BEAM IN A BOX

Have it your way! (Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?)

By VW Trends staff

Remember those Hungry Man TV dinners? They had EVERYTHING! From the main course (usually Salisbury steak or fried chicken) to the mashed potatoes to the berry cobbler — which got so nuclear hot it made your head explode — those aluminum-packaged wonders had it all. Now that we’re all older and wiser (and hopefully not getting all of our food from the freezer section at the store), we can appreciate the convenience of an all-inone package. Well, for VW fanatics, EMPI has come up with a front-end solution called Beam in a Box which gives you total flexibility in setting up your VW’s front beam.

If you’ve been into VWs for any amount of time, you know there’s a million things you can do to the front end. But mods can take a lot a lot of time, and not every shop can provide all the services you want or need. And of course, there’s the hassle of trying to find good, solid parts to start with. Thankfully, for owners of ’66 through ’77 Type 1’s, EMPI has come to the rescue with a brand new, solid, high-quality front end, made exactly how you want it, with no guesswork. EMPI has taken a cue from the old Burger King slogan “Have it your way,” and created the Beam in a Box in five (count ’em, FIVE) flavors so you can order a brandnew beam just how you want it! Let’s take a look at Beam in a Box.

EMPI assembles these beams in Anaheim, California, using all-new components. Nope, no more buying sketchy used beams from some guy in a back alley off the internet and hoping for the best. Why roll the dice with a used beam that may or may not have issues lurking in the wings? EMPI has also upped the ante with their new, exclusive forged trailing arms and spindles, euro ball joints, torsion leaves, bearings, and seals. They top it off with fresh grease and zerk fittings with all fasteners torqued to factory specs! See? This really is a onestop front-end shop!

You want a stock-width front end and stock spindles? Order the 22-3110-0! Want a stockwidth beam with dropped spindles? Order the 22-31100! Want to step it up a notch with a stock-width adjustable beam with stock spindles? Order the 22-3114-0! How about a stock-width adjustable beam with dropped spindles? EMPI’s got you covered with the 22-3116-0. Wanna get crazy with a two-inch narrowed adjustable beam with drop spindles? Then get yourself a 22-31180. As you can see, EMPI’s got something for everyone! The BIAB is ready for your choice of shocks, steering gear, and brakes (like EMPI’s sweet disc brake kits: Since you now have a new beam, why not upgrade the at the same time?)

What fun is a stock-height front end? Well, EMPI knows you don’t have to settle for stock (unless that’s your jam), and includes several configurations with brand-new adjusters.

Wanna go even lower? EMPI’s Beam in a Box offers brand-new drop spindles on several models.

At the end of the day, all you need to do is figure out what shocks and braking system you want your ride to have. It’s really that simple.

If you’ve been in the VW scene for more than 10 years, you’ve heard of the Bug Out in Virginia. VW Trends has been covering the Bug Out since the ’80s, and it’s always been a favorite East Coast Event. Less Steger, of Less’s Buggy Shop in Denver, North Carolina, was the mastermind and promoter of this event for years, and we were sad when the event went away three years ago.

But the wait is over: Bug Out is back! Less handed the torch to Krystopher Scott, who brought Bug Out back to its former glory. Long before the show even happened, it was already creating a buzz on social media as word got out that the event was making a return. Krys had some big shoes to fill, given Bug Out’s long history as one of the premiere events on the East Coast.

When we arrived at Sumerduck Raceway in Sumerduck, Virginia, on May 28,

2023, there was already a line forming for the car show and the drag races. The excitement was palpable, and people were really stoked. And while the weather looked slightly overcast, that couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the day one bit.

Swap meet, vendors, car show participants, and drag racers were let in to get things ready before the festivities began. It looked to be a great show. And then the hordes of spectators began to line up. More than 4,000 people came out to Bug Out 85… definitely an awesome showing for a first-time event promoter! Once The Star Spangled Banner was sung by XXXX, the day got underway!

