Association Of British Volkswagen Owners Club Show, at Stonor Park Henley on Thames
29 July 2025
Ask anyone about Henley on Thames and people will say, “That’s the home of the Henley Regatta” and, of course, they are not wrong.
However, in the beautiful grounds of Stonor Park just outside Henley, lovers of all things automotive would have been enjoying the 41st Association of British Volkswagen Owners Club Show, with over 1,000 cars in attendance on what was a gloriously hot day in June.
The association of British VW O/c’s was set up to support and bring together all the many VW enthusiasts up and down the country who belong to a network of sometimes smaller and local and or very model specific VW vehicles.
The club also welcomes all associated marques from Audi, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, NSU and DKW with each owner’s club retaining its own individuality, traditions and methods.
It was great to see such a diverse range of VW cars and commercials, not just the familiar Type 1’s and 2’s and Karman Ghias but have a think, when did you last see a VW Derby for example?
If you don’t remember, The Derby was a 2-door with a boot version of the Mk 1 VW Polo, which was marketed as a car above the more common hatchback version of the polo. It only came with the larger engine and a higher-grade trim to emphasize the status to ‘image conscious’ customers, who wanted a luxury car but with low running costs.
It was very successful and when the MK 2 Polo was launched, sometimes known as (the bread van) perhaps unkindly by some, Volkswagen replaced the Derby with the Polo Classic. Amazing to see a number of these cars survive, as they were often overlooked in later years as the practicality of hatchbacks had much to offer new car buyers.
It was great to see more modern VW cars getting a following too, with a stunning show of New Beetle clubs just as passionate and enthusiastic about their cars as the older classics. The oldest of these are over 25 years old now and to be fair, it was a classic from new, how could it not be?
There were several categories of prizes awarded at the show and Lancaster Insurance were pleased to sponsor “Class 2 – Best Pre 67 Beetle”, won by Peter Harvey. The ‘Best in Show Air Cooled’ was Dave Folland’s Karmann Ghia, Picture Credit to Helen Elisabeth Read.
The winner of “Best in Show Water Cooled” was Lauren Storrie’s E30 Golf.
One of this year’s great shows we think, so keep in touch with the Association of British Volkswagen owners Clubs to get along to their next event and if you run a smaller club from the VW stable and you are not yet onboard, see what benefits they can offer your club
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