Worthing - West Sussex

James Horsley – Jim, jim73vw

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Manufacturer: Martin & Walker, Originally LHD, IVA 2023​

Engine: Upgraded 1500 SP with 1600 heads, alternator conversion, 123 electronic distributor and external oil filter.

Gearbox: Stock

Brakes: Discs front, drums rear

Interior: Red leather door cards, dash top, and bucket seats by Steve Kemperink Bowles; period-looking 3-gauge setup; electronic speedo and trip meter.

Exterior: Porsche slate grey with burgundy hood and slot-in side windows

I purchased the car in March 2024 with it showing just one mile on the clock post IVA test!

The prior builder had planned to export it to Germany when returning home after a work placement in the UK. Unfortunately, the process of exporting it proved challenging, so the decision was made to sell the car. A garage completed final IVA works for the original builder, and some cosmetic work was done post-IVA to market the car, but much of this was poorly executed, or needed to be started again. When I purchased the car, it featured a poorly executed brown vinyl interior, including a fully upholstered dashboard, presumably to satisfy IVA and many rudimentary switches and IVA-compliant labels.

Initially I had to make seat runner extensions to be able to fit behind the steering wheel! When issues were unearthed with the steering column and engine, it was clear that a more thorough strip down and full overhaul was needed, so I decided to embark first on converting the car to right-hand drive. Fortunately the chassis had started life RHD and was converted to LHD by the prior owner, so original bulkhead holes for the master cylinder remained. All fuel and brake lines needed relocating, as did the wiring loom, and, of course, changing the axle, track rods, and pitman arm. 

The part that phased me the least was cutting up the dashboard and regrafting the instrument ‘hump’ on the right hand side. I am a long-term kit car fettler, having restored many a tired beach buggy or Nova kit car, so I am experienced in fibreglass repairs. 

Once the car was roadworthy, a brisk drive to Dorset was arranged to have it trimmed and a roof fitted. 2025-2026 has been spent ironing out minor niggles, settling in the rebuilt engine and setting up the car to suit me. 

I am based in Worthing West Sussex and you will regularly find me at local car meets. I am an active Goodwood Road Racing Club (GRRC) member, Southern Classics member and also Club Nova Member. We also attend local shows arranged by Heritage Parts Centre (formally VW Heritage), Classics by the River in Ford and Man Cave Classics Cars & Coffee at Edge. You will usually also find me and my daughter at the major kit car shows with Club Nova where other members still exhibit prior cars I have built. I am also active across many of the VW forums and groups online under the name ‘jim73vw’. 

We have many friends and family in the West Country too, so often pick shows in that direction.

Having driven and restored multiple beetles, camper vans, beach buggies and Nova kit cars since age 17, I am very familiar with VW mechanics and take on as much of the work as possible myself, and will happily share tips if I can. For a number of years my build reports and personal car updates could be found in Complete Kit Car where I was a Technical Contributor, including full diary builds of Nova and beach buggy restorations.

When shows/trips are a little longer than we want to drive in the Speedster, a Porsche Boxster is called into action.