Volkswagen Spectacular!
It’s (almost) that time of year again! The Volkswagen Spectacular is just around the corner.
The Volkswagen Spectacular started in 1984. Since then, it has been held every year in the Nambucca Valley, NSW. It’s a big event for VW lovers, drawing crowds in from all over the country.
This year marks a special anniversary for the club. Fifty years ago, when VW were manufacturing in Australia, the company produced the Country Buggy, an all-purpose army vehicle also sold to the general public. We’re hoping to catch more than a glimpse of more than a couple of Country Buggies at this year’s festival!
Volks History – Country Buggy Test Drive (1968)
Released for sale to the public on the 5th April 1968, the Volkswagen Country Buggy was promoted as a low cost “go anywhere” vehicle designed as a weekday “workmate” and a weekend “playmate”.Designed to work usefully and economically in a great number of rural, commercial and industrial areas, the Country Buggy will allow owners to get off the beaten track and put some fun into off road activities.Prior to release, the vehicle was put through its paces by experienced drivers and farm operators in over 60,000 kilometers of driving evaluation across Australia. Three vehicles were flown over to Germany (Wolfsburg) for track testing and mechanical evaluation at Volkswagen’s sophisticated research centre.The Country Buggy was designed, developed and built at the former VW manufacturing factory complex in Clayton Victoria following three years of design on the drawing boards. Volkswagen Australia had this 5 minute test film produced and provided copies of this footage to all VW dealers at the product launch of the Country Buggy.
Posted by Volks Culture on Sunday, 4 January 2009
A Week of Events
From 29 July to 6 August, enthusiast from all over the country will gather 500 km north of Sydney to celebrate all things VW.
The street is closed off, with all makes of VW on display, from the classics to the latest models. There’s a great Volkswagen marketplace, with trinkets and hubcaps, Volkswagen parts and merchandise. The rest of the week is filled with talks, competitions and a fireworks display.
On Saturday night, traditionally, there’s a dinner-dance and a charity event. It’s a real who’s who, with Australia’s Volkswagen Clubs often sending one or two enthusiasts.
What Our VW Mechanics Are Hoping to See
It’s not just the Country Buggy that we’re hoping to see at the Spectacular. It’d be great to see some of Volkswagen’s 2018 models stand next to the classics. This year, Volkswagen have already released the Golf GTI Original (in February), a new Polo (April), and the Amarok Dark Label (April). VW are also set to release a new Crafter and Tiguan Allspace in July, just before the Spectacular. Hopefully, some lucky enthusiast will bring one of these along to the Spectacular too!
The Future of the VW Spectacular
Spectaculars and shows are great to see the history of the badge. Enthusiasts, punters and VW mechanics get to see the stark changes and subtle updates VW makes from year to year. VW will be releasing plenty of electric models over the next decade. In fact, five electric VW are set for release next year. In the years ahead, we’re set to see a lot more electric models at the Spectacular. Over the next decade, the Spectacular may be the best place, other than a Volkswagen service centre, to see a futuristic ID Buzz next to the classic Country Buggy!
Thinking of Going?
Thinking about making the trek to Macksville? During the middle of Winter, the VW Spectacular is a great opportunity to drive up the Eastern Coast and escape Melbourne’s coldest time. Before you take it up to NSW, make sure you get your Volkswagen serviced at Melbourne’s leading independent Volkswagen service centre. And if you’re going, take plenty of pics!