Well, on Friday, 9/26, we insured the old bus, Hildagard... And, Monday, I tagged her. Then, I drove her to work on Tuesday, parked her in the painted spot, and walked in to get some co-workers to come out and admire the restoration job... And then, just as we were walking back... BAMMMO!!! (SFX: horrible metal ripping sound!) It's a Jaguar, driven by a woman with a CAST on her right hand!!! She can't make the turn into the spot and she "hits" my bus, right in front of me and my coworkers!!! Well, I... ugh... was... speechless...! Is this some kind of SICK nightmare or what? My bus has been off the road for over 6 years, and to have this happen the 1st day back, is just surreal... Well, she was VERRRY SORRRY and said that she probably shouldn't have driven herself to work! She was RIGHT! So, to get to the end of this story, HER insurance company has mailed me a check$ and Oval D has already ordered the replacement parts, so we should be back on the road in time for the FIXX Fest! So, please let this be a lesson to everyone. DON'T drive with a cast on your hand! Oh, and be sure to PARK your bus back in the corner away from EVERYONE ELSE! (See Pics, Below!)
           PEACE@U ALL...Sven out 4 now


           The "Innocent Victim"



           The Terrible Wounds



           The "Evil Assailant"


           (Scroll down for the nice "BEFORE" pictures...)

           Hildagard's Home!!! (finally)... Man, what a LONG strange trip it's been! As many of you know, Hilda was our 1st VW, and we took her off the road 6 years ago to get a QUICK paint job!!... Well, many many moon cycles later the body work and paint and headliner are in... now comes the seat upholstory and a short list of needed parts... but hey, she's back and I'll be getting her tagged soon! Look for us next week @ the BK!... Now, many of you will remember the white clouds over blue sky painted bus, her new skin is "l360" or "Gulf Blue", as the VW chart said!...







           In other NEWS, The Tarpon Springs Cruise-in will be held the 1st Saturday of each month, so October 4th is the next one! SEE BELOW (scroll down 2 clicks...)

           Oh, and don't forget, it's time again for the Pinellas Park German American Club "Octoberfest"!... It starts this month, September 26-27, and will be the next 2 friday and saturday evenings... It's only a couple of bucks per person, and they have the big tent with ALL the German trimmings!... We're gonna be there the 1 friday nite (Sept 26th), and so should you and yer VW!... I can tell you, those OLD german people really get a kick out of seeing our cars and buses... the beer is cold and the schnitzle is hot come out and do the chicken dance with us!... Stay tuned for Octoberfest pix!...
PEACE@U ALL!
-Sven out

Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Cruise-in
Tarpon Springs, Florida

           The Tarpon Springs Cruise-in will be held the 1st Saturday of each month. It's a gathering of Aircooled VW's on the scenic, historic Sponge Docks. Come out and join the fun with your Air Cooled VW. Meet new friends, grab some great food, enjoy the picturesque Anclote River. Cruise-in starts at 6 PM, and ends when the last guy leaves. email for more information. TarponVWnews@yahoo.com


****** Don't Forget******
11-7-08

           This year is the 8th annual Rare and Unique Slam starting at 3:00 pm until the Fat lady sings . Addmission is $15 a head, childern are free. All you can eat food from 5-8 and free drinks and beer ALL NIGHT LONG!! Live music from 6pm-12am. NO Trailer Queens!

New for 2008:
11-6-08
6:00pm-9:00pm

           Start out at a new hip cafe in Bradenton, Central Cafe, great food and great atmosphere, then after filling up on great food, cruise out to The Distillery for some great music and Beer!

Address for:
Central Cafe
906 Manatee Ave. East
Bradenton, Fl 34208

See you at Both!


           Then Gail Love, in Orlando, is putting together a really nice show for later this year called Jingle Bugs Rock! and it will be held at Old Town in Kissimmee on December 14th. The purpose is to help raise toys for the US Marine Corps's Toys for Tots annual Christmas program and to just have some fun with the guys around the holidays. There was really no good shows going on around December so he thought he would give it a try, and Old Town is a great place in that there is plenty to do, both at Old Town and the surrounding area, as you know. And the good thing is that the show can easily hold 1000+ cars, probably the biggest anywhere in the state. This year won’t be nearly that big. but he's hoping next year they might be able to give away a car and more!
The website can be found at: http://jinglebugsrock.com/....sounds fun...I'll B there...

