Arizona Bus Club
An Arizona-based, family-oriented club, dedicated to the restoration,
preservation, and enjoyment of the pre-1968 Volkswagen Transporter. Open
to all Type II owners and all VW enthusiasts
Welcome to the Arizona Bus Club's website!
We love camping with friends in the desert, up in the pines or out on the coast. We're at all the shows and help our sister clubs just as they help us. We spend time working on our rides and welcome anyone interested in Volkswagen buses to join the fun. We have our own Yahoo email group which comes in handy for setting up impromptu events or picking each other's brains.
Greetings and welcome to the website of the Best Club in the Galaxy; the Arizona Bus Club! Our world famous Jerome Jamboree is right around the corner on September 12th, 13th and 14th at the Gold King Mine in beautiful Jerome, Arizona! Come join us for 3 days of fun and excitement as we raffle off another beautifully restored Split Window Bus! This year’s vehicle is one of the finest examples of Teutonic Engineering we’ve ever had the pleasure of restoring; a 1960 Euro Single Cab. Someone is going to drive this amazing bus home for the cost of a 50 cent raffle ticket, will it be YOU??? Did we mention that this bus will come with its original semaphores plus a brand new set of hoops and canopy? Oh yeah baby this is the real deal but don’t show up in your Excursion at our event and expect to get in. Only Volkswagens are allowed through the gate to camp; everybody else gets to park on the Perkinsville road and walks in. The cost to attend is $10 / carload per night which works out to $20 for the whole three day event. Pretty cheap by today’s standards. And the proceeds go to local charities, so empty out the piggy bank, fill up your gas tank, meet us at the Thunderbird Home Depot Friday September 12th for a 8am sharp caravan departure and let the fun begin! There is a Club General meeting between now and then at Rosita’s in Tempe on Wednesday August 20th where you can get more information. If you’ve never been to this event here are the essentials;
- Imagine camping on the moon with Port-a-Pottys. Be prepared for no running water or shade. It’s very warm during the day and a bit chilly at night. You can setup a tent or camp in your VW or both. Common camping areas means respecting your neighbor; if you cause problems you’ll be asked to leave. Campfires are fine and the property owner has wood for sale at very reasonable prices.
- tune up your ride before you leave: the road up to Jerome from anywhere is steep so make sure your old VW is running well. If you have doubts come join us at the Tune Up Party Saturday the 6th of September at Arizona Auto Care on Kyrene in Tempe.
- This is a family event complete with all kinds of crazy contests and good natured fun. Feel free to bring your pets and enter them in the Pet Show, all we ask is that you clean up after them. Dust off your old VW parts and feel free to setup a swap site at your camp.
- If you’re selling new stuff of any kind you’re welcome to setup on Vendor Row where the flow of customers is almost non-stop. It’s only $5 extra for one of these spots and you’ll need to get there early for a good one.
- Bring your camera and lots of film. The people, rides and view of the Verde Valley will blow your mind. Plus the Gold King Mine offers tours and lots of cool stuff. If you see a prospector roaring through camp on a giant Indian motorcycle it’s probably Don the owner. Shake his hand and you’ll likely get a story that you won’t hear anywhere else. This event attracts people who drive their VW’s every day and some of them are still in their original, glorious state. Rusty. Vintage. Not too many carport queens come to this event which is part of its charm.
- Leave your bongos at home this year. Think we’re kidding? The only security issues we’ve had have been associated with drummers insisting on playing after the quiet hour of 10pm. We all love Freebird but not when you’re shouting the lyrics at 2 in the morning. Thank you for respecting your neighbors. There are rowdier sections of camp; just ask the guys at the gate and they’ll help you find the kind of environment you will be most comfortable in.
Thanks and see you at Jerome!
Thanks and see you at Jerome!
The Arizona Bus Club
We meet monthly at Rositas, (480) 966-0852, 960 W University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281-7808, on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. 7pm is the suggested start time but come early to get a good seat, enjoy some tasty grub and meet some friendly folks.
So come on in, enjoy the site and hopefully we'll see you at a meeting for event soon!
Thanks and enjoy your Bus!
The next monthly meeting is at Rosita's, 960 W University Dr., Tempe, AZ on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at
7:00 p.m.