Christian, Georgy, Flo, Matthias and Domi visited the 4^th Friday Night Cruising by “Altblech” – a community for classic cars in Austria. Every last Friday of the month vintage cars from all over meet at the parking lot of Vienna’s biggest shopping center.

We wanted to say “thank you” to our friends from Paraguay, Natalia Florentin and Jorge Ortiz (left on picture below) and of course their Classic VW Club for everything they’ve done for us while we were traveling across South America this year.

Therefore we just sent Jorge two original German made headlight lenses by BOSCH as a present from “good old” Europe. He told us back then, that he would love to have such lenses on his true to original restored Bug from 1965.

Five “DLV” air-cooled Volkswagen (including Herbie) visited the 19^th VW Bug Show in Lengenfeld, Lower Austria, today. We had a good time, even though it was a bit rainy.

Yesterday, the newsmagazine “Heute” published something about Herbie’s World Tour.

The picture was taken in the Atacama Desert of Chile on our trip across South America.

We’ve already done 150,000 kilometers so far and our 34 horsepower are still running.

It is time for the 19^th VW Bug Show in Lengenfeld, Lower Austria. We’ll be there on Saturday. If you are interested in following our convoy, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Domi had a glorious past when he was participating at “Gas Saving Competitions”. From 2004 to 2006 he was always one of the best drivers until he won it all in 2006.

The deal was to drive a car for about 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) as gas saving as possible. There are many tricks how to save gas, especially with a manual shift.

In 2004, when Domi attended this kind of tournament for the first time, he surprisingly finished third. At that time he didn’t know, that his lucky streak would continue.

In 2005, he came in second and was even faster than his fellow champion. Now his dream was to reach the last step. Domi was anxious to win the following year.

And he did! In 2006, Domi finally won the entire competition and got country’s “Gas Saving Champion” . He just used a bit more than three liters of gas for 100 kilometers.

The first prize was a brand new Smart ForTwo Coupé, which he sold in order to afford a car for his mom. With the remaining amount of money he could buy himself Herbie!

Yesterday, we, “Die Luftverkühlten” (or DLV), took a ride. Four Bugs and a LT followed the route of our “Late Summer Ride” (LSR) which will take place in September. Afterwards we sat together in Domi’s former family home chatting about VW stuff.

At present, Herbie No. II runs with a fuel injected engine made in Brazil, powered by 1,600 cc. Our plan is to change that. Herbie should get back to his original 1,200 cc.

The motor with fuel injection (above) runs really great! Domi says, it’s the best engine, he has ever driven. Its power during acceleration is truly amazing. And it was for sure a pioneer work by Domi and his friend Friedrich to install such a motor in such a Bug.

At the moment, Domi reactivates an old 1,200 cc carburetor engine he got from another Beetle, which burnt out, went for sale and Domi bought just couple days ago (see post). Therefore, Herbie will ride again “with 34 horses around the globe” very soon.

Herbie’s World Tour just got featured a second time in the so-called “Camping Revue” by the Austrian Camping Club (ÖCC). The first part was a printed version (see “Press”). But both parts are also published online. They are written by Domi in German and you can find them by following this link or clicking the picture below.

Although we were not camping across South America this time, the ÖCC was excited to tell its readers another adventure made by Herbie and his owners. And we, as we are back in Austria, are now looking forward to going on tour very soon again.

After several years of driving within Austria and touring across Europe last year, Herbie finally got new tires. Domi bought ones made by the Asian brand Hankook. But we had problems to get them on the rims. Due the storage, the tires got deformed, so it wasn’t possible to inflate them. But Friedrich had a special trick (see below).

We sprayed brake parts cleaner between rim and tire and ignited the area by using a lighter. The sudden expansion put the rubber into the right position. Sometimes you simply have to improvise, even though the idea sounds a bit weird!

Herbie No. II and Flo’s ‘66 went for a ride, with two trailers in tow, the other day.  They picked up a completely disassembled VW Bug from 1984 and a moped, which they got from various auctions. Domi bought the old Beetle just because he needs its engine. We’ll have to figure out what we’ll do with all the other parts of the car.

Last weekend Domi and his good friend Flo from the air-cooled community DLV drove in his Bug from 1966 to Upper Austria to pick up Herbie No. II and the other “QEK” camper. They were stored in an old farmer’s barn. After that they visited their friend and mechanic, Friedrich Hübsch, in Waldhausen im Strudengau, where Flo’s Bug got a new gas tank and where we tried to clean out his plugged-up fuel line.

It was time to say “goodbye” for us, as we left Herbie No. I, “QEK” the camper and Ridgecrest, California. We went back home to Austria, Europe.

The Love Bug set-up will remain in the US while we are preparing Herbie No. II and ourselves for another adventure and continuing Herbie’s World Tour.