Technical data:
Model: Merlin + 2
Year of construction: 1973
Engine: Ford 2.0 L 4 cylinder OHC
Special features: H-approval, right-hand drive, Spax shock absorbers, 5-speed gearbox, 4 registered seats, fixed windows (English version)
Erbauer was an aeronautical engineer in England. After a short time in the aviation industry, he joined the Mc Laren F1 team. He built the Merlin completely himself in 1987, including the paintwork that the Merlin still wears today. The basis was a Cortina 3 from which many parts were used, which explains the year of construction 1973. He sold the Merlin after just a few months because he wanted to build another one with a larger engine, but house building etc. prevented him from building a Merlin again.
After the sale, the Merlin came into the hands of a man in England who was also a member of the Merlin Owners Club and who then kept and looked after it for a long time. In 2008, he decided to sell it for reasons of age.
An English teacher from the Allgäu then brought the Merlin from the island to the mainland and arranged everything for its registration in Germany. He kept the vehicle for 10 years before he also decided to give the Merlin away again for reasons of age.
So I bought the Merlin in 2018 and hope to be able to drive it with pleasure for as long as possible and perhaps not sell it and pass it on.