Classic car culture in Cape Town has always had a heartbeat of its own. From the coastal sweeping bends of Chapman’s Peak to the mountain passes of the Western Cape, there is nothing quite like the sight and sound of a proper old-school convoy rolling through the scenery.
Over the years, The Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club has been right in the middle of that local action. But as any true petrolhead will tell you, a club either evolves or stands still. Looking around the local scene today, one thing is crystal clear: these classic machines were never built to sit under dust covers or only roll five kilometers down the road just to park off. They were built to be driven.
That realization brought a bigger responsibility to the table: keeping the old-school VW legends alive for the long haul. And the best way to do that is by embracing the next generation of enthusiasts who actually want to turn the key, hit the open road, and get their hands dirty.
The Next Generation of Classic VW Fanatics
One of the most encouraging things on recent club runs has been seeing the sheer volume of young people getting involved. These aren’t just casual buyers; they are passionate owners who bought their classic cars, roll up their sleeves, and spend their weekends restoring, tweaking, and driving them. They bring a massive wave of fresh energy to the club.
Take a look at some of the young guns making waves on our runs:
Bertus Visser: Driving a crisp white 1600 air-cooled VW Beetle, Bertus is forever scratching, fixing, and tinkering with something to keep his ride running sweet.
Kyle Cato: The owner of a stunning light blue 1974 Beetle rocking a freshly rebuilt motor upgraded to an 1835cc setup, a 92mm sleeve kit, a W110 cam, 40 IDF carbs, an EMPI deep sump, and a refurbished 1600 gearbox.
Heinrich Thiart: Keeping it classic and clean in a turquoise blue 1600 air-cooled VW Beetle, dedicated to keeping his machine as stock as possible.
Maddox Doveton: Well-known for cruising with Herbie, the iconic number 53 featuring a 1600 air-cooled motor identical to the movie star. Maddox has also added a VW Variant to his garage, which he is currently transforming into an authentic Ghostbusters vehicle.
Seeing youngsters dive headfirst into the mechanical side of things while genuinely loving the drive proves that the future of classic VW motoring in Cape Town is in great hands. You can check out more action shots of these builds over in our Photo Gallery.
One Big Family: All Classic VWs and Custom Builds Welcome
Because the passion goes far beyond just one shape of vehicle or one type of engine, The Wild Buggers have officially opened up the club to embrace all classic VW legends and custom builds.
Whether your ride runs on an original air-cooled flat-four or packs a serious custom conversion under the hood—like a 1400 Datsun water-cooled motor, a roaring Ford V6, a Subaru boxer, or a Toyota 16-valve twin-cam—if it carries that classic DNA, it belongs here. The club now proudly welcomes:
- Classic Beetles and vintage Kombis
- Beach Buggies and Baja Bugs (air-cooled or custom engine conversions)
- Karmann Ghias and Type 3s
- Custom builds including Jeeps, Veeps, and Badgers
- Military and utility classics like the Kübelwagen and the Thing
- VW Variants and all air-cooled Porsche models
There is something special about seeing multi-generational petrol heads—young and old alike—convoying together through the Cape scenery, sharing mechanical tips at pitstops, and enjoying a proper day out on the tar. For those looking to earn their official patches, you can read more about our traditions over on the Club Gear & Colours page.
Ready to Roll?
Car culture is at its best when people come together for the love of the drive, good company, and timeless machines. Whether you are wrenching on a stock Beetle in your garage, fine-tuning a twin-cam buggy, or taking your pride and joy out for a weekend breakfast run, the road is always better when shared.
There are no membership forms to fill out beforehand, no entrance fees, and no tickets or RSVPs required. Just check your oil, polish your chrome, and rock up to join the convoy.
Head over to our Next Event Page for all the details on where we are rolling next, and come drive with us!
Know someone in Cape Town with a classic Beetle, Kombi, Baja, or custom build sitting in the garage? Hit the share buttons below and send this their way—let’s get more old-school legends out on the road together.