I was 16 when got 60 VW BUG with semisignals, Kenny helped out a guy who had no mechanics. Living on S.First, he taught me so much. I'll miss him.thanks Kenny
My bus is my daily driver, weather permitting. I can’t imagine letting it sit in the garage for a year or more. Good luck to Kenny. Happy for his retirement, sad to see another shop go. ✌🏻
Kenny took care of my 74 914 in the 80’s while I was at St Edward’s and later. Always top notch. Nice guy and excellent work. Congrats on your retirement!
1. I would love for you to do an interview with Kenny. How he got started on his business, cars he owned, etc. 2. Those signs that were taken off the poles were awesome. 3. Have you guys ever thought of doing your own Bug Me style video series?
thanks Nerdy, we try to keep the instruction videos as quick as possible but also informative as possible. striking a balance of education and entertainment is the key. a whole restoration video series is not likely. but we try to do little tips and tricks.
This reminds me of an older gentleman who used to be a VW mechanic back in the day. He's 87 years old and he just helped me recently rebuild the engine on my bus, these kinds of people are living legends!
Congrats Kenny on your retirement!!. First time viewing and I'm impressed with your knowledge and shop. I just retired myself 7 months ago after 42 years of heavy diesel wrenching. Good luck sir, the locals will miss you.
This one tugs at the heart strings. My mechanic down here is in his 70’s also. These guys are salt of the earth-I hope he has the best of times in retirement.
Good cold morning to you guys fron cold snowy Waskom, Tx. Keep saving the old VW parts. All of us are getting older and desire to retire. I believe it was time for the shop owner to take live easier. I am sure he won't be able to quit cold turkey. Keep him active in you VW Life. I was lucky and retired over 22 years ago. Not rich but frugal and still love car projects. May have to ask my older cousin if he still has the 1/2 dozen VW bugs behind his shed. Those would make a good addition to my MGB v6 project.
In Hot Springs, AR we only have our club members to check with. There are no VW shops left. If I was younger (72 now) I'd open a shop and I am no real mechanic at all. Just work on my 4 VW's, but never afraid to dig into a problem. Thanks for your channel!!!!
valve cover at 8:01 are legit. those fins that wrap around like that are there for a reason. they are more strong than the ones that the fins or on the surface. think they are real Scat.
What a fabulous bloke Kenny would be to have a natter with... Did not believe he was 71. So sad to see lots of old timers shutting their shops of late and so much knowledge and skill lost. I do hope younger folk get in to the game after the pandemic when there's lots of empty units and owners with aircooled vehicles sat for a year during the various lockdowns want to go on road trips but are unable to fix. I was lucky enough to had my carbs tuned by a local racing legend (known in the 60s and 70s locally here) who was tinkering about on his IMP and the same age/ experience as Kenny. These are the true pros and I always feel happier leaving bug knowing she's in good hands rather than a general newly trained mechanic who has only seen an aircooled vw on youtube or in a book. May Kenny have a peaceful and enjoyable retirement in Colorado building and saving the occasional motor.
I’ve learned so much about mechanics when I bought my first VW bug 1962, it was 50 years ago and it was fun to work on at the same time learning, thanks guys. It’s sad Kenny’s closing his doors, but at the same time, he needs time for himself too.
as a vw enthusiast im sad... but everyone have to move on. thanks for the 48 years of help sir. thats more than all my years of living😁👍🙏 love your channel guys. keep buggin. subbed.
So sad to see Austin losing its air-cooled VW shops. I guess I am pretty lucky to be in the Portland OR/Vancouver WA area - there are quite a few shops around here that work on air-cooled VW's and none seem to be in danger of closing - at least not yet. I was surprised to see you post this week - with all the horror stories of frigid temps and no electric all over Texas. If I had to skip a Thursday without a new episode of VW Life I would have gone through the DT's (well perhaps I exaggerate a bit). Thanks for another great video!
thanks Ira! yes you are indeed lucky, make sure to support those shops. We filmed this video about a month ago so luckily we had something this week, and we have a few more in the can as they say. we like to have a cushion.
Wow, thanks for sharing. Looks like all the great Volkswagen people of Austin are going to be in even bigger need of a good vw shop. Wish it wasn’t so far I seen lots of goodies I would loved to have. Keep up the great work we appreciate all y’all do. ✌🏻❤️VWLIFE
I know the feeling! I had a VW parts & Machine Shop in Puerto Rico for 32 years. It was called Volky Performance (1978-2010). You wouldn't believe all the parts we amassed over all those years. I had family in Corpus and Monterrey Mexico and would always go parts hunting. You guys should find a warehouse space and buy up all the old inventory you come across and sell parts on the internet. Next time I'm in Texas I'd like to meet up with you guys.
