No matter how rough and ready they might be, there’s nothing cooler than an old Volksy.
We had a couple of them back in the day, a ’64 and ’76 Beetle. The first was stock, apart from a large dent, the latter received too much money and attention.
Since the early 2000s, the apparent explosion of interest in Volkswagens with original paint, rust and patina has inspired a generation of car fanatics.
They might not have the cash to restore a car to show condition, but still want a good looking, cool car that will stand out from the crowd.
Once looked upon as being in need of restoration, cars with original paint, rust and patina, especially within the global Volkswagen community, have gradually become far more popular than restored cars.
These vehicles are celebrated in a new book called Pattina Volkswagens, by Mark Walker.
Superbly illustrated with stunning color photographs, the book takes an inside look at some of the key car builders, dealers, celebrities and hobbyists, as well as the different styles of build.
To put this in perspective, Walker bought his first 1964 VW Beetle at age 16 before he could legally drive.
Over 25 years of VW ownership, more than 100 air-cooled Volkswagens have passed through his hands.
He was the owner and operator of The Bus Station (2002-2013) and Vintage Werks (2006-2007), both of which were heavily immersed in the VW scene and known for importing and restoring classic Volkswagens from around the world.
They also gained an international reputation for out-of-the-box thinking, high-quality suspension modifications, and turning out magazine feature worthy cars.
The success and popularity of his business earned Walker the nickname ‘Slam King.’
He has written for Volksworld and Camper & Bus magazines since 2012.
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