Megan Ashton, 26, spent six years transforming the 40-year-old VW into a Porsche 356 – the company’s first production model.She bought the wreck for just £200 before stripping it down to the chassis and meticulously re-building it virtually from scratch. The vehicle now features a white leather interior with mahogany details, a 356 body shell and an authentic steering wheel and speedometer. It also boasts an impressive top speed of over 100mph and is valued at £25,000. To cap her satisfaction, she was driven in it to her marriage ceremony, where she wed her partner Rob, 26. Megan, an Air Engineering Officer in the Royal Navy, said: ”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.
”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. When I realised the car would be ready in time it was a real dream come true.”
The 356 was created by Ferdinand Porsche, son of company founder Dr Ing Ferdinand Porsche, who designed the Volkswagen Beetle. It was manufactured between 1948 and 1956 and shared many parts with the Beetle to save money – making the two cars easier for Megan to fuse together.
She bought the battered 1969 VW in December 2004 as a student for just £200 and started tinkering with it. But when Rob proposed two years ago, she was desperate to finish the project in time for her big day and spent £4,000 and every spare minute transforming it. She stripped down the original VW 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 remains of the original car, which was also given a new registration plate. And on August 13, she was driven to her big day, which was held at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, Surrey, by proud dad Viv Beal, 54. After the ceremony, Rob drove them to their reception seven miles away in Arborfield, Berks. Megan, of Amesbury, near Salisbury, Wilts., added: ”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 6 years so I am looking forward to getting some girly treats now.”
Her father Viv, 54, who runs a garage in Barnstaple, Devon, said: ”We’re all into classic cars and it was a very proud day for all of us. Megan started her Porsche replica six and a half years ago – it’s her pride and joy.”
via Bride-to-be builds Porsche from VW for wedding – Telegraph.
Tags: beetle, bride, car, custom car, porsche, wedding, wedding car