Damn, this is sad. I grew up with my dad running a shop for aircooled veedubs in the ArkLaTex-Area and it was the best time ever. He closed down 20 years ago, this brings back a lot of memories. Enjoy your well deserved retirement.
Sad day for Kenny I am sure. Us older guy's are retiring and I for one can say I miss mechanic work. I worked as a import technician for 40 yrs. Our mind wants to keep going but our body say's different. The young guy's are going to have to step up and keep the older stuff going. I wish Kenny the best of life has to offer. Thanks for sharing this with us. You guy's made a great haul. Take care and stay safe.
Nice video guys it’s just sad to see a place to take your VW bug close down they are awesome cars to have 👍🏻hopefully you guys can save and restore as many VW bugs as you can keep up the good videos 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻stay safe guys
Thanks for another great video VW Lifers! Meanwhile, hope you are all keeping safe over there. We have been seeing the news reports over here from Texas and it looks damned cold and now we see that thousands of Texans have to boil water and endure power outages. We have bushfires and you guys get winter storms. Cheers from Kim in Sydney.
yeah it's a bad time, lots of busted pipes, people without electricity and water. and even food is getting hard to get. this weekend the melting begins!
A sad day. Feeling extremely sad sitting couple of thousand miles away. Pls convey my regards and thanks to Kenny for his service to Volkswagen community for nearly five decades.
Sad day. Mr. Hill is one of a kind. Honest, quality, reasonably priced work. He kept the life in cars that others would have thrown in the towel or charged an arm and a leg. Will be missed. Enjoy your well earned retirement!
He is so right, very,very few people actually drive ACVW's anymore. Love to look at em' but that's where it ends. I've been wrenching on ACVW's for 40 years and I see the sunset on the horizon for this scene. Throw away cars that are nearly impossible to repair has sealed their fate.
Definitely sad to see. There are a few here locally, and I can't imagine what it would be like if they closed. I know as someone new to the air cooled their knowledge is valuable. On another note, every time I see even a hint of the Rocco I get jealous. I've had 5 over the years and so want another. My favorite VW of all time.
I met Kenny back in the 70s right after he started his shop and he was charging the ten dollars an hour labor rate. I think my girlfriend knew his wife if I remember correctly. I can't remember where his old shop was located before it moved out to 290 West. It is very sentimental to see him going out of business along with Bob Fernald of ZAP (Alfa Romeo) and DeGress motors who was the original importer of BMW and David - was it Bland - who imported Lotus? There was a whole era back in the late 60s and '70s of people who preferred these weird imported cars to all the American iron that was floating around. It was a great era to be alive back then and to be differentiated from the iron block V8 monstrosities that were roaming the highways with you. Best of luck to you Mr Hill. I hardly ever see an air-cooled VW on the road anymore either. The Alfas and BMWs from that age let alone the Lotus are way too expensive to drive daily if they're in any kind of shape at all.
hey guy, id like to start with a big thank you for the vw community all over the world !...im a proud french-canadian 69 bay window owner...whos the son of a beetle , bay window and vanagon owner. needless to say that we love what you guys do...i literally fall asleep watching and rewatching , your stuff reminds me of my youth...and i really appreciate and greatful for all the amazing content you put on youtube... keep up the good stuff ...you dont get as much views as you should, but you guys has fan that trys to leave as many likes and views as possible ... on a side note whos totally personal..could you guys do a "how to " takke off the rust and paint a frame of a bus.. iknow you guys have texans bodys and frame ...and dont like to repaint or take care of the rust on your buses (wich is fken cool btw) but i live in quebec canada and i need to take care of mine and i would like to save some money on the prep work...by taking care of the frame....so if ever you could get around doing a video of sum sort i would be really appreciative !!!! thank you again for all the great videos , you guys make ppl happy all around the world (sorry for any mistakes or bad sentences)
We had 6 or 7 VeeDub shops here in Ft Lauderdale several years ago. People retiring and passing away and no one to replace them. We're down to 3 ,one only sells parts one works when he feels like it and the other does re$toration$. I'm still tinkering with my 72 bug in the driveway
Sad to see shops close doors. I visit with a fellow in Tyler who closed his shop several years ago. He no longer works on anything but cars that he rebuilds and flips. He is interesting to talk to. It's very hard to find anyone in this area to work on the air cooled cars. Too bad cause I can use the help.
I lived next to a guy west of Copperas cove Texas that had a vw junk yard that was huge (bug acres I think). We would go to track around temple Texas and watch his drag bugs just amaze everyone. The guy was a little nuts but boy did he know the vw and air cooled world. Not sure if he is still out there. I moved on 15 years ago.
It's not only the USA where us oldies are feeling the change . Kenny describes a new hire being bamboozled by the carb and points.I have met qualified mechanics who fit that description... In fact one told me that all through his apprenticeship he mostly just changed oil and had zero idea of how a points ignition works. A lot of my mates are of a similar age ,including a guy who rebuilds elecronic modules fro newer cars and Djet units for me. He learned his electronics working on Sabre jets. (!) But for me the biggest change is the acceptance of government decrees enforcing masks.
