Some club runs start quietly. This one did not. The Propellers and Pistons Winter Cruise turned into a proper Beach Buggy club run, with old-school VW character, winter sunshine, aviation history, open roads, a few mechanical gremlins, and enough fish and chips to make the whole convoy smile.
The Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club gathered at Woodbridge Island in Milnerton, with the lighthouse standing by like it was checking the starting grid. Shrek, Mickey’s blue Beetle, Viv’s gunmetal grey Beetle, Chris Ter Haar’s blue Beamish and several other air-cooled VW classics lined up while everyone caught up, checked the cars, and zipped up jackets. Chris Zara’s yellow Salamander buggy joined us later at the SAAF Museum, and Boeta’s yellow Beamish joined at the fish and chips stop.
A Beach Buggy Club Run With Proper Club Spirit
That is the lekker thing about a Wild Buggers run. The cars are the stars, but the people make the day. Someone brings a story, someone brings tools, someone brings directions, and someone always has a strong opinion about engines. No ego, no rush, just classic cars and good company.
Air-Cooled VW Fun at the SAAF Museum
From Woodbridge Island, the convoy headed to the South African Air Force Museum at the Air Force Base in Ysterplaat. Kyle Cato went ahead in his orange VW Type 181 Thing to help secure parking for the club, which was a proper win before the rest of the convoy arrived.
The museum was a perfect first stop for a crew who loves pistons, props and clever old machinery. Members wandered through the hangars, checked out aircraft, climbed up to look into cockpits, studied engines, and had a good look at the Avro Shackleton, jets, helicopters and other aviation treasures. The Shackleton’s maritime patrol history made the Propellers and Pistons theme feel extra spot-on.
Backroads, Beetles and a Proper Beach Buggy Club Run
After the museum, it was time to fire up the engines again. The convoy rolled through green winter countryside, past open fields and winding roads, with Beetles and buggies stretching out in a colourful line. Shrek was there, along with Bertus, Leon and Alma Visser, Heinrich and Herbie Thiart, Wiehann Geldenhuys, Pieter Van Der Merwe, Viv Reyneke, Chris Ter Haar and Chris Zara. There were more smiles than gears, and that says plenty.
De Werf: quick stop, fresh air and small mechanical gremlins
De Werf in Philadelphia gave everyone a breather. It is a handy farmstall, restaurant, weekend market and roadside stop near the R304 and N7, so it worked well for toilets, coffee, leg-stretching and car park kuier.
It also gave us the day’s documented mechanical moments. Shrek needed a quick air-filter tighten-up, and Heinrich’s turquoise Beetle had an overheating moment. Front hood open, rear engine lid open, members gathered around, and the usual theories started flying. Nobody panicked. This is Wild Buggers territory: help, laugh, fix what you can, and keep rolling.
We also met a friendly American Pocket Pitbull at De Werf. If that name is new to you, you are not alone. The Pocket Bully is the smaller size variety of the modern American Bully: compact, muscular and often described as people-focused when responsibly bred and trained. Basically, a mini bodybuilder with a wagging tail.
Classic VW Fun, Fish and Chips in Paarl
Once the cars were ready, the convoy carried on toward Paarl. There were rolling shots, catch-up stops and enough open road to remind everyone why old VWs are best enjoyed with friends. Hugo Koegelenberg’s classic Beetle with a 1500 Datsun motor also sparked good technical chat, because our people cannot resist a clever conversion.
Cape to Rio Fisheries: pavement campout and proper kuier
The final stop was Cape to Rio Fisheries in Paarl. By then, everyone was ready for fresh fish, slap chips and a relaxed pavement campout. Cape to Rio is known for no-fuss takeaway-style seafood, which is exactly what a hungry car club needs after a winter drive.
Members chatted while orders were prepared, admired the cars and settled into the easy end-of-run vibe. Mickey, Alma and Bertus caught up, Viv and Pieter spent time with Pieter’s partner, Herbie and Boeta shared a moment next to Boeta’s yellow buggy, and Hugo explained more about his Beetle project. Then came the food. Fresh fish, proper slap chips and good company. Daar is min dinge beter as dit.
Why This Wild Buggers Club Run Worked
The day worked because it had the right mix: a good meeting point, an aviation stop full of history, a scenic drive, a useful pitstop, a few small mechanical stories, and a fish and chips finish. Most importantly, it had the Wild Buggers attitude: no competition, no drama, just people who enjoy old cars and good company.
By the time the convoy headed home along the N1, the day had done its job. We had photos, stories, full stomachs and that happy feeling that says: yes, this was worth getting the cars out for.
Final Thoughts: A Lekker Winter Cruise
The Propellers and Pistons Winter Cruise was fun, relaxed, slightly oily in places, and full of laughs. From Woodbridge Island to Ysterplaat, De Werf, Paarl and back home again, this Beach Buggy club run gave us exactly what we came for.
To everyone who joined, helped, posed, laughed and made the pavement at Cape to Rio Fisheries feel like a club lounge: thank you. See you on the next run. Bring your jacket, bring your sense of humour, and if your car has a personality, bring that too. Dit gaan weer lekker wees.
View the full Propellers and Pistons Winter Cruise photo album.
Want to join the next Wild Buggers run? Bring your Beach Buggy, Baja Bug, classic VW Beetle or any air-cooled VW classic and come cruise with us. Check the next event details here: https://wildbuggers.co.za/next-event/
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