           PEACE@U
           Sven out.

           Hello fellow air-cooled freaks, how's your Summer going? I bet "HOT!" is the typical answer, but hey. the fall is only a few months away... and speaking of the fall, Saturday, October 18th, in Bradenton, it will be the annual drag event called "The FixxFest 5"... Yeah, its a mostly water-cooled event, but there is a large air-cooled group that shows up to remind all the newbies just what an air-cooled VW can do! More info @ FixxFest.info



           And then, a week later, on October 25th, in Largo, we will be welcoming the 1st Annual VW Family Picnic!!! Located at Taylor Park (1100 8th Ave S.W., Largo Fl 33770) from NOON to 6PM... We will be playing a game of kickball, tug of war & sack races! Sounds fun, eh? We have started a thread on The Samba Web site... Just CLICK HERE and leave your question or comments, or call "the brains" behind this event, Duane Yarborough, aka Oval D(727-501-3798)... Yes, he's the same guy you can call for service on your air-cooled VW, too. (Yes, he also does paint&body work! The guy's really GOOD!) Make plans NOW to attend the 1st Annual VW Family Picnic!!! Saturday, October 25th!

           Oh, and before I forget, on Saturday, July 26th @ the Burger King, there will be a large group of VWs driving over from north Tampa. (also has a Samba thread going, too) So, make plans to be at the BK that nite, it will ROCK... Ive heard people will have some swapmeet stuff out and Teri Ent will have her toys and stuff, too. (look for her in the "Volkslore" video) I'll see ya there! Ask me about the progress of my bus...! We're just weeks away from final paint! Stay tuned for more info & pix. Thanks for all the love and support guys... stay cooool...

           PEACE@U
           Sven out.

           Hey all!!! I'm now ready to announce that the male winner of the VW4Life/Wild Weekend Tatoo Contest was, in fact, Andy Donley! And you heard it here, LAST!!! Sorry for the delay in Posting it, Andy, but, better late...

           YouTube Alert!!!
           I invite everybody to check out the V-double-YouTube video of local VW freak chick, Ms. Teri Ent, at the Miami Show, this past February. The Producer's name is Jeff Hacket and his Series is called "Volkslore". This is #2 in the Series. Check it out! Click this link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZGq1mp9gtI
Maybe we'll see him next year @ the "Wild Weekend, April 2009"... Which, by the way, will be the 50th Birthday of the Type 2 Bus!!! BIG PLANS AHEAD! STAY TUNED!

           Thanks for all your love and support...
           Sven out.

P.S. Look for the September Issue of Hot VW, covering the Wild Weekend 2008! Coming Out SOON!
That's the September Issue, on sale August 5th, 2008!

           Was it Wild enough for you? OK, it's taken me a few days to get my thoughts together enough to write about our 'LITTLE!" VW Annual Extravaganza...

           Friday nite, my son Jamison, Larz Gilbert and his brother James (see pic below), arrived at the track as only the 2nd aircooled there... Meanwhile, as the waterboxers poured in, the sparsely sprinkled-in aircooled VWs parked on the west side of the track. The night was off to a great start when about 15 minutes of the wet stuff started falling out of the sky! The race track people did a great job of drying out the track, and racing got back underway...



           My highlight of the evening had to be JBbug's 1960 BUS, tearing up the track all night! Geat job guys! We got out of there by 11pm, because the AM would come very fast, and it did! We were on the Pier, setting up by 7:30AM... Now, if you've ever been to the Pier show, you know, "SPACE" is in great demand... with only 140 or so places to park VWs, our event sold out in about 1 1/2 hours! I HATE turning away anyone, but many NICE VWs did NOT make it into the show... (something I will address in a later update!) But, for those who were lucky enough to spend the day in the Florida sun on our beloved Pier, MUCHO fun was had by everyone... The VW tatoo contest went off with the best female tat going to local favorite Bluma(Blu), with her John Meirs inspired, VW firing order on the back of her neck, and the best male tat going to Andy Donley, with his way cool, flamming VW cog on his elbow tatoo. The kids, both young and old, enjoyed Hotwheel diecast racing for cash, sponsored by the Pier's own, Joe & Bonnie Madonia! From a balloon/stilt-walker tieing up ballons for the kids, to the just old school fun of throwing a fishing line over the seawall behind your favorite VW, this venue just ROCKS!

