Vee Dub rally attracts the classic Beetles and campervans

by Driveway on Wednesday, July 13th, 2016

By Newspress

Lovers of Vee Dubs turned out in their hundreds for the second Simply VW rally in the grounds of the UK’s National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

The event attracted 425 Volkswagens from early Beetles, buggies, Karmann Ghias and campers, through Polos, Golfs and Jettas to modern-day Passats, panel vans and motorhomes.

Classic VW camper vans made a strong showing in the line-up, with their owners unfolding camping chairs, brewing up drinks on their stoves and enjoying the day’s sunshine.

 

 

Split-screen Type 2 campers were joined by the later, hugely popular ‘bay window’ versions, along with the squarer Type 25 and modern day T4, T5 and T6, while camper conversions by Dormobile, Westfalia, Devon and Autosleeper could also be seen.

Beetle fans were spoilt by rare early examples on show, from an immaculate 1953 oval window Beetle, to a highly modified split-window example. Visitors could see two examples of the stripped-out, military-themed VW 181, along with a pair of buggies and even an off-road Baja Beetle. Rare ‘Synchro’ four-wheel drive versions of the Golf Mk2 and Type 25 camper were parked up in the show, along with an astonishing VW XL 1 electric/diesel hybrid, one of only 250 built.

Popular with many visitors was a Transporter van, kitted out inside like a miniature 1950s American diner and even complete with a jukebox.

Simply VW is one of Beaulieu’s 2016 rally line-up, which includes Simply Japanese, Simply Land Rover and Simply Smart. For the full list of Simply rallies and other Beaulieu events, see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events or follow @Beaulieu_Hants on Twitter.