Austin Air Coolers Gang shows devotion to VWs
Volkswagen is one of the most recognized auto brands in the world, with plenty of aficionados right here at home.
In Austin, there is one group of folks who are crazy about their VWs: the Austin Air Coolers Gang.
Quick to point out that they are not a “club,” Garret Nick says his group of VW enthusiasts likes to maintain a loose, casual membership without the rules and formalities of other car clubs.
“We wanted it to be decentralized, lead by example,” Nick said. “If you think there should be a car show, then organize a car show. If you think there should be a campout or a cruise, organize a cruise. It takes all the pressure off of there being just a few people who are responsible for everything.”
The only solid thing is that the members have a Volkswagen. “Or they want a Volkswagen, or they used to have a Volkswagen,” Nick clarified, adding some members’ Volkswagens are project cars that have sat in their garages as a pile of parts for years. “By no means is this a show group.”
The Austin Air Coolers will celebrate their 15th anniversary in March. In that time, the group has split into two meet-up groups in the Austin area (some attend both meetings) and has spawned other Air Cooler groups in Louisiana and as far away as California.
The Air Coolers meet monthly in two locations in Austin. Meetings are generally held on consecutive days both centrally and on the north side of town.
The Air Coolers host a “June Bug Rally” in June, in which members dress up and drive around town in a scavenger-hunt-type competition. They also host a rally called “November Fest” that started as a show and has grown into a campout. They also sporadically hit up the local putt-putt competition.