The development

The year is 1936 and the Czech racers Zdeněk Pohl and engineer Jaroslav Hausman participate in the Monte Carlo Rally with a two-seater Škoda Popular roadster. This sporty development of the company was made especially for the competition and, unlike the production model, it is equipped with an improved and significantly reinforced chassis and a more powerful 1385 cc engine than the Škoda Rapid. Thanks to the changes, the Czechs reach second place in the category up to 1500 cc. After this success, Škoda manufacturers created a small “civilian” series of cars, numbering 70 units, under the name “Sport – Monte Carlo”.

Popular

In the 1930s, the “Popular” model was indeed one of the most modern and popular cars in Europe. His success is due to the many successful participations in various car shows.

He also participated in grueling marathon treks, across the territory of different continents such as North and South America, South Africa, Asia, etc. The first such journey was made in the mid-1930s by several Czechs who crossed the whole of Europe and a large part of Asia, reaching the Indian city of Calcutta. It lasts 4 months and passes through Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan, where it is the most grueling endurance test. After overcoming the mountain passes of Kandahar, the adventurers reach the desert of Registan, where they fight a terrible sandstorm for five whole days.

The model

The market version of the Škoda Popular Monte Carlo was only available to order, and in the period 1936-1938, 70 cars were built, of which 20 were open body type “roadsters” with a 995 cc engine, and 50 two-seater coupés, whose engines were working volume of 1386 cubic cm. The entire series is equipped with three-speed gearboxes, and the maximum speed of the closed version reaches 125 km/h with an average fuel consumption of 10 liters per 100 km.

The masterpiece for its time has an extremely elegant body. The strongly beveled rear part has been developed according to all the laws of aerodynamics and is bisected by a specific stabilizing “fin“, as in the Tatra.

The grille itself is also interesting. It is formed by narrow vertical chrome strips. In the same way, the headlights are also covered, which gives the “different” in the car of those years.

The North American Tour

Soon after the success of Pohl and Hausmann, Škoda Popular became famous throughout North America. In 1936, F. A. Elstner took a trip from New York, through Texas to Mexico, then through Arizona, California, most of the northern states, and finally back to New York. The 25,000-kilometer adventure lasts more than a hundred days. One year later, the Czechs again took part in the Monte Carlo Rally, where they placed fourth in their class.

The post Škoda Popular Sport Monte Carlo – A masterpiece from 85 years ago appeared first on the.vag.family.

With similar lap times, manufacturers such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes advertise modern high-power sports cars such as the RS Q8, M3 CS or AMG GT 63 S. The “oldtimer” is the pride of the British Nigel Pinder. According to the Nigel, seven minutes and 34 seconds are the best time he has achieved with the so-called “Pinderwagen” on the Ring – and because of the traffic on the track, the time could have been even better!

Nigel has made all the improvements to the car alone.

Naturally, Pinder’s Golf is far from a standard modification. The project is based on a fully standard Volkswagen Golf 2 CL without a sunroof. The engine comes from the Volkswagen Golf 3. It is a 2.0 16V with a “grafted” turbocharger Garrett, designed for the British Championship for touring cars. At a pressure of 0.6 bar, the engine develops 290 hp.

Serious modifications to the engine and suspension

As Pinder shifts gears, it can increase turbo pressure little by little and eventually reach 360 hp. If that’s not enough to overtake on the track, there’s a steering wheel button for Extra Boost. When Nigel pushes it, the turbo pressure rises to 1.6 bar – and so it already has 440 hp! 😮‍💨

In order to adequately transfer this power to the asphalt, the normal suspension has been replaced with a new one from KW. The Clubsport track set is designed for the track and not only brings the Golf closer to the ground, but also improves traction and stability.

However, this is not enough. The Volkswagen fan optimizes the carriers as the driving behavior begins to match his style. The brakes are AP Racing Pro 5000. The gearbox is from Volkswagen. You’re probably expecting a sequential transmission – but in reality, the Volkswagen Golf 4’s 6-speed transmission works here along with the differential.

Pinder-Golf with aerodynamic modifications

The Pinderwagen is homologated for the public road network and can be used to go to the nearby fruit and vegetable grocery store. The Briton made his Golf in a garage, improving his car constantly. In addition to power, aerodynamics are also “upgraded”. We can’t miss the splitter in front. It turns out to be so solid that you can step on it. You can see it in the “Porsche Eater” video by Nurburgring blogger Misha Sharuddin:

The post The fastest Volkswagen Golf mk2 on The Nürburgring appeared first on the.vag.family.