News Archive
BUGS 'N BRATS 6 was one for the record books!
10/16/2011
The 6th annual Bugs 'N Brats Car Show & Barbeque was the largest event we've ever had. We had a lot of firsts this year. First year for trophies, first year to have an engine blow, first year for sponsors, & more cars than we've ever had at the event. We certainly hope that it's a sign of things to come. Go to the Bugs 'n Brats page on this site to read more about it and for the link to our photo gallery.
Darkside in VEGAS!
9/10/2011
It's official. Spook and Snoopy have gotten their badges, and Airkooled Kustoms is going to SEMA 2011. For those of you who may not be familiar, SEMA is the largest automotive tradeshow in the world, and takes place the first week of November every year in Las Vegas! It's a pretty big-honkin' deal. You can read more about it here.
Tannehill Bug Blast 2011
8/28/2011
Well the silver tent was erected once again at the 2011 Bug Blast in Tannehill State Park. We want to thank the Los Punkitos for having us down for a great time. We were honored to be a part of it. This was also the maiden voyage of our new 24' hauler (insert name here). Snoopy was a little tense when we first got underway, but the Death Star towed that baby just fine, desite Spook trying his darndest to fill every square inch of that thing. He got a mild butt-chewin' from Snoop for that, but it's all good. The weather was perfect and the company was even better. We didn't get a lot of photos or video, because we were so busy, but what we did get, we'll share with you in the gallery.
Bug'n In July Was A Big Success!
Photo Courtesy of Adam Campbell
7/17/2011
The 2011 Bug'n In July car show had a whole new look and feel from previous years. Being right next to the Tennessee River at Ingall's Harbor was a beautiful location, and the weather was perfect. We also had the shortest Engine Blow in AK history. Snoopy and Wink went out Friday to set up the booth early, but the entire AK Krew worked like crazy during the show. Thanks to all the folks that came out to see us at the booth, and a special thanks to the NAVWC for hosting a wonderful event and allowing us to be a part of it.
Sledd 2:A New Beginning
7/1/2011
Our good buddy Jason has recently sold his bug and bought this rockin' 72 Camper, not necessarily in that order. Anywho, he's brought his latest love to the darkside for the kind of care only we can give it. Some of the upgrades include a complete new braking system, new suspension (with a little lowering), new steering, rims, give the motor a good going-over, and fix any little things we happen to find while we're in there. If you ask me, I'd go for the keg-erator too. One thing's fer-sher... It'll never be the same again. Follow along with it's decention in the photo gallery.
Happy new GrandSpook.
6/17/2011
We would like to welcome Spook & Darlene's new grandson, Tyler. Tyler was born on June 17 and is the perfect son of proud parents, Amie & Ryan. Congratulations you two. You did good!
Alive & Kickin' on the Darkside.
A lot of you have been reading about the recent outbreak of tornados that literaly ripped through Alabama and the surrounding states. Those of you who live here have lived it and spent a lot of time in the dark, and that's if you're one of the lucky ones. I, Snoopy, remember the Tornado outbreak of '74, and that didn't hold a candle to April 27, 2011. Fortunately, everyone we know of survived April's Fury, though there are a few darkside family members that took a direct hit. I was fortunate to only have a near miss, as funnel cloud went directly over my house (pictured above). We want everyone to know that no damage came to the shop or any of the cars currently kept here. After five days in the dark, we've finally swung the shop doors open and resumed operations. Our prayers go out to those affected by this natural tragedy, especially to those who have lost their homes and loved ones. We have a few aftermath photos from around the shop in a gallery here.
Bugapaluza 13
What a weekend. We roll up into Chattanooga Friday afternoon with it raining sheets. After a short stop on the show grounds, we decide to wait and set up the next morning, and go check into our hotel. Saturday morning, after some very fierce thunderstorms & hail, we roll out to the show grounds again, only to find that the road is washed out and barricaided. So we find the back way in. We set up the Airkooled booth in wind gusts of 20-40 mph. We had to park the trailer behind the booth and tie ropes to it to keep it on the ground. It was so cold that day, that we sold all of our hoodies by 1:00. Sunday, it was so hot, many of us came home with sunburns. The guys at Scenic City Volks Folks always put on an incredible show, no matter the conditions. Despite the vast spectrum of weather conditions we had a great time and it was one of our most successful shows to date. Thanks to everyone that came by to say hello.
Wine me, Dine me!
