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		More>> Con Kennedy Neil Ogilvy Samantha Dempsey If you are ever in the Cork area, look out for Jean-Michel Schiettecatte’s super quick super slick 1303 Cabriolet! It goes! How did you get interested in VW's? I was 23, living in London, and could not afford a car until a friend helped me buy a 71 1300. I restored the car and sold it 6 months later to buy a 1957 oval. Both cars were my daily driver, the later doing 0 to 60 in just under a day! How long have you been interested in VWs? Since I was 18, my friend had one in Switzerland were I was in a hotel school. We used it to go snowboarding, and what a car! Never let us down in the snow, Is this your first VW then? No, I had a 71 1300 for six months and then an oval 1957 for 5 years. Both were daily drivers. Do you own/have you owned any other VWs? Yes. I have an old ESB High roof panel van 1977. Genuine Irish Van reg KWI 188. (Currently under restoration into a Camper, as the previous owner had cut out windows already. Also a 1971 Devon Moonraker (for parts as it is too far gone. Anyone interested in the Devon roof with bunks? Oh yes, nearly forgot also a 02 Passat. Very boring, but hey it belongs to the company, and they can have it back whenever! Do you drive your VW every day? I used too until I came to Ireland and got given a company car. But I drive it as often as I can. Rain or shine, no worries, I built it to last. How did you come to own this car? My friend who helped me buy my first VW had shipped it from California along with a split screen camper. It was for his wife, but she never had the time or money to do it up so she sold it to here brother who is my best friend. He got the paint done, and the I swapped it for an American spec Golf convertible (Sorry Rabbit Convertible) that I had been given by one of my sister’s friends. Do you know anything about the car’s history? It came from California and was totally rust free, but the rest was minging. Where did it come from? I was still living in London when I started the restoration. I did not have a garage so I worked on it on the street. Just had too remember to tuck those legs in while under the cars were going past. I restored it as our wedding car. We drove away from the church in it. How long has it been in Ireland? I drove it over when we moved in June 2001. Are there any features about the car that make it different from Irish spec convertibles?? Oh yes! And any other spec for that matter! Porsche Fuchs alloys. Front disc brakes, Kersher suspension, lowered 2 inches at the front. Front strut brace. Front and rear anti roll bar. Urethane bushes. The engine with the twin carbs. Clear indicator lenses front and back. EMPI gearshift, the centre consol hand made on a Kamei centre parcel tray. Chromed up handbrake, ashtray surrounds, and any other bit I could on the interior. Single tail pipe (American spec only), Gearbox straps. And the list goes on Where did you have the car restored? Did it myself, with the exception of the engine, which was done by Luke Theochari from Terry’s Beetle Services, the Gearbox by Pete in Cogbox, and the roof by a specialist with me. The roof alone took 12 hours with the two of us non-stop! It’s like new!!!! What condition was the car in before you had it restored? The paint had been done, and that was about it. What restoration work was carried out? The works! Nut and Bolt. Even the Frames of the seats were sandblasted and powder coated! Who carried out the restoration? Me, and my wife’s patience. What parts purchased/restored in this car? Engine (hand built using only NOS parts from Germany. Gearbox, suspension (Koni / Kersher, lowered 2 inches at the front. Interior, roof, Brakes, wheels with front disc brakes. I have done or changed for new every part of the car. What (if any) work was done on the engine? New, with twin Dellorto 40’s, gene Berg equaliser pulley, electronic ignition, 009, blue coils, electric fuel pump, EMPI rocker covers with breather box, What size is the engine? 1600 until the government lets me afford to run a bigger one! I have already recalibrated the Speedo to 150 MPH in the hope! One day! Are there any differences between looking after a convertible as opposed to a regular beetle? The roof is very expensive. To do a new roof from top to bottom could cost you up to €8000. No Joke!" Do you find it hard driving a LHD car in Ireland? No, though others might. What colour is it? Atlantic white, it was a triple white, originally, but it now has black mohair hood. What is the interior like? New from TMI Can you list any extras with this car? Bud vase, Oil Temp, oil Pressure, cylinder Head temp and voltage gauges. Engine traction bar, gearbox straps, urethane bushes all-round, front and rear upgraded anti roll bar, empi gearshift, front suspension strut bar, and electric fuel pump. I’m sure I’ve missed a few. What’s your favourite thing about the car? Having the roof down in the sun, and the look of people’s faces when I overtake them. What’s your ideal VW? Split screen 23 window samba, Low light Karmann Ghia or a Porch 356A. Do you have any anecdotes about your experiences driving his car? It’s been two years since it was last out and about! Which shows have you been to with this car? Only the Limerick one in 2002. But I will go to most of them now.