There was plenty to see and do at the show. In addition to rows and rows of show cars, there was a kids’ area to keep the little ones busy while mom and dad checked out the rest of the show. Of course, what’s a great

VW without entertainment? Rapper and VW enthuisiast D.Note busted out his song Volkx Lyfe, among others, while The Transmitters kept the party going throughout the day. Speaking of things to see, it was nice to see the return of the Miss Bug Out contest. This isn’t a crazy bikini contest like we had back in the day, but times have changed and it was no less fun to watch! Four young ladies came out to vie for the title, and when the applause died down, the winner was Crystal Delena, who stole the crowd’s heart.

In the car show, there were tons of every type of VW you could think of. Bugs to Buses, Type 3s, even a Hebmüller. John S. brought out a very rare ’50 Split window (1 of 326) to display. Water-cooleds were out in force (one even killed the Bracket Racing; more on that later) with some really amazing show and race vehicles. Best of Show in the Air-Cooled Class went to Aus-

When tin Johnson III and his ’56 Resto-Custom Oval window. Best interior went to Rodney Sanford and his super slick ’66 Beetle (check out the full feature on Rodney’s ride in the Summer 2022 issue of VW Trends). Best in Show Water-Cooled went to Blair Peterman’s ’77 barn-find, all-original Rabbit.

Drag racing is always a lot of fun to watch, because you never know what’s going to happen. And Bug Out 85 was no exception! Robert Hall smoked everyone in the bracket racing, nailing a solid 7.2 time, while Jayson Coleman came in second with an 8.01 on 7.90! In the Pro Elite Class, Chris Cazeault came in first place with a 9.78 on 9.75 and Dave Plogger nabbed second place with 8.58 on a 8.50. The Real Street Class saw Mike Ploger take first place with a 10.15 on 10.32 while Allen Baxter took second place with an 11.65 on a 11.70 breakout.

Bug Out 85 was an amazing comeback after a three-year hiatus! The Bug Out in Virginia should definitely be on your list.

Coming to Bug Out 85 from SoCal was rapper and die-hard VW enthusiast Darrin “D.Note” Milton Sr., who busted out several songs, including his single, Volkx Lyfe. Check him out on Spotify (search for D.Note).

The swap meet was really hopping all day. Lots of sellers were wheeling and dealing before the event even started.

AUGUST 04–06: Camp VDUBlicious, Gilroy, CA

VDUBlicious.com @vdublicious

06: CVA’s Dubs & Suds, South Glastonbury, CT Contact Bill Arute 860-395-9964 or bill@ ctvwa.org 06: Vacationland

Volkswagen Association

33rd Annual VW, Acton, ME Contact Dave at 207-240-4091 12: Augtoberfest, Campbellford, CAN fb.me/e/3hGqKoNex 12: Central Ohio Vintage VW Club Volkfest 32, Pataskala, OH Contact Ryan Cisco: ryancisco@gmail.com or 740-7090183 19: Air-Cooled at the Orchard, Middlefield, CT Contact Bill Arute 860-395-9964 or bill@ctvwa.org 26: Tannehill VolksJam, McCalla, AL volksjam.com or facebook.com/events/384493457021534

SEPTEMBER 01–04: Buses Nowhere Near The Arch #37, near Monroe City, MO bnnta.com 09: Eastcoast VW German Invasion 13, Shelby, NC Call or text Rick Bradshaw: 704-460-1895 15–16: VWs in the Valley 11, Maggie Valley, NC Contact Robert Eastwood 276-6201246 or eastwoodr@yahoo.com vwaircooledassociation.com

OCTOBER 01: 17th Annual Fall Bug Run, Martin, MI us131msp.com or facebook.com/us131bugrun 06–07: Let’s Talk Dubs One Crazy Weekend, Las Vegas, NV letstalkdubs.com @ letstalkdubs @billtvegas @thewagen @LasVegasVWClub 07: Big Bair Takeover, Big Bear, CA facebook.com/Bigbairtakeover @big_bair_ takeover 07: Wharf Invasion, Santa Cruz, CA VDUBlicious.com @vdublicious