Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Pretty piece of History.
































































During our OSS lunch we posted about the newly found Rometsch Porsche racer. Now that little gem is being restored at the Prototyp museum in Hamburg Germany. We here at the OSS had heard of the Prototyp museum but never took the time to seek out more information. Well that changed to day and we were VERY impressed by the multitude of beautiful cars being stored there. Now many of our neighbors across the pound may be familiar with this car but we had never heard of, let alone seen this amazing one off ride. Based on an early VW with a 25hp motor and one of the most beautiful bodies we have ever gazed upon. Not sure why the engine has a Bosch blue coil and later distributor, so we will have to take a little vacation to Germany in order to find out!

Pictures were "borrowed" from History of cars.

Piece of Porsche racing history found.

















Read about it here.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

On Holiday back soon.

Since the OSS is out on holiday we though we would leave a little something for every one to look at.

Blackline and Birks DSS Beelte
















The Gaylen Anderson & Tom Bruchs NA36 Beetle







.




Beever Geezers and Britt Grannies SS Beetle
















Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Latest updat on the 36hp Challenge

Just in case you don't receive or have not read Burly's latest update on the 36hp Challenge we here at the OSS though that it would be a good idea to go ahead and post it here.

"Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:46:52 +0000

Subject: 36hp Challenge Press Release WOS 09

The USFRA's 2009 World of Speed event on the Bonneville Salt Flats came to a conclusion Saturday afternoon after torrential rains early in the week, possible cancellation of all the racing activities and finally blue skies and sun, warm weather and great racing. A record number of thirteen Volkswagen powered cars, both air and water cooled, both gas and diesel, ran for top speed. There were streamliners, pick-ups, bugs, bajas, Formula Super Vees, a turbo powered big VW motored splittie bus(94.891 mph) and even a VW Lupo powered Honda Insight hybrid. All in all, it was a record event for Volkswagen land speed racing. This event also welcomed the largest contingent of VW spectators supporting the racers with folks from Michigan, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Texas and elsewhere coming out to experience to aura of Bonneville and be witness to the Challenge.

The 36hp Challenge saw three new records set in the five available bug classes and a baseline Ghia record established with a Ghia equipped with a rare Denzel modified 36hp motor. Two new 36hp Challenge "1" Club members were initiated into the elite club which also consists of Dick Beith and Tom Bruch (yes, just four total !). The Blackline 57 project which so many folks have been following on the Samba and Ultimate Air Cooled Vintage Speed forums returned from being dead just three weeks ago thanx to Chip Birks who donated his street car for the effort to establish a new DSS (Vintage two barrel carb) category record of 103.056 mph and qualify for the "1" Club. Team Irelands Britt Grannis, along with the Beaver Geezers crew of three different drivers vied for the SS (Stone Stock) record with the Beav's Al Leggett eventually driving to a new 36hp record of 73.492 mph.

Tom Bruch and Gaylen Anderson brought their record holding bug back to the salt with more gear in the trans and a Weber 40 DCNF carb on top of the turbo and boosted the all time 36hp bug and NA36 (New Age 36) record to a new high of 106.514 miles per hour. The carb provided the power but ran out of fuel at sustained high RPM's and damaged the engine, preventing further speed run attempts.

Richard Troy worked on his 58 low-light Denzel Ghia back home in Northern California through half of the meet overcoming the normal pre-race obstacles that seem to pop up when time is of the essence, threw on the tow bar, drove through the night and arrived on the salt for the very last days racing. With no sleep and just a half a day to race, he tuned and with the Blackline/Birks crew helping taking care of small details, was able to not only get all his passes in, but gain membership in the "1" Club with two passes above 101 miles per hour topping out at 101.163 miles per hour.

Experiencing tradgedy and frustration, all the 36hp Challengers muscled through to set four new 36hp records and make the 2009 World of Speed the most successful 36hp Challenge event to date. Bruce Cook from North Carolina, holder of two of the records that were exceeded called to offer congradulations. At next months ECTA Maxton, N.C., meet, Bruce's Canadian 51 split will attempt to reclaim the DSS record from the Mcallister brothers with a Whitey Worsham tuned 36 engine and if that does not do the trick, he recently acquired an Okrasa set-up that will also enjoy Whiteys magic touch.

2010 is just around the corner and the 36hp Challenge just becomes more challenging. Hope you find the opportunity to view these little mighty mouse motors racing down the blackline or even participate with your bug, bus or Ghia. For more info and 36hp Challenge links, visit www.saltflats.com
or go to www.burlyb.com .

See you on the salt........................

Burly"

Picture to come later!

Monday, September 21, 2009

One thing forgoten

One thing that we forgot to mention is that the Bonneville bus was NOT running a 36hp motor. Rather it carries a larger displacement fire breathing turbo engine. Thought we should clear that up.

The first days of fall.

Ah the weekend is over and fall has busted down the door here in Vermont. That means that time is running short and we here at the OSS need to get our asses in gear and button up the beetle for winter storage. If we are lucky the bastard oval will drive to it place of rest, if not then we will be making a 3” narrowed tow bar to facilitate the moving. BUT you have to consider that there is nothing more beautiful, except Mrs. OSS, than a fall morning here in the great north east. So stop by for a cup of barley pop and some serenity.

Here are a few pictures to make your normal Monday little more eventful, now allow a little time to day dreaming while you enjoy.



























































































































































Picture courtesy of Volksarama.com

Saturday, September 19, 2009

More Salt

**Update from the flats**

The Denzel Ghia has pulled a 101 run and the Volksarama Bus has a top run of 94mph with no windows!

Looks like things are wrapping up for the day.