We've covered the impact of the
Wörthersee tour on the European VW scene before. However the American VS scene wanted in on that action as well, so instead of all shipping their cars over to Europe for a week, they found a "Bavarian Themed" town called Helen to host an equivalent event. Whilst not of the same magnitude as the Austrian even the US event held in the state of Georgia is only 3 years old and growing.
The two events running in parallel is a nice way to snapshot the differences between the two sides of the Atlantic.
Car choice
I think it is fair to say the US event has a higher percentage of later model VWs, particularly Mk3 and Mk4 Golfs, whilst these are also commonplace at the European event there seems to be a higher concentration of Mk1 and Mk2 Golfs and other early VW models. This is probably more to do with availability of cars than a particular desire for newer models on the part of the US, VW sales in the late 80's and early 90's were very low in America and didn't recover until the Mk3 and later New Beetle introduction.
Wheels
If there is one thing close to a VW modifiers heart it is their wheel choice. There is an interesting difference in the approach of Southern Worthersee attendees in comparison to the Austrian show. From the photographs that are available the US attendees seem to still favour BBS RS and RM wheels, a traditional wheel from the Euro scene, however that is only part of the story. Whilst the wheel is relatively common the styling, colour coding and detailing of them explores many possibilities, a personal favourite is the two tone purple and pink centre on these :
By contract the European event seems to thrive on many different types of wheels, the more obscure the better it seems. There seems to be less detailing, although there is a bit of colour coding going on, it is still more common to see simple black centres. These lovely pinstriped teledials really stood out for us.
Modifications
If there is one thing that both air and watercooled VW scene loves, its stance. For my money the Americans have got the European show licked here, their wheel and tyre fitment along with their ride height make for world beating stance.
Europe offers something a little difference, sure the cars are aiming for great stance and looks, but the range of modifications seems to be wider, not always successful, but more diverse. The amount of heavily muralled cars seems to have died down a bit, but they are still out there, along with rat lookers, super smoothed engine bays, old school styling, and the odd bit of military paint. Most of this isn't new, but a lot is well executed. It would be nice to see Europe push itself a bit in some new directions though, so it was pleasing to see some influence coming from European hillclimb cars, as can be seen on this red Golf
It would be impossible for me to comment on the atmosphere at either event, but the reactions across the internet are positive and we all know when you get a big group of car people together it is almost impossible not to have fun.
Wörthersee Tour is the established king of watercooled VW events, but with their strong scene and community the US event will be giving it a run for its money in a couple of years time.
In the mean time you can view DarrenW's excellent and growing gallery of his time at the
Austrian Wörthersee on his Flickr Page
and/or you can have a look through these fine galleries of Southern Wörthersee in Georgia, US of A :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jjlane/sets/72157618205622736/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/focal_length/sets/72157618391949168/
http://www.stanceworks.com/stanceworks/?p=49
http://www.stanceworks.com/stanceworks/?p=55
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