Cult Classic may have a new owner for 2024, but with the same name, same great venue and same brilliant atmosphere, it sounded like this year would be yet another sure thing regardless.
I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who once said “Death, taxes and Cult Classic” regarding the only certainties in this world. He then got into a MK2 GTI 16V turbo, revved it good and high, dumped the clutch and left two skid marks in the hearts of all who adored him. Or something like that… Cult Classic, a little show in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania that caters to everyone, but naturally appears as a VW gathering, has been setting the example of family friendly fun since 2007. With 2024 came a changing of the guard, so to speak. The proverbial baton had been passed and a new group of enthusiasts are at the helm for the established event. Those changes are mostly below the surface and the common attendee was not going to notice. Unless they were on a first name basis with some of the volunteers from years past who were absent. Regardless, nary a frown was observed and there were clumps of people clearly enjoying themselves scattered around the show fi eld. “This was my first year as the new owner,” Shawn Hunsberger tells us. “I’ve attended most of the previous Cult Classics and was a customer of NLS for 20 years. Josh helped behind the scenes with hand-holding and giving guidance as needed. It couldn’t have worked without the help of some amazing individuals that I will always be grateful for: Bill, Jay L., Nicki, Arlene, Jaimie, Jay M., the NLS Crew: Emmett, Connor, Ethan, Kaden, Shannon, the DCI Crew: Tim, Tom, Angela, Brittany, Pattykrack, Pete, Micah, Norford, Justin, and Daryl.” But beyond the people, what sort of cars did Cult attract? Starting a little before 8 a.m., the queue to get onto the fi eld began to form. Repaints, engine swaps and obvious bodywork were the marks of some of the more involved builds. Your usual suspects of stock looking Volkswagens, lowered on some nice aftermarket wheels were sprinkled in amongst them. And if I had a nickel for every rear wiper plug I saw…
Overall, approximately 305 cars drove through the gates. The Mk3 contingency was high, with a baker’s dozen rolling in after a coordinated meet at the local Wawa gas station. An errant B5 S4 was amongst the ranks (actually it was the father of a yellow Abt-kitted MK3 GTI owner), and was promptly kicked off the island when it came time to park everyone in a tidy line. If #TBT had a physical presence, that would be it. Euro parts, 3-piece wheels, healthy lowering, trends that are forever imprinted on this author’s brain (think Sprinter vents and Audi handles), it was all on display. And it was glorious.
Walk around after everyone was settled and you could catch a Harlequin parked up next to an imported Colour Concepts, its bright yellow carried into the interior and covering the seats. A few Mk3s were former PVW features, their windshields still proudly wearing the sticker.
German coupes were present and accounted for, including a cadre of Corrados. One such Karmann coupe was piloted by none other than Bill Schimmel, a legend in the tuning community. In fact, there were more than a handful of short runner VR6 intake manifolds sporting the SP logo. Out in Vendorville, an innocent looking white coupe dubbed the Coalrado was exactly what it sounds like – a 1.9L TDI-swapped 1990 model owned by Alyssa Gelnett. Sadly Team Scirocco was lightly represented, although Matt Rad’s Mk1 with those instantly recognizable ‘TV screen’ headlights took a Top 25 sticker.
A 1990 Golf Rallye, owned by Joe Cleary, had a complete Mk4 R32 drivetrain. Rallye sporting a Mk4 R32 drivetrain. A line of Cabriolets were all cutting the grass with their slammed stances. The US market got a variant of the Passat called a GT, featuring Throughout the morning, volunteers judged the entered cars and the top 25 received a sticker stating they were such. It was an eclectic mix, and being this was beyond a VW show, the winners varied. Josh Edmonds grabbed a spot with his ’92 Porsche Carrera RS in Rubystone. Max Demsley’s ’76 Honda CB750F was the first motorcycle selected that I can recall. Another wild choice was Dominick Hyatt’s 1986 Gemballa E30, it all its widebody glory.
As the afternoon wound down and the threat of rain increased, it was time to start the awards. Organisers called up those with said stickers to the awards area. Bill Cho was on the mic
as Sean handed out the loot. Those custom trophies came courtesy of Travis Hunsberger and the crew at The Profile Image of nearby Telford, Pennsylvania. Apropos of the event’s 18th anniversary, a golf theme was adopted.
The final award, the Best of Show, went to Zlatko Dizdarevic’s 2006 Volkswagen GTI. The Reflex Silver hatch eschewed the 2.0T in favour of Audi’s 2.5L turbocharged five cylinder. AS1 Automotive completed the swap with a distinct OEM feel. With a shaved bay painted in a very 50’s shade of teal being carried into the interior, the car itself was a complete package. Air ride takes care of that slammed stance and even the roof box has been custom lowered to match.
“The show went well,” Shawn tells us. “Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, the great cars that did make it out, the great vendors, as well as the great group of people that were in attendance. That to me is what makes for a successful show! Other than it being 70 degrees outside with a slight breeze and absolutely no chance of rain I would like to see things stay generally the same for next year. We might make some small changes but nothing too drastic from what it’s always been, a great family-friendly show.”
There you have it, folks. A few reasons and a handful of pictures to make sure Cult is on your calendar for 2025.
