i finally removed my blinkers!

[nicolas]

what a great wordplay and pun was that!

loved to read this months volkstalk as i feel very much the same. not that i want a ratlook, but i have now learned to appreciate other types off cars more and more. who can argue with the coolness off Lee's buggy, or late models, now that there are some seriously cool ones out there (Roland, Sally among others).
i personnally have always felt a bit 'out' off the typical callook movement regarding the simple fact that i have a fastback and that there never was one in DKP as far as i know. but what struck me most is indeed the diversity off our hobby in general and even in callook. there are so many rules and yet some cars never followed many and have become icons within the scene (Keith Goss', Bill schwimmers).

so what i wanted to say is that it is good to be different and just go wild with the ideas you like, then you are sure at least one person will like it.

so that was a cool article there. 





oh and if what i read above is complete bullsh!t to you, you have to like the dissing off Sarge in public press and read by thousands over the world (what a great subliminal message) 

[nigelg65]

I'm definitely liking what you're saying.

Creativity is key. It's how Cal-look got started, along with every other custom style you care to mention. And there is no reason why that creative element shouldn't persist even when a movement has matured.

[LuftsickTero]

Creativity is key. It's how Cal-look got started, along with every other custom style you care to mention. And there is no reason why that creative element shouldn't persist even when a movement has matured.

IMO, it would get better when people would realize that the drawing in the 1975 Hot VWs was just a drawing, pointing out certain Cal Look characteristics or that the DKP III membership rules in Volksworld 10 years ago were rules just for membership in Cal Look club. Nothing like "build your car following this criteria and you get some cool guy status" like it has turned out.

I can appreciate all cool Volkswagens regardless of rim width or beam length or ride height

Seeing old photos, especially those DKK ones that have turned out during the couple of years, is awesome, there is lot more diversity in the cars, lot more colours etc.

[Lee.C]

Hey Nicolas - I was so intreged by your post I went out and brought Ultra - Thanks for the props on the Buggy by the way 

Its funny you mention all this as I could see your "appreciation" growing as you read through all my copies of Rodders Journal  There is some COOL stuff out there!

I have always taken cues/tips from other car cultures and I am always open to a twist on an old style, I mean one of my ALL TIME FAVOURITE CARS is the Ex S.Gilbert's yellow Fridolin   BUT I am now gonna stir things up a little: it would get better when people would realize that the drawing in the 1975 Hot VWs was just a drawing

Now I think this statement is false because when was the last time you saw a car come out with these "details" in the drawing I fell that in the last few years people seem to have forgoten what Cal Look really is - Clean, Simple, FAST  and THATS IT!;D

How many so called Cal lookers do you see with FULL TRIM and Full US Spec bumpers and STOCK interior and Smart car/205 tire combo oh and a CARBON Monster Tach and worst of all English/Euro Number plates! - I'm confused

Now I know this is a bit of a mixed up post but I think you guys will know what I mean 

[nicolas]

i want to say something about what you said, but i'll let it simmer for a bit... 

as for the buggy, no problem, i liked it when i saw it and loved it when i took a ride (and i wasn't even driving and no offroading was done). and yes the books is saw at yours were a bit off an eyeopener as i never understood the big engine hotrod culture, but the ideas and subtle nuances between the 1.5 million (or whatever number) 1932 ford deuces that have been hotrodded amazed me. some i like others are just not my cup off tea, but that was the whole point. and the more i learn about cars the more i like all aspects off it. to be honest and come clear about this, i never understood at first what could be fun to drive 1/4 mile straight as fast as you can. but i learned a bit what is involved in achieving that and i really like it now and think it is a facinating competion against the guy next to you in the other lane and at the same time against yourself, to see where you can take your car.

[Lee.C]

 let it simar and wait for those bites 

Its funny but there are so called "rules" in hot rodding too but it what you do within those acceted boundries that counts - and thats how it should be with Cal lookers

Now don't misunderstand me that doesn't mean there is no room for the "out of left field" cars - I have always wanted to build a FULL HI-TECH GERMAN LOOKER with 4WD

This should be a fun thread 

[ESH]

There's lots of cars I wouldn't like to have that I like a lot.

