All the latest news on VW Campers...

22 September 2008

Teenage Cancer Trust Announces Magic Bus Winner

The Teenage Cancer Trust recently handed over the keys to a unique The Who ‘Magic Bus’ – a 1965 ‘split-screen’ Volkswagen Transporter van donated by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – to Anthony Jones from Irlam in Manchester.

Anthony is the lucky winner of a competition that raised over £32,000 for the charity.  He was selected at random from a total of 8,878 entrants from around the world.

The competition to win The Who Magic bus was launched in April by The Who’s Roger Daltrey CBE, patron of Teenage Cancer Trust, at the opening night of the charity’s annual concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London.  People from all over the world entered the competition by paying £5 a ticket, with all net proceeds going to Teenage Cancer Trust.

The competition attracted an overwhelming majority of entries from the UK (5,728), a large number from the USA and Germany (988 and 916 respectively), as well as entries from Switzerland, Canada, Spain and France.

The Magic Bus is specially branded with The Who’s famous target logo and iconic images of the original four band members, including Keith Moon and John Entwistle, designed by The Who’s art director Richard Evans, who has been working with the band for more then 30 years and has created several outstanding album covers as well as Tour Designs.  The sun visors have been autographed by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend.

Anthony Jones, a construction worker from Irlam, Manchester said, ‘I couldn't believe it when I got the phone call to say I had won the Magic Bus - I was absolutely ecstatic!  I’m a massive fan of The Who and it's such an amazing van, I will treasure it.  Thank you to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Teenage Cancer Trust, you've made me a very happy man!’

Simon Davies, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust commented: ‘This van really has become a Magic Bus.  The money raised from the competition will make such a difference to the many thousands of teenagers and young people diagnosed with cancer every year, enabling us to build more units for them in NHS hospitals.  We are very grateful to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and to The Who for their contribution to this wonderful campaign.’

Anthony was presented with the Magic Bus outside Teenage Cancer Trust’s unit at the Christie Hospital, Manchester by Heather Burns-Mace, Head of Regional Fundraising, Teenage Cancer Trust, along with Richard Evans, The Who’s art director, Anthony’s son, Chay, and a patient from the unit, Jake McDevitt.

The second prize in the competition – a copy of ‘Rock Band’, an interactive computer game from Electronic Arts – went to Thorsten Wasmus from Hanover, the home of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and where the Magic Bus was produced.


4 September 2008

Winnders of Vanfest 'Five Generations of Campervan' Display

The winning Volkswagen vans have been chosen for the ‘Five generations of Campervan’ display at Vanfest, Europe’s largest gathering of Volkswagen vans, which takes place at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern from 12 to 14 September.

The competition for owners to have their vans selected for the special display and each receive £100 worth of items from the retro collection of Volkswagen merchandise was supported by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the organisers of Vanfest.

The oldest van chosen to represent the first generation of the Volkswagen Transporter is a valuable 1966 ‘split-screen’ Samba entered by its proud owner Simon Callum.

The second generation ‘bay window’ model chosen for the display is Allan Ward’s 1968 Devon Eurovette, while the third generation, often known as the T25 or ‘wedge’ is a 1990 Atlantic owned by Philip Clegg.

A red customised 2002 campervan conversion owned by Michael and Anne Whitburn represents the fourth generation of the Transporter, while Martin and Blanche Adams will have the newest van on display with their cool, black Volkswagen California camper complete with chrome accessories as an example of the current fifth generation model.

Over 10 million Volkswagen Transporters have been built since production started with the iconic ‘split-screen’ model in 1950, which must make the Transporter one of the most popular vans in the world.

Now in its fifth generation, today’s California camper is now produced directly by Volkswagen at its own factory to the same high standards as all its vehicles, and sold in the UK with a three year warranty.

The versatile and practical design of Volkswagen campers has made them a great success for travelling as well as an every day vehicle.  The latest California, for example, quickly transforms from a car that fits into multi-storey car parks, into a home from home with an electrically-operated pop-up roof, two double beds, kitchen with fridge, sink and two burner hob, a four-seater lounge with table, plus an outside table neatly stored in its side door with two deckchairs stowed in the tailgate.