One morning in mid 1986, Snoopy and his Dad were driving down South Parkway in Huntsville and spotted what would become both family and obsession. It glistened in the morning sun in metallic silver paint and black stripes, and the numbers $2850 were written on the windshield in white shoe polish. His Dad left to go find a phone booth, while Snoopy stayed with the car and chased away other interested onlookers. Driving his new '69 Camaro home was one of the happiest days of his life, and he's kept it for 25 years. Snoopy has brought it to the shop for Spook and 00Dub to work their magic with metal and paint. Snoopy is going to do a full frame-off Pro-Touring restoration on this classic icon of American history. He only wishes his Dad were still here to watch it happen. Follow along with this Airkooled Kustoms first in the gallery.
Whingnut's in the House!
Zach Whingnut has brought us his 65 beetle for new pans, rust removal & new paint. He's had this little beauty since August 09. He did a lot of looking and researching and driving and talking and calling to FINALLY get his bug. His poor wife was being dragged to look at 10 different cars a week in search of Zach's "Dub Unicorn" till she finally gave him a deadline ultimatum. He finally found his baby and drove it home from Powhattan, Virginia with the heater stuck wide open in the hottest part of Summer and with the rear brakes seized up. Also during that trip, the wipers flew off the car during a rainstorm while rolling down the interstate. Don't feel bad Bro. We ALL have a story like that, or two, or three. Zach is on deployment right now, so we're gonna take extra special care of his baby while he's away. You can follow along with the restoration in the photo gallery.
Changing of the Guard.
Amie, our bookkeeper during the year of 2010, is leaving us to pursue a much bigger challenge... raising a family. She has recently made the announcement that she and her husband are expecting, and we want to congratulate them both. We wish you all the health and happiness you deserve. Taking her place is Robin, and we welcome her with open arms. Robin has already been extremely busy straightening us out. She's found problems we never knew we had. There may be some changes around the compound in the near future. Thanks Robin, and welcome aboard!
Snoopy's latest work.
Snoopy just completed his latest rendering of Lamar's '59 Euro-Rag. The car itself is working it's way to the paint booth, but this rendering has Spook a little concerned, hoping that he can make the real thing look as good as the picture. I don't think Lamar OR Spook has anything to worry about. Spook and Roger have been painting cars a heck of a lot longer than Snoopy's been doing renders. You can still follow along with the ACTUAL restoration in the photo gallery.
Paz's '71 Zombie Ghia.
Airkooled Kustoms would like to welcome Arthur Paz to the AK family. Paz has brought us his '71 Karmann Ghia all the way from Florida. This is actually his second Ghia. His first was a coupe that he sold about 10 years ago, and regreted ever since. He bought this little beauty hoping to recapture the fun of his old one, but like SO many of us, discovered that the repair work was more than he was led to believe. So his more-than-understanding wife has allowed him to keep it, and he has entrusted us with it's rebirth. We appreciate that, Bro. If you'd like to follow along with resto, check out the photo gallery, here.
A blanket of White on the compound
I don't know what the weather's like where you are, but around North Alabama, it's been a little unusual... at least for us. Cold doesn't begin to describe it, and what's all this white stuff? I haven't seen a snow like this, since I was a teenager! Don't see too many Vdubs out in this mess.
Another Oval on the Compound!
It's one thing to have an oval in the shop, or as the case happens to be, two ovals at the shop. But how this puppy came to us, is something that you have to see to believe. During Bugs 'n Brats, Eric pulled up with a 68 Single Cab on his trailer, and this 57 Oval in the back of his Single Cab. It looked a little dangerous to me, but HEY... It made it! Eric's goal is for us to bring this little baby back from the dead. We'll be replacing the pans, refurbishing the chassis, and doing the paint and body work. Follow along on the photo page as Spook and Roger work their magic.
Mike's Back!!!
Notchback that is. Mike, the owner of the 1960 Single Cab, has brought us his '65 Notchback also. The plans for this little baby include, but are not limited to, a rotisserie restoration, nickle-black paint and a 2-litre motor. She'll roll out with a subtle early German-Retro look. As always, you can follow along with the restoration on the photo page, here.
Welcome to the Nut House!
This has to be a rarity. Two Single Cabs in one shop! Airkooled Kustoms wants to welcome our latest customer, Mike. He just brought us his 1960 VW Single Cab for a full restoration. Among the laundry list of mods is a Type-4 conversion and a narrowed beam. It's gonna be one sweet slammed ride. Follow along with restoration from beginning to end on the photo page, here.
Not Air-Kooled! But Kool just the same. 
An Airkooled Kustoms FIRST! Spook and Roger have recently decided to accept the challenge of restoring a 1972 Triumph TR-6, despite the fact that it has a RADIATOR! Work has already begun on this sexy little English 6-banger. View up to date photos of resto here. I hope someone can make Spook understand the concept of anti-freeze.
Bugs 'n Brats 5, The biggest one yet!
