Heretic! VW alert!

[Pandora]

Tomorrow I'm off to Sussex for the day to have a stab at sorting the design of this interesting project:

http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... =3&t=28047

Not in any way mini based or related, but a lovely late 50s early 60s VW engined special. it was never completed in period and the current owner has taken on the challenge of finishing it off. He and his bosywork guy have made a good go of sorting the front bodym, but can't sort the rear end of the body to their satisfaction.

Sensing their frustration was reaching the point where it wouldn't get finished, I stepped in and offered to dust off my drawing board and polo-neck and reprise my training as a designer and patternmaker.....

We'll see how it goes, but getting up at 4am doesn't seemlike the perfect way to get the creative juices flowing

The owner was thinking of bolting his Shorrock blower onto it at some stage, so I pointed him in the direction of Mark for some advice - don't know if he got in touch with you, did he Mark?

Al

[guru_1071]

what you have to remember al, is that no matter how much time you spend on it, it will still be a beatle underneath it!


rich (who hates beatles!!!)

[JC T ONE]

it was never completed in period and the current owner has taken on the challenge of finishing it off.

Al

Hello Al,

thats an interesting project I read on some of Steve (the owner) postings, that he found the original designer/builder of this car, and that he has been in contact with him.

In that case why dont he ask him, how the finished car was suppose to look ?

Thats what I would have done.

[Pandora]

[quote="JC T ONE

Hello Al,

thats an interesting project I read on some of Steve (the owner) postings, that he found the original designer/builder of this car, and that he has been in contact with him.

In that case why dont he ask him, how the finished car was suppose to look ?

Thats what I would have done.[/quote]

Unfortunately, he since died, making further input from the builder tricky.

We/I are being very careful in sticking 'influences' form up to 1963 so it ends up as contemporary style to how it would have been.

[999 ORX]

Good on ya pandora! I look forward to see the end result!

[JC T ONE]

Unfortunately, he since died, making further input from the builder tricky.

We/I are being very careful in sticking 'influences' form up to 1963
so it ends up as contemporary style to how it would have been.

Ahh, I see - that makes sence, hope you guys get the job done

[Pandora]

what you have to remember al, is that no matter how much time you spend on it, it will still be a beatle underneath it!


rich (who hates beatles!!!)

Did Lennon and McCartney spanner on it?

The front axle, engine and box are Beetle, but that is all, and the engine is by all accounts a bit of a screamer. Chassis and rear suspension are bespoke, brakes are Porsche, roof is NOS Karmann, so I think it's far enough removed from a Beetle for ever hard hearted old Guru to warm to it is he saw it.

Even as a former 914 and camper owner and someone who fancies an early '60s beetle at some stage, I don't think it would have appealed quite so much as a project if it was just based on a beetle floor plan

[Pandora]

what you have to remember al, is that no matter how much time you spend on it, it will still be a beatle underneath it!


rich (who hates beatles!!!)

Concious of Guru's valid concerns, Imagine my surprise to come across this glorious creation, the little known "Narrowspeed GT", the work of that well known doyen of '60s tuners, Mr Ralph Narrow, Esq.





Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Dreamt up after a few to many pints of 'twisted axle' (6.8% abv) in the public bar of The Barmaid's Arms, it seems it cunningly combined a Mini front, an Elf body and the roof of the Karmann Ghia (as on the Oksasa Special) slightly narrowed to fit the Elf body. This drawing is to 1/10 scale.

You'll note the echos of Aston Martin DB4 / Gilbern GT. I beleive the prototype was driven at Goodwood on a wet Tuesday afternoon by both Graeme hill and Acker Bilk, the famous flotist.

If I track down a rare prototype, any chance of a double page spread, Jeroen?

all impressions of bluetac and prit-stick are entirely coincidental, and in no way indicate that this fascinating discovery is a fake knocked up at lunchtime.....

(thought I actually think it worked out looking surprisingly good - I'm thinking Aston Martin Sage green metalic with OEW door circles-NICE!) Anyone want to swap an Elf for a clubmans racing car?

I really need to scrath the 'Gilbern Itch'. Was offered one recently and I think it's getting to me

[Pandora]

Been a while, and a LOT of work has gone into it, but we are getting there.....

I had Barry, the bodywork guy, build a half model at 5th scale of where they had got to and then I modeled the rear in foam. They had really struggled with it looking 'broken backed' and no balance between the lower half and the glass house. So, I filled in the rear of the side glas o balance it and put a strong smooth shape running through the flank and .... hey presto!






Still a wee bit of fine tuning to do, and personally, I'd have made it a bit longer and given it a less severe cut off at the rear, with a recessed panel, but Steve, the owner wants it really abrupt and purposeful, so that's what I've done.

All it needs is a Mini engine and box!




Al

(not made much progress on my own car as a result........)

[rich@minispares.com]

that just looks a bit like my gtm from the rear!

[Pandora]

Oh, that's harsh!

I was going to put an 850TC stripe down the side. Might not bother now.