16 Jun VW Classic 2010
If you had any doubt about the health of the VW aftermarket and enthusiast dedication and involvement, the 2010 VW Classic presented by So. Cal. Imports should lay any concerns to rest. This years event, or should I say 3-Day long happening, may very well have been the best yet.
They came from around the globe to take part in this annual pilgrimage which launched on Friday June 11 with the Vee Dub Parts Unlimited Open House in Hunting Beach California. VDPU went all out with plenty of food and drink to go along with the festive atmosphere. This was the 7th year Vee Dub Parts Unlimited has hosted this pre-Classic Open House and we certainly hope it continues.
Friday also marked the annual DKP Classic Cruise Night. Held at Nicks Burgers in Fullerton, just down the street from Rancho Performance Transaxles, this get together has become a must attend gathering of cars and VW freaks. What was once not much more than a Club Cruise has grown to the point that it boasts numbers rivaling attendance at many of the world’s major VW events. The cars are cool, the people are cool, even the police are cool.
Saturday really kept locals and out-of-town visitors rolling with a variety of fun filled activities. The always popular Orange County Transporter Organization put on their pre-Classic Swap N Show at Anaheim Stadium. This was a great opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world’s finest 1967 and earlier Type 2’s and pick up on some hard to find new and used parts.
Ed Economy’s Toy and Memorabilia Show was once again held at the Crowne Plaza in Irvine and while it was only open for 4 hours it offered a not to be forgotten look at some serious historical toys and other goodies.
Saturday before the Classic JayCee always puts on a totally hot Open House. A great assortment high performance vehicles were displayed and company consultants were on hand to answer consumer questions. This year you could order from a selection of souvenirs and then watch as your piece was made on one of the state-of-the-art CNC machines. Very cool. Oh, and food, lots of food and drink. Once again if you’re headed to the Classic next year be sure to put the JayCee Open House on your schedule.
This year Clyde Berg hosted his “Bowl-A-Rama” at the Center Lanes in Fullerton with awards for: Top Speed, High Game, King of the Hill and Most Represented Car Club. Enthusiasts were welcome to enter the bowling competition or just bondo with buddies and check out the fine rides.
By the time Sunday rolled around everyone was well primed for VW CLASSIC 2010. Hosted by SoCal Imports and held at the massive Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, this was the real deal! When we arrived at 6 in the morning a seemingly endless line of VW vehicles snaked from the entrance of the site as far as the eye could see. Gates opened promptly at 7 and the grounds filled to capacity in short order. By 8:30 what has been called the largest collection of VW rides on the planet was Rockin’ and Rollin’. Clubs from around the country staked out their territory while a humongous collection of resto rods, drag and off road race machines, vintage rides, CalLook cruisers, Rat Rods, specialty vehicles and an amazing collection of just plain sanitary street machines packed the amphitheater arena. From Beetles and Type 2’s to Things, Type 3’s and home grown one-offs they were all at the Classic. Even “Walter” the worlds largest VW style Bus was on hand and open to the public. Vendor’s row featured displays by manufacturers and retailers from around the globe and the swap meet, well if it wasn’t available at the swap meet it probably doesn’t exist. Bar-B-Q’s were the order of the day and there was no shortage of brew ski. Bowing to popular demand, Rancho was well represented this year and “SAM-DA-MAN” Shackelford himself was on hand to welcome visitors and answer questions not only about the company’s wide variety of products but also to introduce the record setting line of LAT High Performance Racing Oils.
The crowd was speaking in so many languages it was a good thing I had a pocket translator. It’s cool when all these folks come together and share experiences and information from such diverse cultures.
Tim Bauru had everyone looking skyward with his remote controlled mini helicopter fit with full still and video gear. This unique rig captured some amazing Ariel footage and was a real crowd pleaser : https://www.baurphoto.com/bugorama/
It really is too bad there is only one CLASSIC each year, but then again with the international attendance its probably about right. At the Rancho booth we spent the entire day speaking with visitors from Australia, England, South America, the Netherlands, Holland, France, Germany, Belgium, Ukraine, Spain, Canada, Japan, China, the US, and even South Africa. It was just plain cool and made the day go far too quickly.
The VW CLASSIC has become the single most attended event in “VWDOM” and if 2010 is any indication attendance is snowballing in popularity. It is important to note that many of the spectators this year were not currently VW enthusiasts when they arrived, but left with a whole new respect for and interest in what’s going on in the VW community. Hopefully many of them will be back next year with their own VW ride. The Classic will certainly have space waiting for them, and YOU.
