Once upon a time, the Worthersee festival was just a small gathering for fans of the Volkswagen Golf GTI. That was thirty years ago, though, and since then Worthersee has grown to become, quite simply, the biggest gathering of VW Group fans in the world.
Held in the Austrian Alps around the shores of Lake Worthersee, the event attracts over 100,000 people every year who come mainly to show off their cars. Modified or stock, GTI, Cupra or RS, new and old, if it's VAG it's at Worthsee - and probably on a gleaming set of 20" chrome rims.
Worthersee has grown to such a level that even the manufacturers have taken note. VW, Audi, SEAT and Skoda all operate official stands at Worthersee, and often create bespoke concepts especially for the event.
Unlike more conventional motor shows and gatherings, Worthersee doesn’t have a lot of structure to it. Instead of dedicated stands, VW Group fans simply descend en masse onto the town of Reifnitz and set up shop on any peice of spare tarmac they can find - with some residents even hiring out their driveways.
All kinds of VAG products are welcome at Worthersee, and pricier doesn’t necessarily mean better. It’s not uncommon to see Audi R8’s and Porsche 911’s completely ignored in favour of Mk1 Golf GTIs or classic modified Beetles. No alteration or addition is too great or gaudy. Engine swaps are rife, cars are lowered to mere millimetres off the road, and often you’ll have to look twice to try and spot the original model underneath the heavy modifications an owner has added on.
Of course, like any other car meet, the temptation to show off mechanical superiority is there, though the local Polizei keep a watchful eye on proceedings to ensure the local roads stay free of racing. Even without this, though, it's impossible not to be impressed by the sheer variety of cars on show at Worthersee, and the dedication put into them.
Click through the gallery for our pictures from Worthersee 2016 - the Mecca of VW group fans.