Such a shame no stepped up to the mark to take the business onwards, if he is charging $120 per hour, I would have thought he would have had plenty of customers as that is cheap (compared to UK and conversion to £sterling), hope all the spare parts get re-used! An important message he made was to use the cars, most are not museum pieces, use it or lose it, and by using, younger people get to see the car so it raises their profile generally (as well as what you guys do), but it is important that when cars/businesses out live their owners there is someone else to take them onwards. Great video, always interesting to see a rummage! Greetings from the UK!
Those Volkswagen transaxles those cases are getting so hard to find here in Orange County and California and the new one that came out by empi is very expensive
Am I the only one who thought, HOARDERS ! 12:48 Gary said you have to admit a problem first.... I'm never going to admit it ! I liked that vanagon. Decent body, interior and probably runs good, I never buy them that way....
Sad to see resources like his shop going away. I have a serious question though. Living in a small town (Kerrville) How does one find a shop like his or a shop that understands airhead VW's?
so you'll have to reach out online. do you do facebook? if so join this group facebook.com/groups/AustinAirCoolersVWGang also you can join www.aircoolers.org it's an old school forum where you might be able to connect. there is a guy in Kerrville that used to be a VW guy who runs a hot rod magazine out of that town
I am lucky, here where I live in Oregon I have 2 places I can take my 69 beetle. I love the little shop in Silverton,Or the best. Randy is so knowledgeable with air-cooled vws. When he closes I will be lost for sure.
have a 75 beetle that i dont drive much after watching this i am going to drive it more life is to short have an 06 golf and 98 polo but the beetle is fun to drive, thanks vw life
As always great videos. Keep them coming. I forget what video it was but I think Jake had clothes pins on his fuel line? Something about vapor lock maybe? What do the do for it?
when the metal fuel line is right against the motor and laying it it, it tends to rattle. it can eventually cause the line to have a hole in it. so it help with that. also it keeps it space away from the hot motor. if that fuel line gets too hot the fuel vaporizes instead of flowing. so keeping it cool keeps it from vaporizing.
my local shop wont look at any classics with aftermarket carb.... said my timing was fine... issue was the after market carb...., turns out carb was fine timing was way out it was as 0 when it should have been 16-18, happened to have a friend who bought a house and found a timing light with a tach.
I though u guys were snowed in? And all your water pipes froze? I was going to send some water bottles your way. By the looks of things u guys r doing good :)
Happy for Kenny and his retirement. But it's sad to see that colorful blue Beetle sign come down. And what's the secret with your home GARAGE? Truck loads of parts keep going in and it doesn't fill up! My garage can't do that ...
so sad to see this vw shop closing down after so long men like kenny his widom of vws you cant put a price on it as he says younger mechanics if they cant plug it in they wont look at it such a shame these places are lost for ever wishing kenny a happy retirement and good health
Ironically a few still use aircooled VWs as their daily drivers; after all these years. Like he says, people with enough experience to work on them as well as the quality of replacement parts is an issue.
Plus they are worth a hell of a lot more than they used to be, so people want to protect their investments. Plus here in Europe the T4/T5/T6's are the campers of choice for getting away regularly. Most Splits/Bays lead a cosseted life.
my '63 bug is kind of a daily driver. I've had it 23 yrs and usually drive it everyday, but usually not in the rain and NEVER in the snow. My wife messes with me if we're at a car show she has more than once told a total stranger whose car is next to me, "go over to that guy and tell him your a painter and you could put a number on his car like Herbie." Gets me everytime," WHAT!" then I'll realize whats been done and I'll look around to see her laughing.
I live in Austin and I wasn't aware Kenny Hill and Austin VeeDub had closed. Where would you recommend I take my 1971 VW in the Austin area for some work? Having trouble getting this baby to idle.
Jeremy are you in our Facebook Group? facebook.com/groups/AustinAirCoolersVWGang if you email us I can put you in contact with someone who can help you VWLifeVW@gmail.com
I live in Monterey Park (Los Angeles) Cal and we lost our VW mechanic as well. Jim’s VW on Garvey blvd after 40+ years of being in business. Jim finally decided to retire which was well deserved. These vintage mechanics are getting older and retiring.
I looked into it myself for Austin. Numbers just wont add up. Everyone in the VW scene works on the cheap. We have a great underground of mechanics and parts supply tho.
