Following our recent interview with Martin Peryagh, creator of the ‘Wickerdackel’ Mk2 Golf we thought we’d find out more about ‘finishing touches’ by asking a few questions to Steve Gosling, owner of this beautiful ’61 Bug. He debuted his stunning Beetle project at the Volksworld show back in March, and the attention to detail had everyone talking. Need some tips for your VW Beetle project, read on!
VWH: Your 1961 Beetle got everyone excited when you launched it at Volksworld show earlier this year, what is your favourite part about it?
SG: I’ve got lots of favourite parts of the car to be honest. I love the engine, that turned out really well, it’s exactly as I envisioned it and I’m especially pleased as a few people said my choice of detailing wouldn’t work, but it seemed to go down a storm at the VolksWorld Show. I love the paint, the depth of the shine still blows me away and is a testament to all the hard work and hours Creative Coachworks put into it (check out the pic of Steve in the reflection, it’s like a mirror!) The interior is just what I wanted, stock style, but not stock. In short I love the whole car and to be honest, so I should, I built the car to please me and my taste.
VBH: I know you told the story of the build on the Volksworld Blog, but we don’t recall seeing a step by step “see it all” internet build thread, do you think this emphasises the finishing touches when seen in the flesh – or does the internet sew the seed to allow for the enthusiasm when the car is finally debuted?
SG: I’m in two minds on full build threads on forums. I think they’re really motivational for other people as it’s nice to see what other people are doing and how they do it. But I do think they detract from the impact and surprise of seeing a car for the first time. I started to keep things back towards the end of my build as I didn’t want to give everything away, I wanted some of it at least to be a surprise. I like that part of seeing a new car, when you’re walking around it, spotting what’s been done. If you’ve seen every part of the car before it’s finished I think you loose that. So are internet builds a good or bad thing? I think that depends on you, some people will like to know what’s been done and others will like to work it out for themselves.
VWH: If / when you build another VW what will it be?
SG: I’ve got a ’67 Ghia that I’ve had for 16 years. I parked it about 6 years ago as I couldn’t afford to build the Beetle and keep the Ghia on the road. It does need much as it’s a fairly solid original car, but I need to go through it and freshen it up. I’d love to do a full floorpan build on it and do the interior but keep the paint original as it’s a car I used to drive daily and intend to again.
VWH: Without giving away your ideas, what what are your current design influences?
SG: I love anything super detailed. I’m not into one particular style, it’s all about fit and finish with me at the moment. My car tastes spread far and wide, but if you want to see what a properly designed and built car looks like, check out some of the streamlined Delahaye’s, the detail in those things is immense.
VWH: If you could go back in time, what one touch would your add or change about the Beetle?
SG: I genuinely wouldn’t change a thing. That’s why the car took 7 years to build, it wasn’t finished until I was happy with every single part of it, however small that part is. Everyone else might hate the car, but I wanted to be able to stand back from it and say to myself, that’s the best car I could build. It might not be the best car someone else could build, but it’s the best car I could build with the skills, tools, time and money I had available to me.
VWH: And a few quick fire ones..Favourite car ever?
SG: Easy. Mercedes 300SL Gullwing. If I won the lottery I have one tomorrow, in black, with the tartan interior, fitted luggage and Rudge knock offs. It’s absolutely the best car ever designed in my eyes. And I’d have a two tone black and red Hebmuller parked next to it. Come on, I can dream can’t I…
VWH: Favourite decade for car design?
SG: If I have to pick a specific decade, it has to be the 60s. Anything after 1970 is getting dangerous as far as I’m concerned, there are still some gems, but you’ve got to pick through the junk. It’s a difficult one though as most things European and 50s are great as well.
A big thank you to Steve for taking a few minutes to answer some questions for us; what’s really cool about this car, is that even though it drew the crowds at the UK’s biggest show – it was built by Steve for Steve. The trophies came second to the finishing touches he wanted to put into it. Now, if you had a spare 7 years and a workshop what would you create?!
Andy
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage