Started by the Bay
I had classics when they weren't cool,
they were a necessity because I had
no money. I've had too many classic
British cars over the years and my favorite
is the Jensen Interceptor, I've had
a few if those. I got into the VW Bus
thing almost thirty years ago. I loved
camping but decided a Bus would be better
as we just had two little boys. So bought
a Bay Camper and had it a couple years.
Stuck with the old Veedubs because of
the simplicity and availability of affordable
decent quality parts. I'm up to six
now, plus an old two-stroke Jimny and
a 1966 Vespa Scooter. I keep saying
'No More' but got offered a Panel Van
cheap the other day so....
This
is my 1967 Type 34 Razor Edge Ghia with
electric sunroof. I bought it as is
from a chap in Denmark and shipped to
Dubai. It was originally green and this
colour can still be found under the
dashboard. She's my daily driver here
in Dubai and I've driven her to the
three highest peaks in the UAE, 700
KM in 40+ Deg C.
My
February of 1961 Doka came from Chile
to Dubai several years ago and just
sat in the heat and dust here. I bought
it as a real basket case. It's around
65% @bbt4vw
parts now and what wasn't available
we handmade in the shop. Super Cool
Bus and I love it lots.
I
found this Squareback in a car compound
on the outskirts of Dubai. One of those,
'I didn't need it but had to have it
things.' New floor pans, full interior,
complete new brake system and an engine
overhaul. Nice VW but surplus to my
needs so I might sell it in the new
year.
I
went to a farm out in the middle of
the desert to look at a Beetle for a
chap. There I found this Karmann Ghia
in a corner looking quite sad. I asked
the owner what's the story and as always,
it was "too many cars." He
told me I could have it for what it
owed him, so I took it as it was a bargain.
It was silver at the time, but originally
was red so I chose a more modern VW
red and here it is. It was a super clean
and straight car when I got the paint
off and originally from Japan.
I
bought my March of '52 Deluxe Crotch
Cooler around seven years ago. I paid
top dollar because it came with the
original registration log book from
Finland and the first twelve years service
history. I bought it as restored to
primer and ready to paint, but sadly
that was nothing near true. So it was
back to bare metal and start again.
I decided that the 25 HP and crash box
transmission wouldn't be safe in the
UAE so I upgraded it to a 2332cc with
Weber 48s and a Freeway Flyer. Also
Willwood brakes have made life a whole
lot safer. Last year we drove her to
Oman and covered over 3,000 km in five
days... lots of hard work. I drive all
my Volkswagens even in our brutal summers
so they all get to go out at least four
days every month. Love this car and
she's a lot of fun.
Around 17 years ago I was searching
for a Split Bus and it had to be Sea
Blue and Cumulus White. Found this one
in Livingstone New Jersey and it had
been in same family from new. Agreed
on a price and sent a friend of mine
to pick it up and drive to the port.
When I went to Southampton UK to pick
it up was so so excited. When they brought
her out she was in great condition,
well used but still very usable. My
two sons grew up with it, camping in
the UK and Europe.
I
did a full restoration around twelve
years ago and she still looks fantastic.
Original engine and gearbox still going
strong. She was my only car here in
Dubai for four years and the summers
where tough 45+ Deg C (115F) but she
never once let me down, was grumpy occasionally
but always made it home. I've had an
untold number of offers to buy her here
in the UAE but I could never ever sell
her because of all the fond memories.
Len
Funnell
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