My 1974 super beetle is my daily driver. R & S Performance '"In Orlando FL""closed down in the past year or so. the owner "Scooter" was Taught to some extent by Gene Burg. he is selling everything as one. there are a lot of old vws hiding in the woods next to his shop
@@VWLifeVW vwdarrin and a few others have done video walkthroughs in the woods. But the problem is that last I heard he will not be parting out, he only wants to sell everything for one lump sum
How do we purchase any parts for people who live in california? No its not junk just hard to find parts we had a vw shop here few years ago it closed only one that was here
I was 16 when got 60 VW BUG with semisignals, Kenny helped out a guy who had no mechanics. Living on S.First, he taught me so much. I'll miss him.thanks Kenny
that's a great story! still have the bug?
Sadly no, made sand rail, but DID purchase many VW'S in lifetime. Great memories, especially stationed in so.Calif during early 70's
My bus is my daily driver, weather permitting. I can’t imagine letting it sit in the garage for a year or more. Good luck to Kenny. Happy for his retirement, sad to see another shop go. ✌🏻
Indeed! Thanks patty! Post a picture of your VW on our Facebook page facebook.com/VWLifeVW/
Kenny took care of my 74 914 in the 80’s while I was at St Edward’s and later. Always top notch. Nice guy and excellent work. Congrats on your retirement!
1. I would love for you to do an interview with Kenny. How he got started on his business, cars he owned, etc.
2. Those signs that were taken off the poles were awesome.
3. Have you guys ever thought of doing your own Bug Me style video series?
thanks Nerdy, we try to keep the instruction videos as quick as possible but also informative as possible. striking a balance of education and entertainment is the key. a whole restoration video series is not likely. but we try to do little tips and tricks.
This reminds me of an older gentleman who used to be a VW mechanic back in the day. He's 87 years old and he just helped me recently rebuild the engine on my bus, these kinds of people are living legends!
They truly are! Post a picture of your VW on our Facebook page facebook.com/VWLifeVW/
So sad that he's closed, but like you guys said, "He has earned his retirement."
yes indeed he has! a long productive career
Congrats Kenny on your retirement!!. First time viewing and I'm impressed with your knowledge and shop. I just retired myself 7 months ago after 42 years of heavy diesel wrenching. Good luck sir, the locals will miss you.
Thanks Ron!
Glad to see those parts going to a good bunch of guys like you! Who says gold mines don’t exist!
Yes sir!
Pretty sure that Heaven holds a special place for anyone who repairs Fahrvergnügen for nearly half a century 🤩
🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎
this is true!
This one tugs at the heart strings. My mechanic down here is in his 70’s also. These guys are salt of the earth-I hope he has the best of times in retirement.
so do we thanks!
Mine died back in 2014..and so did his million dollar shop.
Having a decent mechanic anywhere is becoming a treasured resource
indeed!
Good cold morning to you guys fron cold snowy Waskom, Tx. Keep saving the old VW parts. All of us are getting older and desire to retire. I believe it was time for the shop owner to take live easier. I am sure he won't be able to quit cold turkey. Keep him active in you VW Life. I was lucky and retired over 22 years ago. Not rich but frugal and still love car projects. May have to ask my older cousin if he still has the 1/2 dozen VW bugs behind his shed. Those would make a good addition to my MGB v6 project.
good morning from Frozen Austin! he's not going to quit cold turkey, actually going to help build motors in Colorado!
VW mechanics are retiring here in Canada too!
I like the advice I drive mine all the time in the months when there’s no ice snow or salt on the roads!
Post a picture of it on our Facebook page! facebook.com/VWLifeVW/
In Hot Springs, AR we only have our club members to check with. There are no VW shops left. If I was younger (72 now) I'd open a shop and I am no real mechanic at all. Just work on my 4 VW's, but never afraid to dig into a problem. Thanks for your channel!!!!
Thanks Phil, having a can do attitude is always good thing
I almost cried watching this. Kenny is the Legend.
yep pretty touching
I am proud to say that I drive my '69 Autostick Bug on a daily basis, thru the cold, ice, snow, rain & heat of summer! The best cars ever made!
that's awesome! have you posted a picture of it on our facebook yet? - facebook.com/VWLifeVW/
valve cover at 8:01 are legit. those fins that wrap around like that are there for a reason. they are more strong than the ones that the fins or on the surface. think they are real Scat.
ah okay good to know!
What a fabulous bloke Kenny would be to have a natter with... Did not believe he was 71. So sad to see lots of old timers shutting their shops of late and so much knowledge and skill lost. I do hope younger folk get in to the game after the pandemic when there's lots of empty units and owners with aircooled vehicles sat for a year during the various lockdowns want to go on road trips but are unable to fix. I was lucky enough to had my carbs tuned by a local racing legend (known in the 60s and 70s locally here) who was tinkering about on his IMP and the same age/ experience as Kenny. These are the true pros and I always feel happier leaving bug knowing she's in good hands rather than a general newly trained mechanic who has only seen an aircooled vw on youtube or in a book. May Kenny have a peaceful and enjoyable retirement in Colorado building and saving the occasional motor.
