http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/funeral-firm-is-offering-a-unique-vw-104744

A MIDLAND funeral firm is offering Volkswagen fans the ultimate send-off – by using a VW camper as a hearse

A MIDLAND funeral firm is offering Volkswagen fans the ultimate send-off – by using a VW camper as a hearse.

Clare Brookes and business partner Michelle Orton, both aged 35, created the camper van when they launched their unique funeral van three years ago.

The Tamworth-based pair, who are VW enthusiasts, spent £8,000 restoring it and following the company’s first funeral in December 2007, business has been booming.

It’s believed to be the only Volkswagen hearse car of its kind in the world.

Clare and Michelle also offer bereaved families the choice of a stretched Beetle Limousine and bus and camper van fleet for funeral hire.

Clare said: “I have always loved cars and so I thought to myself, ‘What would I like to go off in?’ I just thought, ‘Stick me in a camper van’.

“If that’s what I’d want, I thought there had to be a market out there.

“Our camper van was born in 1972 and was a motorway body removal vehicle, so it was similar to a hearse before.

“We just changed the metal flooring to wood.” The van, which has hire charges starting at £400, has been used for more than 40 funerals nationwide. Clare said: “People will naturally interact with the van and touch it. It also breaks down the barriers and gives people something else to talk about at a funeral.

“While many families continue to prefer traditional funerals, an increasing number are now changing traditions in many ways.

“We are often called in to provide a tribute when a young person has died. The look of the VW can help brighten a very sad and difficult day.”

Nichola Green, who used the VW hearse for her father’s funeral said: “When my dad Brian passed away suddenly earlier this year my family were looking for a funeral service with a difference and which reflected him as an individual.

“Dad had seen the hearse at a classic car show and thought it was a great idea but we didn’t think we would be calling upon it quite so soon.

“While the day was a very sad occasion, the hearse looked brilliant when it arrived at our house. Dad would have been amazed.”

The California Camper model has been a staple of Volkswagen’s T series of vans. In July, VW’s Commercial Vehicles arm marked the manufacturing of the 50,000th T5 California camper van at its Limmer plant.

The anniversary vehicle is a California Comfortline in Natural Grey with 7-speed DSG, a 138hp (140PS) TDI engine and BlueMotion package. The 50,000th California will be on show at this year’s Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf (August 30 – September 7) on the firm’s stand.

“The Volkswagen T5 California is the most popular and best-selling camper van in its class. Today, we have completed production of the 50,000th T5 California since 2004. And this year, with a figure of over 8,100 units, we will achieve the highest level of annual production yet,” said Dr. Eckhard Scholz, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand.

The VW California is offered in two versions: the California Beach with a basic level of equipment for occasional overnight stops and the California Comfortline with full camper van amenities for longer tours. To date, 13,000 units of the California Beach have been produced, while for the California Comfortline, the number is 37,000.

The California production facility belongs to the Special Vehicles business unit of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which converts the Transporter and Multivan ranges for special uses. These include operations vehicles for the police, postal and customs services, plus taxis, vehicles for people with disabilities, the Multivan Business and especially the T5 California.

Since the launch of the California model, its popularity has grown with every new generation. Production figures for the T3 version reached 22,000 and for the T4 version 39,000. The latest T5 version has so far racked up 50,000 sales, with manufacturing being continued on a two-shift basis to meet high demand.

By Dan Mihalascu 

http://www.harrogate-news.co.uk/2014/09/09/harrogate-interiors-business-helps-restore-classic-vw-campervan-nspcc-show-garden/

Harrogate-based Richard Grafton Interiors recently completed an unusual commission – helping to refurbish the interior of 48 year old Roxy, an iconic Volkswagen camper van which will take pride of place in the NSPCC garden at the Autumn Flower Show next week.

Based in The Ginnel, the interiors business took on the challenge of providing design advice and curtain fabrics for Roxy’s owner, customer and NSPCC volunteer Susanne Guthrie who has spent the last 18 months undertaking a complete restoration of the 1966 vehicle. Ampleforth designer Susanne bought the classic camper van in 2008 and has completed its makeover in time for it to star in her debut garden for the national children’s charity at Harrogate Flower Show (12-14 September).

Susanne, a volunteer for the NSPCC for over 10 years, has designed a garden called ‘Wishes for Children’ which represents a child’s journey from fear and darkness to safety and hope with Roxy symbolising a safe haven, happiness and freedom.

Susanne said: As I’m a regular customer of Richard Grafton Interiors, I knew exactly where to go for expert design advice as I set about restoring Roxy to her former glory.

