The Man behind Beetlebank VW Restoration

Carl Klinkenborg
When Carl was born his father had a 1955 Oval Beetle. In the holidays Carl, his brother Paul and his mum and dad would take trips in it to the Devon coast. Some years the family of four, plus all their luggage would travel to Germany to visit his father's family in Ostfriesland.

Early VW Beetles
In 1965, Carl's father bought a 1960, 1200 Beetle and through the years, Carl would help his dad repair and maintain it. He resprayed it in 1974 and was carrying out paid bodywork on his older friends' vehicles from the age of 14.

Carl's First VW Beetle
On passing his driving test, his father gave this Beetle to Carl. He kept it for a year and then sold it for £180 to buy a 1971, 1200 Pastel White Beetle for £430. This was his daily driver, clocking up around 20,000 miles a year for several years. During this time he carried out various modifications such as fitting Corbeau high back bucket seats, adding alloy wheels, and a killer (for that era) stereo.

Due to ill health, Carl didn't drive for just over 5 years and during this time the 1200 Beetle was under a tarp in his garden. Unfortunately, the Beetle suffered from lack of use and the interior went mouldy and both the sill bottoms rusted through.

1974 VW Beetle - The God Bug
When he started driving again, he bought the 'God Bug' (reg GDD) from a vicar which he resprayed with German Flag graphics that wrapped around the engine lid.

Carl carried out his first 'full' restoration on the Beetle under the tarp. The work took around 18 months, including the engine build, complete re-upholstery and classic American style flame paint job. The resto was complete.

VW Beetle - Old Flame
Old Flame scooped Best Paint, Best Interior and Best in Class at VW Action at Stoneleigh, and a whole raft of other 'Best Paint', 'Best Interior' and 'Best in Show' awards up and down the country. Old Flame was also a Feature Car in Volksword, the following year. He sold it in 1992 to a man from Plymouth and then bought his first VW Bay window, a 1974 double sliding door 8 seater Kombi for the grand sum of £400 taxed and tested! Those were the days, eh?

VW Shows and Music Festivals
During the 90s, Carl tripped up and down the country to festivals and VW shows in the 'Festi Bus' which he painted in Swedish camo pattern outdoors using a roller! Many trips saw it packed to the headlining with beer, tents and assorted festival dudes. The most memorable festival was Cropredy '94 with Fairport Convention, Robert Plant and Roy Wood. Carl met Roy Wood at the bar and it was like looking in the mirror!

Beetlebank VW Restoration
2000 saw Carl moving to North Devon and starting his business, Beetlebank VW Restoration. Initially in a workshop at his home in Frithelstock Stone and more recently at a unit on Holsworthy Industrial Estate. Beetlebank VW Restoration is now trading from a unit in Westward Ho! and the business is going from strength to strength. His recently completed full restoration of 'Mr Bojangles' for a customer in Braunton was billed on the cover of Volksworld as the biggest show winner of 2010.

VW through and through
Carl, nicknamed 'The Dub Whisperer', has only ever owned aircooled Volkswagens. His daily driver is a 1974 Bay panel van called 'Burn-e', previously a German Fire Service van. I think you can safely say he is Mr VW through and through.

1955 VW Oval Beetle

Not so hairy in those days

1960 VW Beetle

1974 VW Beetle - 'The God Bug'

1971 VW Beetle - Before

After - 'Old Flame'

1974 VW Bay 8 Seater Kombi
'The Festi Bus'

Spot the difference!

1967 VW Splitscreen - Mr Bojangles

1974 VW Bay Panel Van - 'Burn-e'