What a kick-off to a classic year 2023. During the first weekend of the calendar year, the Autotron in Rosmalen is filled with everything that delights air-cooled enthusiasts. The Beetle Winter Festival offers a lot of variety. This consists of beautiful classic air-cooled VWs and a single Porsche. And there is much more to see. So much so that it is impossible to return home empty-handed.
On January 7, an elated party of six is ready for the first major event of the year. Early in the morning Arnold, Peter, Thomas, Reinold, Oane and I meet the yellow m in Heerenveen. First coffee, then send a few hours. In an atmosphere of pleasant elation we divide ourselves among the cars, and around half past ten we arrive at Autotron Rosmalen. The prospect of being in an air-cooled atmosphere for a day is good. That is not least because we all love the air-cooled VWs and related ones in our own way.
We pass the cash registers, and immediately we are captivated by everything that fascinates us in air-cooled terrain. That goes on for a day. The Beetles naturally sing the highest song in Rosmalen, and they show that they are suitable for every theme. We are almost stunned when we see the 'Rodders', for originality freaks it is hard to imagine that owners lovingly put the saw in the round bodywork.
At the same time, there is admiration for so much individuality. And speaking of that: Richard van der Bijl and I soon meet. A few years ago we made a report together about his beautiful and nicely personalized and regularly prize-winning Dickholmer Beetle and his SIKU collection. He is currently restoring a Typ2 T2, and that will be something very special. Let's just say that his love for air-cooled and SIKU comes together very nicely. Everyone has his or her taste, everyone has his or her goal, that also makes the world beautiful.
In that respect, everyone in the Autotron building is catered for, you will always find an air-cooled VW or Porsche that appeals. In Rosmalen this is done in a way where the many visitors from the Netherlands and abroad are not distracted by too much frills and stands where a chic form of experience takes the leading role. In this way, and no other way, you can optimally enjoy the offer for which you ultimately go to an event. Moreover, it reinforces the already friendly and casual atmosphere in Rosmalen, where there has always been a pleasant kind of unpretentiousness.
Besides the air-cooled range in all shapes, sizes and states, there is much more to see in Rosmalen. And for that, the Frisian group splits up. I already said it: everyone has his or her goal. Arnold and I travel together in North Brabant. And we see - just like our traveling companions and the many other visitors - that the number of parts stands is legion. There are also a striking number of miniature dealers. And in addition, the clubs are of course represented. The exhibitors with various automobilia, mancave stuff, manuals and other literature are also legion. You smell, feel and see the history, which is also literally tangible in this respect. And is shown to the visitors in different ways by the exhibitors.
Time for a breath of fresh air, and traditionally the special area behind the Autotron building is full of air-cooled Volkswagens. A beautiful VW-Porsche 914 leaves the site. But what strikes us most is the diversity in air-cooled experience. Again, the following applies: from top condition to highly personalized. That plumage also indicates under the pale sun that the 'air-cooled theme' lends itself to everything. And that much of the historical aspect of that theme has remained.
We are slowly walking towards the end of the day. The loot is more or less in for everyone. I already said it: there are countless parts in Rosmalen. Nevertheless, Arnold is happy when he finds new and apparently rare heater hoses for his beautiful VW 1303. Peter walks out with two original bumpers for his VW 1600 TL being restored and his immaculate 1303 Cabriolet. I myself can not resist three miniatures in 1:43, and Thomas has a wish: the beautiful yellow VW 1302, a special anniversary version in honor of the fact that Volkswagen built the twenty millionth (!) Beetle in the autumn of 1971 .
However, the price of this anniversary Beetle is firm. And that applies to a lot of what we see and encounter in Rosmalen. Of course, certain VW types have been high in the price tree for years. Karmann-Ghia's, T1 and T2 buses, early Beetles and Beetle Cabriolets are striking examples of this. But nowadays you can also find a nice basic Beetle, a Typ 3 or a Typ 4 no longer for the price of ten years ago, they go along with the price of the nations. And that is a phenomenon that has been going on for some time. At the same time, this says a lot about the immense popularity in which the classic is shrouded across the board.
Full of impressions we drive back to the North in column, with a stopover at Van der Valk in Apeldoorn. There we conclude a top day in a tasty and very pleasant way, which told that the air-cooled theme is still very much alive. The head of 2023 is off. And how!
