Herbie Goes Bananas
We were doing routine repairs and upkeep of our client's 2332cc Herbie Super Car when we heard a strange noise in the trunk. We kept hearing, "ocho...ocho...". We popped open the trunk, and to our surprise, the kid from the movie jumped out! We snapped a few pictures before he ran off. I liken this experience to spotting "Big Foot". Most people won't believe us, but we have photographic evidence.
Once I took the quick snap shots, the kid disappeared into the surrounding woods, leaving only a half eaten meal in the trunk area. Maybe he was disillusioned by the "Fully Loaded/OFP 857" Hybrid Herbie? In case you aren't up on your Herbie trivia, OFP 857 is Herbie's original license plate number.
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"Little Germany" starts to come to life at Metric Autohaus
The concept behind Metric Autohaus is to have a shop specifically designed to tailor to Volkswagen and Porsche owners; a shop where it replicates having your car return to Germany, be run through a factory, and picked up from a quaint German Village and driven home. We obviously don't have the budget to set up a transatlantic venture such as this, so we did the next best thing. A small German factory was set up, complete with all tools necessary for our craft, and a small German Village was created to allow clients a nice, calm drive through Old World Germany as they pick up their projects upon completion; and be minutes away from home.
All of this is contained under one roof; protected from the elements. So, unlike Germany itself, the weather is always 72 degrees F and dry. All of the materials used for Little Germany were used from recycled materials; wood that had been cleaned up from people's yards, paint left over from old jobs, hand-made art, and as many recycled items with new identities. This keeps with our overall philosophy that every attempt should be made to reduce one's carbon foot print; not to mention the old, worn out wood actually looks more realistic than new timber.
The village section of Metric Autohaus' Little Germany is almost halfway complete. Work continues on customer projects by day, and the factory side of the shop is also coming together nicely. All one needs is a little imagination, recycled items, and a night or two free to create, and the possibilities are endless. We take pride in knowing that once the cars arrive to Metric Autohaus, they will feel very much at home. Picking up a VW or Porsche will be a much richer experience while driving slowly down the old world strasse out and down our ramp. Visions of German flower boxes, Tudor-style buildings, and German street scenes is truly the way to receive your pride and joy once reunited.
These cars and buses are special, and in our opinion, there really is no better way to have your next project done. From drop off, to factory, to assembly, to driving down a quaint street. It may seem petty to some, but for us, it is all part of our expression of love and respect for German Automobiles. As Leonard Bernstein once said, "Great things are done with a plan, and a little less than enough time". You only live once, you may as well create beautiful surroundings to live it in.
As the township and factory grows, more pictures and articles will come forth. Stay tuned for a grand re-opening get together, Dyno Day test and tune, and a good ole German Octoberfest in Little Germany this fall; complete with bratwurst and a German Tuba Band.
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Article taken from: "Czech Fine Arts Digest"
Often one walks through an art gallery and countless pieces lay before the eyes; waiting to be appreciated. But, who creates art work in the first place? Trained artisans, members of guilds, or art school graduates all spring to mind as easy answers. My fascination with engineering & Folk Art has led me to many sources of art work that would otherwise go unnoticed. People create art. They do it everyday, and in a wide variety of ways. It doesn't take a degree, or a mentor, or a huge studio on Manhattan Island to be an artist. It only takes simple materials, imagination, and the will to explore. Art is the evidence of a journey taken by such a wandering soul; leaving impressions like foot prints for anyone to see, ignore, or analyze.
I have met many interesting folks over the years, and my newest discovery lies not in a gallery, or even at an art institute, for that matter. I am speaking of Robert Strain, who resides in a small town in Maryland. He is professionally recognized as a restorer of vintage Volkswagens, but as I spoke with Robert, I could see that there is a lot more behind that determined, furled brow than what would be expected. We often think of art and industry and to separate entities; however, Strain likes to utilize both oil paints and oil for engines.
When I met with Robert Strain, it was a cold rainy Sunday. Upon entering his shop, he was just putting the finishing touches on his latest piece; a 10' x 4' painting of what he described was, "the coolest dashboard you can ever have on your wall". When asked what materials he used, he described his process to me. "I take whatever is laying around... spray paint, tape, razors, and even car parts from time to time; and I create things that I would consider cool". The surprising thing is that the art isn't for sale [yet, he told me]. Instead, it is a way to create an interesting and diverse space for his restoration business while cutting down on costs of hiring artists and designers to produce his vision.
