By Glen Woodcock

Because a new season of old car auctions is about to begin, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the state of the hobby (if hobby is even the right word any more).

Today, it’s become more of a business than a recreational pursuit.

What triggered these dark thoughts were the promo ads on the Speed channel for its live coverage of the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. starting Jan. 17, 2012.

Because of its inflated prices, I think this annual televised event has done more harm than good to the average collector/restorer of vintage vehicles.

I’ve also been thinking a lot about a recent television documentary on how the fine art market has been transformed from one where knowledgeable collectors bought works for their intrinsic value to one where speculators now rule. Art is no longer bought for its beauty, but as something to be added to the wealthy investor’s portfolio. Not to be enjoyed for what it is, but for how much money it can bring a few years down the line.

I think the same thing has happened in the world of old cars. The investors have taken over and prices have gone through the roof. Continue reading »

Article source: http://www.altonaecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3439477

Ronald Ahrens for The New York Times1963 Volkswagen 23-Window Deluxe Microbus Samba, with its matching 1971 camper, on Saturday.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Joe Ingram, a high school teacher of history and government, learned a welcome lesson here on Saturday. The Barrett-Jackson auction still has room for the little guy.

Mr. Ingram, who teaches at Twentynine Palms High School in California’s Mojave Desert, threw his weight around with help from his 1963 Volkswagen Microbus and matching trailer.

The Deluxe Samba 23-window bus, a rolling testimonial to automotive fenestration, towed a 1971 Eriba Puck camper across the auction block on Saturday before selling for $128,700. Continue reading »

Article source: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/a-volkswagen-bus-with-no-junk-in-its-trunk/

If there’s an age limit on playing with Legos, we don’t want to know about it. The plastic blocks are the perfect time waster, and while we’re sad to say that we’ve let our maniac skills waste away over the past two decades or so, we’re still glad to know that there are people out there keeping the magic alive. People like Marshal Matlock. Matlock recently decided to whip up the Volkswagen T1 Camper Van set in his spare time and was kind enough to shoot a time-lapse video of the endeavor.

The feat required over 1,800 photographs all compressed into 24 frames per second, and the result is a video that soaks up a little over a minute and a half of your day. Watching the van assemble itself and ride off frame is well worth your time, though be warned: you’ll probably want to pick the kit up for yourself after you’re done watching the clip. Hit the jump to check it out.

News Source: FBTB via YouTube

Article source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/11/lego-vw-van-time-lapse-build-is-the-best-advertisement/

Volkswagen buyers in the Netherlands will soon have the opportunity to get their hands on a brand-new 2012 Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus. That’s right, the original hippie van will be available brand-new in Holland starting soon.

How is that possible? Well, while the buses went out of production a long time ago in Europe and the states, South Americans have been enjoying unfettered access to the Type 2 (currently sold there as the Kombi) for decades. The Type 2s slated for the streets of Holland will be built and sold in Brazil with their South American-market counterparts and shipped to the Dutch market.

For now, the campers are only scheduled to be available in Holland, but they’ll be eligible for registration anywhere within the European Union. We think things will stay that way, so don’t expect any to make it Stateside.

Article source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/12/volkswagen-type-2-camper-van-returns-to-europe-via-brazil/

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24 October 2011 | JDavis

The Viano Marco Polo is a combination of everything you have ever wanted from a camper van and so much more.  The van meets your initial desires, comfort, safety and power but it then goes on to offer you high end features you would expect to see from a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.  Features like an easy-glide sliding door, a lockable valuables compartment, fully equipped kitchen, electropneumatically inflatable seat cushion bolsters, wood look floor and to literally top it off, a roof bed.  What else could you want from a compact luxury home on wheels?  Well, for the earth friendly cross-country drivers, Mercedes installed the Viano with a four-cylinder BlueEFFICIENCY diesel engine with a displacement of 2.15 litres and the V6 with its 3.0 liters with CO2 emissions and fuel consumption at record-breaking low figures.

Viano Marco Polo: big shot among the compact camper vans

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