Rudi and Gonni - Geldern

Technical data:

Model: Merlin + 2
Year of construction: 1992
Engine: Ford 2.0 L V6
Power: 66 KW
Manufacturer: Mohr Straubenhardt
Special features: H-approval, left-hand drive, radiator from 3 litre Granada, heating and de-icer, stainless steel luggage rack, rear track widening

1989 - The children are on their own two feet and the company is up and running, so you need a new job otherwise you might get some silly ideas. After years of working on rust buckets (so-called rust oldtimers), I was fed up with ROST. Suddenly there was a kitcars catalogue and we really studied it from front to back and back to front. After a few months we realised that a Merlin would be very nice and financially feasible for us. So we boarded the ferry from Hoek van Holland to Harwich on a Saturday evening. We landed in England at 06.00 on Sunday morning, had a coffee on the way and at around 10.00 we were at the kit car show in Peterborough in England. We had a long chat with Peter Gowing from Paris Cars, looked at some "demonstrator cars" and then visited the MOC Merlin Owner Club. We also looked at lots of other kit cars, but no, it was going to be a Merlin. At 2.00 pm we drove back and in the evening we took the ferry back to Rotterdam. Our decision was made. A short time later we visited the Mohr company in Straubenhardt Feldrennach and ordered a Merlin kit from Mr Mohr. Unfortunately, this was the last kit imported from Mohr in Germany. The Mohr company had a problem at the time and we paid 50% of the order on account and paid the rest when we collected the parts. Unfortunately, Mohr's staff were no longer very motivated because they already had the cancellations ready. but the electrician helped me a lot with the wiring harness. Some people say that Mohr had given up because Paris Cars was no longer able to deliver, but I don't think that's true, because Paris Cars was still producing and selling kits until 1994. Two Taunus TC 2/3 from around 1983 were bought, butchered and the best parts were refurbished. The frame was blasted and coated with plastic and later flooded with oil from the inside, so it should last for many years, I hope. All the previously purchased Taunus TC 2/3 parts were prepared and the assembly went very quickly. After completion and test drive, everything was dismantled again and the body was taken to the painter near Pforzheim. It took him 6 weeks but the result was great. The second bodywork went very quickly and our first big drive with a red number was towards the Eifel at minus 8 degrees, but we enjoyed it. The full inspection went smoothly at the first attempt in Pforzheim. I was thrilled until it started to rain on the way back. 400 km of rain and the windscreen wiper went on strike. From Frankfurt to Cologne behind a lorry through the Taunus. After that I knew that a Merlin is never completely waterproof. The assembly was only possible with the enthusiasm and help of Gonnie, a (fortunately my) wife who can not only tighten nuts and bolts, but also motivate me when I wanted to give up (to put it nicely). We made a lot of new friends with the Merlin.

The Merlin - VW prototype
In 2009, Gonnie and I were in England with our Merlin number 1 (green) to take part in the MerlinTour organised by the Merlin Owner Club (MOC) in the Peak District. There I learnt that the first Merlin with a VW engine was for sale. The owner was visited and we quickly agreed on a deal. 3 weeks later I flew to England to pick up the Beetle Merlin. The weather was great, but after 5 kilometres the Merlin was already stuck, smoke cloud - rear left brake. Gerald (salesman) was called and he came straight away with heavy equipment. Merlin jacked up, brakes reset and off we went again towards Dover. The brakes felt good, but I didn't dare to drive fast, but always looked ahead so as not to have to brake too much.
After two hours of driving, it was time for a break. Luckily the car park was slightly sloping because after 10 minutes the bike wouldn't start. After laboriously removing the bonnet (rear engine, so the luggage rack had to be removed first), the problem was recognised. Vapour bubbles were forming in the fuel line. After cooling down for an hour, I tried to start it again but it still wouldn't start properly. I jumped in and put it into second gear and got on the motorway - everything worked. Shortly before London, I noticed that the alternator was on strike. Switched on the lights and the engine went out, quickly switched the lights off again. I drove through the tunnel without lights. Stopped at the petrol station and filled up, asked for a new charged battery. Nope, they only have petrol, hamburgers and delicious coffee. Fortunately, or with a premonition, I had taken out an ADAX membership a week earlier. I called ADAC and described my problem, and after 1.5 hours the mechanic arrived with the battery and in a good mood. Put the battery in and started up, everything was fine. Oh, said the man, my new battery is too expensive and not necessary, I'll repair your broken charge controller. After 20 minutes the regulator was repaired, so I put the old battery in and jump-started the engine. Unfortunately, the regulator only lasted 20 kilometres. With parking lights in the dark and drizzling rain in the direction of
Dover behind a lorry. Fortunately, I was able to find a guesthouse to spend the night and charge the battery. The next morning I continued towards the ferry.
The man at the ticket desk said your car is nice but very low (8 cm) you get a parking space on board down by the lorries. When boarding, I got stuck right at the driveway, but four employees almost carried me on board with the Merlin. They also used lorry wedges and rope to make my Merlin seaworthy when parking (handbrake totally ineffective despite new MOT/TÜV). Then we travelled in the sun towards Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany for about 350 km. After 100 km refuelling stop in Belgium but after the stop it didn't want to start again (battery too weak). Was then pushed by a few friendly French people. I then drove the remaining hours without lights and indicators. When I braked, the engine started to stutter. 20 kilometres before Geldern it really started to rain, but I didn't dare to stop and close the roof. Shortly before Geldern I called Gonnie, who unlocked our garage and the Beetle Merlin was driven straight in and only looked at again a week later.
Shortly afterwards, an inventory was made. Result: It will be completely rebuilt, retaining the patina. I still can't believe that I've driven 850 kilometres in this Merlin, even though it's only just had its English MOT test.


The pictures show his own green Merlin, but also a Merlin in two-tone paintwork (grey/black). This Merlin is the first Merlin from England, still based on a VW Beetle. This vehicle has been under reconstruction by Rudi's son-in-law for some time.

With his knowledge of the Merlin, Rudi is always the perfect advisor. He knows every screw and can help with any problems.
Rudi is simply our "Mr Merlin".