It was interesting when talking through stuff on Sal's car as there's a lot on that that isn't Cal-Look but it's all there for a reason. It's going to have bumpers but doesn't have trim, it still has its blinkers (!!), the ear vents are still there, the valance has the cut outs (though there was a point when it didn't) and the bonnet vent is filled. It all makes sense on that car for one reason or another though. With any look it's all down to making sense of the car as a whole and to that end you can get pretty much anything wrong or right though what constitutes what in that respect is all very subjective.

 

I Like this:

[Lee.C]

Hmmmmm the thing is I would LOVE to own that old Yellow Frid 

Anyway back to the "Rules"  I think (in my eyes) the main thing that makes Sal's and Rolands cars "Cal Look" is the fact that they are Dechromed,

now even though they both run Bumper they BOTH have subtle little details that make them Stand out (for want of a better term) Sal's with the filled bonnet/hood etc and Rolands with that oh so cool dash 

Also for me things like filled exhaust cutouts, Side vents etc don't really come into the "Rules" as these custom details are just a twist of what Hot Rodders had already been doing for 30+yrs when cal look was "Invented" (for want of a better term)

Afterall isn't that what a Cal Looker is really - A Hot Rodded Volkswagen 

[Lee.C]

Anyway lets get oiff the rules and get back to the "appreciation" side of this thread an its funny Nicolas mentioned my Lil Manx because Its funny how many "cal loook" people "Van guys" etc who tell me that they always  HATED(which is a strong term) Buggys until they saw mine - I get told it at least once every show I go to 

Now I know Buggys have a pretty bad rep and justifiably so - there are so many bad examples out there and not many people really ever think about how they build them,

I think in the last few years with mine, Robs bronze manx, Robert Wrens orange&white manx, Marks hotrod styled blue flake manx (see a trend here ) people have started to realise there is a way you can have a cool looking buggy with just some very simple and subtle details - I think ALOT of peoples eyes have been opened and I don't think they'll be shut any time soon

Oh yeah this might be the perfect time to drop in the "name" given to the look of my manx - "Cartoon Look" As coin'd at The Screwdrivers BBQ SCC 2008 

[roland]

Dude, my bonnet vent is so filled...

 

[Lee.C]

Dude, my bonnet vent is so filled...

 

Sorry dude I always get distracted by the dash 

[Rennsurfer]

Mat, I'd like that car, too, if it didn't have broken axles and sat with a more respectable height. What a waste of a nice car.

[Zach Gomulka]

so what i wanted to say is that it is good to be different and just go wild with the ideas you like, then you are sure at least one person will like it.

That's my theory with AssHull's car...

[Lee.C]

Talking of "appreciation" has anyone got any pic's of that Notch/912/coupe thing

[Sarge]

..... "you have to like the dissing off Sarge in public press and read by thousands over the world (what a great subliminal message)  "

 

[OgCalLook]

That car is Badass!! - even though I left the blinkers on top - but that was 1977

[nicolas]

your car sure is bad ass. i can't say it otherwise.

..... "you have to like the dissing off Sarge in public press and read by thousands over the world (what a great subliminal message)  "

 

now you can be on KS' back for free drinks, because off copyright issues and going to court and all that. 

[Rennsurfer]

That car is Badass!! - even though I left the blinkers on top - but that was 1977

HAHA!! That's funny, Tom... 'cause I purposely left mine on in '79 due to a lot of people telling me to get rid of 'em. Same with my horn grills. So all of the chrome trim came off 'cept those and later... I added European bumpers. Same theory applies to my current red Hella rear lenses. I've never had a set, so they're staying.

so what i wanted to say is that it is good to be different and just go wild with the ideas you like, then you are sure at least one person will like it.

Well... you know what people often say; if you can reach just one person.

 

[ESH]

... Dude, my bonnet vent is so filled ...

Some things are a given I guess, it was a functional decision on the '73 and for one reason or another a decision I owe Gavin a few beers over!

... I'd like that car, too, if it didn't have broken axles and sat with a more respectable height. What a waste of a nice car ...

  

I know what you're saying. If it was mine and I had a budget to play with the car would probably have a raised transmission and a turbo motor but as it stands it's pretty cool. The work in it is something else and whilst I can't get past that suspension treatment on a Bug on this it's different. Not entirely my thing in that respect but I can certainly appreciate where they've gone with it.