EX-IRISH ARMY

TYPE 182 VW TREKKER

 

Website born 1st November 2002

 

 

Engine No:  AG 5138

Engine No:  AS 3017

1972

 

 

A Brief History:

 

     Our VW 182 was imported into Ireland by Europa Cars Ltd. in 1972 along with at least one other (possibly two) on behalf of the Irish army.  The army then proceeded with what I believe to be a short trial period to assess the vehicles merits for military service.  The exact results of the report are unknown at present but I can imagine that the soft-top and side-curtains would not have been favourable to the Irish climate.  The cars were dismissed, probably in favour of the Land-Rover Defender, a true four wheel drive but lacking the distinctive character of the VW.  It is a great shame they did not accept the 182 as a vehicle of great versatility.

    

     Unwanted by the army, the small fleet of 182s returned to the original garage where they had been imported.  My father, looking for some sort of jeep at the time, snapped up 9244ZH straight away – it was something different after all.  (The owner of the garage retained the others for himself, one of which we would spot some 15-20 years later at an off-road meet at the Curragh barracks.  It was now painted in various yellows and oranges to resemble desert camouflage and sported two five gallon petrol drums over each wheel arch.  It’s current location/existence is unknown.)

 

     Over the past 30 years or so 9244ZH has been my father’s daily driver and with so much attention poured over it has remained in fairly good shape.  She has received numerous coats of olive green paint, many replacement roofs and side-curtains (thanks to vandals), new wings, one reconditioned engine, one replacement gearbox, a couple of speedometers (we’ve no idea of the exact mileage but it’s been around the clock a couple times) and most recently a 4-into-1 exhaust (my idea) but apart from all that the body’s pretty much original.  Not bad when you look in magazines and see beetles and buses of a

similar age and the only original item is            My first test-drive

the steering wheel!!!

                                               

15 Seconds Of Fame:

 

     During the mid-90s film boom, a modern day war movie set in Sarajevo was being shot at Grangegorman in Dublin.  They needed war type vehicles for props and what should they choose for transport for the British(!) peace-keeping force…

                                     

 

 

 

 

… yes our very own Trekker.  I have unfortunately never heard of the film since and never seen whether our 182 made it to the final edit.  If there is anyone out there who does know any details I would be delighted if you would let me know.

    

Present Day:

 

With my father now defected to Skoda(!), the 182 is now my responsibility.  I’ve got fair few items on my wish-list but my primary goal is to get it re-sprayed as the Irish winter is setting in.  Then maybe an upgrade in carburetion (to improve economy!) and to get the whining gearbox sorted out with a taller fourth gear installed.  My aim is to keep it as original as possible but also make it a bit more enjoyable to drive so that it keeps me motoring through the 21st century.

 

     If there are any other Trekker owners out there, especially 9244ZHs sister vehicle/s, you can contact me at: colmhealy3@eircom.net

I’m pretty sure there could be about ten or so Trekkers in this country – maybe one day we might get them all reunited?  

 

Hot-Rod Thing Anyone?

31st Oct:

 

     EMPI Dual Carb Kit just arrived from America, after taking only one week to ship!  Got them all assembled in an hour or so.  Now I’ve got to drop the engine, rip the old one out, get these beauties in and then get them tuned!

 

7th Nov:

 

     Spent all day installing my new carbs.  Decided not to pull the engine and do it the hard way instead.  By far the hardest part is getting the old centre-mounted carb out!  I’d never realised before just how tight a fit it was in there.  Once that was out it was fairly straightforward bolting the new ones on and assembling the linkage and fuel lines.  It’s great how uncluttered the engine is with the carbs mounted out of the way.

     Then came the moment to start her up.  I held my breath, turned the key, the starter motor whirred---

     ---but nothing.

     I tried again, and again, and again.  Then stopped for a break before repeating.  I got the odd splutter but not enough to get her firing.  I’m fairly puzzled as I’m positive I put everything back right (all the important bits anyway).  I just hope something else hasn’t conked out as tends to happen – when you fix one thing, something else totally unrelated breaks! 

 

12th Nov:

 

     Cleaned and changed the plugs –they were in fact quite dirty- and she started second time.  It had been a while since the last time I’d inspected them but I’d say all the raw petrol getting pumped into the cylinders from the new carbs didn’t help.

     I got them going on a short test run round my block with only the tuning adjustments I’d made prior to installing them.  Quite a large flat-spot while accelerating in first and they don’t seem to be quite in sync but once you shift down and get the revs up things seem to improve.

     There are three adjustment screws on each carb, two of which are nearly impossible to reach when fitted to the engine.  I’d say it’ll be a while before I have them running properly.

 

To check out some other mad creations from around the globe using Trekkers/Things/whatever you want to call them, click below…

 

http://homepage.eircom.net/~trekker/wildthings.htm