           Im proud to say that we have a really unique location for a car show, a real winner! And speaking of car show winners, they were the following:

Sven's Top 25:
Jeanie Byrd's 1970 Ghia
Milton Humphaey's 1967 Rail Buggy
Micheal Sabin Jr.'s 1967 Bus
Jerad Pitts' 1966 Beatle
Eric Hovland's 1973 Thing,
Vicky Kogel's 1958 type-1 Cabriolet
Edwin Cuencu's 1966 Dune Buggy
Jose Cuenca's 1967 Dune Buggy
Brian Mayhue's 1972 Super Beatle
Perry Burns' 1956 Oval Bug
Martin Nielsen's 1960 Dblecab
Dan Mortensen's 1965 Bug
Jeffery Brown's 1966 Bug
Ian Kogel's 1963 Crewcab
Jose & Mildred Molina's 1971 Ghia
Roberto Rodriguez's 1961 Vert
Ted Hart's 1968 Bug,
Kip Zimmerman's 1957 Singlecab
Joe Morton's 1969 Bus,
Ray & Jan Schmidt's 1968 Citation Kitcar
Pete Blanco's 1966 Bus
Jim Stevens' 1971 Westy Bus
Ricardo Francos' 1993 Westy Eurovan
Ashlie Fisher's 1968 Notchback
Kevin Arseneau's 1965 21-Window Delux Bus

People's Choice Award:
Felix Rodriguez's 1978 Westy Bus

Best Hood Ride:
Matt Galbraith's 1967 Squareback

           Sunday's Skyway convoy was 225 VWs-long!... Yeah, that's down a few from last year, but hey, with the price of gas at record numbers, I'm sure that had something to do with it... Anyhow, the amount of NEW people to this event was awesome! Boyd Hill Park was peaceful and full VW and VW families... Thanks to everyone who cleaned up after themselves... Sorry the bathrooms ran out of toilet paper. I will talk with the Park people about that! Anyhow, look for links to photos and videos soon... Thanks to ALL of my SPACE Sponsors and all of the helpers who made this weekend what it was, FUN!!!....and a little wild, eh?...
Oh yeah, go here to see some pictures: ashim1.net
Sven out...

PS, I've got extra Tshirts, if you're interested... $10 each.

           Well, its 2000 and friiging eight! and Im still not done with my restoration on Hilda (my 1970 bus)... Oh she's close to getting her 1st coat of primer, but the swiss cheese kacoon that we had to put her through is almost over! ( See Hilda Pics HERE )... It was over 3 months ago, when Chopper Joe and I rolled her into his shop, and the "to do" list was WAY-LONG! Now, we're close to the end, and my main driving force is local favorite "Oval D"... that guy can do wonders with a welder and grinder!... I thought he was a top notch motor guy, but woooow, he can do it all!!! Team him up with Chopper Joe and back up!! because here comes the magic!!... "Volkswagens Rejoice!"... Yes someone does know what they're doing and YES they can restore that old bug or bus!!... or weld in those repair panels that you've had for too many years now!.... If this is starting to sound a little like a commercial, then sorry, but I gotta get the word out, NOW!.... Call "Chopper Joe" if you have any questions about services or pricing @727-542-5267.... Oval D and him are planning a new shop together on the horizon, but for now its "Chop's Shop"....they are located in North Largo, off Alt19 and Bellaire Blvd. Your VW will thank you!

...now back to our regular scheduled update...

So, what do you call 2 Honda drivers in a shoe box?
A pair of loafers!


Click Here For The Results Of
The 2007 Greatest Ass in the World Contest!


