Hi Everyone, firstly some history of my car ...
'Helga' so named by Eric Sewell, the guy who I bought the car from back in 2003 was manufactured on 14th August 1947 and left the factory the next day destined for the Schultz VW Dealership in Essen. I believe Schultz was the first official VW dealership in Germany and they also put the Hebmuller family in contact with VW.
Much of the history is known, the car was bought back to the UK by a British Serviceman and registered on 5th November 1947 and was then used regularly by a reporter working for the Banbury Advertiser. The car then changed hands a few times in the late 50's and ended up being traded in to Erics VW dealership 'Sewells' of Banbury. Eric fully intended to restore Helga but sadly never got round to it and with ill health sold the car he had owned for so many years.
Interestingly Helga was built just two days and 27 chassis numbers after JLT 420 the famous Colbourne-Baber car.
The rear number plate in a couple of the pictures is not Helgas but from an earlier '47 which was written off in an accident with a lorry, the engine lid is just one of the many spare parts taken from this car.
Eric with Helga on the day I collected her ...
Those that know me will tell you I've been talking about restoring my car for ages but the last 7 years has just flown by and house renovations, a hectic job and family life have all meant that the car hasn't had much of a look in but I hope to put that right. I don't expect progress to be quick but I will try to get on with it and post pics of progress as it happens.
I have more or less finished the engine block rebuild (original engine) and removed the body from the chassis at the weekend to start work on the body ...
Some of the original black paint ...
If anyone has parts I may be interested in please let me know, specifically I am after banana bumpers, wings and 46/47 only nipple hubcaps (non cog pressing) ;-)
https://s386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/kevmpics/47/