I worked closely with senior designer Kim Robb who is the proud owner of a 1976 VW campervan and as a fellow enthusiast, I knew she would be able to give Roxy the perfect finishing touch.

I’m hoping that Roxy’s starring role in the NSPCC’s garden will attract lots of visitors and help convey the message that many children still face abuse and the charity has a vital role in providing help and support.

Susanne, a mother of three, studied horticulture at Bishop Burton College and has a Diploma in Plantsmanship from the London Physic Garden, but is better known for designing hats for her North Yorkshire-based millinery business.

http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Taunton-man-clads-VW-camper-van-interior-denim/story-18970941-detail/story.html

Eat your heart out, Jeremy Clarkson, this is the stylish way to sport jeans at the wheel.

Paul Millard’s 1966, 11-window, split-screen van, proudly displayed at the Vanwest VW Festival at Warren Farm in Brean, Somerset, on Saturday, certainly caught the eye.

Paul, a 52-year-old builder from Taunton, has clad the interior with denim, but the exterior has been allowed to remain originally ‘distressed’.

It received the thumbs up from hundreds of VW fanatics who visited the show over the weekend.

Read more: http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Taunton-man-clads-VW-camper-van-interior-denim/story-18970941-detail/story.html#ixzz3CkDlZcyX
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Read more at http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Taunton-man-clads-VW-camper-van-interior-denim/story-18970941-detail/story.html#bLTPzEzcpgbjAVYW.99

http://www.instructables.com/id/VW-Hubcap-Clock/

For a VW nut like me, there is only one way to spend time… Working on my VW, of course! But, alas, how do I keep track of time? Well, after countless swap meets, there came the birth of a new type of clock: a hubcap clock.

My original intent was to hang it in my garage, but having a clock also would’ve been another trip to the store. So the hubcap clock was born. You will also need a clock mechanism, and a basic one from Hobbycraft should do or you can steal one from an old unused clock you may have in the garage.

Basically, once you have cleaned your hubcap up, you want to drill a hole through the center of it. Start with a small hole, and gradually grow to the size of the mechanism. This may seem slower, but it is more accurate. Once drilled, sand or file down any rough edges, and thread you mechanism into the hubcap. Put the nut on the outside, and viola! Your done! Now just find that empty spot on the wall in your garage to hang it on, and all of your friends will want one. I apologize for the lack of photos, I made this before I made the instruct able. Thankfully, it is a fairly easy project.

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Mercedes-explores-VW-camper-van-territory-new/story-22889374-detail/story.html

Mercedes is attempting to muscle into the market traditionally dominated by VW’s camper van fans.

At the annual Düsseldorf Caravan Salon the company launched its new Marco Polo Activity “recreational vehicle”.

Developed with the help of Westfalia and based on Merc’s standard V-Class, it seats or sleeps up to five people and comes complete with wardrobe and retractable table.

The Marco Polo is available with five engine variants and three drive types, and can be customised to individual requirements. Mercedes say it’s the “ideal vehicle” for young families as well as for sports and outdoor activity enthusiasts.

It is equipped as standard with a three-seater bench with one-piece backrest and bed extension. The bench can be slid forward on rails the capacity of the luggage compartment can be more than doubled in an instant to accommodate surfboards, paragliding equipment or even a bicycle inside the vehicle.

Anyone who requires even more room, such as for carrying newly purchased shelf units, can also use the surface of the bed and the floor underneath the bed as load space.

Under the bed are two drawers that can be removed, allowing items to be loaded in the resulting space.

The bench seat converts into a bed measuring 1.93 metres by 1.35 metres “for three people” says Mercedes. Presumably they have to know each other well.

A roof bed under the pop-up roof on board the new Marco Polo, sleeps another two.

Featuring a cold foam mattress and “special spring elements with high point elasticity” Mercedes claims this “luxury” bed offers “a standard of lying comfort that is exceptional in the segment”.

When not in use it can be folded upwards at the front when the roof is raised to increase headroom.

At the same time, the two side ventilation slits in the concertina direct fresh air into the interior alongside the two standard-fit vent windows in the rear, which can be opened and closed electrically.

The front seats can also be swivelled – outwards by 50 degrees and inwards by up to 180 degrees.

The table also includes a bottle holder and two cup holders. More bottle holders, cup holders, stowage compartments as well as five 12 volt power sockets are to be found on the sidewalls of the rear compartment, in the cockpit and in the luggage compartment.

Lighting is provided by four reading lamps in the rear and two adjustable LED gooseneck lamps on the roof bed.

