Aircooled VW South Africa

Howdy from the USA. A friend in Austrailia just put me onto Aircooled VW South Africa and the fact you folks are helping to put together a land speed race at the Verneukpan, similar to our El Mirage Dry Lake or Bonneville Salt Flats and Lake Gairdner in Austrailia.

I know VW's were built in SA from the late fifties, early sixties so I know there must be some folks running the 36hp engines. Is there anyone racing 36hp motored VWs? In fact, is there anyone planning on racing any VW's at next years Speedweek?

My interest is two fold. First, we have 36hp specific land speed racing here (and soon to have in OZ) and I would like to ask if anyone in SA would be interested in finding out about our 36hp Challenge. Second, I am the unofficial Volkswagen land speed racing historian and would like to hear from anyone racing big VW motor or 36hp motor Volkswagens, both air and watercooled, so I could add their history to my files and for future historical perspectives.

If you would like to see what the 36hp Challenge is about, visit:

http://www.burlyb.com or go to http://www.saltflats.com and visit the 36hp Challenge link

for more details.

Also I have heard that VW South Africa sold new VW's with 36hp engines installed from the factory as late as the early seventies. Is this true or just an old wives tale? If someone could enlighten me on the subject, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx for letting me tune in. I will be following your Speedweek efforts with sincere interest.

A friend in the states...............

Burly Burlile

Hi I have been following your exploits for a while now and are constantly amazed at what you guys manage to do with those 36'es
As far as I know VW never offered the 36hp engine after 1961 even factory rebuilds were changed to the 40 horse engine by the dealer. I know that Brazil had 36 hp engines as late as 64 confirmed as a friend in Sao Paulo has such a vehicle.
I am sorely temted to build such a project but so far time is eluding me
Regards
Armand

Hi And welcome here

I am planning to enter in next years event with either my Blue bug or Buggy.But unfortunately none of them would be Aircooled
I were running 2.4turbod Type 4 before but the costs are to high here so much cheaper building a strong Rotary instead
I have also seen some of the stuff you guys do with em "small"motors
I would love to pick your brain for some help on getting my runners sorted for a top end run If you would not mind
I have had my bug well past 220Km/h on tarr but got no Idea how it will be at Verneukpan

Pierre

Armand and Pierre

Thanx for your insight. It is good to know SA did not sell 36ers after 61, just like here in the states. 64 in Brazil though? U-m-m-m, that might explain the after 61 case a friend had with a few neat features but an engine number that did not correspond with any numbers found in books.

Myself, I am not a techie but there is a great sight called "the Samba" that might be able to help you Pierre on your rotary conversions(although they focus on air cooled, they have been around so long, I am sure there is a forum for conversions!). I will put that link and another below for reference:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewforum.php?f=44

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewforum.php?f=3

Both are good for technical references.

Since you are both interested in running at Speedweek, I would encourage you to get in touch with the organizers and see what you can do to support their effort. It will be great to have VW's racing land speed on the other side of the planet.

May the Speed be with you...........

Burly