16.7.08

Wakeboarding with a Transporter Sportline

Professional wakeboarder, instructor, TV presenter and commentator, Matt Crowhurst, aged 27, is using a Volkswagen Transporter Sportline van to get him and his boards, boat and jetski to a busy schedule of competitions and festivals this summer.

The Transporter has already taken Matt to both Wakestock venues (Blenheim Palace and Abersoch), and next month it will be towing his jetski to the Rip Curl Boardmasters festival in Newquay.

‘Volkswagen vans have always had a cult following.  This van really looks the business and is perfect for all my gear – and for sleeping in, if necessary!’ said Matt.

‘I can fit all my kit in the van, including boards, wetsuits, clothing, winch and a whole lot more, while still towing my jetski or boat and I have a couple of friends plus their gear onboard for the ride,’ he continued.

The stylish Transporter Sportline is available as a van with standard and long wheelbases, and now as a fiver-seater kombi as well.  The Sportline range is distinguished by lowered suspension, special 18 inch alloy wheels, chrome side rails, a rear roof spoiler, plus a lower front spoiler and chrome upper and lower front grilles. 

Inside, the Transporter Sportline has the luxury of bespoke leather upholstery, electric windows and door mirrors, as well as a radio/CD and air conditioning for cool sounds and air.  There’s also plenty of performance with a 2.5-litre TDI PD engine with 174 PS that can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 12.2 seconds.

The Transporter is Volkswagen’s best-selling van.  Since it was introduced in 1950, over 10 million Transporters have been produced making it one of the most popular vans in the world.


14.7.08

Overland to India!

Volkswagen Transporter completes the 27,000-mile round trip!

And you thought it was just old Volkswagen microbuses and hippies that went off to Asia and beyond? Well VWCamperShop can tell you that it's not just the oldies having fun, for word reaches me that a VW Transporter has successfully completed a 27,000 mile trip to the southern tip of India and back and to prove it here's a picture.

Anyroadup it seems that Helen Simpson and Michael Broadwith set off from England in their Transporter campervan (from the specialist converter Bilbo's) and travelled through more than 30 countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Kazakhstan, China and Pakistan without a mechnical murmur from the VW. Then, once they reached the southern tip of India, they turned around and returned home again via various south eastern European countries, including Greece and Turkey. A comprehensive route, blog and a gallery of stunning photos of their adventures can be viewed at www.roundtheworld2007.co.uk.

Some of the many highlights from the trip included the fantastic scenery and friendly people in the Hunza Valley in Northern Pakistan; crossing the 15,600 ft high Khunjerab Pass between China and Pakistan; camping in the van at some stunning, picturesque locations, such as Agonda Beach in Goa, India; and paying as little as 20p a litre for diesel in Kazakhstan in Central Asia.

'We had originally wanted to go on this trip in an old, iconic 1970s Volkswagen van. But the comfort and reliability of the modern Transporter has been invaluable and has really contributed to our enjoyment of the journey,' Helen and Michael tell me, adding: "Our Volkswagen has been the undoubted star of the trip. Wherever we went, the van was surrounded by curious onlookers within minutes. It gets lots of attention, questions and some very envious looks." And why not? Anyway the couple have now safely returned to the UK, but a final highlight of the trip is the news that they are now expecting a baby.


30.6.08

The Sunday Times Takes to the Road in a California

The Sunday Times has chosen a Volkswagen California campervan to circumnavigate the British coastline for a new six-week summer feature in search of the best beaches, idyllic locations and holiday destinations – all guided on the recommendations of readers.

Inspired by a renaissance in home-grown holidays, The Sunday Times will feature a different section of the British coastline each week, starting on 6 July with East Anglia and the area between Southend-on-Sea and Hunstanton. It will continue anti-clockwise around the coastline covering Skegness to John O’Groats in week two, the west coast from Ullapool to Southport in week three, the Welsh seaside in week four and the south west coast from Weston Super Mare to Torquay in week five. The final week features the south coast from Bournemouth to Whitstable, Kent.

