Rare Air MFG
Made in the USA
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HELLO

Hi, I’m Jason Fields, owner of Rare Air MFG. We produce quality parts for Volkswagen enthusiasts!

We offer several products like complete crotch cooler assemblies, individual crotch cooler parts, semaphore pockets for convertible bugs, ragtop bug stainless sunroof latch covers, convertible bug gussets, and have several new products that we are working on like early convertible window frame assemblies, and Rare Air aussie flash trim.

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HI, I’M JASON FIELDS.

OBSESSED WITH CARS SINCE 1988.

My love for VW's started in 1988 when I was 18 years old. I got a job working for Autosport International in Vancouver, WA. Autosport is where I acquired many of my restorative skills like fabricating, welding, bodywork, mechanical work, upholstery, and sales. Autosport specialized in air-cooled Volkswagens and was equipped with a wrecking yard, body shop, mechanical shop, and a new product showroom. Autosport was the premier Volkswagen shop in the Northwest. Of any job I have ever had, Autosport was my favorite by far! The shop was in business from 1967 to 2014 and was owned by one of my dearest friends, Jerry Krienbring. When Jerry sold the property, I told him I wanted the door off of the building for sentimental reasons. That door (pictured here) now resides in my shop here in Newberg, OR.

While working at Autosport, I attended many VW car shows and saw a whole lot of rare parts that I wished I could have purchased. One of the coolest items I ever saw was on a 1951 Volkswagen bug, and this specific part was a pair of crotch coolers. At that time, the only way to get a pair was to cut them off of a car. What a horrible thought! Not something that appealed to me at all.

30 years later, I found myself at another VW swap meet and found a pair of crotch coolers that had been cut out of a 1952 deluxe split window bug. I looked them over and saw that they were really rough, so I decided I didn't need them and set them back down.

Fast forward a year and a half later, I was talking to a good friend of mine, Paul Iozzio, and he told me he had purchased that exact pair. I asked to borrow them to see if I could build a set for myself. I created several dies and prototypes, trying to get everything just right. Several friends came by my shop and expressed interest in owning a pair, which made me realize there may be a bigger need in the market for these parts.

I built a few pairs, listed them on TheSamba.com, and the interest was incredible! I decided it was time to get serious and make this official. Curt Kolar, a friend from my Autosport days, helped me come up with my company name and Steven Kretcschmar helped me come up with our logo. My daughter Ashley told me I needed a website, so I agreed to have her and her best friend, Kirsten, with Reverie Creative Agency build one.

I am proud to offer several Volkswagen parts, with more in the works! My goal is to produce quality parts for other Volkswagen enthusiasts, like me. I had only dreamt of owning these parts for years and I know for a fact, I’m not the only VW lover who’s been dreaming. Now I have the opportunity to offer these brand new parts to you! I truly enjoy building these parts and restoring vintage Volkswagen’s. I look forward to hearing all about your projects and helping build you build your dream car!