Governors Island is a small plot of land in New York Harbor just south of the tip of lower Manhattan. Formerly a colonial militia fort, then army base followed by coast guard station, it was two centuries one of the longest continually operated military bases in the US. It has since been transformed into a car-free year round park accessible only by ferry. However there is one group of vintage Volkswagen enthusiasts ambitious enough to stage a yearly mini concours on the island and I had to see it for myself.

Gridlock on Governors Island is an annual gathering of air-cooled era VWs. Comprised of around 75 vehicles, the range spans dune buggies, bugs, sporty 2-doors like the Karmann Ghia and microbuses, both camper and utility. The 2024 event drew owners from surrounding states as far away as Ohio and a few from Canada. Getting them all onto the island required coordinating several ferry runs and crossed fingers that no mechanical issues occurred. The reward is parking up at a site with the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan as a backdrop.

The spectrum of vehicles represented were especially cool to see from pristine historics to customs and outlaws. The Beetle is one of the ultimate design classics, having the credentials of inclusion in the permanent collection of the MoMA.

Being summertime, the draw to the campers was especially strong. VW’s electric ID. Buzz will launch in the US in 2025 marking the return of the microbus since the classic version sales ended in the 1970s.

Gridlock on Governors Island is scheduled to return on August 17, 2025.

Photos and Text: Dave Pinter