VW wants your stories/pictures

[Trond Dahl]

Ten bucks says that people who buy brand new VWs don't give two sh*ts about old air-cooled historic cars.

 

Of course there are a few who own old and new, but Ryan's bet is mostly accurate.

I'm guessing we are reversed. We look towards new VW's because of our love for the classics.
I don't think the other way around is as valid. People who buy new VW's won't automatically love VW classics

[Sepi]

Could you sell more of those left ones with the right one? VW dealer of my hometown believes so and asked that 60 years old bug to be in their show room this winter. Old farts like me cannot buy those old ones anymore - so they take a new up! to get a bit similar spirit of fun. And no, they didn't promise any money for that showroom visit, but I got more space to my garage free...



up! belongs my wife and I have a 1952 - my -59 project is still waiting some work before it will surprise young honda/beemer/suby freaks ;-)

[glenn]

me three!!!!

Sorry I'm late to the party, been busy changing usernames, stationary, etc. etc.

Greg
pierside parts unlimited -  trademark pending
parts and accessories for volkswagens since 1982 in Huntington Beach, Calif.
www.piersideparts.net

I'm with Greg, he got screwed over, but this is nothing new. A local shop that was called "Bug Power Unlimited" was served back in the 70's and forced to change their name.

VW want the aircooled community when it serves them. When it doesn't they're busy going after people making clocks at of VW hub caps and serving them with papers.

VW screwed me on my 91 Passat when the timing belt broke (long story). I've owned Honda's ever since and been much happier.

[Fastbrit]

Keith, the next time your sitting around the campfire with VWoA singing “Kumbaya”, ask them why the went after just about every air-cooled parts supplier with their band of Lawyers… Still your friend buddy

In fairness, VWUK does seem to be a very different animal to VWoA. My ex got a letter from 'Global Enterprises' in the USA (a bunch of no-win-no-fee ambulance chasers) on behalf of VWoA wanting to shut her down for selling pewter-look VW models. At the same time, VWUK was buying those same models off her to give away as gifts at product launches... Go figure.

Dom, you'll always be my buddy... (A threat? Or a promise? Hahahahahahahaha!!!)

[benlawrence]

my mrs drives a new golf, i have a transporter for work, not that im loyal to the brand ive had plenty of other cars, in fact the most reliable was a civic (rice burner) type r but the transporter is one of the most reliable work horses out there 256k and still going strong, i find it sad that vwoa took the stance it has, in the long term will its reputation be damaged, what prcentage of aircooled owners are vwoa's target audience, but i guess the knock on effect will filter down. What bugs me most is when i put my order in last week to "Pierside Parts"  doesnt quite have the same ring to it, but vee dub/ pierside, the name may have changed but i still get great service ( thanks Ralph)

[Pierside Parts Unlimited]

ben, you can call us whatever you like.   :-)

I stumble on the pierside everytime too.

Greg

[leec]

my mrs drives a new golf, i have a transporter for work, not that im loyal to the brand ive had plenty of other cars, in fact the most reliable was a civic (rice burner) type r but the transporter is one of the most reliable work horses out there 256k and still going strong, i find it sad that vwoa took the stance it has, in the long term will its reputation be damaged, what prcentage of aircooled owners are vwoa's target audience, but i guess the knock on effect will filter down. What bugs me most is when i put my order in last week to "Pierside Parts"  doesnt quite have the same ring to it, but vee dub/ pierside, the name may have changed but i still get great service ( thanks Ralph)

I was thinking the same, whatever their name, the customer service I get is top notch. Another happy customer who was helped by Ralph

Lee

[benlawrence]

Ralph is the man, he's very good to deal with  

[deano]

Keith, the next time your sitting around the campfire with VWoA singing “Kumbaya”, ask them why the went after just about every air-cooled parts supplier with their band of Lawyers… Still your friend buddy

In fairness, VWUK does seem to be a very different animal to VWoA. My ex got a letter from 'Global Enterprises' in the USA (a bunch of no-win-no-fee ambulance chasers) on behalf of VWoA wanting to shut her down for selling pewter-look VW models. At the same time, VWUK was buying those same models off her to give away as gifts at product launches... Go figure.

Dom, you'll always be my buddy... (A threat? Or a promise? Hahahahahahahaha!!!)

Keith, remember when the gang from VoA went after your book publisher for using the word "Beetle" in the title of a book without a license agreement... factory photos too?