Have a safe new year. Party on!....Svenout

           1-Hot Summer and a 1-Hot VW issue?Hello SPACE cadets and welcome back,boy its sure hot ugh? and speaking of HOT have ya seen the latest issue of HotVWs yet?You havent well then check this out!....We got 4 pages of stellar coverage from Bruce and the boys out in California who put this great magizine together.Go out right now and get your own copy because they are sure to sell out!....Total preformance/Classic Camber gottum and so does Fischer Buggies,I got mine @ Barnes and Noble so get out and buy 1.sVENOUT

           The Birthday Bash was a BLAST! Thanks to the 40 or so VWs who came out to the Hymie Ranch and took in a beautiful day of sunshine, food and VWs...oh and 2 gallons of BEER!!! YUMMY! Big thanks goes out to Ollie Parker, who is the clubs official beer brewer, you da man! Those of us who consumed it, are looking forward to the next batch (my B-day party BASH July 21st @ Tombstone! More info coming!). Anyhow, I always look forward to hanging out with you all, and Sunday was a real good time. I hope you feel the same!
           Click the thumbnails below to view some pics from the Party!

           The last 10 years in this scene have changed my life in so many ways, I can only imagine what the next 10 will bring. I'm already planning next year's Wild Weekend flyer...! Yeah, I'm thinking about a vintage "VW BUS model kit-look"... Stay tuned...

           Hey, do you live in the St Pete area and need a VW mechanic who makes house calls? Well then, you should call my friend (& Club Member) Duane Yarbrough (aka, Oval "D") He is the BEST @ what he does... He knows these motors from front to back, and only charges $25 per hour! (2 hour minimum.) Call him @ 727-501-3798, and tell him Sven sent ya!
           Or hey, do you need some BODY work? Need some pans welded in, or RUST cut out and replaced with METAL? Hey, you & I both know that shit happens, right? Then, you need my other best friend, Joe Morton. He has opened a small shop called, "Chops Shop". He drives that black 1969 baywindow bus with air, that was on the Pier Show! If you saw it, you know what I mean when I say that it's some of the best paint & body work I have ever seen! Call Joe @ 727-542-5267. Oh yeah, he also makes custom roof racks, too!
           Both of these guys will NOT do you wrong! And, your VW will thank you!!!

           Peace @ you all,
           -Sven out

PRETEND MUSIC... IT'S REAL!            Hey, go to PretendMusic.com to checkout & buy some great "Space Music" CDs by my friend, Chris Duffecy. He's just released his 9th CD of original music, titled "A Trick Of Light". It's really great music to get **** to...      Chill.

           Have you heard of Brandon Volkswagen? They are located at 9816 E. Adamo Drive, Tampa, Florida, and if you live in the East Tampa area, this should be your source for parts and service. My wife & I recently purchased a 2004 Passat - 4motion, and let me tell you this, they treated us RIGHT! Sure, it was a long drive from St. Pete to Brandon, just to buy our car... but it was WORTH IT!!! S-E-R-V-I-C-E!!! Our salesman's name was "Reggie", ask for him by name... and, tell him Sven & Gina sent ya!!!

           Have any of you heard about a Web site called, MySpace.com? Chances are, if you have teenagers, they have... It's a place for anyone to connect and network with other people who think alike! Sounds cool, right? Well, they have a HUGE VW fan base, too. The Clubs and Groups Section has a VW Forum for its members to post to and use. And, the whole thing is FREE! Now, it's NO Samba, I'll tell ya right now. But, it is a whole new world for us VW FREAKS who just can't seem to get enough of all things VW! ("Yes Honey, I'll be off the computer soon!")

           And, while you're on the MySpace site, click on the Music Section... It's huge, too! Note: My band has a Page on MySpace! Click this link to view the Page and download MP3s of some of our songs and jamms! MySpace.com/3tribesofthemoon

           Again, it's all about MY SPACE and YOUR SPACE! So, go out there & explore the cyber world around us... This digital domain is yours to control and use!!!

PEACE@you all,
Sven-out

           If your looking for a coool VW gift, then check out this VW-Partsman! They're perfect for the garden, or front yard. They're made out of 100% VW motor parts and will last a lifetime. The creator of these little works of art is "5$ Robb", or Robert Webb, as his mother calls him! The going rate is only a mere $50 each. Call him NOW to reserve yours... He's only gonna make a few, so call NOW... Operators are standing by... Call 727-544-3690... (Also, ask about the "$350 turnkey 1600 rebuilt-motor" special!!!)

The VW-Partsman by Robert Webb

And, if you want a cool Web Site Design for your business, Contact my friend, Chris Duffecy, at CJD Productions / Lucrative Internet Services. He does our Web site.