Volkswagen Classic will be presenting five automotive highlights during the 2019 Classic Days at Schloss Dyck: the race-proven “Mille Miglia” Beetle, the VW-Porsche 914/4 celebrating its anniversary, and the record-breaking W12 Nardo. The “World Champion” Beetle also represents the pinnacle of performance in the world of Volkswagen, while the Apal Buggy provides plenty of summer driving fun.
From 2nd to 4th August 2019, the moated castle of Dyck in Jüchen, Lower Rhine, will be hosting a unique classic car and motor festival. The 14th edition of the Classic Days is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors – offering a colourful, hands-on experience of automotive history, atmospheric motorsport and an automobile garden party.
Legends, birthday celebrations and fun cars in the Classic Corner area
This year, Volkswagen Classic will be presenting unique vehicles from six decades of the firm’s history on the large lawn in front of the castle, the Classic Corner.
Mighty record-breaker: Visitors can see the power of the Volkswagen W12 from a distance. The 440 kW (600 PS) sports car broke ten international records on the high-speed circuit at Nardò (IT) in 2001, improving on those times in 2002. The experimental vehicle also claimed a world 24-hour record in 2002 with an average speed of 322.89 km. The records set by the W12 Nardo remain unbroken to this day.
Popular world champion: On 17th February 1972, the Beetle became the world’s most-produced automobile. The first Volkswagen special edition appeared to commemorate this record. A Beetle 1302 S “World Champion” from that 1972 special edition will be on display in Jüchen.
Air-cooled fun car: The viper-green Apal Buggy just makes you want to head straight for the sea. Early in the 1960s, the beaches of California were dotted with home-made vehicles based on the Beetle, and the dune buggy craze soon reached Europe. Belgian specialist manufacturer produced the GFK bodywork mounted on a shortened 1972 Beetle platform.
50th anniversary of the first production mid-engined sports car in Germany: In 1969, Volkswagen and Porsche presented a two-seater sports car. The VW-Porsche boasted a mid-engine concept and made use of air-cooled Porsche or Volkswagen motors. It sported Targa-topped, rounded bodywork with a roll bar and was available to buy until 1976. To mark the anniversary, a VW-Porsche 914/4 from 1974 will be appearing at the “Volkswagen Vielfalt” (Volkswagen Variety) special race.
Refreshment in real style: Another classic vehicle will delight visitors to Schloss Dyck: the Volkswagen Classic ice cream van. Delicious ice cream from a lovingly designed ‚Bulli‘ – snacks don’t get any sweeter than this.
Original parts from Wolfsburg: Volkswagen Classic Parts will be presenting a range of spare parts and the Volkswagen Certificate. This functions as a birth certificate, documenting the original delivered condition of every classic Volkswagen. The datasheet also provides technical information about the car. This service, provided by Volkswagen Classic Parts, replaces the previous offerings from Volkswagen Heritage and the Stiftung AutoMuseum Volkswagen.
1,000-Mile Beetle Among Racing Legends
Taking part in the Mille Miglia is a distinction in itself – and the Ovali Beetle competed for the third time in 2019. The world’s most famous road race has been run over 1,000 miles through Italy since 1927. Volkswagen Classic stayed true to the 1956 Ovali Beetle when constructing an exclusive replica of the car to compete in the 2011 and 2012 “Mille” and the rear-mounted Porsche engine provides the full 55 kW (75 PS). The “Mille Miglia” Beetle will lend a historic motorsport feeling to the Racing Legends.
Glimpse of the future with the record-breaker Volkswagen ID.R
Volkswagen has prepared a real highlight: The electric Volkswagen ID.R will be driving at Schloss Dyck for the first time. Using the title “Past | Present | Future”, the Autostadt will be presenting legendary racing cars from the Volkswagen Group. These will include the multiple record-breaking ID.R – which will also be taking part in the show races on the castle circuit.
In 2018, the first electric race car from Volkswagen mastered Pikes Peak (USA) in record time. Experienced driver Romain Dumas (F) was at the wheel of the 500 kW (680 PS) Volkswagen ID.R. Just one year later, he drove the enhanced version of the ID.R to a new track record for electric cars on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. In July 2019, the ID.R. broke Nick Heidfeld’s 20-year-old circuit record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (UK). And the story continues: In September, Dumas will be the driver as the ID.R scales the mystical road to “Heaven’s Gate” on Tianmen Mountain (China) for the first time. But before that, the electric racer will display a hunger for records at Schloss Dyck and show how Volkswagen is already redefining the motorsport of the future.
