The Cal-look Lounge

As it says, I have decided to end the VW Gasser Garage thing, we have loved bringing back the old gassers to the track, where we have restored, reincarnated and raced some of the most iconic cars from the golden days of our hobby, however all good thinks must come to an end and we feel that these cars should now be given a rest. Unfortunately we have no plans to take them out anytime soon, if anyone is interested in any of them let me know as I would consider selling a few so that that they can continue to be seen, enjoyed and hopefully raced.

I want to extend a very special thanks to all those who have contributed from the very first European Bug In until the UK Cal Look Drag day last year where Tar Babe returned its fastest ever quarter mile time in its history, for the help, advice, parts, bodywork, Paint, Signwriting, Trimming, Engines, transport, time and above all friendship.

I have made many new friends and met some wonderful people and have been exposed to an area of the scene I once only dreamed off, for that I am eternally gratefully.

I have raced and shown these cars in various places including Scotland, Belgium, England, Norway, Germany and in the USA. Tar babe came from Mexico to Houston to Aberdeen to Essex to Aberdeen to Orange County, CA, USA to Chimay, Belgium to Esher, London to Aberdeen and then Shakespear country raceway. The Inch Pincher replica is currently with Darrell Vittone in Oregon where last year it was drag raced and salt flat raced.

Tar Babe and Underdog 2 were the first VW's ever to be displayed in the NHRA Wally Parks Museum which was followed the 2 years after with Lightening Bug 1, a true honour.

VW Gasser Garage role of stars:

Race Shop Ghia "Wunderbug2", Der Express, Sumfun, Radical Rod, Iguana, Flakey Jake (ex White Lightening) Underdog 1, Underdog 2, Tar Babe, Inch Pincher (ex EBI Yellow Racer), Lightening Bug 1, Lee Leighton's Red Bug, Italy 1, Bear Berilloux 1st and 2nd  gassers, Stutt Bee, Race Shop Fiat and Race Shop Bus, Dave Andrews Blue 67, Erics Save-a-Bug B modified compact record holder, Lil Snort, Blue Obsession, Holey Molly, Frog Guts.

VW Gasser Garage would not have been possible without the following VIPs;
Richie Webb, Dale Clark, Kev Dawson, Wray Morrison, Jo Clifford, Larry McKenzie, Ray Schubert, Gunter Hoffman (CSP), Simon and Shane (Paintbox), Neil Melliard (Prosign), Bernie Newbury, Pete at Cogbox and me !

A special thanks to the following for supporting or encouraging me....
Keith Seume, Dave Rhoads, Dean Kirsten, Paul and Mark Schley, Ron Fleming, Darrel Vittone, Dyno Don, John Preston, Lee Leighton, The EBI boys (Kobus/Freddie/Mike), and every one else who has lent a hand whether practically or verbally, its all been appreciated.

The future..... I'm thinking VW Vintage Garage, see you at Bad Camberg.......

Thanks Russell

 

Well let me thank you for all you have done for the hobby. Thanks to you I got to see my all time favorite in person (Tar babe). Don`t stray too far from the scene. It`s always a good time seeing what you are up to.

crowd pleasers, glws.
any street cars?

Russell, I hope people realize just how much this means to a lot of us, who grew up around these famous gasser. Most of us figured, they were dead and buried and those days were gone for good. But seeing them at Chimay, back in their full glory, and with THE guys behind the wheels made it all come back to life. I can tell you that just about all of us "old farts" shed a few tears seeing those cars once again. I recall Ron Fleming telling Keith Seume after they had just ran together at Chimay, with tears in his eyes, "I haven't felt like this in years." Hugs all around. Seeing the Schley brothers with tears running down their cheeks when you debuted the reconstructed Lightning Bug 1, was an emotional moment. Tar Babe does it for me. Riding with Ron Fleming back from the big end at Chimay, after shooting the photos for Hot VWs, going through the gears, was worth the ten hour flight from LAX. There has been some fantastic moments at EBI and perhaps, they will happen again with these famous cars. Thanks for the memories. deano

That's a shame Russell.  Good luck with the next venture.   :)

It is sad to hear thie VWGG is coming to an end.
For me it was FANTASTIC to see this legandary cars for real (cars
I knew from pictures in Hot VWs and VW Trends)
All I can say is a big THANK YOU Russell for what you have done.
And good luck with the vintage stuff. ;-)

I'd lay a pretty safe bet that most private collections are hidden away where people can't see them except by invitation - I was gutted I didn't get a chance to run against Tar Babe at Cal Look Drag Day, but it was still magical to see Bernie do it from the fire up lane.