Yep he still has a lot of energy I don't see him slowing down
I worked for Bob's VW machining in Nor-Cal in the 80s. I died inside a little when he closed. Thanks Kenny for all your years!
ah that's touching :(
I built engines for Kenny around 79 or 80 . Ended up with Tony Bells Karmann Gaia from Kinney the other day. Thanks K.Hill
wow that's pretty cool!
I am just glad there are guys like you to give all those parts a new home!!! Thanks for sharing this special moment and the people that worked there!!
Thanks for watching John!
Thank you, Kenny Hill. Best to you.
:)
I’ve learned so much about mechanics when I bought my first VW bug 1962, it was 50 years ago and it was fun to work on at the same time learning, thanks guys. It’s sad Kenny’s closing his doors, but at the same time, he needs time for himself too.
yes indeed Rich!
my fist vw was a 1961 when I was 17...100$ in 1969.
as a vw enthusiast im sad... but everyone have to move on. thanks for the 48 years of help sir. thats more than all my years of living😁👍🙏
love your channel guys. keep buggin. subbed.
well said thanks!
Sir you are a lost treasure my 71 Ghia will never be the same
thanks Frank!
No thank you sir
I know you all were there more than 14-15 minutes....just getting into it and there's the end.
Loving every minute of it....
yeah David, we would love to make more videos and longer one day!
wow goldmine save what you can fellas good job
Thanks Brian!
So sad to see Austin losing its air-cooled VW shops. I guess I am pretty lucky to be in the Portland OR/Vancouver WA area - there are quite a few shops around here that work on air-cooled VW's and none seem to be in danger of closing - at least not yet. I was surprised to see you post this week - with all the horror stories of frigid temps and no electric all over Texas. If I had to skip a Thursday without a new episode of VW Life I would have gone through the DT's (well perhaps I exaggerate a bit). Thanks for another great video!
thanks Ira! yes you are indeed lucky, make sure to support those shops. We filmed this video about a month ago so luckily we had something this week, and we have a few more in the can as they say. we like to have a cushion.
@@VWLifeVW Oh I support those shops - my bank account will attest to that!
Thanks again guys. A friend of ours had a Beetle as a daily driver when I was growing up in the early 90s. That was her only car! Times change...
that's true, the sure do
It,s sad, every time have many enterprices, close his doors forever, it,s very sad!!
indeed, end of an era.
Not only classic car shops but car shows axed (more anti-socialising) societies.
Wow, thanks for sharing. Looks like all the great Volkswagen people of Austin are going to be in even bigger need of a good vw shop. Wish it wasn’t so far I seen lots of goodies I would loved to have. Keep up the great work we appreciate all y’all do. ✌🏻❤️VWLIFE
Thanks as always wade!
It’s really sad to see theses businesses closing. Time are definitely changing but Volkswagens will always have a special place in peoples hearts.
Indeed they will!
I know the feeling! I had a VW parts & Machine Shop in Puerto Rico for 32 years. It was called Volky Performance (1978-2010). You wouldn't believe all the parts we amassed over all those years. I had family in Corpus and Monterrey Mexico and would always go parts hunting. You guys should find a warehouse space and buy up all the old inventory you come across and sell parts on the internet. Next time I'm in Texas I'd like to meet up with you guys.
Yeah crazy but shop space expensive
@@VWLifeVW Does ANYONE in Austin work on them now that Kenny is gone??
@@kenible yes there are a few options, email us at VWLifeVW@gmail.com and i'll get you in contact.
Damn, this is sad. I grew up with my dad running a shop for aircooled veedubs in the ArkLaTex-Area and it was the best time ever. He closed down 20 years ago, this brings back a lot of memories. Enjoy your well deserved retirement.
Thanks for the comment
Sad day for Kenny I am sure. Us older guy's are retiring and I for one can say I miss mechanic work. I worked as a import technician for 40 yrs. Our mind wants to keep going but our body say's different. The young guy's are going to have to step up and keep the older stuff going. I wish Kenny the best of life has to offer. Thanks for sharing this with us. You guy's made a great haul. Take care and stay safe.
Thanks we appreciate it!
Nice video guys it’s just sad to see a place to take your VW bug close down they are awesome cars to have 👍🏻hopefully you guys can save and restore as many VW bugs as you can keep up the good videos 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻stay safe guys
Hope so thanks Antonio!
So Sad. Enjoy retirement Kenny. Thank you so very much for sharing. Love the story. Always love and enjoy watching. 👍😍
Glad you enjoyed it
Playing the blues were appropriate when those iconic blue signs came down. Thank you guys for documenting that history.
Glad to do it thanks for watching!
Thanks for another great video VW Lifers! Meanwhile, hope you are all keeping safe over there.
