Introduce yourself and what do you do at Just Kampers?
Hi I’m Jason and I work within the Marketing department at Just Kampers. I’m a fully-fledged VW enthusiast, with over 20+ years experience in keeping Volkswagens old and new on the road. I love nothing more than attending VW shows and Camping with friends and family.
I've owned "Val" my 69 1300 Beetle for nearly 20 years. After obtaining my driving license she was my daily driver for a considerable time.
Now in semi-retirement, and truly loved by my family, particularly my 5-year-old son Theo. Val performs much lighter duties, we enjoy her as much as we can as a family and attend as many shows as possible throughout the year. The look I went for was inspired by the ex-Dave Rhoads owned Der Kleiner Panzers club car, and as with any classic car ownership, it’s been an ongoing project.
Over the years of ownership, the car has been transformed bit by bit from a late '80s slammed resto bug to a nose-down California Look inspired streetcar. For reliability and a bit of extra poke, a newly built 1776cc engine has been installed. The car is still fitted with its original 1300 stock transmission, stock height rear suspension but with the additional safety of a camber compensator installed, shock absorbers are KYB Gas and the front beam is stock width with adjusters welded in and wound down.
The interior features an 80's throwback smoothed dash. Retrimmed seat covers, Gene Berg shifter, Autogauge monster tacho, and various gauges. Externally there is no chrome trim, 1-piece windows and cal-look window rubbers all round. Wheels are replica BRM’s (5 x 205) with a wide 5 drum conversion, laced with Firestone 215/65/15 rear & Firestone F560’s 145/80/15 Front tyres.
Special events, family stories, memories, nice trivia – personal history
A particularly special moment was using Val as our Wedding car back in the summer of 2017
VW Model
1300 Beetle
Name if any?
Val
Age/year of Manufacture
January registered 1969
Engine Size
1776cc, Type 3 AS41 case, Twin 40 Webbers, Scat C35 Cam and various other Scat items.
Work Completed
Over the many years, Val has undergone lots of maintenance, including a new paint job, new doors, wings, lights, suspension, interior and loads of little bits here and there.
Worst Experience
Losing all my oil on M3 coming back from Bug Jam in 2001.
Best Experience
Making it to my intended destination. Having Val ready for our wedding
Top Tips
If you have an external oil filter, put a light coating of engine oil round the seal before screwing it back on the sandwich plate. Makes it so much easier to remove come oil change time.
Any other VWs Owned
1983 MK1 Golf GX
Too Many MK4's platform VWs to talk about.
2006 VW T32 LWB T5 Camper.
Future Plans:
I'd like to revert the panels back to 69 spec. Fit a Preservation Parts 4” narrowed ball joint front beam and install a CSP Wide Five B/J disc upgrade.
