Exactly one year ago I was writing about the presidential elections in the USA and look where we are standing today! A world that has been split and, a world that polarizes and divides.  Politics means unifying and not dividing.  Isn’t it sad that it has to end this way on our blue globe, that we call planet earth ? Let’s hope there have been enough wake up calls and that people will realize that politics is something different than running a company… In the meantime France has given a good signal during the elections, whereas the United Kingdom are stuck with the ‘Brexit’.  We’re looking forward to the elections in Germany.  Will “Mutti” Merkel keep sitting firmly in the saddle and most of all, will she be enough innovative after being  the ‘Bundes’ chancellor for so many years?

All this together with de sad early autumn weather in Western Europe , it doesn’t cheer you up… but when I look at the left behind my shoulder I look into the hall with plenty of Volkswagens that smile to me, anyway how can I  still be angry.  I sometimes think that they all get along, oldtimers remain a cool hobby (in my case an real life achievement) and old Volkswagens are dashing beautiful.  It’s not a shame to reinvent oneself and one’s hobby, is it ?

And the oldtimer hobby just continues.  When I look at the latest sales results of  big oldtimer auctions in America, there is clearly no real correction, which has been predicted by many people. Although.. not yet…Though there is something flagging on the market and that comes simply by WHAT has been sold and WHO that buys.  If you really want the invest in oldtimers, buy the real stuff, cars (or motorcycles) with a high pedigree, well documented, real stuff, not almost original or fake, or things that are somewhat doubtful.  Real cars are  their money worth, clones and wannabees will fall out sooner or later. Invest your hard-earned money  with intelligence.

And BBT will continue to deliver parts, we’ll keep working for better products.  At this moment we’ve samples at dozens in factories all over the world to examine the possibilities for the best reproductions.  Fedex and DHL are making a lot of money, simply by carrying our samples all over the world. When a certain part is ready and the first production arrives at BBT, we are just very proud.  We are expecting a lot of plating work for buses for the next months in upmost quality (well pressed not pleated) but also some smaller stuff such as fuel pump flanges, caps for front wheel bearings or engine suspensions etc. . You just can’t imagine it  or we’ve being occupied with it… Is there something that’s bothering you ?  Something missing or that is according to you lacking on the market ?  Your ideas are always welcome, perhaps you can give us some inspiration or motivation ?  We’ll be happy to hear it!

I hope that this newsletter will come across in a more positive way, than the political crap that we’ve heard the previous time and that we may build together for a better Volkswagen (parts) world.

Bob