I doff my imaginary cap to you for doing it in the first place :)

Very very very sad...

Definitely hoping to be able to see all those gassers from time time...

Let´s just hope it doesn't means the end of the interest kn the early VW racing days, as so much things still need to be discovered and exposed...

Let's see you in Camberg Russell!

And my deepest THANKS for the past 10 years nostalgia scene (I speak of guys, not only cars here...)

Russell , thank you for all you've done . I always thought the best thing about Gasser Garage wast that it seemed you were doing it all for everyone else's benefit , not your own .

Thank you also for slicks donated , and tools loaned at EBI . Oh and letting me drive Dave's car !

I'll meet you out at Camberg in my Oval !

Cheers , Rob

Thanks for all your efforts, Russell! It's been a blast and a true privilege for me to be allowed to drive (race!) some of these legendary cars. Have fun in the slow lane!  ;)

it is a shame,was always one off the highlights at EBI to see what you had on your trailer this time.

henk!!!

Keith, some of those gassers (at least one of them) needs to end its life under your ownership... I mean, the Wunderbug II is not another gasser... This is THE car... Your car... I wish it is mine ;-)

Russell

I read everybody's  replies and i can honestly say that attending EB1, getting to hang around with the cars, all the old guys, was the shot in the arm I needed.  People talk about getting bored of the VW scene.  You breathed new life into it.  I am so glad you came along when you did.

Now its time to start driving the Schwimmwagen in the loch of Skene.

Well, send me the money and I'll see what we can do!  ;D

I would buy it on my own if I had the money ;-)

Great shame but good luck for the future

I hope a few get bought by others  and raced sometime soon

It has been a lot of fun, a lot of hard work and more than a few crazy moments :o  Hopefully some of them will get sold and be shown/used/abused by their new owners in the future 8)

Here's to the next chapter of "The toybox" and whatever that brings to the VW scene ;) ;D Whatever that is I know it wont be dull :D

cheers Richie



VW Gasser garage, a few friends created history  8)  

Thank you very much Russell for bringing all these old cars back to live and also for the recreation of some. The moment when you arrived with your truck at Chimay or Bitburg was always priceless!

The good thing is: I know that the VW scene is neither loosing the cars nor you! See you at the Volksworld Show!

Thanks for the last nine years, Gasser Garage kept the world VW economy buoyant and entertained for nearly a decade.

It was always a jaw dropping moment when the transporter turned up at an event fully laden with Hot VW's finest from the past 40 years.

I'll never forget the pairing of Tar Babe V Stitch Up at DDD10, Bernie won but nobody sees what happens at the top end anyway!

It was nice to see all these nostalgia gasser at EBI...
...we hope to see again.

Russel thank you big time for all the beauty you have done....
EBI won't be the same without you , but we will do our best  ;)

Russell, I want to thank you for sparking so many peoples imagination over the past few years, and bringing to life so many of the things that I have spent the past twenty years reading and fantasising about. I'd also like to thank you for your support with Cal Look Drag Day - it's a shame we couldn't make happen what we hoped this year (although there's always next year!), but I hope to see you at the track again, with a car or not - there's always a cold beer waiting for you. EBI has been my best memory of racing my own car, and is the main reason I still have the old jalopy rather than giving in and selling it when times have been hard.

You've brought so much to the scene - THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ps...

Look forward to your next endeavours, I'm sure with the same dedication and attention to detail we will all be blown away once again!

 :-\ not sure what to say........

All good things must come to an end.

A big thank you to everyone involved and especially to you Russel. I really miss your build threads, stories, pictures and opinions.

Best rgs
Kalle

I don't only hope the cars will find good carekeepers but I hope they will keep coming together to play.

