TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:11 pm

This is a 1959 Ascort.... one of maybe 19 or so built in Sydney. Steve Herron had one of these bodies hanging in his California barn circa 1995... and I think it went to Bob Koch around 2001 or so... but I am not sure about this.

anyone ever seen it since?

I know there is a nice one in Australia. But I haven't seen any others outside of AU... where are they all?

Bob.... you on here? what's the status?

Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:02 am

Is this based on a VW? I've never heard of it.

Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:39 am

Yes, its is VW based. Only 19 were made, and are very hard to find.

Thu Aug 27, 2009 4:00 am

Very cool car 8)

Here's another one in Australia (or is this the one you are talking about overrestored?)

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3131714

Thu Aug 27, 2009 4:05 am

Looks like there must be at least 2 left in Australia

Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:08 am

wow...cool car! thanks for sharing/posting,very interesting,the rear looks totally ghia with some mods,love the mechanics on the decklid.....so are they fiberglass,aluminum or steel?

Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:26 am

Yeah, I'm lurking in the shadows.

That car sold 4 years ago in So Cal. The car has a fiberglass body, and this one was complete minus the original pan. I cleaned out the shop when I moved, it sold before we relocated.

I heard he turned into a dune buggie :lol:

Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:38 am

thanks Bob for the update.

pretty cool car ... parts of her are awesome...

I'd date one if it were a girl... not sure about marriage though... her being from Australia means I'd get a free green card so I could move there I guess... and see all those backwards and upside down vw varieties.

Damn aussies are an interesting bunch. Got funny names for things... and a whole crapload of Eucalyptus tree varieties... and the occassional Dannenhauer for sale at auction. Hmmm....

Thu Aug 27, 2009 12:10 pm

I attended the 'Aussie Nationals' recently and the two Ascorts were there, the second photo was taken at a track south of Sydney, both these cars are big engined, 2180's I think from memory and both owners certainly not afraid to drive them pretty hard!!

Thu Aug 27, 2009 12:46 pm

that lowered one just looks wrong,it honestly looks much better stock height

Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:40 pm

I sold a pair of Okrasa heads with Thomson or Thomas magnesium ratio rockers to a guy in Australia who had one of these cars. This was about 3 years back. I'd never heard of them before he mentioned them.

Thu Oct 08, 2009 2:09 pm

....found another Ascort picture ...

Bye
Jörg

Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:52 pm

Quote:

Ha! "Catfish Racing"... very fitting.

Fri Oct 09, 2009 5:54 am

Shame so few were made!

Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:13 am

Patty B. wrote: Shame so few were made!

Just put a 356 and a Studebaker Hawk alone in a room, and wait!

Fri Oct 09, 2009 2:03 pm

thom wrote: Patty B. wrote: Shame so few were made!

Just put a 356 and a Studebaker Hawk alone in a room, and wait!

Thanks......................I was trying to place the similarity.

Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:56 pm

I know that this is an old posting, but I can add some information and would also like assistance.

I have been researching the Ascort TSV 1300s and am currently restoring one of the first cars built. I have also been collating information on the cars and have been collecting articles etc. So far I have about 400 photos and 50+ articles and have been in touch with all of the owners of known remaining cars in Australia.

Currently 13 of the the 19 cars that were built have been located in Australia. To date only one car has been fully restored and is shown in the posting in silver paint, with and without orange stripes. This car is also largely built from the derelict car shown in another photo on The Samba.

The car shown on the bridge in the old photo and also under the Sydney Harbour Bridge is the prototype car. To date the location of this car is unknown.

One Ascort is believed to have been sent to the US and may be the car mentioned in the original posting. I would love to find out more on the California car if anybody can assist. In 1960 the designer (Mirek Craney) was attempting to export the cars to the US and was seeking dealers. (Refer to Road and Track September 1959 for article and advertisement).

Any assistance would be most welcome. I would also be happy to share information on this little known bit of VW history. Can anybody put me in touch with Bob Koch or Steve Herron?

(Note that the silver car features in the 04/2010 German issue of Volkswagen Magazin)

Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:05 pm

Steve's been out of the hobby for a long time. Last I heard he was in Santa Barbara. Bob can be reached through this site: http://www.kochssteeringwheels.com/productcart/pc/mainIndex.asp

Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:54 pm

Thanks for that. It would be great if I can get info on the US Ascort.

The car on the left is a LHD body and is either the US car or is the car in Tin Can Bay, Queensland.
The car in the centre on drums is my car undergoing repair from an accident.
The car front right was the design's (Mirek Craney) car (rego BZA-011)
The car at the rear with the bonnet up is the prototype car shown in the black and white photos on The Samba with the rego plate D72.
I cannot identify any of the other cars.
(I love this photo!)

Wed Feb 02, 2011 6:06 pm

I was thinking maybe an Avanti.

53 0val wrote: thom wrote: Patty B. wrote: Shame so few were made!

Just put a 356 and a Studebaker Hawk alone in a room, and wait!

Thanks......................I was trying to place the similarity.