On the again of a long time concerned with aviation and basic air-cooled automobiles, Leon Potgieter’s four-car storage needs to be one of the crucial attention-grabbing we’ve come throughout.
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Having a look at among the motoring and technological trinkets scattered round Leon Potgieter’s storage, it could be one thing of an understatement to name this workspace merely ‘attention-grabbing’. There are artefacts from street journeys by South Africa and Lesotho, aeroplane elements, automobile instruments from a number of a long time in the past, and even some bodywork from a modern-day Porsche 911 racecar. In entrance of Leon’s desk, two chairs from a Mirage fighter jet function seating for each enterprise guests and associates popping in for a beer.
Leon’s spouse’s style is partly liable for this unconventional however character-packed setup. He explains: “It began with my spouse, who wished an previous home, and myself wanting a home with sufficient garages. Fortunately, we discovered this property and it ticked all of the containers. As a result of I’ve labored within the aviation trade my whole profession, some cool paraphernalia has crossed my path. For instance, the wing hanging above our heads is a Mirage F1’s horizontal stabiliser, and on the opposite facet is a drop tank from an Atlas Impala fighter jet. It’s mounted underneath the wing of the aircraft, and as soon as it’s empty it may be dropped to the bottom. The latter is normally solely the case throughout a battle scenario – normally they’re used time and again.”
“The Mirage seats have been outfitted with full ejection items. They’ve been reupholstered and mountings on the backside have been made for them. Then there’s nonetheless an air inlet from a de Haviland Vampire that can grow to be a part of the storage. These are simply among the elements I’ve collected over time.”
One of the crucial attention-grabbing reveals within the storage is a 1987 March 871 Formulation One wind tunnel mannequin. A number of elements nonetheless require some repairs, however it’s fairly a mannequin to have, and it even has the right exterior colors. On the identical shelf is a door from the 996 Porsche 911 GT3 race automobile that gained at Daytona racing circuit within the USA in 2005.
The automobiles are the heroes right here, although, and Leon is raring to offer me an intensive run-down of every instance. He’s spent a number of years restoring the 1968 Porsche 911 Targa 2.0-litre S. The automobile was mechanically sound, however the typical suspects demanded consideration, together with the rubbers, seat trim and exterior paintwork, to call just a few. No expense was spared within the gentle restoration, with elements such because the chequered fabric seats coming courtesy of RUF in Germany. The manufacturing unit 6×15-inch Fuchs wheels have been refurbished with immaculate lips and a silver centre part, in step with the automobile’s vibrant exterior hue. “For a Sunday automobile, I believe the Targa presents a extra rounded package deal than a Coupé.” Solely 925 of those S Targas have been constructed, making it a really sought-after basic 911.
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We then step nearer to the 1959 Volkswagen DeLuxe Microbus. “I began restoring this bus, however then I ran out of time. I despatched it to an organization who didn’t do an awesome job. Nevertheless, shortly after getting the automobile again, I did a visit with it by the Kruger Nationwide Park, and I made a decision that I’m going to maintain it as it’s for now and revel in it. Throughout that journey I towed it to the park, and drove a minimum of 1 000 km inside the park over the course of eight days.”
“The Volkswagen Beetle is from 1956 and it’s an oval rag high. The automobile belonged to the identical proprietor who had the bus. I like the truth that the Beetle has these ‘ZA’ and ‘Jurgens’ badges on it. Due to all its uncommon and particular specs, I used to be actually drawn to this automobile”, Leon explains. “Along with the manufacturing unit options fitted to the dashboard, there are extra lights and gauges, in addition to a software package up entrance. The temperature gauge I fitted, although.”
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Leon did some work on the Beetle’s seats and fabric. “I reupholstered the unique seats and put them away, after which I put in Porsche 356 Speedster seats and reproduction wheels. Aside from that, I’m by no means going to repaint or restore this automobile. I’ve solely polished the paintwork.”
Leon has additionally constructed a higher-performance engine for the Beetle. It’s nonetheless a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder unit, however it has a twin-port and twin-carburettor setup with an authentic Okrasa package, which is period-correct. Air-cooled fans will know all about Okrasa – the agency’s identify an abbreviation of ‘Oettinger Kraftfahrtechnische Spezial Anstalt’ – and the engines and equipment they provided to Volkswagen from the Fifties onwards.
We transfer on the purple 911, which the longest-standing member of Leon’s assortment. “That is the very first automobile I purchased, once I was 19. I purchased it from John Abbot as a 1968-model 912 that had an engine fireplace. I then transformed it right into a 2.7 RS reproduction, however didn’t do an awesome job. I didn’t know something about constructing automobiles at that stage. It was this automobile that began my curiosity in all issues Porsche. At that stage it was actually a enjoyable automobile as a result of it had all these spoilers and was very loud!”
“In 2007 I went to Europe with a buddy and we did an extended street journey. Throughout this journey we visited Kremer in Germany. We even visited DK Engineering and Autofarm within the UK. I then realised what a horrible automobile I’d constructed, so I stripped it upon my return. It was additionally throughout that journey that I realized concerning the Porsche 911 S/T, what made it particular and what elements are wanted to construct a tribute, and that was my goal with this specific 911.”
“Through the years, different tasks received desire, however a couple of yr in the past I used to be in a position to end the automobile! In 1971, Porsche Kremer raced on the Spa 1 000 km race with a 911, and my concept was to construct one thing as near that automobile as doable. Beneath the engine lid is 2.5-litre, flat-six with twin sparks, efficiency camshafts, aluminium pistons and high-compression sleeves.”
My time with Leon at an finish, it was tough to only up and go away this fascinating assortment to satisfy my standing obligations for one more task. His enthusiasm is so infectious, and his data of all issues air-cooled so huge, that it gained’t be tough to sit down down and discuss all issues automotive and aviation with him for a lot of hours but…possibly a follow-up go to is so as?
Discover the total characteristic within the November subject of CAR Journal.
