From Bars to Battleships Photo Album: Cape Town’s Ultimate Air Cooled Adventure

What happens when you mix classic air-cooled VWs, open-top fun, and a stunning cruise through the peninsula?

Pure jol. Our From Bars to Battleships run brought out the best of our Beach Buggy and Air Cooled VW Club Runs Cape Town community, trading morning coffee for mountain passes and naval history. From quirky roadside pitstops and Herbie’s sudden backfiring drama to stunning views up Ou Kaapse Weg and right to the top of Rhodes Memorial, this album captures every single laugh, breakdown, and lekker chat along the way.

Grab a cup, click through the photos, and check out how our crew rolls in true air-cooled style.

Club members chatting beside a classic VW Beetle, Baja Bug, and air-cooled vehicles at the morning meetup in Bothasig before the From Bars to Battleships run.
Nothing beats catching up over a quick chat and coffee at the start of a proper club run.
Kyle Cato showing Herbie his light blue classic VW air-cooled Beetle with a newly rebuilt engine before the From Bars to Battleships run.
Serious engine talk and fresh builds getting inspected before hitting the open road.
Club members inspecting engines and discussing custom modifications on a Beach Buggy, Baja Bug, and classic VW air-cooled vehicles at the meetup spot before the From Bars to Battleships run.
Pop the engine lid and let the petrolhead debates begin before we even hit the road.
Club members gathering for a group photo alongside classic VW air-cooled vehicles and a beach buggy at the morning meetup before the From Bars to Battleships run.
The manne lined up and ready for action before hitting the open road.
Wiehann Geldenhuys standing next to his yellow Beamish Beach Buggy, 'Bugg', looking at his phone while organizing the upcoming Wild Buggers club run in the Western Cape.
The man, the myth, the organizer. Wiehann is ironing out the last few details for his run on 13 September. Let’s just hope he’s not checking the weather report for rain!
The Wild Buggers convoy on the open road featuring a yellow Beamish Beach Buggy, classic VW air-cooled Beetles, and a Baja Bug heading toward the secret breakfast stop.
Nothing beats the sound of a proper air-cooled convoy stretching out across the Western Cape.
A line-up of custom beach buggies, a Baja Bug, and classic VW air-cooled vehicles parked securely at the Pollsmoor brunch stop during the From Bars to Battleships run.
Our secret breakfast spot behind heavy security gates, and nobody is planning a breakout today.
A lineup of classic air-cooled VW Beetles and a Baja Bug parked at the Pollsmoor brunch stop during the From Bars to Battleships run.
Just a proper lineup of air-cooled legends enjoying the view behind bars.
Andre and Jo-ann Gericke ready to head into the Pollsmoor Menasie for breakfast during the From Bars to Battleships run, surrounded by classic VW air-cooled enthusiasts.
Just checking in for a breakfast stop where nobody is in a rush to leave early.
Club members enjoying a delicious brunch inside the Pollsmoor Menasie during the From Bars to Battleships run, surrounded by classic VW air-cooled enthusiasts.
Excellent food, great company, and zero complaints from our captive audience.
Wild Buggers club members posing with hands against the brick wall outside the Pollsmoor brunch stop during the From Bars to Battleships run, surrounded by classic VW air-cooled enthusiasts.
Always ready for a laugh, the crew lined up against the wall to make sure nobody tried an early breakout.
The Wild Buggers crew gathered outside the Pollsmoor Recreation Centre entrance for a group photo during the From Bars to Battleships run, featuring owners of custom beach buggies, Baja Bugs, and classic VW air-cooled vehicles.
The full lineup of legends gathered outside after a cracking breakfast stop.
The Wild Buggers convoy cruising along a scenic Western Cape road featuring a custom beach buggies, a Baja Bug, and classic VW air-cooled vehicles.
Awesome driving and air-cooled sounds as the convoy heads toward the coast.
A lineup of classic air-cooled Volkswagens, including a yellow Beach Buggy and Herbie Beetle, parked oceanside in Cape Town during a Wild Buggers club run.
Just Wiehann making sure his yellow buggy is perfectly positioned for the camera… again. We’re ready for Wiehann’s Run on 13 September in the Western Cape.
Wild Buggers club members enjoying the beautiful ocean view alongside parked classic VW air-cooled vehicles during the From Bars to Battleships run.
Pausing for some fresh sea breeze and a proper look at the Atlantic before rolling on.
Arriving at the Simon's Town stop during the From Bars to Battleships run, featuring custom beach buggies, Baja Bugs, and classic VW air-cooled vehicles.
Dropping anchor in Simon’s Town before we head up to Rhodes Memorial for the final leg.
