4th Annual Chippewa Valley VW Club

5th Annual Chippewa Valley VW Club's 2003 Car Show & Swap
June 21, 2003

Nick and I woke up bright and early at 5 am for the 3 and a half hour drive up to Eau Claire for the Chippewa Valley Volkswagen Club's 5th Annual Show and Swap. Ralph, the 57 Oval, was ready to go as always and didn't give us any problems. Even though this show is a long drive it is well worth it. The Chippewa Valley Volkswagen Club members are some of the nicest VW enthusiasts I have met and they put on a well organized show.

The location at the Eau Claire County Expo Center is easy to find and an ideal location. They have free camping the night before and after the show with bathroom/shower facilities right at the expo center. Very convenient for the bus folks and those who have tents. A Llama show was being held the same day as the VW show and provided the family with another type of show to view. There were plenty of activities to keep the children busy, too; coloring contest, paint the bus, and minnow races.

Food and drink were available for purchase from the concession stand. By noon, there were a good number of VWs on display. There were at least 60, maybe more. There was a lot of variety, too. Buses, Beetles, Dune Buggies, Customized, Stock, even a 411 and 412. There was a couple who drove their double cab from California and were traveling on to Texas for a family reunion. They were camping in the bed of the double cab! What dedication. The longest distance award went to them. There was another couple from Arizona at the show as well.

Club member, Doug Gourley, brought his recently completed modified Bug. That Beetle doesn't even look like the same Beetle but Doug has the pictures to prove it! It really is an awesome customization. I recently posted his pictures on the club member's page. Chack them out. Met one of new members, Dewayne Frase, who tranferred from Atlanta, Ga to Phillips, WI. Dewayne brought his 1953 Zwitter Beetle (has an Oval Beetle's dash with a split window in the back). Another awesome car. Club member, John Benz, brought his pristine Blue Ghia. John showed me some pictures of his newest Ghia Vert that he picked up. Looks like a very nice Vert. Can't wait to see it in person. Also saw Larry Boileau, President of the Milwaukee Area VW Club at the show. Of course, Duane Johnson, Larry and Carrie Simmons, Tristan Henderson, and the rest of the CVVC gang were there doing a great job of putting on a fantastic show.

This year the awards were done differently than in the past and it worked well. Participants were given a ballot with room for the top 25 VWs that they liked. Those top 25 VWs received a cash prize, a certificate, and a CVVC keychain. There were also prizes for special categories; best interior, best stock engine, best of show - air cooled, best of show - water cooled, etc. They received a cash prize, plaque or trophy, etc.

The best part of this show is seeing the folks I have become friends with over the years and to meet new enthusiasts. While I wish that I could have been in three places at one time, it just isn't possible. It was a difficult choice for me to make. The only comforting fact that I can find in all of this is that this weekend offered a nice variety of VW based events for the WI VW enthusiasts.

Sherri Corrao

Click on the pics to enlarge

Plenty of sunshine to soak up today. This Cabrio was for sale. I almost bought it. Too bad Nick was along to talk me out of it. (ha ha) You can have your morning coffee and news in a Westy. CVVC member, Chadly Johnson proves it with his awesome setup.

CVVC members, Larry & Carrie Simmons New Beetle with a hard to beat toy display NWVC club member, Dewayne Frase's 1953 Zwitter Beetle. This Bug has an Oval window's dash and a Split window's rear window. A low mileage example of one to boot. An awesome and rare VW. The water cooled were well represented at the show, too.

A couple from California were using their double cab to camp in on there way to Texas for a family reunion! This Squareback was for sale. It sported a decorated window. The lime green Beetle (Slimer) next to it was reflected in the window but I thought the etched glass was neat.

This 1962 lowered original paint double cab was pretty solid and for sale. Contact Chadly Johnson at (715)552-7842 if interested. It is listed on The Samba, too. Click on the picture to read the sign and find out the details and price.

The Caricature artist captured this Dune Buggies personality in the photo that was drawn during the show. John Upthall's recent restoration of this Ghia is looking good.

A slightly different steering wheel and interior but still very familiar. Where is this Beetle from? Another clue on the quarter panel. Close up of the front quarter panel. Have you guessed it yet?

This little Bug is definitely a survivor. That's right! The license plate is not from WI. A Beetle with a woody conversion. This was one of two at the show.

Put the top down. A couple more Verts. Definitely a good day for them to be out. The light blue with white/silver stripe won Best Paint.


	Plenty of sunshine to soak up today. This Cabrio was for sale. I almost bought it. Too bad Nick was along to talk me out of it. (ha ha)	You can have your morning coffee and news in a Westy. CVVC member, Chadly Johnson proves it with his awesome setup.

CVVC members, Larry & Carrie Simmons New Beetle with a hard to beat toy display	NWVC club member, Dewayne Frase's 1953 Zwitter Beetle. This Bug has an Oval window's dash and a Split window's rear window. A low mileage example of one to boot. An awesome and rare VW.	The water cooled were well represented at the show, too.

A couple from California were using their double cab to camp in on there way to Texas for a family reunion!	This Squareback was for sale.	It sported a decorated window. The lime green Beetle (Slimer) next to it was reflected in the window but I thought the etched glass was neat.

This 1962 lowered original paint double cab was pretty solid and for sale. Contact Chadly Johnson at (715)552-7842 if interested. It is listed on The Samba, too.	Click on the picture to read the sign and find out the details and price.

	The Caricature artist captured this Dune Buggies personality in the photo that was drawn during the show.	John Upthall's recent restoration of this Ghia is looking good.

A slightly different steering wheel and interior but still very familiar. Where is this Beetle from?	Another clue on the quarter panel.	Close up of the front quarter panel. Have you guessed it yet?

This little Bug is definitely a survivor.	That's right! The license plate is not from WI.	A Beetle with a woody conversion. This was one of two at the show.

Put the top down.	A couple more Verts. Definitely a good day for them to be out.	The light blue with white/silver stripe won Best Paint.