A bride's welded bliss: How she built Porsche from wrecked VW for her big day
By SADIE WHITELOCKS
Last updated at 8:17 AM on 15th September 2011
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For Megan Ashton, it was her childhood dream to arrive at her wedding in a classic Porsche.
Now the 26-year-old has done exactly that – not by hiring one, as any bride might, but by building her own from a clapped-out Volkswagen Beetle.
She spent six years painstakingly transforming the 40-year-old VW into a Porsche 356, the company’s first production model.
Happy memories: Megan Ashton with her dad Viv as she arrives in her self-built Porsche replica on her wedding day at the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy Memorial Chapel and then (below) leaving with her new husband Rob
The Royal Navy engineering officer paid £200 for the wreck before stripping it down to the chassis and meticulously rebuilding it virtually from scratch, donning blue overalls, getting covered in grime and grease, and spending £4,000 in the process.
The stunning vehicle now features a white leather interior with a mahogany finish, has a 356 body shell, and includes an authentic steering wheel and speedometer. It also boasts an impressive top speed of more than 100mph – and is valued at £25,000.
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The proud owner was driven in it by her father to her wedding to Rob Ashton, also 26, a captain in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
After the ceremony at Sandhurst military academy in Surrey, her new husband took the wheel to drive them to their reception.
Car nut: Megan transformed her £200 VW Beetle into a £25,000 Porsche replica
Clapped out: Megan pictured inside the £200 VW Beetle which appeared to be beyond repair with missing doors, bonnet, windows and disintegrating interiors
‘I loved every minute of it and it was such a special moment to be able to pull up on my wedding day in it,’ said the new Mrs Ashton, from Amesbury, near Salisbury in Wiltshire. ‘It was a close-run thing getting the car finished in the end, but after six years it was well worth it.
‘There were times when I didn’t think we’d get it done in time as it was such a huge project, but it meant so much. I dreamed of driving the car but got carried away buying my wedding dress, which meant it was quite difficult to fit in.’
The 356 was created by Ferdinand Porsche, son of the company founder who had designed the Volkswagen Beetle.
Hard graft: It took Megan six years to transform her car, but she finished it just in time for her wedding to husband Rob (right)
On show: Megan is helped into her self-built Porsche by her new husband Rob
It was manufactured between 1948 and 1956 and shared many parts with the Beetle to save money – making the two cars easier for Mrs Ashton to fuse together.
She bought the battered 1969 VW when she was a student, then stripped it down to the bare chassis before fitting larger cylinders and pistons to the engine, increasing it from 1285cc to 1776cc.
Only the chassis, which had to be shortened, wheels and engine remain of the original car, which was also given a new registration plate.
Mrs Ashton, whose father Viv Beal, 54, runs a garage in Barnstaple, Devon, said: ‘I know people might think it is quite unusual for a girl to be interested in cars but I have always grown up surrounded by it.
‘My Mum and Dad have been buying various parts for the car for birthday and Christmas presents for the past six years – so I am looking forward to getting some girly treats now.’
Her father added: ‘We’re all into classic cars and it was a very proud day for all of us. Megan’s Porsche replica is her pride and joy.’
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wow...Nice job.