We have been seeing the news reports over here from Texas and it looks damned cold and now we see that thousands of Texans have to boil water and endure power outages. We have bushfires and you guys get winter storms. Cheers from Kim in Sydney.
yeah it's a bad time, lots of busted pipes, people without electricity and water. and even food is getting hard to get. this weekend the melting begins!
Kenny’s a dying breed but always a living legend
A legend indeed!
A sad day. Feeling extremely sad sitting couple of thousand miles away. Pls convey my regards and thanks to Kenny for his service to Volkswagen community for nearly five decades.
will do! maybe he'll read this comment :)
Sad day. Mr. Hill is one of a kind. Honest, quality, reasonably priced work. He kept the life in cars that others would have thrown in the towel or charged an arm and a leg. Will be missed. Enjoy your well earned retirement!
well said
It's always sad to see a business close. Hope Kenny is going to have a great retirement. Stay safe out there guys. Have a great weekend 😁
Thanks Eugene you too!
He is so right, very,very few people actually drive ACVW's anymore. Love to look at em' but that's where it ends. I've been wrenching on ACVW's for 40 years and I see the sunset on the horizon for this scene. Throw away cars that are nearly impossible to repair has sealed their fate.
daily drive true, but i don't think any of the remaining cars are going to go unloved. people will keep them going.
Definitely sad to see. There are a few here locally, and I can't imagine what it would be like if they closed. I know as someone new to the air cooled their knowledge is valuable. On another note, every time I see even a hint of the Rocco I get jealous. I've had 5 over the years and so want another. My favorite VW of all time.
you should buy another one!
I met Kenny back in the 70s right after he started his shop and he was charging the ten dollars an hour labor rate. I think my girlfriend knew his wife if I remember correctly. I can't remember where his old shop was located before it moved out to 290 West. It is very sentimental to see him going out of business along with Bob Fernald of ZAP (Alfa Romeo) and DeGress motors who was the original importer of BMW and David - was it Bland - who imported Lotus?
There was a whole era back in the late 60s and '70s of people who preferred these weird imported cars to all the American iron that was floating around. It was a great era to be alive back then and to be differentiated from the iron block V8 monstrosities that were roaming the highways with you. Best of luck to you Mr Hill. I hardly ever see an air-cooled VW on the road anymore either. The Alfas and BMWs from that age let alone the Lotus are way too expensive to drive daily if they're in any kind of shape at all.
very cool thanks for sharing!
May all the VW-Life Love help him survive!
indeed! he's going to actually build motors for a place in Colorado on the side :)
May The Dude Abide!
When I started working on VW’s the labor rate was $4 per hour.
Damn, this is sad. Wish I had gone by last time I was down there. Sending VW love from Waxahachie, Texas.
Thanks! He might read the comments
hey guy, id like to start with a big thank you for the vw community all over the world !...im a proud french-canadian 69 bay window owner...whos the son of a beetle , bay window and vanagon owner. needless to say that we love what you guys do...i literally fall asleep watching and rewatching , your stuff reminds me of my youth...and i really appreciate and greatful for all the amazing content you put on youtube... keep up the good stuff ...you dont get as much views as you should, but you guys has fan that trys to leave as many likes and views as possible ... on a side note whos totally personal..could you guys do a "how to " takke off the rust and paint a frame of a bus.. iknow you guys have texans bodys and frame ...and dont like to repaint or take care of the rust on your buses (wich is fken cool btw) but i live in quebec canada and i need to take care of mine and i would like to save some money on the prep work...by taking care of the frame....so if ever you could get around doing a video of sum sort i would be really appreciative !!!! thank you again for all the great videos , you guys make ppl happy all around the world (sorry for any mistakes or bad sentences)
wow thanks Jeremy that is so great to hear! yes we can ad that to the list of things to do.
We had 6 or 7 VeeDub shops here in Ft Lauderdale several years ago. People retiring and passing away and no one to replace them. We're down to 3 ,one only sells parts one works when he feels like it and the other does re$toration$. I'm still tinkering with my 72 bug in the driveway
ah Barry, thanks for sharing!
Sad to see shops close doors. I visit with a fellow in Tyler who closed his shop several years ago. He no longer works on anything but cars that he rebuilds and flips. He is interesting to talk to. It's very hard to find anyone in this area to work on the air cooled cars. Too bad cause I can use the help.
indeed it is, and getting harder everyday!
Great video guys, sad to see another longtime VW company go. Nice looking Vanagon. Have a great weekend. Cheers
Thanks 👍
I lived next to a guy west of Copperas cove Texas that had a vw junk yard that was huge (bug acres I think). We would go to track around temple Texas and watch his drag bugs just amaze everyone. The guy was a little nuts but boy did he know the vw and air cooled world. Not sure if he is still out there. I moved on 15 years ago.
Bug Acres was in Lampasas. We just shot a video there, was it this place?... ruclips.net/video/G5zqqzaxzpg/видео.html
Wish that Vanagon had of followed you guys home, they are just fantastic cars to own.
yeah that was was clean too!
