Volksworld Show 2025: Show Report

A lot was riding on Volksworld 2025, but as firm supporters of the event since day one, we got behind the organisation team and did all we could to ensure its success. However, even we were surprised how well it turned out. 

The venue and format change seemed to be the shake-up this show needed, but perhaps we didn't even realise it was required. 

Whilst there was plenty of "it'll never work" from the online scene-pundits, the VoWo team pulled it well and truly out the bag... With a little help from the thousands who attended and were prepared to give something different a shot. Sure, there are lessons to be learnt, but for now, let's celebrate what went well, and there was a lot of that.

We'd spent quite some time planning what we would do for this show and did our best to try and recreate what we'd done at Sandown Park in the past. However, it was the revealing of a rather special show car that probably captured the most attention, even over the great aircooled VW parts we'd handpicked to display or the fantastic commemorative poster our designer Dave had drawn up to mark the 75th anniversary of the Type 2 Splitscreen. Posters will be available at our Heretics events if you missed out. 

'The Riddler' is a collaborative build with Ray at Rayvern Hydraulics. Heritage supported the build from day 1, although it was built under the radar and with much secrecy. We only found out what the car looked like 2 weeks before the show, by which time we had announced it would be revealed. 

For those wondering, the main source of influence was Ed Roth, The Riddler name comes from Batman comics and films and follows 'The Joker, ' a custom Beetle Ray built 30 years ago. 

Thanks to Darren from CX Auto Group for facilitating the fancy reveal. It was like an F1 car launch... 

A big congratulations to Alex Boughen for collecting the coveted Best of Show trophy. Built at home with his Dad, it was a real credit to their ingenuity and hours and hours of hard work. We're very pleased to say it sports plenty of Heritage supplied VW Beetle parts as well.  

There was a lot to catch your attention in the Concours Collection, including some previous stars of the show making a return. 

The ex-Bernard Newbury 'Stitch Up' is due to be back on track this year, and Dave Forder's red German Looker has still got it, picking up a top 5 award against stiff competition. 

Do you remember any of these?

Whether it was pre-war, custom, a drag racer, commercial or family camper, there were the finest examples from all corners of the scene on display for you to see. The custom paint Beach Buggy sported a 356 engine, and was another overall prize winner, as was the dark grey roof chopped Bug with suicide doors. 

The 2025 event was far more about the wider community - the whole of the 'VolksWorld' not just those with the means to build a show car. 

Beyond the carpeted 'Queen Elizabeth Hall' there was a huge covered area for traders and club displays (including our friends at the Back 2 '89 movement and Surrey Auto Works) an even bigger agricultural hall full of swap meet bargains also hosted a BMX pump track, and that's before you got to the outdoor displays, had a wander past the camping area and enjoyed a choice of food or beverage from an array of on-site providers. 

There was certainly lots to keep you wandering and exploring. Something I'd say Sandown Park never quite managed to this extent. 

After comments about the Porsche displays in previous years, the Stuttgart content was kept to a minimum. However, the Porsche 914 was well represented (originally being a VW collaboration) and there were plenty of Speedster kits and 356s to be enjoyed, along with a few Spyders too. 

To summarise, Volksworld Show is saved! Put any concerns you may have had over the change of venue, the apparent lack of indoor space or even the single-day format to the side. The show was vibrant, bursting with amazing aircooled cars (plus some Transporters) and took many of the old guard back to the 'good old days' at events or venues which have long since departed.

Will we be there in 2026? You bet! And we hope to see you there too. 

Thanks to everyone who took the time to come and chat at the show, place an order or simply wave as they walked past. Thanks to Ray for trusting us to reveal his car, and lastly, thanks to our team for being at the event (and to those behind the scenes making sure we got there). We couldn't do it without you. 

Andy