Aircooled Winterfest Rosmalen. My classic start to the new year

The new year is less than a week away. 'On the first Saturday of 2024, somewhere in Leeuwarden, the alarm clock gives me sweet signals that I have to get up. Despite the early time, this action takes no effort at all. The Dutch start to the classic year provides enough inspiration to leave home and hearth early. The Aircooled Winterfest Rosmalen is just around the corner, and the first dash of air-cooled love is ready to be embraced.

And so the Titanium gray V50 is ready in the parking lot at Wirdum for the departure to Brabant. Peter and Arnold get in. Thomas has been struck by a throat infection. And Oane travels with us from heaven, he will often pass by this day, and enjoy the beauty of Rosmalen from our shoulders. In Heerde we grab a cup of coffee. Regular black coffee. Because we are going to normal cars, which played an unusually strong role during the period when they were delivered new.

The Volvo is in its place at the Autotron. And that is filled with air-cooled, and a few more models from the water-cooled V.A.G. stable. In the main hall, the stand of the Air-cooled Volkswagen Club Netherlands immediately catches the eye, where the platform of a Typ 3 provides an insight into the technology. There is a beautiful Panama beige Variant with the short nose, a jewel. There are many parts stands. There are beautiful buses, original Beetles, almost 100% correct Beetles, customized Beetles, beautiful Karmann-Ghias, scale models, restoration projects: you name it. Across the board, in the other halls, on the top floor: everywhere you will find special creations, original cars, a T2 that is being converted into an electric variant, you name it.

We stumble over the parts, but we can't find exactly what we are looking for. A Typ 3 bumper is very difficult to come by, and a sun visor holder for a Typ 3 is also nowhere to be found. And tubers for citroenand sell? We also come across this at one of the parts stands. We are looking for an original bumper for Thomas for one of his Beetles: a 1302 from 1971. A dealer tells us that he has one has lying around. But that is a bumper with cutouts for the indicators, and no, a 1302 was never equipped with that. “Then you can insert pictures.” Yes, that's possible. The bumper remains in place. I am still looking for a carburetor preheating tube for the Jetta. Enough parts for water-cooled VW classics and youngtimers. But the tube is nowhere to be seen. Peter eventually succeeds, because he finds a box support for the 3 Typ 1972 under construction. Two tens, Peter happy, seller happy. And Thomas is also happy later, because he is perhaps the one who was most looking forward to today, but could not be there. We decide to surprise Thomas and buy him a nice IXO 1:43 scale model of the Typ 3 Variant. And he is - as it turns out a few days later - very happy with that.

A little later, Arnold is interviewed by Brabants Buske. That is a section of Omroep Brabant. Arnold inspects a fairly early Typ 1 and thus attracts the attention of the crew. A nice conversation ensues, and the interviewer quickly concludes that Arnold is an expert. That's right. We receive a sticker from the broadcasting section, it turns out that the Brabant crew traveled for a long time with a VW Bus. “A T2,” says one of the crew members. But I really see a T3, and it is a T3. We decide to draw the conclusion that a T3 is called a T2 in North Brabant, and is called a T3 in the rest of the world. “Maybe it is a T2, which was used as a pre-series model of the T3,” I add. We say goodbye with a smile. Also resolved again. Arnold, Peter and I continue to laugh about the incident for a long time.

We experience more, but after an expensive cardboard cup of coffee we decide to go home. The Volvo waits patiently and is ready for a comfortable ride to the Northern Netherlands. A beautiful day is over, at least almost. Because we still eat at Candlemas. The restaurant was once renovated by TV celebrity and chef Herman den Blijker, and the place is full. We had a great meal there, not only discussed classic cars, and had a nice chat with the waitress. It all fits, there under that striking tower. We toast to Oane, and to camaraderie. We go home, a thin layer of snow tops off the day. At Wolvega I look to the left and a beautiful feeling comes over me. It will be fine this year. An hour later I enter Leeuwarden through the front door again. I am home. And I consider myself very fortunate in several respects.

Foar Oane, dy't der ek by wie.