Congratulations on Mr. Hills retirement. Did he say if he drive an air cooler? If so, what? Another great video!
I think he has an oval, we didn't have a lot of time to talk to him. he was busy this day :) thanks Patrick!
I love the advice to just drive them and not let them sit! Gonna take it when my rebuild is done!
Nice!
It's not only the USA where us oldies are feeling the change . Kenny describes a new hire being bamboozled by the carb and points.I have met qualified mechanics who fit that description... In fact one told me that all through his apprenticeship he mostly just changed oil and had zero idea of how a points ignition works. A lot of my mates are of a similar age ,including a guy who rebuilds elecronic modules fro newer cars and Djet units for me. He learned his electronics working on Sabre jets. (!)
But for me the biggest change is the acceptance of government decrees enforcing masks.
Such a shame no stepped up to the mark to take the business onwards, if he is charging $120 per hour, I would have thought he would have had plenty of customers as that is cheap (compared to UK and conversion to £sterling), hope all the spare parts get re-used!
An important message he made was to use the cars, most are not museum pieces, use it or lose it, and by using, younger people get to see the car so it raises their profile generally (as well as what you guys do), but it is important that when cars/businesses out live their owners there is someone else to take them onwards.
Great video, always interesting to see a rummage! Greetings from the UK!
thanks Gary , several good pints.
Right place, right time for killer score!
yeah
Those Volkswagen transaxles those cases are getting so hard to find here in Orange County and California and the new one that came out by empi is very expensive
Yes so we've heard
Am I the only one who thought, HOARDERS ! 12:48 Gary said you have to admit a problem first.... I'm never going to admit it ! I liked that vanagon. Decent body, interior and probably runs good, I never buy them that way....
yeah Dan! actually Matt bought the vanagon, it has a blown audi 2.0 conversion. having to replace it.
Sad to see resources like his shop going away. I have a serious question though. Living in a small town (Kerrville) How does one find a shop like his or a shop that understands airhead VW's?
so you'll have to reach out online. do you do facebook? if so join this group facebook.com/groups/AustinAirCoolersVWGang
also you can join www.aircoolers.org it's an old school forum where you might be able to connect. there is a guy in Kerrville that used to be a VW guy who runs a hot rod magazine out of that town
@@VWLifeVW Thanks much. Went to both and signed up.
I am lucky, here where I live in Oregon I have 2 places I can take my 69 beetle. I love the little shop in Silverton,Or the best. Randy is so knowledgeable with air-cooled vws. When he closes I will be lost for sure.
facebook.com/VWLifeVW/ post a picture of your VW on our Facebook
Sad to see Kenny closing, but he’s right. Thanks for helping him out good karma.
yes indeed!
Man I miss my badass VW Waterpumper. It was the first Austin Jetta GLI with a stroker and 15" wheels.
nice!
have a 75 beetle that i dont drive much after watching this i am going to drive it more life is to short have an 06 golf and 98 polo but the beetle is fun to drive, thanks vw life
Post a picture of it on our Facebook page! facebook.com/VWLifeVW/
a shame no one wanted to continue the shop.
If i had a chance like that here , i'd take it with both ands and feet.
Great job in a monster edit!
Thanks! this one felt like we were capturing a piece of history
@@VWLifeVW I completely agree. All of these type videos are important for the community. Great job.
As always great videos. Keep them coming. I forget what video it was but I think Jake had clothes pins on his fuel line? Something about vapor lock maybe? What do the do for it?
when the metal fuel line is right against the motor and laying it it, it tends to rattle. it can eventually cause the line to have a hole in it. so it help with that. also it keeps it space away from the hot motor. if that fuel line gets too hot the fuel vaporizes instead of flowing. so keeping it cool keeps it from vaporizing.
Should have just bought the building 😁 sorry to see him go.
yeah that would have been cool
Todays fuel with its oxygenates is tough for the older cars...particularly if they sit.
Wow! weird to see that attic so bare!! Found a few treasures myself up there. :/
I can only imagine
Please convey my regards to Kenny for his contribution to Vw Community. I wish him good health and a happy retired life.
Thanks we will will!
Oooohhh. That tornado red vanagon. ❤️
Yeah!
Great video guys. Thank you.
Thanks!
Enjoy your retirement Kenny! Sorry to see the shop close.
yep agreed
my local shop wont look at any classics with aftermarket carb.... said my timing was fine... issue was the after market carb...., turns out carb was fine timing was way out it was as 0 when it should have been 16-18, happened to have a friend who bought a house and found a timing light with a tach.
Might be a good idea to avoid that shop
@@VWLifeVW they are the only ones that would even touch a classic VW for alignment.