Thanks for the good memories GGteam

Really a sad day for Cal Look.
But was a great pleasure enjoy all of them together @Ebi also for the new generations like me.

I want to say a big thanks for your efforts making this possible and a really good luck for selling and new project/s.

Roberto (Italy)

you know the old saying...

The King is Dead Long Live the King

So who's going to take up the challenge of keeping them alive.

I believe most of them are available for buying so theirs no reason to not keep them in the public eye.

PS we had lots of fun doing it and lots of stress with transporters cheers Russell privileged to have been part of it.

Wray

All I can say is a huge thanks to Russell and all that helped, contributed, and encouraged to bring all of these cars back as well as the people who made the special events where these cars appeared happen! I wasn't able to attend any of the events but was thrilled to see it all unfold in the magazines and here on the forum. Seeing all of these cars revived brought me right back to when I first read the "How to Hotrod VW engines" book. Many of the cars and people who drove and built them were involved once again and it was fantastic to say the least! Bringing these cars back has inspired others to bring back other gassers and build "new" ones. I hope to be able to see some of these cars in person someday!  These cars were the development bed for many of the parts we use today to make our VW's fast and are part of the Cal-look "formula". Thanks so much Russell and Gasser Garage! I will remember these cars every time I fire up the 2 liter in my Beetle!

That`s sad!
But thank you so much for what you`ve done!

To me the VW Gasser theme is a great part of the whole beetle history. And it is awesome that you and so many other People preserved this history.
That´s the Chance for younger People like me to learn and may understand racing V-Dubs back in the days. 

(hope my english is not to bad)  :D

What a ride it has been..back when myself and a few other's used to sit in my old workshop ( early 90's) thumbing through the old mags and absorbing every little detail on every old race car and falling in love with the "old gassers",,never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would get to have Tar Babe in the shop,and  see it re-united with it's original owners ....seeing the emotion in the eyes of Mark and Paul when they were re-united with the Lightning Bug 1 replica at EBI...hearing about Darrell's drag racing and Bonneville racing in the Inch Pincher replica..helping to restore the Lee Leighton car, Under Dog 2 Replica, the Race Shop Truck etc etc....in my old (ish) age I have come to realise that nothing last's forever but, I have the best memories of working on some lovely car's for a lovely bloke ( please send the money to the work address Russ  :D ) with some lovely people..I couldn't have done it with out an amazing team - Russell's vision and the super talented Neil Melliard...I think it will only be when folk have stopped posting on this thread that you will realise the impact on the VW scene that you had Russ...good luck with the Vintage "stuff" and just in case any of you lovely lot do buy one of Russ's collection and want it restored - you know where we are...only been doing it for 27 years this year.... ;)..Thank You Russell....it's been a blast ! x

Bad news for us,  good news for vintage.

See you over on pre67!!! :-)

Thanks for your generosity Russell. EBI 1 ''grab a helmet and have a run down the strip''.  Thanks for your kind offer. It will be with me for ever.
The lucky times I have visited the garage, just blew me away. The hard work all your team has put in, is amazing.
Cheers
Peter

Russell, thanx for sharing IP1 with Darrell and allowing him to race this precious metal in the 36hp Challenge at Bonneville this past year.

While we have only met in person briefly, it has been my true honor to meet someone so dedicated to the high performance history of Volkswagen. I was hoping to see you again along with the Gasser Garages stable of historic VW's at Chimay during my first visit this year. I do hope you will still come join all of us just for the heck of it!

(http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/rr301/36hplandspeedracer/36%20Bugs/WOS141728-Copy_zps4c6b0c1b.jpg) (http://s494.photobucket.com/user/36hplandspeedracer/media/36%20Bugs/WOS141728-Copy_zps4c6b0c1b.jpg.html)
Photo by Burly Burlile

May the Speed be with you...............................

