my kit car need help

marcus944 · #1 22nd March 2012, 11:21

hi i just got this on monday and have looked everywhere to find out what model its is i know it based on vw beetle 1200 cc
http://i40.tinypic.com/63ubyw.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/kd8pip.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/5b8dbm.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/2w7iu6p.jpg

please help me as i no nothing about kit cars but when i seen this i fell in love
thank you marcus944

peterux · #2 22nd March 2012, 12:49

A bit of a guess but I think its a Merlin TA......

http://www.merlinoc.org.uk/history.htm

Very nice car you've got yourself!!

...peter

marcus944 · #3 22nd March 2012, 13:37

thank you peter but mine got rear engine
i am starting to think its one kit but then made to old owners spec it might have been a besoke as it looks like a burllingon but again that only came as a front mounted engine sorry if i not make sense.

next thing i need to do is get it reg as a kit car as it still reg as a beetle.
i have proof its was being used on the road as its is but last tax and used in 1995.
should be fun with the dvla no doubt it will be hassle

Nike55 · #4 23rd March 2012, 10:42

I do not recall ever seeing a VW based Morgan replica in the 70'/80's, there were other VW based kits about (eg Maddison) but the usual Morgan replicas were front engined (eg Moss/Burlington etc).

Someone else seems to have tried to find the answer here..

http://groups.google.com/group/uk.re...THxPOehqftd9hg

It might be a one off to prove a concept and if so could be unique?

Hope someone on here can help further - I hate a mystery!

(If all else fails and you are going to Stonleigh, someone on the Total Kit Car magazine stand might be able to point you in the right direction.)

marcus944 · #5 23rd March 2012, 11:04

hi nike55

i am going to stoneleigh plus as for trying to find out about the car seems like i have more things to worry about . did you see my other post about it reg as a donor still thanks for you help marcus944

davecymru · #6 23rd March 2012, 11:23

TBh matey, i wouldn't worry overly about it as it's obviously been that way for a long time and you aren't the person who did the change and as you are at least aware of the issue and you're doing all the right steps to resolve it, if anyone does ask then you "should" be fine.

Especially seeing as there are a number of different companies offering "rebodies" even now that still remain on their original names on the v5!

Not the Sammio's i hasten to add, one of the things that attracted me to do one in the first place was the fact that Gary had done his homework in this aspect

With the weather the way it is just enjoy the car while you're sorting it out, it does look lovely!

Dave

Nike55 · #7 24th March 2012, 00:48

Can't tell from the photos. but if the chassis is standard (i.e. not shortened as many VW based kits were) then it might be just a 'rebody' (like the Sammio's) and may not be subject to certain regs.

Although you may wish to enjoy the vehicle in the current weather, there may be implications in respect of plod, insurance liabilities etc - so for peace of mind the correct 'parentage' does need to be reflected upon the V5.

You'll be aware that with ANPR available there may be the possibility that an observant plod may possibly recognise the vehicle as a Morgan and not a Beetle and raise a query. (Although with the nice weather they'll probably be chasing us bikers instead).

There are a number of kit cars on Fleabay etc that seem ok, but are still registered as the donor and not the kit and this may be inconvenient to prospective purchasers, (i.e. Colvin 911 replicas, Eagle RV Jeeps etc)

You are going about it the right way to get the problem resolved, but as you are the current owner the current regs will apply and plod / DVLA will say it is your responsibility to ensure compliance. Unfortunately in the namby pamby world should some drunkard trip over your car at traffic lights and hurt themselves and an ambulance chasing solicitor gets in on the act ('My client cut his finger and will never play the grand piano in concert again') your insurers may try to wriggle out citing irregularities in the paperwork (or there is an 'R' in the month etc).

