...The Essex Volkswagen Owners Club...
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History ...
A little about where Spooky came from....
...and where it's going.
Beetlemania is a passion
PORSCHES, Ferraris and Lamborghinis may have a certain seductive allure but the VW Beetle generates a passion which can not be beaten.
The peoples car built for economic reliability, has a un fathomable seduction which has captured many generations sense of imagination.
Maybe the attraction is based on the VW’s association with the decade of free love - step into your VW mid drive off into the pink fluffy cloud horizon.
Or perhaps it’s the curvaceous, comforting, design which is so reassuring in the cynical 90’s
Whatever the reason the Beetle and its VW extended family have attracted more than 22 million global worshippers and the Maldon Vee Dub Club is as dedicated as the rest,
“The VW is not just a car it's a way of life” enthused Samantha Marks, 23, from Wallace Binder Close, Maldon Who organises the club.
Like many others. Samantha’s passion started at an early age. She said: "Even when I was a child, I used to point to a Beetle and say I wanted one. I would not drive anything else now. "Even if I was given a Porsche I would take out the engine and put it into the back of my VW."
Samantha started the club a year ago with just six members including her brother.
She said: “Some of my friends had VWs so we got together and the word just, got around.”
The group has now swelled to 32 members aged from 16 to 32 and the sense of camaraderie has grown with the numbers,
Samantha, a singles buyer for HMV in Chelmsford, said: "We all have different jobs and come from different backgrounds but we all share our love of the VW nothing else mutters."
The group meets every other Tuesday in McDonald's car park in Maldon and the convoy of Vows pulling into the forecourt is definitely a sight worth seeing.
Samantha said: "We always get a good response from people as we drive past Children wave and other cars beep.”
The group meets to discuss news from the wider VW world, latest buys and generally just to chill out
They also arrange their trip to various car festivals and rallies around the country,
Samantha said: “Other people go to Glastonbury or Reading but we prefer Santa Pod”
The car festivals are just like their musical counterparts in their grunge campsite-like atmosphere but instead of the Oasis or Robbie Williams, it's the best looking car which gets the attention.
Vee Dub member Paul Frost - known as Frostie - owns three VWs including a shortened Spilt screen camper and a Karmann Ghia which has won many awards for best model.
Paul, a computer aided designer from Hall Road, Tiptree, has spent a great deal of cash and time on his enviable collection
He said: "I don't think anyone one at work or in my family fully understands why I drive such old cars, But its a fantastic feeling driving a VW. My camper is my first love.”
However Paul now 32 can envisage a time when his passion gives way to practicality.
He said: "One day I suppose I might have to buy a sensible car like an estate but not just yet.”
Before the potential gloom into domesticity descends onto some of the members, the group has some exciting plans to carry out
They will be attending several more festival trips before the end of the season and hope to compete in the London to Brighton race in October
Samantha is setting out plans to hold a car festival in Maldon next year.
She said: "It would be great to have our very own rally even if it was just for one day”
The group will continue to meet every two weeks and if anyone wants to join they should call Samantha on
©Spooky Vee Dub Club 2009