[Dominick Luppino]

Keith, the next time your sitting around the campfire with VWoA singing “Kumbaya”, ask them why the went after just about every air-cooled parts supplier with their band of Lawyers… Still your friend buddy

In fairness, VWUK does seem to be a very different animal to VWoA. My ex got a letter from 'Global Enterprises' in the USA (a bunch of no-win-no-fee ambulance chasers) on behalf of VWoA wanting to shut her down for selling pewter-look VW models. At the same time, VWUK was buying those same models off her to give away as gifts at product launches... Go figure.

Dom, you'll always be my buddy... (A threat? Or a promise? Hahahahahahahaha!!!)

Keith, remember when the gang from VoA went after your book publisher for using the word "Beetle" in the title of a book without a license agreement... factory photos too?

 

[Fastbrit]

Yeah, you're right. VW are complete bast.... 

[dragvw2180]

 I think we owe VW a big thanks . If they had helped us enthusiasts with sponsorship and high performance parts they would have controlled the direction we as a group would have grown. Thanks to their lack of support multiple industries grew out of that void and our hobby has continued all these years. The best thing that happened to us were the magazines that allowed manufacturers to connect with us and also to highlight the direction our sport grows. Without those mags we would have been gone as a hobby years ago. I bought my first VW ( a bus) 43 years ago, purchased a used new Beetle for my wife this year and she loves it.
    Mike McCarthy

[Pierside Parts Unlimited]

Mike, you can thank them all you want, I'll pass on that one.
So, you are saying since they stayed out of the VW scene that allowed the aftermarket to expand and grow?
Had they been involved, they would have controlled it all?
Do you remember the era of american muscle cars? the factories were highly involved in the developement of the vehicles and racing and that market seems to have survived nicely in spite of their involvement.
you argument has no merit.

I appreciate and respect  trademark and copyright laws(logo mudflaps, hats, t shirts etc. etc.), but the US also has laws regarding fair usage, common law trademark rights etc. Unfortunately, I was unable to battle VWOA over this issue due to health issues and  the amount of $$ that would be spent on legal fees to win my case, which I would have won had I been given the chance to plead my defense in front of an impartial judge in a timely manner.

So, this war will continue and now is someone else's problem and will continue to be until VWOA is handed a defeat in court.

Hve a great day!!
Greg





   

[181]

In my country, the Czech Republic, VW doesn´t support us at all. AT ALL!. They like to use old bus for their promo meeting and stuff but it´s only to show their customers "look what cute car we produced".

I´m happy that I can be here on this forum and read your great stories. I think only aircooled enthusiast can appreciate them.


Jan

[Pierside Parts Unlimited]

Jan, we have the same here. While VWOA is filing suit against me, a local dealership is buying parts from me to restore an old VW to display in the showroom.   irony of all ironies. 

[LuftsickTero]

Jan, we have the same here. While VWOA is filing suit against me, a local dealership is buying parts from me to restore an old VW to display in the showroom.   irony of all ironies.  

Is this down to one same person from VWOA since the 90's? Or have the people changed careers over the years but policy remained?

Not sure how much support does GM/Mopar/Ford brands have to enthusiasts? The pokemon-manufacturers don't even have the legacy/classic cars to support  

[Frenchy Dehoux]

I'm pleased to say that VW in the UK has a slightly different outlook. I, along with Ivan at VolksWorld, get invited to all the press launches of all new models. This year I was in Berlin, Rome and Sardinia, plus various regional UK launches. Press cars are always available whenever requested, they display at the VWorld Show, have a Beetle on the press service fleet of cars for any journalist to borrow, usually have an air-cooled car at most press launches, are more than helpful when it comes to any press access etc. If they get an enquiry about the historic side of VW, rather than turn people away, they put them on to me for information – TV, radio, mainstream press etc, all come my way through VW UK. Their representatives came to watch me drag race...  

Clearly things are very different in the USA, but don't knock VW as a whole.

Sore subject about VOA they had their lawyer giving me hard time because I had logos on flyers for the show I was doing in Phoenix. They cared more about collecting money that worring about making VW look good and supporting the hobby. Typical blue collar management loosers.

Frenchy


Keith, the next time your sitting around the campfire with VWoA singing “Kumbaya”, ask them why the went after just about every air-cooled parts supplier with their band of Lawyers… Still your friend buddy