Member Profile for Steve Parker
Vehicle: '67 Sunroof Beetle
As a long term VW addict I've had quite a few over the years. I started at
age 17 with 2 NZ `67 bugs, which with the help of my Dad we built into 1
80's style Cal-looker. Unfortunately much to my dismay that car was short
lived, as another driver wiped the side out of it.
The insurance paid for my next bug which was a `71 1302s, with which I
joined the then only VW club around, Gold Coast VW & Off Road Club, based in
Levin! Boy we were keen, driving up there once a month for meetings.
Soon after a bunch of us from Welly started our own club, Capital Volkswagen
club, more a group of mates than anything really.
I then bought a `61 Karmann Ghia as that was the holly grail in the late
80's!
I moved to London in `88 & bought a `73 Westfalia Continental to tour Europe
for 3 months.
I kept it for about 6 months then sold it, as Ldn is no place for a large
vehicle I don't care what they say in the UK mags Kombi's are a drag in that
environment!
Next I bought a `66 deluxe beetle which I had for about 3 yrs, attending
many UK shows.
My wife & I moved to Sydney in `94 where I bought a `74 1303s or L bug as
they call them. Major rust buckets those!
My next bug was a `69 Karmann cabriolet, this was a show car & I LOVED it,
unfortunately it had to make way for a house purchase & besides I was too
scared to park it anywhere in case it was damaged.
My next car was a `66 type3 squareback, hence my email tag. I did a running
resto on it over the course of 3 yrs in the resto-cal vibe . I then bought a
mk3 VR6 golf to use as an every day car.
We moved back to NZ in `05, were I bought a mk3 golf wagon & joined the
club.
The bug in the photo is my US spec' `67 sunroof bug which I've owned for
3yrs now. I bought it from CH CH where it had resided since `68. Bought over
here by an American couple who worked for the Us government down there &
then retired here.
I believe it's unique in NZ & it still has all the original US only `67
extras as per factory, plus original US service books etc.
Hope my long winded story didn't bore you too much!
See you on the road!