This 13-window Deluxe model has flip-up “safari” windows in front and extra corner windows in the rear.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Motorists driving Fair Oaks Boulevard to shopping or church on Sunday, March 29 might notice a large gathering of vintage Volkswagen transporters in the Milagro Center.

This will be the Spring Carmichael gathering of the Society of Transporter Owners (SOTO). The club lives for split-window buses, vans, campers, trucks and specialty vehicles, from family haulers to rigs for tradespeople and emergency crews.

The gathering will include resurrected barn- and field-finds, lucky survivors and meticulously restored classics. And these are cherished vehicles with plenty of history. 

The SOTO gathering allows only split-window transporters, those from 1950 to 1967. After that, Volkswagen began with the “bay-window” model, whose flatter face wasn’t quite as cartoon-owl friendly-looking. 

The SOTO members’ air-cooled, rear-engined rides can range from original low-horsepower flat-four motivation on up to bored-out, custom 100-hp mills that add a good dose of oomph. Some owners also swap their original transmissions for “freeway-flyer” gearing so they can keep up with traffic.

One big thing these days is VW vans with original shop logos on the sides. Windowless vans allowed for billboard-size ads for tradespeople and delivery drivers, and transporter enthusiasts are always on the lookout for original paint. At Milagro Centre, there might even be a VW fire truck, an ambulance or a ladder truck (bring the kids.)

The SOTO meet happens from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29 at 6241 Fair Oaks Blvd. Stop by early and wander the rows. Praise the patina. Have a look inside. Catch a whiff of wet dog and scorched oil. Tell the club members about that old bus your uncle once had. Buy a T-shirt.