A detachable awning – a first in this market sector – is an optional extra.

Buyers are able to choose from four-cylinder diesel engines with five output ratings ranging from 88 hp to 190 hp. Three different drive configurations are on offer, with a choice of front-wheel and rear-wheel drive.

For the front-wheel drive, the new 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit with common-rail direct injection is available with 88 hp or 114 hp. The turbodiesel returns a claimed 44.1 mpg.

Greater performance is provided by the 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with two-stage turbocharging in conjunction with rear-wheel drive. This is available with an output of 136 hp, 163 hp or 190 hp.

The 163hp returns a class-leading 48.7 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 152 g/km.

The top-of-the-range Marco Polo Activity 250 BlueTEC places 190 hp and 440 Nm of torque on tap while achieving a claimed 47mpg.

UK pricing and specification are still to be confirmed. The price could be the clincher.

http://strikemagazine.co.uk/2014/08/20/martin-dorey-interview/

It wasn’t long ago that for many of us, holidays involved hopping on a plane and heading off to warmer climes. Every summer, Brits flocked to the Spanish Costas armed with bronzing lotion and speedos, ready to turn themselves into the bronzed Adonis. We would bemoan the fact that our European neighbours had secured a poolside lounger several hours before we lifted our sangria soaked heads off our pillows and we’d become cross when the shops closed in the afternoon. While enjoying the Spanish sun, we would go out of our way to find a decent cup of tea or fry up and speak loudly and slowly to the locals in our own native tongue. We would become frustrated at the fact that things weren’t quite like they are in Great Yarmouth, where tea tastes like PG Tips, everyone speaks the same language and the Germans were very much uninterested in our deckchairs.

Simply speaking, we were looking for Britain, only abroad.

Times have changed, however. For an ever increasing number of British holiday makers, the answers lie in simplicity – finding those gems which were sat quietly and modestly on our very own doorstep. The growing awareness of the beauty and variety of our very own island home has led to a boom in holidaying in the UK and, in particular, renting, or owning a campervan.

The image of the campervan summons thoughts of lazy, hazy summer days; campfires and cosy nights. It conjures the romance, and there is some, of camping and living a more simple life.

As a proud owner of a VW Campervan, I can count myself among the number of holiday makers who have been swept along by the tide of camper van enthusiasts. For me, driving with my family into the furthest corners or well hidden nooks of the UK in the van is to escape the grind, to leave the stresses and strains in doors and be somewhere else – anywhere but home. However, we have learnt some hard lessons in the past four years – holidays in the camper are fraught with do’s, don’ts and think-it-through-before-you-do-its. It isn’t always plain sailing and organisation is a big deal.

The unfathomable lows have been many – there have been frozen gas bottles and cooking disasters, there have been breakdowns, over heatings and malfunctions. There have even been battles with destructive gale force winds, broken awnings and children who have decided it is time to get up at 4am. On the flip side, though, are priceless moments of joy – seeing a meteor shower over Dorset, slowly cooking bacon while looking across the Derby Dales, dining on the banks of Loch Lomond beneath a breath-taking, dramatic, ruby-red sunset.

My little family has got the camper bug and we are most certainly not alone.

So, what is behind this glorious rediscovery of home from the steering wheel of the VW Camper? I caught up with Martin Dorey – writer, TV presenter, surfing addict, VW owner and guru of the Campervan lifestyle, to find out about this brave new world of camper vanning.

ND: Hi Martin, thank you for taking the time to speak to Strike Magazine. What do you think is behind the boom in the VW Camper scene and the camper lifestyle in recent years?

MD: I think a lot of it has to do with people looking for something different, with another way of life. They see the camper as giving them that opportunity to get away from the mortgage and the 9-5 and all that rubbish and take off without a care in the world. It’s the image that does it and that gets perpetuated by the media and advertising and more people get into the idea and so on and so forth. I don’t get why people bemoan it – it’s a fantastic thing to happen. Look at all the buses that will get rescued and brought back to life because of it!

ND: How has the scene evolved or changed – is the cooking getting any better? Are there more herbs and less Beanfeasts? 

MD: There’s more money I guess. More families, more people looking for that lifestyle.

As for the cooking I have no idea!! I’d like to think so. I get lots of tweets from people showing me their camping food. A lot of it is very impressive.

ND: I have to admit to having tweeted you during a Beanfeast and rice crisis! Our night was saved by a good bottle of red and a stunning view of Dorset!

ND: What would be your advice for newbies, wishing to get started in owning and using a camper?

