Well all I can say is that if you have never had a chance to cruise your VW in So Cal, put it on the list of things to do before you die...
Trip down was pretty un eventful. Except a 70ft power slide with truck and trailer towards Gary's ass end in LA rush hour traffic. That and make sure the vehicle in front in the convoy warns those behind a early enough about any lanes ending!
We rolled into hotel Thurs night and already parking lot was full of killer vws.
Friday we spent the day detailing the rain soaked cars to get ready for Nick's. 10 min before departure Gary realises his clutch tube had broken in the tunnel. He and Mcgiver Geoff got it so it would shift and off we went. Geoff met up with us in the Hebrod and the 3 of us rolled into Nicks. Place was packed like I have never seen it! They had save 3 last spots for us and we drove in while crowds watched us. Night was highlight for me - I had dreamed of having a car a DQ/Sonic/Nick's for years. Had better than expected response to the cars. Tons of great comments except one guy who told me he loved the car but hated my wheels - told him to eat shit in a very jokingly way. I think he thought I was seriously insulted as he kept coming back to appologise. Was told later in the eve our cars were actually in the final consideration for the DKP award which was icing on the cake. As well, Stephan from Ultra VW asked to do a photoshoot on the car when he comes up for Great Canadian - I was STOKED to say the least! So then we decided to roll out to In N Out for yet another burger. There were some crazy burnouts happening as people left including a 9second vert almost taking out crowds and roasting tires into 3rd gear... As we backed out all you could hear was hundreds of people cheering you on to light em up(some people chanting co canucks go). And my co pilot Geoff saying "this is one of those times not to wuss out"! So I rolled off the line and then dropped the pedal to the floor well into 3rd gear...
Saturday - Geoff called from OCTO show saying a couple guys were asking to shoot the car. So that aft Super VW(France) and Let's Play VW (Japan) led me to a few locations and shot the car for their magazines. Later while DVKK members were scamming their way around the whopping $5 entry to the toy show Gary and I rolled the cars on a couple hour cruise to the beach for beers. Had a few opps to let the IDA's open up - sure felt good!
Sat night and the parking lot was a car show on it's own. There were killer rides everywhere and beers flowing. Everyone got word a close by hotel was occupied by a women's water polo tourney and were serving free beer - so suddenly our parking lot was a ghost town. Night went late, even later for some... Boys from Victoria were hilarious and good times.
Sunday - rolled out to show early. There were rows and rows of killer cars and new cars debued. Sun was hot and important to remember to lather the back of the neck next time out! More great conversations, a few deals in to swap. You never know who you are talking to sometimes. Through the day had both Randy Gates and Aaron Broughton tell me the car was very well done. Always great to hear anyone say something nice about your car, but even better when 2 guys that have built some of the nices cars in recent years say good stuff about your build! Gary kicked ass and took home a 3rd lace plaque - out of a line of about 100 cars in his class!
Monday morn left Paul and Geoff fast asleep in hotel. Decided to have some fun - turned the shower head to spray them as they turned water on, turned water line off to toilet, had front desk set wake up calls for every 15 min, and filled door handles with shaving cream - All of which fell on unfortunate Paul - sorry bud was meant for Geoffry!
All in all such a kick ass weekend and look forward to many miles about to be put on the car now... Thanx for your guys help down there helping me with loading, fixing, prepping, cleaning, etc... Gdog& Dianna, Geoff, Paul, Larry, Russ and Rob.
Huge thank you to all those who helped me end this 8year build and super proud of the outcome.
Reb, Geoff, Gary, Lanny, Diana, BruceT, TrevorP, JasonI, Dilley, darrenK, CamS, Russ, JimL, - I am sure there is a bunch more I am forgetting...
I will try to post more show pics and some of the build pics in the forum soon...
See you on the road!
Gavin
