The World According to Knarf

Some people collect stamps.

Some collect baseball cards.

I've spent a lifetime collecting stories—most of them attached to old Volkswagens, motorcycles, trucks, and the people I've met along the way.

I grew up in a Volkswagen dealership, so I never really had a chance. Before I was old enough to drive, Volkswagens already felt like part of the family. Over the years I've owned more Beetles than I can honestly remember—probably fifty or so—along with buses, campers, Vanagons, Syncros, and plenty of projects that probably should have stayed parked. Every one of them taught me something.

Building has always been part of who I am. Sometimes it's a BMW motorcycle. Sometimes it's an old Ford truck. Sometimes it's a Volkswagen camper headed for another adventure. I don't build because I have to. I build because I enjoy figuring things out, solving problems, and giving old machines another chance to tell their stories.

Why "Knarf"?

Knarf didn't begin as a brand. It began as a fresh start.

In 2024 I found a rare 1982 diesel Vanagon and named it Frank. The plan was simple: build a capable camper that could take me anywhere. Like many projects, life had other ideas, and Frank sat quietly while life took an unexpected turn.

By early 2026, things had changed.

The desire to travel was stronger than ever, and the project deserved a new beginning. Frank became Knarf—Frank, spelled backwards. It wasn't just a new name; it represented looking forward while carrying everything I'd learned along the way.

Today, Knarf is more than a Vanagon. It's a reminder to keep exploring, keep building, and stay curious.

More Than One Project

1982 Volkswagen Vanagon