Shout out today in the Die Welt

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Will they always be this popular?

Makeover for 1979 VW Riviera Pop-Top

Man Trip to Southern California

Diana & Josh's Wedding

Josh and Diana hired Nalu Im'i, our 1978 hard top Westy, to use as a prop and honeymoon get-away vehicle at their hipster nuptial festivity. The event location they chose, the ever popular Smog Shoppe in LA. Photos were taken by W. Scott Chester Photography.

Sweet Vacation Story

 

Christian Beam Photography

The tea bus :)

 

Orling & Wu

Missing our Chow Chow

It's been one week now since we said our goodbyes to Joy Luck Chow. We were blessed with her presence for 16 years. We do expect to see her again when each of our time comes; waiting for us on the other side with that big smile of hers, 4 strong legs (not 3), and that beautiful cinnamon coat - thick and full, blowing in the wind...

VDub Sighting in One Direction Video

One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful from LOVE. on Vimeo.

Road tripping the VW way :)

A lifestyle video is in the works...

Husband and wife videography team, Spencer and Kylie, spent a few days up North in one of our buses. They're working on a lifestyle video for us and we can't wait to see what they come up with! Check them out at Spritz Visuals, and while you're there take a look at this sweet wedding video that they shot of Lauren and Adam - complete with, guess what... a VW bus!

Camping in King's Canyon

This photo was taken by Rob Meerding, a recent VW traveler and professional photographer visiting from Holland.

Dear Diane and Bill,

Thank you very much for the letter with picture we received from Diane yesterday and for her kind words. It should go without saying that people take good care of your vans and we were happy to do so. We so much enjoyed driving around in it, we really had a great time! It was wonderful that you put in everything we needed, like oil and vinegar and herbs, so you don’t have to start shopping and buying all kinds of big bottles. That was absolutely wonderful...
...If ever we get back to California, you will surely see us for coffee or a meal. Good luck with your lovely company and thanks again for everything!
Take care,
Nicolien, Rob and Aster

The Staves - Austin to Boston in a VW Camperbus

Bill said that every time he heard the Staves sing on the tour it was like listening to angels!

A Wee Volkswagon Story

http://www.poptent.net/media/51867 

 Thanks Nora, we think it turned out great! Best, Bill, Diane & Bleu

It's Big Wednesday this Wednesday... C U there!

Rich Kimball's annual event for people who are "just into Volkswagens and the beach".

Artic Ice Cream adds 6 VDubs to Fleet in 1963

This picture was sent to us by one of our recent camper clients from Holland, Nicolien. Her father and his brother purchased these VW's for their ice cream company, Artic, back in 1963!

Photo Shoot at Miauhaus

Spent Saturday at Miauhaus with our 1978 VW Westie "Nalu Im'i" shooting product stills/video.

Repurposed VW Hub Caps

The wheels on the bus go round and round... well, not so much anymore... now they add a welcome touch of ambient light (and whimsy) to the kitchen space at Vintage Surfari Wagon's new home in Costa Mesa.

Repurposed Upholstery for 1979 VW Bus 'Honu Li'u"

Honu Li'u (Hawaiian for tardy turtle), our green 1979 VW bus, in my estimation, was long overdue for the spa treatment. I wanted to keep the original vibe in this bus, so I decided to re-purpose the Harvest Gold and Avocado Green plaid fabric. First order of business was to wash the stuff and press it flat, then to pass it on to Juan, our masterful upholsterer, with hand rendered plans for the new design.

Durable automotive vinyl selections were made, pulling the green and gold colors directly from the original plaid. Since these backseats see so much use from car seats, kids & kitchen spills I thought it best not to continue the plaid fabric panel down onto the backseat bottom. The piping would surely end up gnarled within one year, and then I'd be grieved at the loss... so no plaid or piping for Honu's backseat bottom ;(

It truly is a wonder to see how well this plaid upholstery fabric has held up for the 33 year haul. After being washed it's sparkling and doesn't show any wear whatsoever!

I've added a touch of fabric and piping to the door panels as well; in doing so the design is reinforced throughout the interior.

Next steps are to install the remaining door panels, visors, & upper berth cushions. Then a trip to the Garment District to source some fabric that will coordinate with this cheeky plaid so I can put a new spin on the window coverings and add a toss cushion or two. Eventually the flooring will be replaced with a hard surface material, the smaller interior panels will be recovered with an embossed vinyl wallpaper and the laminate will be refreshed, although it's held up quite well in this bus and doesn't need immediate attention.

New updates will follow as I progress through this happy hippy bus project!

Cheers from Diane at Diane Grace Interiors

California Coast with Eddie