“Deliah Jane”

“I have always loved Volkswagens,” explains Kim Lovern of Giles County. “My husband Gabe and I own a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, so when I saw this deserted camper bus sitting alone, in an overgrown field, partially under a shed, it was love at first sight.”Her parents bought a property in Newport [in Giles County], and this old, abandoned, 1976 Volkswagen Westfalia Type 2 camper bus with a rusted front end was part of the package. “My parents know my love for VWs so they gave it to me under one condition: That Gabe and I help clean out the old concrete house on the property.” That building had been vacant since 1996. Kim and Gabe rose to the task, commenting that the transformation of that little concrete house deserves an article of its own. They hired a tow truck to move the camper bus to their place in Eggleston.“After a couple of good washes, the faded dull orange color transformed into a marigold yellow,” Kim exclaims. “We vacuumed and cleaned the upholstery and wiped down the cabinets and leather several times. To our surprise, there was little to no damage inside.” They replaced the carpet with a floating floor and removed sun-damaged curtains. Gabe sanded the front where it was rusted and primed it. “I found the exact paint code and painted it myself,” he states. “So this bus has the original paint on 90 percent of its body, which isn’t perfect. There are a few dings and dents from the cows it shared pasture space with, but considering its history and neglect, it’s in great shape.”After the body was repaired inside and out, they had it towed to McCoy’s Auto Repair, and the bus was running again in two weeks. The engine has only 49,000 miles on it. Book the Bus The plan was to drive it home, set up camp and enjoy it with their daughter. “As I was going down the Pinterest rabbit hole researching camping ideas for Volkswagen  buses, I found something. Many were decorated in a Bohemian theme with vintage rugs, pompous grass and vases, staged for beautiful brides, couples and families. We could totally do this!”Kim and Gabe realized they could provide a unique backdrop for couples that get married at their venue, Lovewell Lodge and Weddings. And why not offer this photo opp for all the talented photographers in the area? They can book it for seasonal mini-sessions and other photo shoots. And that’s how the “Book the Bus” idea was launched.When it came to choosing a name, well that was easy. “I have been a hair stylist for almost 30 years, and Delilah was a client long ago. She had the best thick, black hair and got a shampoo and roller set every week. Jane is a weekly customer in more recent years. Jane and her husband, Bill, are the original owners of the farm land my parents bought and original owners of our 1976 VW bus. Both women are smart and witty, and I adore them, so Delilah Jane is a lovely tribute to each one.”  VW Specs and Second Chances People may not know a lot about Volkswagens, but most everyone can recognize one. The German company was established in 1937 and came to the global market after World War II. The design of this camper bus includes a bench that converts to a bed, a pop-up canvas top for more sleeping space and head room, a tiny sink, small ice chest and compartments for storage. “Everything about it is practical, making it perfect for travel,” Kim declares. It sports a 2.0 liter, air-cooled, 4-cylinder engine with a 4-speed transmission. The brand’s signature round head lights, round fenders and the undeniable VW emblems make it one of the most recognized vehicles of all time. “We plan on getting more creative with a variety of seasonal and special backdrops for photo sessions,” Kim shares. “We feel like we are giving this bus a second chance, along with capturing photo milestones and memories which will last a lifetime.”  Text by Joanne M. Anderson
Photos courtesy of Elishia Littlejohn Photography Book the Buswww.lovewelllodgeandweddings.com