I though u guys were snowed in? And all your water pipes froze? I was going to send some water bottles your way. By the looks of things u guys r doing good :)
Yes we are, it's bad! this video was filmed a month ago.
#savethevochos sad but happy that all those parts going to a good hands , thank you guys😗😗😗😗😗😗🤗🤗🤗🤗
that's right! thanks save them all
this has always been the backside of any shops for vintage cars... shops closing down. thanks for the years of service. enjoy your retirement.
Right on
Happy for Kenny and his retirement. But it's sad to see that colorful blue Beetle sign come down.
And what's the secret with your home GARAGE? Truck loads of parts keep going in and it doesn't fill up! My garage can't do that ...
yeah what you don't see it the stream out. Gary has been selling on the samba and locally.
@@VWLifeVW I'm looking for spares for my 1979 fuel injected Beetle engine: the Air Flow Meter and the Engine Control Module.
so sad to see this vw shop closing down after so long men like kenny his widom of vws you cant put a price on it as he says younger mechanics if they cant plug it in they wont look at it such a shame these places are lost for ever wishing kenny a happy retirement and good health
thanks Thomas :)
so sad...we have lost all our places here also
yeah sad times :(
It really sucks to see another shop go..... at least yall found some stuff right?
yep it was bitter sweet.
Ironically a few still use aircooled VWs as their daily drivers; after all these years. Like he says, people with enough experience to work on them as well as the quality of replacement parts is an issue.
indeed!
Plus they are worth a hell of a lot more than they used to be, so people want to protect their investments.
Plus here in Europe the T4/T5/T6's are the campers of choice for getting away regularly. Most Splits/Bays lead a cosseted life.
My splittie and bay still work for a living, moving steel, bricks, cement and concrete components!
@@andrewallen9993 post a picture of them on our facebook page - facebook.com/VWLifeVW/
It's sad , I see this more and more every day
indeed indeed :( good thing you guys are saving them
If ever there was a sign of the times changing its garages like this shutting down and selling everything off.
Sad to see.
indeed!
Had a couple type threes.? I’m feeling this.
👍
my '63 bug is kind of a daily driver. I've had it 23 yrs and usually drive it everyday, but usually not in the rain and NEVER in the snow. My wife messes with me if we're at a car show she has more than once told a total stranger whose car is next to me, "go over to that guy and tell him your a painter and you could put a number on his car like Herbie." Gets me everytime," WHAT!" then I'll realize whats been done and I'll look around to see her laughing.
ha! post a picture of it on our facebook page - facebook.com/VWLifeVW/
I live in Austin and I wasn't aware Kenny Hill and Austin VeeDub had closed. Where would you recommend I take my 1971 VW in the Austin area for some work? Having trouble getting this baby to idle.
Jeremy are you in our Facebook Group? facebook.com/groups/AustinAirCoolersVWGang
if you email us I can put you in contact with someone who can help you VWLifeVW@gmail.com
That sucks he’s closing his doors but awesome that he’s being able to retire. Sure hope someone soaks up as much as they can from him.
yeah one can only hope!
Problem is them young mechanics don’t know how to diagnose old cars issues, as it has no pc connector.
indeed
Kenny Hill - A kind man and True Austin spirit.
Indeed!
I live in Monterey Park (Los Angeles) Cal and we lost our VW mechanic as well. Jim’s VW on Garvey blvd after 40+ years of being in business. Jim finally decided to retire which was well deserved. These vintage mechanics are getting older and retiring.
indeed they are, makes you wonder what the future brings.
the Vanagon has been deleted, was it sold?? ps I really enjoy your content and were hoping to make it out saturday, hope you guys will be there!!
Thanks Brent, not sure if Sat is going to happen yet. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for updates
I’d love to have a good case to build a high performance Sheree the motor for a type 1. Any chance one of those in the video is still available?
no we didn't grab and cases, and the shop is empty now.
Why don't you guys open a used vw parts shop
that would be hard, and a lot of overhead costs.
I looked into it myself for Austin. Numbers just wont add up. Everyone in the VW scene works on the cheap. We have a great underground of mechanics and parts supply tho.
My 1974 super beetle is my daily driver. R & S Performance '"In Orlando FL""closed down in the past year or so. the owner "Scooter" was Taught to some extent by Gene Burg.
he is selling everything as one. there are a lot of old vws hiding in the woods next to his shop
wow you should see if you can score one! any split window buses?
@@VWLifeVW vwdarrin and a few others have done video walkthroughs in the woods.
But the problem is that last I heard he will not be parting out, he only wants to sell everything for one lump sum
@@VWLifeVW ruclips.net/video/Ip6YUeCmqGo/видео.html
How do we purchase any parts for people who live in california? No its not junk just hard to find parts we had a vw shop here few years ago it closed only one that was here
well what we can't sell locally will be on the samba. other people had bought a vast majority of the stuff before we got there.