VOSA’s history is not very long, but it has been an exciting run. The first hints of this club started in the summer of 1992 with some impromptu VW picnics sponsored by our founders. Steven Wright and Mark Apao organized several of the picnics and eventually called a few meetings to see if there was enough interest to form a club. In August, 1992 at the Bun-N-Barrel on Austin Highway, the 10 or 12 people there decided to form a club and voted Steve as President and Mark as VP For the next few months we fumbled around and finally came up with a logo, bylaws, dues and decided that our first event would be a Swap Meet at George’s drive-in in the Spring of 93. With the ensuing success of the swap meet, it was decided that San Antonio needed it’s own VW car show and Octoberfest was founded in 93. David Riley designed the T-shirt and Sally Presser came up with the name “Octoberbest”. “Rooty’s” was selected as the site for the show because of its size and easy accessibility. We selected the SAMM Center as our designated charity and that first year we donated $500 from show proceeds. Most of the area VW parts and service vendors were eager to support the show and club and became sponsors. As the day of the first event dawned we were not sure if we would have 10 or 100 cars, but the show was a big success. We had 82 cars in the show and 25 swap meet vendors.

In 94 Bob Presser was elected President and John Martinez VP. We continued with a spring swap and of course Octoberfest. Both events were successes and the image of VOSA continued to improve around the state as our events gained popularity with VW enthusiast around the state. This year we donated $1,000 to the SAMM Center.

In 95 Bob Presser was re-elected President and Phil Amon served as VP. Due to member requests we added a second swap meet that year to our schedule and a pre-event cruise on the evening before Octoberfest. Both events were well received.

In 96, James Senseney was elected President and Dale Witt VP. Our 4th Octoberfest was the best ever, despite cooler temperatures. We again donated $1,200 to SAMM. A second show was added in June at Ancira-Winton to celebrate WorldWide Day of the Beetle.

In 97, Dale was elected President and John Martinez again served as VP. We hosted a full schedule this year with two great picnics at Camp Bullis with the help of Jose Rodriguez, a show-n-shine at Ancira-Winton and a new show show-n-shine at Rod East VW. All four events were unqualified successes. For the first time ever we got wet at Octoberfest and although the rains kept show entries and spectators down somewhat, it was made up for by the enthusiasm of those present. Even with the torrential downpours we still had 70 show entries and a huge swap meet. We again donated $1,200 to the SAMM Center.

In 98, Dale Witt was re-elected President and added several VP positions that included Phil Amon, Martin Flannery, Robert Reich, Jose Rodriguez, Enrique Flores and Bob Presser. We had a smaller schedule than the previous year with only a show-n-shine at Rod East and one at Ancira-Winton in addition to our annual Octoberfest. Dale did a super job as he traveled throughout the state to various VW shows promoting VOSA and our show. We also sponsored a spring Wildflower cruise to Luckenbach that was sparsely attended.

1999 marked a big change in the governing body of VOSA. We switched to a Board of Directors form of governing and did away with officers and titles. 99’s board included Martin Flannery, Phil Amon, Robert Reich, Enrique Flores, Kevin Smith, Carl Heck and Steve Perez. This years spring swap meet switched locations to the Pig Stand on Broadway and the August Rod East Show, although hot, was still a great event with over 50 cars entered. Spring’s Wildflower Cruise was hosted by Dorothy and Bob Newby of Kerrville and on its second outing drew 15 cars and 25 people. 99’s Octoberfest was probably our best show ever as the quality of cars involved in the shows seems to get better and better every year. A check for $1,500 was presented to the SAMM Center. The popularity of VOSA and Octoberfest is somewhat exemplified by how many VOSA winners have been featured in national magazines over the years. Some of these include Mike Dawson's Ghia and Oval, The Cerda’s “Low 65”, Dale Witt’s awesome Red Scirocco and many others who have won trophies in Houston as well as the two big events in Ennis each year.

2000 found some major changes with VOSA, mainly that we were forced to change locations for Oktoberfest from Rooty’s to Main Plaza in Boerne, TX. Everyone was somewhat skeptical about the move, but for 2000 and 2001 it has proved to be a popular location. We have had a wider variety of cars including more water-cooled and people from locations we haven’t seen before. Also last years cruise to Luckenback was a big success, so hope to see you in Boerne again in 2002.

Volkswagen Owners of San Antonio
Charter Members

These members joined at the August 1992 meeting

• Philip Amon
Mark Apao
Josef Armendariz
Johnny Cantu
Bill Chance
Mike Dawson
• Martin Flannery
Raul Garcia, Jr.
Ron Garcia
Ruben Gonzalez
Rex Linn
James Mathis, Jr.
Leonard McDonald
Michael Mudd
• Steve Perez
Bob Presser (Life Member)
Jeff Sturgis
Scot Wright

Of these original 18 members, these 3 (•) are still active members.