Burly

i've no words  :'( :'( :'(  , it's as if the world collapsed, I wouldn't be lucky enough to see the raceshop team (bus+ trailer + fiat), for on if I had the money that would be it is 3 that I shall buy
thx russell for having made some of my dreams a reality

fabs

 
those who have lot of money to buy them and racing them  :-\

This would have never arrived without you

(https://scontent-b-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/29708_100752959972179_4015524_n.jpg?oh=a19044220e8736c7e440be0b40a8d295&oe=55263C7C)

Thank you, thank you, thank you! As many others have said you have inspired so many and given so much joy to so many. You have poured in so much of your precious time and hard earned money and have asked for nothing in return. You have changed lives and have brought back so many lost and forgotten race cars and racers. Look at the Schely brothers and their museum, Darrell Vittone is racing aircooled VWs again. All that is because of you. I just want to thank you Russell for the memories and for letting me be a small part of it.

I don't know what to say really, at a loss for words. I do hope to continue to see you and the cars you've saved at many more events in the future though :)

Very sad news ! Thanks Russell for those wonderful moments you shared with all the vw lovers :-)

Just cos fab did... Thanks Russell ;)

Looking so forward to your new adventures, be sure to pack a lot of extra underwear  ;D ;D ;D

Michael

Not sure what to say, You started me down the road of building the car of my dreams and put my in contact with a group of guys that have become mates.

Good luck for the future, hopefully catch up with you at a show sometime.

That photo of the Inch Pincher @ Bonneville..the goofy- looking guy with the orange vest, and camera in his hand, is ME   ;) Getting a chance to ride with Darrell in the Inch Pincher was the culmination of a dream, and something on my "Bucket List"...Thank You, Russell, you have done so much, for so many...

Thanks for all you did to the hobby Russell but can I suggest changing the name to Rent a Gasser Garage? I'm down with Tar Babe for a month! I'll take sweet care of her!  :-*

Steve Niendorf

Russell,

Thank you for your contribution to our little VW hobby / lifestyle. Many of the cars you have I can remember seeing them in person when I was a young man. Frankly, its hard to believe so many of these famous race cars still survive to this day.
I remember meeting you at Irwindale and enjoyed our quick little chats. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors, I'm sure the new Vintage Russell will be top shelf.

For the record, if I could have just one it would be Tar Babe  8)

Cheers to you and team Gasser Garage! 

-Dave

Very sad news
Thanks for all Russell

 :'(

Thx for all the fun russell!see you @bad camberg!

It has been fantastic to see all the cars that have come through GG over the years. Thank you, Russell and all involved. You have made dreams come true and inspired.

Without you I would probably never have seen one of my favourite Ghias of all time in the metal, let alone sit in it. Something I will never forget.

I look forward to seeing what you do next.  8)

Thanks for everything you've done for the VW world Russell.

Seriously? Tar Babe vs Vintage? I don't get it? Good luck though

Russell,

I have to "chime in" and agree,..thanks for the "shot in the arm", the boost and the passion you have shown with the GG. You re-energized the obsession and affection for Vintage Gassers that many younger VW fans otherwise would have never been exposed to. I am sure the next phase will be just as bright and passion filled.....There is no such thing as 2manytoys...

Patrick

Giving up racing too?  :'(
try a 36hp in tar babe for a few weeks then see how you feel. ;)

Good luck Russ and thanks for bringing back to life cars that entertained and have inspired so many. I hope they find new homes and people can enjoy seeing them.

On the vintage front a split bug with okrasa heads, crossplys and cable brakes probably feels as wild as a gasser but you can drive it everyday!

See you in Camberg 😄

Guys

Thanks so much for the kind words, it is really appreciated. When I started down this road, I never realised how it would become "we" and what a road it would be, its been fantastic, I'm glad we have all have memories that make it stick in our minds, I can never forget all the time standing at the start line at EBI watching these old Gassers launching it hard and taking off like a bat out of hell into the horizon, and me jumping with excitement at the thrill of seeing these cars competing for real, watching the likes of Ron F, Paul S, Troy P, Allan W, Larry M and KS hitting it hard will always make me smile.

Also, although VWGG is being laid to rest I will still very much be a VW man, nothing could temp me away, I'm very lucky that my collection covers Cal Look, Stock, Vintage, Salt Flat, Buses, Military and Race cars and even the odd resto cal car.... so I'm not gong anywhere just doing things on a little more individual basis rather than turn up with 8 cars to race, will have a little bit more restraint, however saying that, our first out as VW Vintage Garage, will be "Bad Cabrio 2015" and we are taking a 50 vert, 52 vert, 55 vert, 57 vert and a 43 Schimm, so the madness part is still there and in full swing... LOL

See on the other side.  ;) and Thanks again.