MD: Think long and hard about it. Have you got the cash? Will you be able to maintain your bus properly? Have you got a decent mechanic to look after it or will you do it yourself? Have you hired one for the weekend to see what it’s really like? Have you got your eyes open?

Basically, take someone with you when you buy so you don’t buy a wreck and be 100% committed. It’s not just for life… it’s for Christmas as well. And that can be very cold!

ND: For me, the point about thinking it through is the key. We naively purchased an old van without really considering the costs involved in keeping it running and we soon found ourselves with mounting bills and falling mileage. The idea of owning the classic vehicle over took our usual level headed approach to buying things. We tried several mechanics but struggled to find one who was reliable and, let’s face it, honest. Eventually, we sold a non-runner as we could no longer afford repairs and eventually invested in a modern van.  

I can vouch for the cold, having spent a few nights on the banks of Loch Lomond when the temperature plummeted to -6 degrees celcius over night!

So there we have it – VW Campers are not just for those sunny get aways, but also for those year round escapes. This is a scene which is always growing and shows no signs of stopping. There is no better way of unlocking the true majesty of our little gem of an island than to do it at your own pace in the cosy confines of a camper with your nearest and dearest.

Martin Dorey has written two books relating to the world of campervans – The Campervan Cookbook and The Campervan Coast. These provide reference points both for beginners and more accomplished campers. He also presented his own BBC TV show ‘One Man and His Campervan. You can find out more about Martin Dorey at his website:  http://www.martindorey.com

http://www.camper-van-fun.com/pop-top-camper.html

So, what makes a pop top camper van so unique and versatile more than any other vehicle? It’s the compact size of a van with the addition of a fiberglass or aluminum pop top roof which, when opened with the sides surrounded by different canvas materials (cotton, airtex, etc), gives a normal van full standing height inside and an extra double bed on the top. As a result you get a compact, fuel efficient multi purpose adventure vehicle. Equipped with all the basics such as a cooler, cooker, running water, cupboards, closets and a table with front swiveling seats for those sociable mealtimes. It can either be your daily driver or your adventure companion, taking you far away from the crowds. Add a four wheel drive to all the above and you’ll get a perfect and compact adventure vehicle!

The Concept

The concept of the pop top camper was introduced back in the 1960’s on Westfalia camper vans and fifty years later, nothing has surpassed its versatility. Westfalia Volkswagen Baywindow and… the Joker or Vanagon I was a small kid back in the 1970’s and as far I can remember, I had a soft spot for those Westfalia camper vans back then. Our family used a camping tent at the time, and whenever the rain poured down, the idea of staying in one of those cozy camper vans was of course more then inviting. In fact, I have always been attracted by compact and efficient solutions of any kind, so when I stepped in the camping van world, the choice was obvious. Pop top camper vans are found based on different types of vans today. Volkswagen van has been the number one choice for this type of camper van conversions since the 1960’s, while a few other conversions use other base vehicles. The Mazda Bongo and Toyota HiAce and a few others represent the Japanese versions commonly used in Australia and New Zealand. Americans do things their own way and Sportsmobile, GTRW and Pleasure-Way represent the American-style versions. A bit larger then similar European or Japanese vans, with plush upholstery, quality workmanship, and the ability to build your camper van the way you want based on Ford, Chevy/GMC and Sprinter vans. A few smaller models are available, the smallest of the bunch based on MPV’s such as the recent Citroen Nemo and converted by one of the British finest, the Romahome.

Homemade Pop Top Camper

How about a homemade camper van? The German Reimo has over 30 years of experience in the pop top business and a few dealers around the world. Besides converting their own vehicles, they also provide just about anything you need to build your camper van, including pop top and high top roofs. Or check on eBay to source out used roofs, furniture or anything else you might need. The German SCA is another company you might consider, if you’re looking for pop-top or high top roofs. Depending on the conversion company, the pop top roof can open in a V-shape either up in the front or in the back, sideways and fully erect versions are also available. The sides are made from durable fabric materials and include large windows with integrated mosquito nets.

