Time for an update! Tuesday before the Airmighty show, the Express had been sitting in the garage since the day before. The gearbox was definitely leaking too much to make it 3,200 km... I checked the level and it was definitely low...
The only thing I could think of was that the plugs in the gearbox were bad and the ventilation hole clogged... Tried poking around a bit in the vent hole with welding wire. Luckily, I had 3D printed a set of plugs in different diameters this spring which I replaced the existing ones with. These were fixed with Permatex...
Hoping that solved my problem, I adjusted the valves and changed the oil. Unfortunately, My friend who i was supose to be traveling with got sick on Tuesday. So I decided to head down on my own and start the trip already on Wednesday after work.
Work clothes, jack, jack stands, tools, and spare parts packed.
Made several stops on the way down. First in Gävle to visit Icka and Jimmy in the garage. Then I stayed overnight near Västerås.
Next stop was in Helsingborg where I of course dropped by CSP in Hyllinge. Thanks to Nils Komet and family for the accommodation!
On Friday morning, the ferry went to Helsingør and then the next ferry to Puttgarden from Rødby.
Also made a stop at CSP in Hamburg, nice showroom!
Finally, 1650 km or 1025 miles later, I arrived in Oldenzaal where I checked in at my AirBnB. First thing I did after checking in was to head to the self-service wash and rinse off all the insects from the car...
SATURDAY and Airmighty show!
Janik Otto caught me on camera while I was looking for a spot in the Callook line-up.
Absolutely incredible cars on site. Both inside the hall:
(First one might be familiar)
And outside as well:
Got properly star-struck seeing the Red zeppelin roll in as soon as i got out of my car! And seeing Dean Kirsten himself walking around the area!
There was also a small swap meet on the grounds. Of course, you got caught up in the atmosphere, and i had to buy SOMETHING... Right?
DFL also organized a cruise-night at McDonald’s parking lot in Enschede on Saturday evening. Amazing cars there too and very nice company. A nice sticker was on my car when I was about to head home. Thanks for that! Other Swedes down there were Lars Häsä and Janne Hernebro, whom I got to know during the weekend. Thanks for a great weekend guys!
Sunday was the same and I got to meet both BossHogg76 and Steve67! Great to meet you guys!
Also huge thanks to my guardian angel who closed my ragtop when it started raining while i was inside the hangar! I owe you a few beers!After an incredible event, the journey home began. The first day I drove to Puttgarden and the second day to Nyköping. The whole trip home went flawlessly except that it spits out a little oil and rattles a bit more than before I left. The 1200 had to work hard, but of course I’m now very motivated to build a new engine with fresh bearings and preferably a bit more power.
Once home, I just had to test the shifter. 60% shorter throw than stock make the gear changes really quick. Doesn’t look too bad either. But the idea of cutting the original floormats for the sake of the shifter doesnt sit right with me. Looks like a carpet kit is in order..
A memorable weekend and I’m already eager to head down again in 2027. But hopefully with a different engine and transmission..
The trip was absolutely worth it!
Very cool that you drove all that way & back on your own in a old VW, sounds like a really fun trip, well done 
The Cal-look Lounge
