How the Club Started & to whom it owes its existence
The Volks Enthusiasts Club was formed in August 1996. The club grew out of a desire to provide hard core VW enthusiasts with an opportunity to meet regularly to build and promote the VW scene.
Founding Members
The Club was instigated by Richard Newbury, Rachel Tidswell and John Jansen (who at the time had amassed around 70 years of VW enthusiasm). This group was soon joined by other VW enthusiasts attracted to the concept. The clubs membership includes many people with long years of VW knowledge. This depth of experience gives the club a solid linkage to the early days when the VW ruled the world. From these foundations we have built the character and style of the Club.
Honour Roll and Awards
Every year, the Club recognises members who have made a significant contribution to the organisation. This includes Life Membership, Hall of Fame Membership and the Max Burgess Trophy. Details of current and previous award holders as well as Office Bearers can be found on our Honorarium page.
Our Cars
We cater for revival and restoration of any VW powered vehicle - either standard or modified. Some of the members cars include: concourse and modified early beetles, kit cars (Eurekas, Porsche Speedster replicas), the Late Ken Virgin's Historic Drag car (11.8 second Quarter Mile in 1976), street beetles running big motors up to 2330ccs, various type IIs, Type IIIs and water cooled cars from early Golfs to the latest VW Group offerings. We are also encouraging owners of any Historic Competition VW's to display their vehicles and thereby build interest in a precious bygone era and, more importantly, to ensure the restoration of original cars. The 2017 changes to the Historic Registration Scheme enabled many cars to be brought back on to the road.
Club Magazine
A Club news letter called Volks Enthusiasm is also available to members. The Magazine is published every second month and backed up by regular Email updates (and the web site of course). We work with other VW clubs to promote the VW marque. We regularly hold a variety of events, including: VW Convoys, Shows, Information Schools, Swap Meets, Interstate trips and various VW centred social events including a Past and Present VW Heroes Night.
In between magazines, we send out VMail a short Email newsletter with updates on club happenings.
Number 1 Member
In honour of his energy and commitment to the brand, the Volks Enthusiasts Club has nominated the late Roy Williams as its permanent No. 1 Club Member. Roy was a close personal friend of many club members. Roy's passion for VW's was legendary and he would be a frequent sight around the VW scene in his split screen Kombi.
Meetings
Club meetings are held at 7:30 pm on the first Wednesday of each month, in the "Keller", at the Austrian Club, Torrens Rd, Ovingham SA.