The Cal-look Lounge

VW needs more Cal-look pictures and stories posted!
The rest of the world needs to hear some of the stories swapped here.
Let's get some Gasser's and proper Looker's on there!

http://why.vw.com/stories


Carry on...

They will.... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Okay, you can call me bitter but Volkswagen can break it off in its ass. It doesn't t give a plugged nickel about us but it wants to profit from our endearing stories? You do realize that any of the things we did to our cars would've constituted an instant warranty void, right? Volkswagen brass didn't want anything to do with enthusiasts then. Why do they want to be our friends now?

People and organizations vote with their money and even though Hot VWs paid Volkswagen so much lip service VWoA made its feelings pretty well known by rarely advertising. Ask any of the HVWs veterans. The magazine's ad schedule is pretty affordable. It's not as if Volkswagen would've had to bite hard. 

The company merely made another generic economy car. We made it special. But god forbid anyone use one of the endearing colloquial variations of the company's name that we consumers made up. Why would we want to give the company the time of day?

Do what you want but just understand that the brass really doesn't give a sh!t beyond making a buck offa your personal history and it'll never compensate you beyond stroking your ego.

Yeah, we're just one big happy family.....

..and if that ^^^^ isn't a "Hot VWs Veteran", I don't know what is... ;D

BTW, Deano, Happy belated Birthday, hope it was a great one !!!

I never thought about the fact that VWoA used the air cooled enthusiast to make money for themselves......It is true that VWoA never really payed us any attention or seemed to give much support to the air cooled VW for a long time. Why are they interested now? VW created a website for VW enthusiasts to post their pictures and stories. At least it exposes the new VW entusiast to what an old VW is all about by letting them read the stories and see pictures....

Yes i agree also with the remarks......  but what about a different view

IF VW use our stories and pictures that encourage others to follow and take part in our dreams amd lifestyles, this will surely help all of us in the vaules of our cars and the parts/service suppliers as it will mean more buisness for them also, yes vw may use us but we can use them and i feel we all have more to gain that they will have....

After reading any old cal look story, it makes me want to but a bug, a set of 48's and some BRMs all of which VWoA dont sell !!! ;D yip the normall person might go thats cute, lets buy a rabbit but most people will say hey i want a bug.

Thanks for saving me type a bunch of stuff :)

Sorry Russell, working for a company that was hit by VWoA, they could care less about the Air Cooled seen...

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

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...  8)

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

Okay, your ideas about writing change when people start paying you for your ideas and stories.

Everything that we write or say has some sort of tangible value. If it didn't we would just go into the woods and shout our ideas to the trees. Validation of that idea's futility is the observation that it wouldn't be worth it.

But worth what? We all write for some sort of personal gain. Keith, Stephan, Dean, and I all write primarily for money. But we also contribute to this forum even though we don't get paid with money. We get another type of payment from it: knowledge and a sense of kinship. Actually all of us who participate in a forum like this benefit in that way.

This forum rewards our contributions by facilitating an exchange that benefits all of us. A great example is the absolutely novice who joins to ask a question only to one day answer questions for the next generation of newbies. All of us benefit from these transactions. I came to this forum with decades of personal experience, volumes of literature, and acquaintances in the industry's highest places yet I still learn things. Keith, Stephan, and Dean would tell you the same thing. That's how we all benefit.

Now ask yourself, how is your contribution to Volkswagen's marketing narrative going to benefit you or us? Will it bring a bunch of new blood into our industry who will invest heavily in R&D, maintain the financial value of our cars, and participate in our forums? I think it's foolish to believe that.

No, Volkswagen's marketing specialists will use our collective social narrative to get people all gooey about the company's heritage. They'll say, "Look, just look how much people love the cars that Volkswagen builds. Wouldn't you like to be a part of that wonderful shared identity?" It's sort of like selling sex to get people to buy beer, only the sex is your stories and the beer is a new Golf. And you gave 'em the stories for free. 

Volkswagen's financial gain is the payment for your contribution. And Volkswagen will use that financial gain to pay attorneys to send cease-and-desist letters to small businesses because they have generic terms like vee and dub in their names. Well gosh, how can it do that? Oh yeah, Volkswagen used its prior financial gain to pay attorneys to copyright those terms. And what will you get? At best you'll pull up a web page so you can show your mom the neat story you wrote. The page will stand for as long as the marketing campaign lasts.

