Michigan Vintage VW Festival

OUR JOURNEY TO THE
MICHIGAN VINTAGE VOLKSWAGEN FESTIVAL
MAY, 2000

We finally arrived home late on Monday evening. I must apologize, we were bitten by the VW adventure bug. This being our first time out in the bus since last fall, we just didn't want it to end. We had such a great time in Michigan, we decided to drive to the Upper Pennisula and see the Mackinac Bridge (I was told it is the largest suspension bridge and after seeing it I believe it!). After crossing the bridge, we camped by Lake Michigan with a view of the bridge and it was magnificent.

Thursday evening we headed South to caravan with the DBG (Der Busbesitzer Gruppe) Bus Club through Chicago and up to Waterford, MI. We camped at the Pontiac Lakes Recreation Area, a beautiful state park. Sunday afternoon we left VWoA Headquarters in Auburn Hills and headed North up to the U.P. and then back down into Wisconsin. Now I truly understand how big Lake Michigan is because we traveled all the way around it!

The weather was kind to us. It had rained for the past week in Auburn Hills but had cleared out on Friday evening. The sun came out on Saturday morning and 70s were predicted for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday afternoon, we caravaned to VWoA Headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI for the tailgater party. There were vehicles poping in all afternoon to check out who was there and to meet old and new friends. The smell of grilling out filled the air.

Saturday evening a Dinner Banquet was held by VWoA. The DBG Bus Club caravaned to the banquet. We had about 12 buses in our group. This was quite an accomplishment in the metropolis! My husband, Nick and I were the end vehicle and it was our job to radio to the lead when part of the caravan was stuck at a red light. When there is a light at almost every block this can get to be a bit difficult to keep a group together but we did it. The looks we got were as if no one in this city had ever seen that many buses together. We saw so many people looking at the buses that I began to get nervous that we would cause an accident. Sure enough, I heard sqealing tires as a car in the other lane locked up his brakes. Luckily he stopped in time but I'm sure he learned a hard lesson. Our group consisted of a couple bay windows and the remainder were split windows.

At the banquet, the VW sales figures that Steve Keys, Public Relations, of VWoA informed us of were just phenomenol. They presented a short film clip of the recent commercials they have out now. Sally Eberle of VWoA was on hand and a special guest was there as well. Sven Lotterman, son of Willi Lotterman (owner of Lotterman's Volkswagen Dealership of Bad Camburg, Germany) was visiting VWoA and getting some experience working the show on Sunday.

We arrived early for the swap meet on Sunday. No great finds for us, but I saw a lot of others carrying off their treasures. There were a good number of vendors with a variety for all.

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day weatherwise. It was sunny and in the 70s. Two awards were announced before the first "Pass In Review." Bill Collins and Jim Siegfried were awarded the Common Gear "Heroes of Antique Volkswagening Awards" for the year 2000. Jim was not in attendance and a public presentation is going to be given later next month. For more info on this go to the page: http://members.aol.com/cgearannex/HEROES.html

The "Pass In Review" is a special feature that this show presents every year. Several VWs representative of certain years are chosen to drive past the registration tent as a speaker describes some of the history for that particular car. It is a very innovative idea and it makes the show that much more interesting. The show is non-competitive and that makes for an enjoyable show as well. It is much more relaxed.

I have to say that I was completely overwhelmed with the show. It was just so wonderful to see the variety of VWs that came to the show. There was something for every interest; vintage, custom, 356's, buses, new Beetles, and even a few sandrails. I must admit that I was enthralled with a few of the Vintage Beetles. The 1943 Kubelwagen was a big hit with the crowd. I met so many wonderful enthusiasts; young and old. I think that was the best part of the show.

Bill Bowman, NEATO president, did a wonderful job announcing the "Transporters Pass In Review". There was a good selection of Transporters to choose from as there were around 97 buses in attendance. The dash plaque for the show honored the 50 years of the Transporters and is just beautiful. They also had a limited edition miniature keepsake bus that was available for this show.

I did get a chance to check out the museum that they have on site at VWoA Headquarters. There are some awesome VWs in there and I just was in amazement at how wonderfully restored they were. There were several VWs representing early years to the later years. There was a deluxe bus on loan from Concours Motors, Milwaukee that was in superb shape.

The high point of my day, was being introduced to Bob Case, President of MVVC, and his wife, Ellie. I had asked Bob some time ago for some hints about organizing a car show. He graciously wrote me back and offered some wonderful thoughts and ideas. I was impressed by his willingness to help and it was great to finally meet him. I can only hope that someday I'll be able to return the favor that he bestowed upon me. It is wonderful to meet someone in the hobby that is willing to help others make a start. Bob and Ellie gave me a little history about the show. It began with 32 VWs at a dealership in Frankenmuth, MI. It has grown in 13 years to a show with nearly 300 VWs.

I enjoyed the show so much that before I knew it, the show was almost over with. I couldn't believe that I hadn't made it around to everyone I had planned on meeting. I think I was in a daze most of the day from looking at all of the outstanding VWs that were there. I'm sorry if I missed any of you there.

Before we left Michigan(U.P.) on Monday, I picked up a Detroit Free Press newspaper and there was an article on the show in the local section. The sub-headline was "Vintage show attracts 1,500 in Auburn Hills". I will be returning to this show next year if possible. It is definitely worth the drive.

Sherri Corrao
Northern Wisconsin Volkswagen Club - www.nwvc.itgo.com
Northern Wisconsin Chapter Rep.
Vintage Volkswagen Club of America

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