s a huge benefit, you will never drive alone.”
Asked as to his favourites, Oswald says: “That’s hard for me, as I’m in love with all things Beetle. One thing I’ll say, is that if you keep it original, the value really holds up well. If I had unlimited budget I’d start a new project, paint her sky blue with a slight pearling. The I’d add adaptor plates to the wheels so as to fit VR6 rims and change the engine to a VW R-32. Lowering on air suspension is a must but other than that I would keep the body original.”
In the spirit of good fun, Oswald adds: “In South Africa, we always have a water crisis so we prefer to drive air-cooled. Personally, I’m driving a 1974 Beetle, it’s a funky one, known as Smurfette to keep the mood positive.
Aircooled Dub Nation does an annual family-style camp out, last year’s being in Gordon’s Bay. Oswald says: “You really learn a lot at the camps, even meeting people you can build a future with.”