Quick, our 15 minutes of fame is fleeting!

 :o

Dominick, Yes i understand and agree with the comments, but what i was trying to say was if VWoA used our stories to advertise this might encourage more NEW people to join in out hobby which may increase sales for the many many aftermarket VW supplers that we need to kepp our hobby alive, also it might help push the value of our cars up if more people want them.

Ditto!

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

Slightly off topic, but whatever. I'm concerned about the future of this hobby. I'm betting that most of us got started when we were in our impressionable teens or twenties. When I was in high school (15ish years ago) there were countless ACVW's in the parking lot. And most were either lowered, had a set of wheels, or a hot motor, etc. Nowaday's, there MIGHT be ONE in your average high school parking lot. Back then (and prior) VW's were still cheap transportation, something that a kid making minimum wage could afford to buy and keep up. And have a lot of fun with his buddies in! Now in 2012? Fucking forget it! Decent project cars at an affordable price are few and far between, and the prices for quality parts are WAY up there. These days you're smarter to steer your high schooler towards a beater 25 year old Honda than a old VW. It's become a hobby for older guys who want to relive their youth and have a few bucks to throw around. New blood? I see very, very little of it. I feel lucky to be part of what I see as the last generation of kids to really enjoy old VW's for what they were.

Same in Canada.  VWC and their dealers have certainly supported the ACVW hobby over the past 35 years that I've been involved, at least in the province where I live, plus a few other provinces that I've visited.

As for ACVW owners not buying new VW's, well, I own a 2002 Passat 1.8T and a 1999 Golf Wolfburg Edition, both purchased new from the dealer.  I used to own a 1980 Rabbit, which was sold (to fund another project), but I wish I still owned it!  They've all been great cars in their own way...but of course my '68 Beetle has a unique appeal ;)

I have 2010 Multivan, my Wife a 2010 Polo oh and i still have my 1960 Black Ragtop...VW's rule!!!

Frank

It's about time we all saw the Black Ragtop you tell us you have  :)

Whatever is right....I got 37.4 MPG in my 2010 passat today and have gotten a best of 50.3 MPG in the 2012 diesel sportwagen both are an absolute joy to drive and the best built cars I've owned. I also kinda like aircooled VW's too...ha...to each there own.

if there site is gonna be full with callook beetles,then they maybe gonna realise that it was important in the history of VW.
i never had anything else then VW myself,my first car was a MK 16v that was a fun car to start with.
at the moment a caddy and beetle cabrio for the girlfriend.

henk!!!

I'll put $20 on the chance that either they or their parents or even grandparents had an air-cooled VW of some kind and can tell you a story ...  ;)

TxT

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 ;D

Wonder if they're moderated? Might be worthwhile for people who got done over by VWoA to post their stories about having supported VW for years, developed parts, raced them, recommended them, etc, just to get threatened with legal action... Show the "caring" side of VWoA... ;D

The most resent, Pierside Parts, formally VeeDub Parts Unlimited, ask Greg his story or maybe not, he's not a very happy camper right now!

How come you don't remember it....;-) currently still in Hospital, can leave Tomorrow...!!!

Frank

And all the Service Shops! We got served ... TWICE! Had to change our name too!
Our original sign ...

me three!!!!

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

My legal counsel advises me that this is not the proper venue for me to air any issues with VWOA,(a subsidiary of VWAG for those of you defending one or the other VW's thruout the world)  see me at EBI and I'll give you the whole story. Due to my health issue, I decided it was not the right time for this legal battle. I'm feeling much better now and will not roll over on something as completely bogus as this again.

p.s. My wifes 2010 touareg TDI was the biggest POS i ever owned, and I've owned a lot of POS's(that's plural). It spent more time under warranty than driving it, made em buy it back.

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

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

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...

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fnZBUpxvoJk/UMJMjtzqQTI/AAAAAAAAO78/LPL3OfEM29c/s1021/P1110067.JPG)

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 ;-)

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.

(http://www.glenn-ring.com/temp/bugpower.jpg)

:D

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... ;D (A threat? Or a promise? Hahahahahahahaha!!!)

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)

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

I stumble on the pierside everytime too.

Greg

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

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

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?

 :D :D ;D

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

 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

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





   

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

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  ;D