Event Recap: Vag Fair 2012

I've been going to Vag Fair since its origin in 07'. At the time I just finished the grey hatch (paint was still wet) and it was sitting on my first set real wheels. Multiple project cars, paint-jobs and wheels later I found myself going to Vag Fair without a car to show. Sure I was in the red coupe, but it's still in the same place I was before Vag Fair 11' (plus some extra oxidation) so there was nothing to showcase (look for an update on that soon). While this show grew to two days for 2012 I still only made it to Sunday's main show, but in the end that's all that was needed. Popping into town like I always have, bombing up Northern-Maryland back roads to hit I-83N, I made it into the fairgrounds for the first year without using a map or e-directions. The same friendly and familiar faces greeted me at the entrance to the field; I showed my registration confirmation via Paypal using my iPhone, then I grabbed a spot on the show field.

The cars out on display were much like the forums I'm not on anymore; a couple familiar faces here and there, a load of unfamiliar faces, all in a sea of newer models and different marques. Cory used some foresight (and some self-service) to start including BMW's in the Vag Fair festivities in 10', and the representation was decent this year. Some of my favorite local cars from last year were no where to be found, but as with everything in the US car scene, today is today. Owners sell cars and move onto new projects; new people buy those cars and either keep em' clean, take them to the next level or more likely ruin them in some way or another. That said, there was a good mix of cars in attendance and it seems the Sunday turnout was almost equal to last year.

C'mon son.

Got to see some out of state friends and associates, do some socializing and much enjoyed project car talk. While my friends at 8380Labs didn't have a booth this year I found myself hanging out at a booth anyway, as our friends Anna and Sam from More Than More decided to cross the country to pedal their boutique wares. This worked out great as I hadn't seen Anna in a while and there were some things I wanted to pick up from them online; doing so in person is always better.

Foundation-Blue still goin' strong.

Bodywork confidence.

Once again Vag Fair delivered a chill, laid back feel despite its turnout and I think the next staple of the VAG show calendar, H2oi, could learn something from it. When does a show get too big? When does it lose the magic of what it once was? Rhetorical questions my friends.

The pre-album can be seen here.

Event Recap: Deutsche Classic 2012

Along with many other first time ROTL events this year, we ended up making an appearance at this years' Deutsche Classic in Reading, PA. Coming from my neck of the woods this was a familiar drive through the back roads of NE Maryland; skipping all major highways until hopping onto I-83N around York. Once buzzing along on US-30, hints of where I was headed became a bit more apparent. 9am traffic brought a couple old mercs, a couple E34 sedans and a (930) 911S Targa. Upon arrival into Reading/Fleetwood, a lot of nice windy roads brought me and the red coupe to Fleetwood Park. This leads you off of nice paved road onto a very cobbled up set of dirt paths (panscrapers need not apply). After a friendly teen guided me to a parking spot, I walked to the gate tent. A nice woman gave me a run down on the event, the chicken dinner my entry cost paid for (pleasant surprise says what?) and gave me an event lanyard for ID.

Within a few minutes photo ops poured in. Modern and classic German Cars were lined up side by side, working their way onto the show field post entry processing. Much like most show visits these days, I had a pretty set time limit in order to make my rounds, but with constraints come forced efficiency. Cars that are the cream of the crop get time and those that don't, don't. After leaving the processing area I made a b-line for the P-car area.

What a feast for the eyes. There was a wide variety of dope late 60's to early 70's 911s, in stock and mildy modified forms, along with 73' RS replicas spec'd to the nines and newer aircooled (993) and watercooled (997) models. I spoke to the owner of this lovely yellow piece of machinery (see car below) at length. He explained that this lovely RS conversion was built in Florida by Gunnar Racing, with an extremely skilled ex-race mechanic tuning the mechanical fuel injection system on this ITB'd 2.8 liter flat six to the tune of ~280hp. 100hp per liter may be commonplace today, but before the age of electronic engine management and direct injection this was something only race engines were capable of. This car and the pale red RS rep beside it made me think about what I wanted out of my mid-life crisis a bit more than before...RS-widebody classic 911, a la Singer Design, or a newer watercooled 911 model? It's a problem we'd all like to have some day.

Along with the fantastic Porsches on display, including a lovely 550 Spyder replica showcasing it's clam-shell attributes, there were some absolute stunners in the Mercedes camp. This white 280 SEL has been in this gentleman's collection since brand new. This bluish-grey (enter model here) sedan below is one of the true time capsules of the US. I spent more time with this car than any other in the show and I'm sure you can see why. This 98% all-original car has been babied and garaged kept since 1974. One of the biggest cliches of car guys is being able to 'eat-off' an interior, or undercarriage or engine bay. Well folks, this was the real McCoy.

The holy grail of MB 280SEs.

I made my way through the BMW, VW and Audi sections after I left the heart of the event. There were some very nice cars there. Along with older BMW motorcycles, Aircooled VW's and a collection of other German Marks (that aren't recognizable to most of those under 23) Opel being one of them.

My day wrapped up with a trip to the chicken dinner line. The entry fee got you a steaming-hot roasted half chicken, dinner roll and apple sauce. I headed over to the 8380Labs booth to unwind and b.s. on the must-see cars from the overall event. Scarfed down some food, chatted a bit with some of the customers, then I headed home. Going to this event for the first time, expecting nothing special, I was more than impressed with the variety of cars and owners in attendance. I also know why this isn't one of the more popular shows in the car forums and more popular automotive portals; this is a show both for the young enthusiasts and more importantly the older, long-term enthusiasts. Mature tastes were addressed at Deutsche Classic, more than any specific niche, and I think that's what made it good. Even many of the younger attendees where German Car fans through and through, with a strong model knowledge spurred on from parents' ownership going back to childhood. Shows like this aren't a dime a dozen and it's important that they aren't. If we can help it, we'll continue to frequent the Deutsche Classic for years to come.

The pre-album can be seen here.

Upcoming show: Blown Euros 2011 Spring GTG

It's that time of year again. The first organized car event on the ROTL docket this year is the Blown Euros 2011 Spring GTG. Blown Euros is a cool crew of mainly Tri-State (PA/NJ/NY) European car enthusiasts with fast rides ranging from VWs to Lamborghini's. Everyone blows money on their cars to look good and perform on the road, but this annual Spring GTG is not only an excuse to get out and show off that pile you've had in the garage (or under a tarp) all winter, it's also a yearly opportunity contribute towards the community; all proceeds from entrance tickets this year go towards Variety Children's Charity, which assists special needs children in the greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area.

blowneuros.com

When: Sunday - April 17th, 2011 @ 10:00a – 4:00p
Where: Sesame Place parking lots, 400-482 N Bucks Town Dr, Langhorne, PA 19047
Cost: $5.00 donation per person
Directions here.

I haven't been to a Blown Euros Spring GTG since 09', but it was a great time. Bring your friends, cars and five dollar bills.