Introduction
What will members still be talking about around a braai two weeks from now?
It probably will not be the coffee at Potbelly, the market at Lourensford, the bacon at The Bacon Spot, or even the ice cream stop at Pitstop.
No, it will probably be the moment the heavens opened on the N2, poor old Shrek decided three cylinders were plenty, the wipers packed up, and suddenly a perfectly relaxed Sunday cruise became a tense drive home through sheets of rain.
But that only happened right at the end.
Before that, Wiehann’s Run delivered exactly what a proper Wild Buggers outing should. Great roads, fantastic scenery, interesting vehicles, plenty of laughs, good food and even a surprise that nobody saw coming. Somewhere between bacon, beach buggies and a rubber chicken strapped to the back of a Beetle, Hans quietly ended up stealing the show when his freshly restored Thunder Bug made an unexpected appearance.
Ja-nee, some Sundays are more memorable than others.
Gathering Point
Bothasig was buzzing long before departure.
As members rolled in, the parking area quickly filled with an impressive collection of machinery. Beach buggies, Beetles, custom builds and classics lined up while the usual pre-run inspections took place.
Wiehann’s yellow Beamish buggy, appropriately named Bugg, was ready to lead the charge. Shrek was present, Chucky was watching everyone from the rear window, and familiar faces gathered around steaming coffee cups discussing everything from engine notes to route plans.
Of course, no Wild Buggers gathering would be complete without somebody peering into an engine bay before the day had properly begun.
With the convoy assembled and engines warming nicely, the excitement was building for the road ahead.
The Adventure Begins
Our first destination was Potbelly Coffee Shop and Bakery near Klapmuts.
Located on the historic R44 between Paarl and Stellenbosch, Potbelly has become something of an institution among classic car clubs, known for its family-friendly atmosphere and legendary pies. It proved the perfect place for a mid-morning regroup.
Several familiar scenes played out almost immediately.
Leon was helping investigate an engine bay. Leon and Bertus were lending a hand during another technical check. A Porsche Spyder replica attracted attention. The bright orange Kango buggy, Hugo’s Coca-Cola T-Bug and the red Beamish all took their turn as crowd favourites.
Then it was back onto the road.
Few things beat watching a convoy of air-cooled Volkswagens snake across the Western Cape countryside. Every regroup stop brought more laughs, more stories and another excuse to admire the collection of vehicles travelling together.
Destination Story
Lourensford Market in the Helderberg was easily one of the highlights of the day.
The market sits on Lourensford Estate, a property with roots dating back to the early 1700s when it formed part of the original Vergelegen lands established by Willem Adriaan van der Stel. Today the estate combines centuries of history with vineyards, gardens, markets and attractions that make it one of the Helderberg’s most popular destinations.
Members wandered through stalls, searched for snacks and admired local craftsmanship. A beautifully carved wooden Beetle and miniature Kombi drew plenty of attention. Mickey explored the artisan stalls while others discovered everything from unusual gifts to flowering plants that somehow found space inside air-cooled vehicles for the trip home.
The estate’s automotive displays also proved irresistible. Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, classic motorcycles, a magnificent Mustang and a Beetle mounted on a lift kept the petrolheads occupied far longer than originally planned.
If there was one lesson from Lourensford, it was that getting Wild Buggers away from interesting cars remains nearly impossible.
Lunch at The Bacon Spot in Strand delivered exactly what the name promised.
The atmosphere was relaxed, conversation flowed easily and the important debates of the day were conducted around the table while everyone waited for their food. The famous parking-lot technical discussions continued outside before the convoy regrouped for the next leg of the journey.
VW Corner
One of the best moments of the day also highlights an important part of South African air-cooled VW culture: restoration projects.
Many classic Volkswagens spend years tucked away in garages while owners search for parts, solve engineering challenges and slowly bring old cars back to life. Unlike modern vehicles, air-cooled Beetles often become deeply personal projects that owners rebuild with their own hands.
That is why Hans’s Thunder Bug attracted so much attention.
When word spread during lunch that the restoration was finally complete, excitement levels immediately rose. Before long, Neil’s famous Herbie was parked alongside the freshly finished Thunder Bug, creating one of the standout images of the day.
Every completed restoration represents hundreds of hours of dedication, problem-solving and perseverance. Seeing a project finally return to the road reminds all of us why we love these old Volkswagens.
Memorable Moments
Choosing the funniest moment of the day is not easy.
The rubber chicken strapped to the back of a Beetle certainly made a strong case.
Finding club members proudly carrying newly purchased plants through Lourensford was another contender.
But the biggest surprise belonged to Thunder Bug.
Nobody expected Hans’s newly completed Beetle to appear. Seeing it parked beside Herbie created plenty of excitement and became an instant talking point.
The drive along Clarence Drive then delivered another unforgettable chapter. The road between Gordon’s Bay and Rooiels remains one of the Western Cape’s great motoring routes, hugging dramatic mountainsides while offering spectacular views across False Bay.
By the time we reached The Grille Shack @ Pitstop, ice creams were disappearing rapidly while members explored the automotive memorabilia decorating the venue.
Then came the journey home.
Heavy rain arrived suddenly. Shrek had already spent the day running on three cylinders before deciding its wipers were no longer interested in participating. With poor visibility and nowhere safe to stop on the N2, it became a genuinely stressful drive.
Thankfully everyone got home safely, but that final stretch definitely ensured nobody would forget Wiehann’s Run anytime soon.
Looking Ahead
That is what makes Wild Buggers special.
Sometimes the destination is memorable. Sometimes the food steals the show. Sometimes an unexpected restoration appears and becomes the star attraction.
And sometimes a stubborn old VW reminds you that air-cooled ownership is never boring.
Wiehann’s Run gave us all of that in a single day.
From Potbelly to Lourensford, from bacon to ice cream, from Thunder Bug’s surprise debut to Shrek’s dramatic final act, it was another classic Wild Buggers adventure.
We cannot wait to do it all again.
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View the complete Photo Gallery from Wiehann’s Run and relive every stop along the route.
Thinking about joining us on the next adventure?
Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club welcomes beach buggies, Beetles, Kombis, Baja Bugs and all classic air-cooled VW enthusiasts. Bring the family, bring your sense of humour and simply arrive ready for a great day out.
No tickets. No RSVP. No fuss.
Just check out our next event and join the convoy:
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