Okrasa Special

[KS]

I plan to take the car back to it’s place of original creation: Colborne Motors, the VW/Porsche dealership David Small owned in the ‘50s and ‘60s. It’s a VW dealership now but I’m sure they’ll welcome a bunch of old Porsche’s turning up, especially as David’s grandson is keen to re-enact the first run of the car up farnham road with me.... I’ll find a date (almost certainty a weekend) and post it here as soon as I have it confirmed...

The dealership was Barnett & Small – started out as a Jowett dealers which, like many, became VW, then VW and Porsche, then VW & Audi, then just VW. Now belongs to Martins of Basingstoke.

[steve wright]

Sorry Keith, I keep getting this wrong. Must try harder next time!

[KS]

[steve wright]

Well there was a distinctly different vibe in the Mouland & Yates workshop today. A quick 'hello' and a cup of tea, and then it was back to the jobs they were on. A sense of urgency and purpose pervaded because there's a deadline that everyone is working to now. The cars first race (the Chateau Impney Hillclimb), is a little over eight weeks away. Nothing like a deadline to focus the mind! So we're now into the details, the snags, the little things that finish the car off or make it work. Here's a selection from today:

First up the workshop when I arrived. The bodywork has been gone over with a orbital sander and then scotch pad to flatten off the panels and put a decent dull to them.


Next up is Jefferey fitting the headlamps for the last time...


The last time we'll see the door mechanism as the skins will go on this coming week. Nice and strong, and light as a feather...


Venting the oil cooler has been a monumental effort, both from a design perspective but also in making that design work. I didn't want to vent the air to the underside of the car as it increases lift, so we've ducted it through the boot area and then vented it between the scuttle and the edge of the bonnet. Good if it works...


The bodywork has turned out to be massively stiff. We didn't plan on having to rely on the bodywork for torsional rigidity, that's taken car of by the chassis and roll cage, but it's nice to have the bodywork strong. This shot gives you an insight into why it's so stiff...


here's the finished clamshell for the rear, minus the liners. This has been a big bit of work but turned out beautifully...
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Next up is Vic Mouland briefing Ian on how to remove the front bodywork. We hope we don't ever have to take it off, but just in case, it's only a matter of 10 bolts and a bit of giggling...


Thought you would like this. How to scuff up a perfectly good shiny panel!


Ian and Tom fitting the quarter panel for the last time (this time permanently) with filler cap, hose and breather all done...


The door latches have been a s*@t to make work. Here's a final shot of the latch and lock mechanism. Hats off to the M&Y team for making it all work...


The car will occasionally get driven on the road so needs to be road legal. Here's an insight into how much craftsmanship and experience goes into making the details work. 1950's VW/Porsche indicator mounts, fitted as though they were factory...


The guys at M&Y are as anal about the details as I am. Notice how the notch in the Dzus fasteners all follow the edge of the panel...
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The rear quarter panel getting it's final fettle before being riveted in place and lining up perfectly with the clamshell...


All hands to the pump with just 13 working days till the car goes to Ian for fitting of engine and general fettling for our first race!


I thought this shot gave a great perspective on the car, plus it also gives a lovely view of the M&Y workshop and the rear of the Special, complete now with cut-out...


And finally, photographic evidence that I've had a hand in actually doing some coachwork. I only held the dolly for about 3 seconds while the rivet was tapped flush, but at least I can hand on heart now say I've been involved in the coachwork!


Next instalment will be the final from M&Y, in 3 weeks time...

[KS]

Holy crap! That's absolutely amazing!!!!! When can I have a drive?

[Winston Teague]

Still Brilliant. For us viewers, roll on Chateau Impney......W

[Darren65]

Absolutely fantastic, congrats Steve

A shame CI clashes with CLM, would have loved to been there.

Godspeed

[steve wright]

Yes we were torn too, as CLM is always a great road trip and holiday. I should've mentioned earlier that the car's debut will be at Chateau Impney Hillclimb, 7-8 July, Droitwich Spa (just near Birmingham England). We'll only be running the original Okrasa engine and standard gearbox, so don't expect anything quick, but it will be nice to have the car out, and putting the 48th mile on as a race mile! Obviously you're all more than welcome to come and see it and say hello....

[neilbardsley]

Almost there. Looking good

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[911hillclimber]

I will be there at the CI as the Club has a stand there and the Lola will be there to draw the mob in.

Will come and find you when I have a break one of those days and say hello quickly and leave you both to handling the mob!

Looking forward to the car in the metal, what a great job done.
Graham.

[Lightweight_911]

.
I hadn't realised that your deadline was so soon !

I'd love to see the car at its debut so may try & call in to Chateau Impney & come over to the paddock on the Saturday (Sunday I'll be in Hyde Park for the Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood concert) ...


.

[roy mawbey]

So much work, really impressive to look at all those aspects. Nice photos too!

Roy

[neilbardsley]

.
I hadn't realised that your deadline was so soon !

I'd love to see the car at its debut so may try & call in to Chateau Impney & come over to the paddock on the Saturday (Sunday I'll be in Hyde Park for the Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood concert) ...


.

Clapton/windwood that sounds good!

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[Pandora]

Good looking thing that!

Looking forward to the next update and seeing it 'in the wild'

(I just managed to buy back the car I had when I was a student, after 18 years of hoping, so I imagine we both have similar levels of old car delirium at the moment )

I hope the Okrasa is everything you've hoped for, and more.

Al

[vwgillybilly]

Lovely craftsmanship, however I’m not sure it constitutes as ‘old’!