Wild Buggers club members exploring historic naval cannons on display right at the entrance of the South African Naval Museum in Simon's Town during our Western Cape club run.
Even the entranceway has enough heavy artillery to make sure nobody argues about the parking.
Wild Buggers club members walking together toward the South African Naval Museum in Simon's Town during the From Bars to Battleships run, featuring classic VW air-cooled vehicle enthusiasts.
Trading the steering wheel for a pair of walking shoes to check out what the navy has to offer.
Museum display featuring a scale model and paintings of the strike craft SAS Oswald Pirow inside the South African Naval Museum in Simon's Town.
Checking out the heavy machinery and miniature warships while we explore Simon’s Town.
A cutaway display of a historical naval mine showing its internal components inside the museum.
A close-up look at things that definitely go bump in the night.
Historic naval exhibits and a missile display hanging from the ceiling inside the South African Naval Museum in Simon's Town.
Spotting a missile overhead just in case anyone wanted to get fancy with their parking.
An informative historical display map detailing coastal radar stations used during World War II in South Africa.
Checking out the top-secret map board because even the Wild Buggers need to know where the radar is hiding.
A vintage fire engine and historical firefighting equipment on display inside the Mast House at the South African Naval Museum.
Even the fire brigade is vintage around here, though thankfully nobody needs a hose just yet.
A vintage portable fire pump trailer on display alongside a historical fire engine inside the museum.
Just in case anyone’s engine gets a bit too hot after a long cruise.
A historical practice sea mine and sinker display complete with informational plaque inside the South African Naval Museum.
Just a friendly reminder not to drop anchor on this one.
A ship's wheel, telegraph dials, and brass portholes inside a simulated ship bridge exhibit at the museum.
Trying to figure out who left the wheel unattended while we docked for the day.
A historical Oxygen Generator Mk 1 on display with pyrotechnic ignition instructions inside the naval museum.
Making sure we have plenty of fresh air on board before diving back into the museum.
Club members exploring the East London wheelhouse replica exhibit inside the South African Naval Museum.
Figuring out how to steer a ship without getting seasick on dry land.
A historical naval recompression chamber on display inside the South African Naval Museum.
Just making sure our deep-sea diving gear is up to scratch before we head back out.
A restored Leyland Cub fire engine on display with its informational plaque inside the South African Naval Museum.
Checking out an old-school fire engine because our buggies have enough sparks already.
A Westland Wasp HAS Mk 1 helicopter on display inside the historic Mast House at the South African Naval Museum.
Checking out the chopper because four wheels on the road are good, but rotors are a whole different level of parking.
Club members examining a historical 40 mm naval anti-aircraft gun exhibit with target laying plaque inside the museum.
Checking out the heavy artillery because our buggies definitely don’t come with this optional extra.
An open housing container revealing a missile on display inside the South African Naval Museum.
Checking out the big guns because our buggies are fast, but they don’t quite need rocket propulsion.
A vintage Browning .303 anti-aircraft machine gun mount with shoulder rests and ring sight on display at the museum.
Checking out the heavy hardware because our buggies definitely don’t need this kind of traffic clearance.
A restored naval deck gun with elevation handwheels and a protective shield on display inside the museum.
Checking out the heavy artillery because parallel parking a buggy is tough, but aiming this beast is a whole different story.
The altar and stained glass windows inside the historic naval church at Simon's Town.
Taking a quiet moment to admire the maritime chapel before someone starts revving an air-cooled motor outside.
A hand-painted vintage wooden service board for the South Ancient Naval Dockyard Church in Simon's Town.
Checking out the schedule because even sailors needed a gentle reminder on Sunday mornings.
The interior nave and wooden pews leading down the red carpet inside the historic naval church.
Walking down the red carpet, though thankfully nobody is throwing rice at our buggies.
The historical South African naval ensign framed on a wall inside the museum.
Checking out the old flags on display because our navigation skills usually start and end with getting lost on the back roads.
The interior view of the historic naval church showing the wooden pews and wall murals.