It's a brilliant looking car and looks fun to drive in the wet. Would love to know more about the history. Hope you get the legalities sorted.

marcus944 · #8 24th March 2012, 10:11

hi m8
as for the history all i know is that it been in a old person garage for over since 1994 he says he and his wife loved the car and had lots of fun in it but he has to go into a home so it had to go i dont think he wanted to talk about it to much as think he was upset to much i mangage to grab it on it way into the scrap yard i called hear it saying save me save me i have about to try and start it today so wish me luck i have know time frame in mind so will do anything the right way. even as it is looks great on my drive . i will soon start a post on my first kit car and do lots of pictures and list things i hve done and r doing on here thanks for your help marcus944

Nike55 · #9 24th March 2012, 15:50

Grabbed it on the way to the scrap yard? Good save.

Look forward to more pics and best of luck with the restoration.

seanick · #10 24th March 2012, 20:51

Stick vw beetle badges on the back, mot it as such, insure it as a Merlin TF, as Peterux has identified it as.
Drive it, dont get caught speeding or park anywhere provocative. You will be doing the same as thousands of 'incorrectly registered kit cars', who's owners quietly go about enjoying their cars. Be careful doing the right thing, the dvl a m
ay keep yr v4...

Nike55 · #11 24th March 2012, 23:07

It's not a Merlin...

If you take a risk, as outlined above, and get caught out it may be expensive.

seanick · #12 25th March 2012, 07:46

Who dares wins.

seanick · #13 25th March 2012, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nike55

It's not a Merlin...

If you take a risk, as outlined above, and get caught out it may be expensive.

Follow Peterux's link and read the text, its possibly a Merlin TF, rear engine vw based, but not a common Marlin Roadster.

JG · #14 25th March 2012, 09:05

Wow, never seen a VW rear engined Morgan esque car before, good find.

Don't think it's an early Merlin unless it has been heavily modified (looking at the above link), front end, front wings and windscreen are all different. Maybe a special one off

marcus944 · #15 25th March 2012, 12:00

thanks for the posts but i am going to do it the right way as its my first kit car
and i have nothing to lose i think its best.

Nike55 · #16 25th March 2012, 12:53

Keep us posted...

marcus944 · #17 25th March 2012, 17:05

well so far it still not starting had to replace fuel line as it had worn in places.
replace some wiring as broken in parts.
emptied the fuel tank. put new fuel in it .
changed the oil.
clean all the contacts i could see.
so now it turning and go trying to start so tomoz
i am getting new plugs points rotor arm distributor cap and leads. and see how i get on.
brakes look ok handbrake need adjusting but want to see if it starts first.
will keep yous informed ps please post if yous have and ideas or know anyone in birmingham thats good with vw thanks marcus944

Nike55 · #18 25th March 2012, 22:30

As you know the Beetle is a cult classic and there are no end of specialists (and websites) out there for engine, transmission and suspension mods. Especially in the Midlands. The Beetle has a big following in the USA as well and many alternative / updated parts to assist tuning and reliability are available both in the UK and USA.

A couple of things to check for (that went wrong on mine) was 1) the security of the fan bolts, fan belt to alternator tension and 2) fuel line. The orig Beetle had the tank at the front with the fuel line running through the 'transmission tunnel' and the line could sometimes become holed through corrosion or rubbing leading to serious fuel leaks. So if a strong smell of petrol in passenger area beware. (The guys originally building your car may have altered the fuel line so this may not apply).

The engine is fan cooled and has a lot of tinware shrouding the cylinders to help air travel correctly around them. Check they are all in place. The two cylinders nearest the passenger compartment get hotter than those towards the rear bumper and you might want to consider adding a cyl head temp gauge to them if none fitted.

I have no idea if your vehicle is based on the orig Beetle floor pan or modified, but the orig Beetle sills acted as heating ducts from the engine to the windscreen. Condensation would form in the ducts leading to serious corrosion over time. No big deal as far as parts availability are concerned but replacing inner and outer sills can be complicated, it's 'do able' though and many Beetles have gone through this. Like I say, I don't know if your chassis was modified during the build process with these areas looked at and rust proofed. (I recall some Beetle based kit cars had the floorpan shortened and the sills removed with simpler outriggers welded in).

Good luck starting..

marcus944 · #19 26th March 2012, 13:16

http://tinypic.com/r/afejh1/5

i am so happy

Nike55 · #20 26th March 2012, 16:10

Congrats!