That's ok, Doc. You're not the first and you won't be the last.
The scene in the Netherlands is vivid. I've read that there are still over 50.000 Bugs in Holland (not even counting other type's of aircooleds). A lot of cars are being imported from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany and the USA.
Classics/originals are still the most populair (about 60% of total), but there are more and more people customizing aircooleds. The most interesting change I've seen over the last 7-8 years is the use of modern technology. The use of better brakes (mainly Porsche), bigger engines, turbo charged engines, DTA and Megasquirt injection systems, improving handling (mostly with Porsche parts), etc.
There are lots of clubs. The biggest club is KCN (KeverClub Nederland). Accesable to everyone who likes aircooled VW's in every way. About 8500 members.
The LVWCN (Luchtgekoelde VW Club Nederland; about 4000 members) has a passion for original cars. No custom cars allowed.
The VW Bus Club Nederland is a club for all types of busses, from T1 to T5. About 1200 members.
The VW Cabrio Club is a club for all convertibles. About 2500 members. Self made convertibles are allowed, but not much appreciated. It's more of an elite club.
The Buggy Club Holland, I think about 700-800 members.
These are the biggest clubs. Next to these there are a lot of smaller clubs, with anything from 10 to 250 members.
Biggest yearly event is the Bugweekend in Budel. It starts on friday and ends on sunday. If the weather is good, about 15.000 people visit this event. Alway the third weekend in june. This year will be the 25th, so it will be a major party!
Big campingsite, dragraces, big market, show-'n'-shine, a 50 mile cruise, sound contest, multiple bands playing, lots of beer, etc.
KCD is a more race oriëntated 2 day meeting. Quarter mile dragracing and circuit racing are the main attractions. A bit like Das Drag Day just across the border in Germany and the European Bug-In in the south of Belgium.
Bergharen is also a 3 day event. It's also knows as little Budel, which says it all.
Just across the border in Belgium there is the Bug weekend at Spa (the Formula 1 circuit). Officialy it starts on friday, but the campsites are usually packed on thirsdaynight.
In various parts of the country there are cruise nights, cruise trips, one or two day smaller meets with cruises, show-'n'-shine, second hand markets, etc. If you want you can visit one or more every weekend from early April 'till late September.
Government regulations regarding old cars are very simple: The car has to meet the standards for the year it was first put on the road. So the older the car is, the less rules and regulations you have to meet!
The only downside is, that gasprices are redicules. At the current rate we pay about $8 per gallon!
Ah well, anything to keep Buggin'.
That germanic "k" just kind of slipped out. I was thinking vw, so .......
Man, I'm gettin' my trip planner out.
(I'll turn 20 for the second time next month 