Well, the rain tried to drown us out again, but luckily it dried up after lunch and the party began. We had the biggest turnout Bugs 'n Brats has ever seen. We want to thank all the folks who made it out, despite the wet conditions. We're already making plans for next year. To read more about it, visit the Bugs 'n Brats page.
Turn Right & Exit Left To The Darkside!
After a lot of back breaking work, two dump truck loads of gravel, and almost destroying a front end loader, Airkooled Kustoms has a new entrance off of Guy Wilson Road. Just turn onto Pauline Drive off of Hwy 231-431, go straight till Pauline turns into Guy Wilson Road, and look for the Skull on the left. If you can't find your way into the shop, just wander around amungst the VW graveyard for a bit and somebody will eventually find you.
Birmingham Bugs are a Blast!
August 22, 2010
You gotta love these camping events, especially with the folks from the Central Alabama Volkswagen Club. This years Bug Blast was incredible. As is usually the case... it rained the night before. So there were a lot of folks waxing and polishing the next morning. But the clouds parted and the good time rolled on. We really appreciate everyone who came by to visit us at the Airkooled Kustoms booth. That's the main reason we go to these things. It rained on us again as we convoyed home last night, but we managed to get back in one piece. We want to thank the guys at the CAVWC for inviting us out. We're already looking forward to next year.
Burnin' it up at Bug'n In July!
July 26, 2010
Holy Smoke! Those guys at the North Alabama Volkswagen Club put on a great show every year, and we're very grateful that they allow us to be a part of it. But Maaaaaaaaaaaan was it HOT! Unlike years past, the show wasn't under the Point Mallard Pavilion. Instead, the top brass at PM decided that the show had outgrown the venue, and moved the show down the road into the open sun. But there was plenty of water and sunscreen to go around, and the show turned out great. They even had a military DRASH tent set up with one of those AC units they use in Iraq! That this was so cold, it took our breath away. Thanks to all the folks who came by the AK booth to visit. Next is the Birmingham Bug Blast. Hopefully it will be a little cooler.
Back From Bugapaluza!
What a show! Those guys at the Scenic City Volks Folks really know how to do it. Bugapaluza 12 was one heck of a good time. We had the new booth set up, the weather was perfect, we talked to soooo many people, we sold a ton of merchandise, and Snoopy won second place in Super Beetle Custom. We were all limping, hobbling & moaning like a bunch of old men, by the time it was all over, but we're already looking forward to next year. We want to say thanks to all the good folks who came by to see us at the booth. You make it worth while. We have a photo page here. We had a bunch of people taking pictures for us, and we'll add them as they trickle in.
All the news that's fit to print, and some that ain't!
We try to keep our home page clean and clutter free. As a result, we only list the very latest news items there. If something has grabbed your attention in the past, or you just want to double check something that happened, you'll be able to do that here in the news archive. The archive was started October 14, 2009, so unfortunately there aren't many articles that happened before that here.
Master Gumby Retires from Airkooled.
January 1, 2010
For the past four years, Daryl (Master Gumby) has been a vital part of the Airkooled Kustoms family. Though he will continue to be so, he has decided to retire from the company to pursue other interests. Gumby handled all AK promotional and merchandise endeavors such as the website, t-shirt and swag item design, car renderings of all AK restorations just to name a few. Though he will be sorely missed, Airkooled Kustoms would like to welcome our newest partner, Jim (Snoopy). Snoopy has been a member of the AK family for a couple of years now, and will take over for Gumby at the beginning of 2010. He has some very big shoes to fill, but says he feels up to the challenge. Let's hope so! We wish Master Gumby all the best and sincerely hope to still see him around the shop. We love you Brother!
Change of Address
December 1, 2009
If you've been in contact with, or need to reach our billing department, please note, we have changed our billing email address. It's no longer "vwink@airkoolekustoms.com". The new address is "billing@airkooledkustoms.com". Please update your address books.
Just now tuning in?
October 8, 2009
Are you experiencing carburetor problems? Is that PICT-34 being a little to "picky"? Well fret no more, because Airkooled Kustoms is now an official Harney Carburetor distributor. Mark Harney from Nashville, TN is an aircooled VW engine guru and we're plea+sed to offer his services to our customers. Visit our Products page for more info.
Brats Photos are Up!
October 2, 2009
Airkooled Kustoms would like to thank all of our friends, fans, and family who came out to our 4th annual Bugs 'n Brats Show-n-Shine on Sept. 26. We had a huge turnout and had a great time! Check out the Brats page for more details and photos.
New Projects!
September 30, 2009
Airkooled Kustoms would like to welcome two new clients to the shop! Andy has brought his '65 Beetle in for a little Darkside customizing and Mark and Dena have brought their new '77 Super Beetle Cabriolet in for a complete overhaul. Check 'em out on the Projects page!
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souls have visited the Darkside since 08.01.06