 Multipurpose Functionality

The interior layout is more or less standard for most camper vans of this type, with the kitchen cupboards and storage room running along the drivers side, the rear bench converting into a double bed and the swiveling front seats creating a small, but comfy lounge with one or two swiveling tables. Depending on the conversion other layouts are available as well. My wife and I use the top bed to sleep on most of the time. We kind of enjoy the close contact with nature that way and have plenty of fresh air that we both love so much. Sleeping on the top bed actually feels like sleeping in a camping tent with a mattress and a hard roof on top. Our pop top also let’s us hop from one ski slope to another in the winter. We carry a Porta Potti (portable toilet) with us at all times for our needs, neatly located in the van and the Eberspacher heater keeps us warm at night. To keep the opened roof warm, I simply bought a large piece of inexpensive external, 7-ply insulation foil for campers, cut it to size, sewed the border strip around it and Velcro-strips on the back to zip it all together. Do to the fact that pop tops don’t have a shower, we have to use other facilities on the way. We usually find a public swimming pool or check out the local spa near our stopovers. But there are a lot of winter campsites open all year around, so we kind of combine everything together.A pop top camper van can sleep up to four people. But the truth is that it’s comfortable for a couple or a couple with a small kid or two. It’s not a large vehicle, so therefore has only so much room inside.

But active and practical folks that enjoy the great outdoors, appreciate what it has to offer. Being the size of a family car, it’s easy to drive, easy to park, easy on gas and will take you just about anywhere you want to. It has more room inside then any other vehicle its size and do to the low profile, you can park it in almost any garage. The pop top camper solution has been around for 50 years, because many people really appreciate the simplicity it offers. For some folks it might be just too small, while others wouldn’t give it away for the world.

– See more at: http://www.camper-van-fun.com/pop-top-camper.html#sthash.cKHsXMK0.dpuf

http://www.prweek.com/article/1310128/volkswagen-appoints-frank-pr-promote-california-camper-van

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has called in Frank PR to handle its consumer PR projects, including the California camper van.

The new brief tasks the agency with consumer comms around the Volkswagen California and with highlighting the brand’s heritage in camper vans.

In the first of a series of rolling projects for VW’s commercial vehicles division, Frank will look to promote the California as the ultimate ‘getaway’ transport.

Pietro Panarisi, head of press and PR, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK, said: “Over the past 60 years we have built up an envious motoring heritage, which includes some of the most famous and best-loved vehicles of all time.

“We were looking for a partner that could help us spearhead the brand’s media relations activities as we build on our sales success and expand our awareness across non-automotive media. We have been really impressed with Frank’s passion and creative approach to our business.”

Other models in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range include the Caddy, the Transporter and Amarok

Westfalia, the German converter that made its name building pop-top Volkswagen campervans in the 60s and 70s, has confirmed it is to again build a VW camper with a rising roof. At its German headquarters, the respected manufacturer, which now has two UK dealers – Lowdhams in central England and VW Campersales on the south coast – confirmed that it will build another rising roof VW campervan, this time on the latest T5.

The company’s CEO, Mike Reuer, said the project will produce a campervan “that reconnects to our history and heritage”.

Westfalia began creating VW campers in 1951 when it built a one-off for a British Army officer stationed in Germany. So popular was its so-called “Camping Box” built on a VW Bulli T1 that it went into production, but it was not until the 1960s that Westfalia added its famous rising roof.

Since then it has diversified into producing other models on other base vehicles. But now, some 50 years after it first started installing rising roofs onto its campervans, Westfalia will again build a pop-top VW camper.
The new campervan will be sold here by both dealers and possibly a third, which is expected to be appointed by this time next year.

The new VW will sit in Westfalia’s line-up above the entry-level Amundsen and Columbus, which are both based on Fiat Ducatos, and below the Club Joker, which is also on the VW T5 but has a fixed roof.

While the full specification and pricing of the right-hand drive UK models are still to be finalised, they are expected to be priced between £45k and £50k.

Westfalia also confirmed that the new VW, which is currently known by its working name of ‘Tradition’, will feature a rising roof that is hinged at the front and rises from the rear.

A hint at the design and layout of Westfalia’s new model can be seen in the Renault Trafic-based Mirande campervan, which is built by Westfalia’s sister company, Campérêve. Both Campérêve and Westfalia are owned by French company, Rapido.

The Mirande also features a front-hinged rising roof and has a layout that has a toilet at the rear, a central shower area and a galley along the opposing side. At the front there is a full dinette (see above).
A prototype of the new VW is expected to appear at October’s NEC show in Birmingham, while the final model should be ready for production by February 2015.

“This will not be another VW California,” said Laurent Lafitte, Westfalia’s Sales Manager for Europe. “And it will not be a Club Joker with a tilting roof; it will be something completely new.”

It will also widen Westfalia’s appeal in the UK – the company only returned here in February when it appointed Lowdhams.

More details of Westfalia’s 2015 campervans will appear in September’s issue of MMM, available here.