I think that we have every reason to say "THANK YOU, RUSSELL !!".

^^^ Now that's a hell of a photo!! 8)

I am very sad that has Russell explains the project "Gasser Garage" ended.
He will not fully dissolve the collection, but he will also not bring the collection to shows/meetings.

I have often said in this legendary moments to my friends: "Hey! Check this out! Ron Flemming in Tar Babe ... we might not see that again ! "

And now it's over ... We have seen it, we were there.

No old men who must have your original cars drive again.

When I bought 1994/1995 Keith Seume book, I never thought that I'm going to see some of these cars and people "live in Europe". I have had the opportunity in my car to drive to Keith in the Race Shop Ghia. For me the highlight of my recent "VW hobby-career"

We have seen it, we were there.

I think that we have every reason to say "THANK YOU, RUSSELL !!".

shit... a sad day for everyone involved or interested  in old gassers

all i can say is: Thank you!

see you around.

Hats off to you Russell!

The  knock on effect of your ( & associated dudes) work, enthusiasm and tenacity cannot be overstated.... The California Look and Gasser scene is at a real high point right now and for what it's worth I think your posting/news seems like a very positive move.
These cars are supposed to be FUN! ...I can understand how sometimes you must feel under a lot of pressure to satisfy everyone's cravings which kinda defeats the object...
These historic cars are looking better than ever, they're still here and racing and there's no reason for that to stop..... ... A new, more relaxed regime sounds like a great plan to me........ And if some other fortunate people get to be the custodians of some of these fantastic little vehicles then that's a pretty damn cool legacy too.

And on that note I'll just announce that I'm super excited to be getting my hands on the Kid-Dean squareback in the near future..... I can't wait to get it looking it's best once again!

Thank you Russell!

You've got a full garage! :o

hehehe.....nearly full!    :)

Jick

There's always room for 1 more trust me...... ;D

Russell

When it comes to the number of cars (and bicycles ;)) I should own, I always adhere to the "N+1" formula, where "N" is the current amount of cars that I currently own.

Don't be a tease, pics ?

Well.......maybe a small one? Haha

Thanks Russel and gasser garage.
I have been lucky to be in pits at ebi with stutt bee and in Cali when you had tar babe there. ( and I live in Australia )
Memories.

Thanks.

Best wishes to you Russell on whatever new direction you decide to go and thanks for the wealth of nostalgia you have assembled through the years. I want to thank you for the cool times at EBI and for letting me wrench and drive whenever possible, and speak for the many others as well that were able to bond to your rides. Not many people get to experience the business side that you have in life and I for one can appreciate your dedication to all facets that you have been able to engage in and still have the limited time to enjoy your fruits of labor. Looking forward to seeing you sometime soon in the not so distant future.  Your friend, Dyno Don

Hey Russel! Thank you for sharing and making it possible for us to see so many important icons from yesteryear. As far as vintages goes... Can't wait for you to rock up at the 'Pod and run a number in a Schwimmer :)
Take it easy, Matt

Hmmm a schwimwagen with a 48 motor and OG BRMs... :D

Speedboat :D

Let's see the pic's of that sweet vert you purchased!!!!

I think everyone has said everything I ever could. Thank you. Sincerely. For igniting my imagination to dip my toe into the cal-look world and see the world through rose tinted nostalgic glasses as I try to imagine a world that once was. Genuinley inspirational to recreate history for all of our enjoyment. It was a pleasure meeting you at CLDD at Shakey last year, truly humbled.

All the best.

Thank you.

OOPS wrong thread

who?

I was saying my good byes to my old friend Russel Welch of Russ's Recycling he passed away on the 22nd of april... :'(

ah, ok, we were saying goodbye to the Russell and in particular to the gasser garage. he isn't gone, just in the slow lane now.  ;D

He's building an orange 10 second car now  ;D ;D ;D

Michael