I see evidence of this "art out of necessity" everywhere as I walk around. Old VW Bug doors that letters for a sign are cut out of, murals of quaint German houses and buildings going up on the walls, engine parts and old tools welded together to make small sculptures. I can begin to see why his shop seems so busy. The art that has become his profession must inevitably be of the same quality, resourcefulness, and care that go into his cars that he restores. What I don't understand is where Strain can come up with the time to do all that he does. My senior project at The Czech Republic Artisan Institute took months to complete, so I know these things take an immense amount of time. Of this Strain laments, "it's easy, things just sort of pile up to be thrown out or recycled. If I see things that could be made into a piece, I spend my free time sort of letting it go where ever my imagination takes me. Everything is a pleasurable way to spend my time... I love VWs and Porsches, so I really don't see it as work".
After spending an afternoon chatting, I almost feel compelled to buy an old Volkswagen. For now, I am afraid my Skoda will have to do... but remember, it isn't what something appears on the outside that matters, but what deep and truly rich things lay deep within all of us. Deeper truths that can only be realised if we challenge ourselves to fully express ourselves through our work, yet always strive to put our best efforts forward.
Strain's work will be able to be viewed on his newest pursuit; www.metricarthaus.com . When asked when his first gallery opening will be, he simply laughed it off as not really his idea of how things are done. "When you see me or my friends pull off from a light, you will see that art is more fun when you can live it". It takes me back to a time where I had created my life's master work; only a colleage of mine needed ideas quick, and had only 6 months to create a revolution in the field. He borrowed heavily from my work, and although the finished product was not made by my hands, I was able to see my vision realized on quite a grand scale. According to Strain, it sometimes takes a shared stage to divide tasks, and ultimately create something that exceeds everyone's expectations. Only everyone can take credit; whereas one who works in strict solitude can only marvel at himself.
History is made every day. The trick is that you never fully recognize it as such until you're looking back. The interesting thing is that the people who seem to shape history the most are just too engrossed in what passions drive them to ever look at all.
-BB
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Local Driver Makes VW TDI Cut
Our good friend AJ Nealey qualified out of thousands of entrants to be one of 30 drivers for the TDI Cup on Speed TV. He is launching his professional racing career off his recent induction into the popular television network as a professional driver for VW. If interested in sponsoring AJ Nealey in any number of ways (see his website and press pack for details), it would really be beneficial to the racing community to help support a local driver.
Supporting the VW TDI Cup is also supporting "green racing", as in environmentally sound racing. AJ has fought his way up the ladder, starting from shifter kart racing to SCCA sanctioned racing in the ITC series. He has now clawed his way up to the big leagues, and deserves respect. We respect him simply because he has kept his job as a tech through this entire journey, and has not let any of this go to his head. Timing belts by day, race season training by night. You just gotta get behind someone like that.
Visit his website and see if there is anything you might be able to do for him: www.ajnealeyracing.com .
If nothing else, tune in to Speed Channel and watch him move up the ranks in the VW TDI Cup and cheer on a real local who has sacrificed everything to bravely risk it all to pursue a passion most of us could only dream of.
Way to go AJ, we'll all be pulling for you all the way to the checkered flags.
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First Open-House at Metric Autohaus, inc. (At the OLD LOCATION: VINTAGE ARTICLE)
VW fanatics from both the Air and Water-cooled variety showed up at "the Haus" for good old-fashioned gear headed fun. Great weather allowed the commencement of free burgers & dogs, a burn-out contest, Formula-Vee lap runs, live music, and of course, VW mayhem.
We threw our doors open to allow everyone to experience what we are all about. If you couldn't make it, here are some pictures of the day's happenings. Hope to see you soon.
A week of torrential rain slowed outside art projects...
...but inside, VW expression and creativity was free to flow.
Atlas Bias-Ply wide whites make great wall paper.
Rob D. geeking out in the "Kafer Lounge".
Rich (DMC-12 of Samba fame) gets a free fill-up in his electric Beetle.
Awesome guys from Hyperformance caravaned up from Delmar, MD!
Stunning "true-flame" paint of Heath's '85 GTI, another "Quad-carb" GTI with a race-ready clean engine compartment, and a monster turbo Conquest car of Hyperformance.
Another peek at "Kafer Geist", which is coming along nicely. Next, some graphics.
We were "kids again" when we took the Formula-Vee out for some hot laps around the multi-acre paved property!
Most people walked away with a big smile, and some with wet pants from hitting puddles,
or at least we hope that is what happened.
A demonstration of the finer points of doing a classic "burn-out".
Bobby outdoes everyone by actually spelling out his name in burn-out smoke. Amazing.
All was fun and games until little Casper ran out in front of a Hyper car.
Poor ghost, we will miss him. (Of course, checking for damage from the little punk).
At the end of the day, we had more stories to tell, friendships to keep, and ideas to ponder before the next gathering. Special thanks to Jake and Greg for lugging equipment at 7am, John & Rich for braving the elements, Robbie Rob, Jen, and some dude for all of their help. We as VW owners need to keep adding spark to the scene. When it burns as a flame, we can all warm ourselves (and V-dubs) by the camp fire.