Many of you had been around when the Volkswagen Beetle was probably your first car. It was inexpensive, simple to maintain and would last pretty much till you got really, REALLY tired of it. Well, what is old is NEW again.


Enthusiasts affectionately refer to them as BUGs because of their appearance and the factory name the Beetle.


The Vintage VW Club of Hawaii has a special swap meet 3 times a year where other VW BUG collectors can trade and buy parts that they need to restore their cars. Everything from carburetors to dune buggies and even BUGs for your die cast collection. 



So if you are interested in these vintage Volkswagens, need some parts or are just curious the next event is Sunday May 16 at Waimalu Elementary in the schools parking lot. It is FREE to the public to browse and if you got some parts you need to PART with it is just $5 to be a vendor.


All of the proceeds are donated to the Waimalu Elementary School. Get there early as with all swap meets the early bird gets the worm or in this case the parts. For more information you can contact the Vintage VW Club of Hawaii President Roy at 223-2543


Well I am moving from behind the TV camera and getting my hands dirty again as I help my good friend Bobby Ferreira restore his 1959 Ragtop Bug with Euro Semi Fours. We are also going to be having this as an upcoming "Speed Shop" segment showing you more what NOT to do as both of our experience is rustier that this "59 BUG . The last time I actually did body work and paint was some 20 + years ago when I did it for a living.


Bobby shipped this classic in from the mainland and it has been a complete body of restoration. It has taken him over a year and will be closer to 2 when we finally spray the paint and slap it all back together. To get it actually running under its own power ( NOT Flinstone style ) down the road again will be cause for celebration like winning the Indy 500. So Around Hawaii readers stay tuned as we pray for NO runs, fish eyes and live BUGs that swan dived into the paint.


Upcoming Motorsports Events:

For all of you on the Big Island. The BIAC is holding their Memorial Day weekend event on May 23 and 24. It is a MAJOR Drag Race and point event. Check out their site for more info at http://www.bigislandautoclub.com/

On Kauai the Garden Isle Racing Associations upcoming Drag Racing events are on May 2 and June 6. For more information log onto http://www.dragrace-kauai.com/

And on Maui the Valley Isle Timing Associations 13th Annual George "Flintstone" Andrade Memorial Day Weekend Drags on May 21-24. You can log onto their website at www.mrp.org

These racing organizations are ALL non-profits and their websites will give you directions and contact info so you to can have a place to Safely and Legally race. NOT on the Street.


Show Car Scene:

Hawaii Independent Cruise nights next event is in Haleiwa on May 16 at the North Shore Market Place. Independent is the largest car show circuit here on Oahu and it is FREE to check out or show off your ride. So if you want to see nice rides of all sorts this is your chance. You can get more info at http://www.hawaiiindependentcruisenights.com/

So Until Next Time:


In next months installment we will be visiting with long time auto racer / radio personality George Nitta from his radio show Auto 101.


And a special live interactive treat as PunishUM.com will be teaming up with Russell Racing INC. Chris Russell will remember for us his famous brother Darrell who was killed in a tragic Top Fuel crash 5 years ago this coming June.


Chris will be tuning Terry Haddock's Top Fuel car at the NHRA Nationals June 11 to the 14 from Englishtown New Jersey. We are invited and all of you gear heads will have exclusive videos of what a professional team goes through as they are in the thick of it all. You can also ask questions of the team and we will have it all posted for you at the end of each day race day all the way up to Eliminations on Sunday June 14.

And much more. So until next month Keep it OFF The Street and on a Track and "Speed Safely".

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