Lovers of VW campervans and for that matter most other things VW, had their annual get together this weekend in Norfolk.
Fritton Park, East Anglia was the venue for the VW Whitenoise Weekend three day festival, which attracts fans of the VW campervan from all over the world. This weekend drew more than 3000 van owners and their families and was rather special as it celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Volkswagen van.
Van owners relish the chance to get together and exchange stories and tips on how to renovate their cherished vehicles and most importantly how to access spares. Seen at the show this weekend was a Polific Autowax panel van from 1963 who’s owner Ash Purney believed it to be the last of its kind on earth.
Ash’s story was probably repeated by other fans all weekend long, he had actually renovated the cherished van by using parts from three vehicles. Another visitor had come in his 1959 VW German ex-firebus, just one of three VW vans he owned. He had left his bay windowed campervan and a VW Corrado at home this year. It seems there is as much fun in the rebuilding and tracking down of parts as there is in actually driving them.
This point was reinforced by one festival goer who estimated he had spent over £20,000 on one 1955 Kombi. To celebrate the 60 years of VW vans, festival organisers Neil and Lynne Haughey were hoping to get at least one example of VW van from every year of manufacture i.e. 1950 to 2010.
The festival is now in its eighth year and seems to go from strength to strength. This year’s event drew many other trade stands linked with the van scene and of course the surfing lifestyle inextricably associated with it. Live music and the Show n’ Shine competition, where owners vie for a coveted trophy also proved very popular with the crowds.
Van drivers should note that campervans usually require a different type of insurance to commercial vehicle insurance, but if in doubt can always check with their insurance company.
Tags: commercial vehicle insurance, Exhibitions, Van Insurance