Readers can get in touch with Chris Haslam, The Sunday Times travel writer undertaking the trip, at campervanman@sunday-times.co.uk to recommend the very best the British coastline can offer. Once underway Chris will be tracking his progress in a blog which can be found at www.travel.timesonline.co.uk.

‘When you think of a campervan it’s always a Volkswagen,’ says Chris Haslam. ‘The California is a worthy successor to the iconic Volkswagen camper. It’s the perfect vehicle for this road trip and it’s going to hurt to hand it back when the circumnavigation is over,’ he continued.

The California is car-like to drive every day and in its proportions, yet quickly converts to a home from home with two double beds, an electrically operated pop-up roof, cooker, fridge and sink, plus two folding chairs and a portable table stored neatly in the tailgate and side door.


The Who Magic Bus to Make Special Appearance at UK Camperjam

Visitors to CamperJam, a weekend event taking place at Weston Park, Staffordshire, from 20-22 June and which is dedicated to owners and lovers of Volkswagen vans, will have the chance to see and buy tickets for a special 1965 �split-screen� Transporter known as The Who Magic Bus.

The vehicle has been donated by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and liveried by Richard Evans, art director for legendary rock band The Who, and it is being raffled to raise funds for UK charity, Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT). The unique 1965 van features The Who�s famous target logo and Union Jack roof, together with images of the original band members, including Keith Moon and John Entwistle.

Tickets can be purchased from www.thewhomagicbus.com and cost £5 each. All entrants receive a free download of a previously unreleased live performance of �Magic Bus� by The Who. Tickets for CamperJam and full information of the weekend�s activities are available from www.camperjam.co.uk.

Inspiration for the competition stems from a successful collaboration between The Who and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles last year which resulted in a special live performance by the band at a celebration of 60 years of the Volkswagen Transporter.

Stephan Schaller, Head of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: �We really hope that many people will take part in this competition so we can help TCT to support many more teenagers with cancer.�

At the launch of the competition, The Who�s Roger Daltrey CBE said: �As a long standing Patron of TCT, I am delighted to launch this unique competition. It will help TCT raise essential funds so that we can build more teenage cancer units within the NHS. The UK is a world leader in providing this support for teenagers with cancer and in 2008 we will open five new units and start building work on a further two.�

TCT, founded in 1990, focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer, who often receive inappropriate facilities catering for children or the elderly, by providing specialist units in NHS hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities and an environment where teenagers can meet others in a similar situation. TCT has built units in London, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow and Newcastle. TCT also funds a team to teach young people in schools, colleges and universities about cancer, prevention and healthy living. Further information is available from www.teenagecancertrust.org.



Volkswagen Sponsors 'Five Generations' at UK Vanfest 2008

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the organisers of the world�s largest gathering of Transporter campervans, Vanfest, are inviting campervan owners to enter their vehicles into a special �Five Generations of Camper� competition. The winning vehicles will be exhibited at a Volkswagen-sponsored display at the show which takes place at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern from 12-14 September. Around 8,000 Volkswagen campers are expected to attend Vanfest 2008, which is presented annually on behalf of the Volkswagen Type 2 Owners Club.

Volkswagen has an unrivalled and legendary history of campervans, which have been popular for nearly 60 years and one model of each generation will be chosen for the Five Generations of Camper display, including the iconic split-screen models from the 1950s right up to today�s California model. The owner of each vehicle chosen will also receive £100 of approved Volkswagen merchandise.

To enter the competition, owners planning to attend Vanfest 2008 should email photos of their Volkswagen camper with their name, address and telephone number to 5generations@vanfest.org.

The full Vanfest programme includes a live performance by The Drifters, plus other live bands playing in the Transporter Tavern and entertainment marquee, a Cooking in a Camper contest, Show and Shine competition, and four special displays � Well Travelled Transporters, Alternative Engines, The California and a special 50th anniversary collection of Crew Cabs.

There will also be a variety of trade stands, and the latest Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range will be displayed, including the California campervan plus the new Transporter Sportline kombi and seven-seater Caddy Maxi Life.

Full details of Vanfest 2008 and the terms and conditions of the competition are available from www.vanfest.org. For information on the Volkswagen California, visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/california, or call 0800 717131.