Checking out the hand-painted murals because our garage walls could use an artistic upgrade.
The framed South African Navy Colour flag with a red lion and naval ensign canton on display inside the historic church.
Admiring the ceremonial colours because our club convoy definitely needs a proper flag-bearer.
A convoy of classic VW Beetles and a beach buggy driving in a line along the open road on the Western Cape.
Back on the open road and rolling together toward our final stop.
A line of beach buggies and classic VW Beetles parked alongside the coastal road during a club pitstop.
Pulling over for a quick regroup because even vintage engines need a breather and the drivers need a leg stretch.
A white classic VW Beetle driving along the winding road of Ou Kaapse Weg during the club run.
Tackling the mountain pass because switchbacks are way more fun when you are trailing friends in a classic Beetle.
A line of parked air-cooled Volkswagen vehicles, including a Baja Bug, pulled over along the scenic coast during a club stop.
Pulling over for a quick regroup because every good convoy needs a stretch and a view of the water.
Classic VW Beetles driving up the tree-lined road leading toward Rhodes Memorial.
Cruising under the green canopy because tree-lined roads were practically made for a convoy of air-cooled classics.
The informational sign for Rhodes Memorial overlooking the expansive landscape of Cape Town.
Reaching our final destination because looking out over the city beats sitting in traffic any day.
Harvey Metcalf's white and blue Beamish beach buggy parked at Rhodes Memorial with club members gathering in the background.
Showing off the blue and white buggy because open-air cruising is the only way to finish a brilliant run.
Neil and Maddox's iconic number 53 Herbie classic VW Beetle parked on the roadside during a club run.
Herbie wanted to join the orchestra by providing a sudden backfire solo.
Club members gathered around the engine bay of a classic VW Beetle to troubleshoot a roadside mechanical issue.
Group mechanics in full effect because every good convoy needs at least one impromptu roadside tech session.
Herbie Thiart inspecting the engine of the iconic number 53 Beetle during a roadside stop.
Herbie meeting Herbie because when a car named Herbie acts up, you need a bloke named Herbie to sort it out.
Club members parked up at Rhodes Memorial enjoying the scenic view with a line of classic VW Beetles and beach buggies.
Taking in the view because a stunning lookout point is the ultimate reward after a great drive.
The rear view of Harvey Metcalf's white and blue Beamish beach buggy showcasing its exposed air-cooled engine and custom exhaust.
Looking at the business end of the buggy because that engine sound is music to any club member’s ears.
Club members chatting and looking at a beach buggy and a classic VW Beetle at Rhodes Memorial while dealing with a stubborn backfiring issue.
Enjoying the epic views and good banter while Herbie treats us to yet another impromptu engine inspection.
The stone steps and columns of Rhodes Memorial leading up under a bright blue sky with mountain peaks in the background.
Climbing the grand steps because testing our leg muscles after sitting in a car is part of the experience.
Neil holding up the culprit burnt points after tracking down the backfiring issue on his classic VW Beetle.
Mystery solved because burnt points were the real reason Herbie decided to start making music.
The magnificent stone architecture and statue at Rhodes Memorial framed against a dramatic mountain backdrop.
Taking in the grand monument because finishing a club run here never gets old.
The iconic bronze horse and rider statue standing guard at Rhodes Memorial under a clear blue sky.
Checking out the bronze rider because even the statues look like they are ready to jump into a car and join the convoy.
Heinrich, Herbie, and Leon standing at the top of the grand stone steps at Rhodes Memorial.
Making it all the way to the top because conquering every single step deserves a proper victory pose.
Club members chatting and relaxing near a white classic VW Beetle at Rhodes Memorial with scenic views in the background.
Just soaking up the sunshine and swapping stories because great company makes the best finish to any run.
Club members standing together and chatting outside at Rhodes Memorial during the club run.
Just chatting because solving the world’s problems is much easier with good friends and a stunning view.
A person inspecting the underside of Bertus's white classic VW Beetle parked on the roadside during the club run.
Bertus, what is Harvey doing under your Beetle because that is definitely not how you check the oil.

Read the full story behind our From Bars to Battleships adventure and discover the moments that made this unforgettable Wild Buggers run so special.

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