Bay Area BRUISER

Let’s face it, most people’s first cars these days are a bit rubbish. They’re usually selected (read: paid for) by well-meaning, but conservative parents, with the only criteria being how frugal and how safe they are.

Karl Richardson was different though. He didn’t care about airbags, crumple zones or mpg when he imported his ’70 Westy from San Francisco in 2007, he just wanted a cool VW to sport around in.

2007 may not sound that long ago, but it’s already 15 years, and the truth is you could get a lot more VW for your money back then. I say that from experience, as someone who has imported over 100 VWs from the USA and Europe. Back then, you could find and import a rust-free Early Bay, register it, get it on the road and lower it for about £3,500. Now, you’d be lucky to even find one for sale in the