10th anniversary Litchfield Bug In

Bigger and better than ever

It has never rained on the Litchfield Bug In. It has rained up to the start and right after the last award was given out, but never on the show. Promoter Chuck Pisconski is said to have a pact with the devil on this one.

The move to a new location did not deter any of the fans of this premier New England event, in fact, we had an all time new record number of entrants. 348 show cars were registered by the noon cut off. We did not have to turn anyone away for lack of room (although we were a bit tight in a couple of classes, but we will work that out for next years show). We also had a hundred and some odd swap meet vendors including some that had indoor accomadations. Considering that this was the first time running a show at this location, nearly everything went off without a hitch. The only snafuu was when half of the swap meet vendors lined up on the opposite side of the fairgrounds. After 3 rows of nonexistant spots were filled, Tom Matulis yelled "hey guys, the swap meet is over here" This led to a huge convoy across the empty show field to the correct swap area. It looked so cool, ansd since it all happened before the show cars were admitted, no harm was done.

The lions club did a great job bringing in the boy scouts to clean up after the previos evenings huge fair, and the multiple food vendors sure beat the soggy hot dogs that the Litchfield Inn had become so famous for.

National magazine coverage was by both Hot VW's Dean Kirsten as well as VW Trends (OK Henry I appologize, You do cover New England). Also seen in attendance were Steve Mierz from "Common Gear" as well as Troy from GASS. Watch for lots of press on this one.

Special thanks to Chuck and Tom for pulling off another top notch event and if you see them around, be sure to pat them on the back for a job well done.

This is Mike Zimmerman's "BUGASM" Best of show custom winner. Mike also took First in class Radical Custom as well as Best Engine custom. Mike and his family are some of the nicest people that I have met in the hobby. Mom and Dad are right there setting up the beautiful display and getting ready for each and every show. Thet\y arrive in a georgeous F350 dually crewcab pulling the enclosed trailer. "BUGASM" has won best in show at every VW show entered this year and is currently ranked 17th nationally in the indoor car show circuit. By the way thanks to Mike as well as Jeff Zieger and Peter Brink of Valley Imported Auto for their help in judging the Custom Classes at this years show.

The first picture is New Britain CT's answer to what you do when one of those evil drug dealer types gets hold of a custom bug. You take it away, letter it up and assign a very pleasent and friendly officer to attend shows and other public events promoting the Dare Program. She was also entered in the Mild Custom class at the show. In the second picture we have a custom pick-up that was in Radical Custom and took second place. This was the only VW at the show that was actually sectioned!!! The amount of work that went into this baby was very impressive. I spoke at length with the owner about all the handmade features. It was awesome. (I appologize for not getting owners names, but if you know them, please email me with the name and I'll add it in)Yes observant ones, that is my Super Beetle in the background, in the Newly added Daily Driver class (I didn't compete)

Both the early and late mild custom classed featured some incredible cars.

There were absolutely dozens of early transporters as well as quite a selection of ghias present.

The third place car in Radical Custom was this beautiful shortend bug. The workmanship was beautiful, and in the next pic one of the beauties in mild custom. Competition was fierce.

This showed up in the swap meet. the bug "was" a 66. If you want your pan restored from front to back, call BUGSTUFF in West Brownsville PA (Near Pittsburgh) This pan was being delivered to a customer and another one was being dropped off to go home with them for it's turn. A pan like this will go for about $1495 with your core pan (they will restore your actual pan to keep the id #s right)

This is a VW....sort of. It is actually an english '51 ford prefect....but it has a full prostreet type handmade tube frame with ghia front suspension, irs VW rear and a GTI waterpumper. While not quite complete (interior) it's owner/builder Aaron Simon of VW of America has driven cross country and all over the place, with great gas milage, comfortable ride, super dependability and all the attention you could imagine. This was by far my favorite car of the Show. Next to it was this beautiful Bradley GTII that I had the pleasure to sit in. Very comfortable and sporty too.

left to right - '43 kubelwagen, Garth Collins '46 bug, Chuck Pisconski's '50 standard, Steve Mierz's 50 bug with Foxcraft fenderskirts (what else). Tom Matulis had a NOS Meyers Manx dune buggy body for sale at $500. I think it is still available. He also has a VEEP if anyone is interrested.

Das Bulli Haus was in the swap area selling their ultra high quality Type II sheetmetal patch panels as well as some used stuff. That's Mary Smith talking to a little kid. Here we have The one and only Clay Smith negotiating as only he can on some used parts he was selling. Clay is the Jesus/Manson look alike on the right.

show results

Stock -'53

Bill Collins

Stock '53-'57

Pam & Doug Davis

Stock -'58-'64

Bill Silvestri

Stock -'65-'67

Tim Friend

Stock '68 and up

George Oleyar

Mild Custom -'67

Jim Cangralosi

Mild Custom '68 and up

Ron & Marilyn Fenolff

Radical Custom

Mike Zimmerman

Convertible -'72

Darry & Paul Bora

Convertible '73 and up

Tom Fiske

Ghia Convertible

Arthur Jolin

Ghia Hardtop

Robert Ottolia

Special Interest, Kit Cars & Trikes

Ernie Giguere

Bajas, Buggies & Rails

Gerry Anderson

Tranporter -'67

Tina & Terry Boller

Transporter '68-'79

Jeff & Kelly Simpson

Transporter '80 and up

Kenyon Fairey & Judy Smith

Thing

James Newton

type III & IV

Brian Ryan

Eurovan

Ned Rothstein

Daily Driver

Joey Armund

Sorry I didn't report the watercooled classes, but I don't really pay much attention to them (and what the heck, it's my webpage)

© 1998 i.danco@mci2000.com

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