Volkswagen Beetle memories and Oettinger

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Purchasing classics there

In the sixties and early seventies there were already plenty of VW Beetles with a past. They often came into the possession of Young Gods with limited budgets. It was times that those guys worked on themselves because there was no money and there were no ready-made tuning parts. And money for a fat Oettinger block? No way!

Luckily you could be De Man in your pimped Beetle

The first step towards rugged looks was the 'turning' of the rear wheels. How did that further work with the fit of the bolt holes and the load on the rear wheel bearings? They just didn't think about it. AMK Reader Jan Eggink had such a VW car in his youngest years.

He later saw how the new Beetles were born during a period when he was a guest at VW's house. That was at the time that the VW factories were not manned by Turks, but by Southern Europeans. Jan found the nicest memories when scanning old photos and we were allowed to share them.

We have mentioned turning the rims

De Graku in Wilnis added a 'next level' to that story: They split the fields and loads there for f 25 a strip of steel per wheel.

And Oettinger?

Gerhard Oettinger (1920-1997). VW Kever drivers dreamed of that. The tuning company was all about the 'Schneller machen' in the most German, solid way. The company started as an engineering firm in 1946. And since that time the name Oettinger stands for professional engine tuning with a long and deep connection with VW. In 1947, Oettinger was busy optimally tuning gearbox ratios for beetles in a hurry. But at the start of the now legendary 'Fifties' things really got loose.

We write the year 1951

Ing. Gerhard Oettinger is developing a SOLEX 32 PBJ dual carburetor system based on the model of the Porsche 365A-1,1L engine on self-developed intake pipes with pre-heating, which ensures an increased power of 36 hp at almost 4.000 rpm. For a beetle there is a top of 120 real km / h in it. And that was fast then!

Okrasa is not Japanese

In the same year the name OKRASA is introduced: Oettinger Kraftfahrtechnische Spezial Anstalt.

In 1953, the first special cylinder heads with dual inlet channels were cast and presented at the 1954 IAA. In 1955, Oettinger developed the first proprietary chrome-molybdenum steel crankshaft with counterweights and increased stroke for 1,3 and 1,4 liters capacity for power ratings from 50 to 70 hp.

The developments continued and then 1967 came: with the introduction of the 1500 engines in 1966 it was possible for the first time to use the OKRASA crankshaft to drive 1600 or even 1800 cc Beetle.

The 1800 cc blocks had a chromed molybdenum steel crankshaft with a stroke of amazing 78,4 mm. And a Beetle 150 could walk with that. If the driver had a big heart ...

In the XNUMXs, the air-cooled Oettinger blocks were fully in accordance with German legislation and VW's factory standards and a clear plus of the VW image.

The top ones from then

The OKRASA-TSV 1600 / 1800 / 2000 engines from the years 70 and early years 80 (based on the standard two-channel VW engines) had dual intake systems with Solex 40 PDSIT carburetors.

Type 4 engines have now been massaged from a displacement of 2,3 liters to 110 hp. Including EU emission report for installation in Porsche 914, Beetle and VW 411/412. And such an Oettinger VW could simply be ordered directly from the dealer.

In 1976, Oettinger started tuning water-cooled Golf blocks. But that is a completely different story

Oettinger

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2 comments

  1. The nice thing about a beetle was / is that you could improve and beautify a lot. Wider rims and tires. I myself had mounted a set of 14 inch 6,5 J Boranis and Koni shock absorbers all around. The front axle of a beetle 1300s with disc brakes was also a big improvement. And with the long box of the same 1300 S you saved a lot of petrol!
    The engines with double inlet ran well, also very fine, especially with a spa exhaust exhaust.
    I have fond memories of riding beetles since 1983.
    Today there are many more options to upgrade a beetle.
    Lower front axle, disc brakes all round, adjust rear axle to IRS (independent suspension, or from a Porscge 944!
    By means of a fitting plate and adapted flywheel, all kinds of other water-cooled engines can be hung behind it (or have it inspected by the RDW).
    With a very reliable Subaru Motor with accompanying 5-speed gearbox, your Beetle buggy is completely future-proof😀
    And yet the original beetles are increasingly endearing!

  2. besides Oettinger there was another tuner called Kamei. the top seller from Kamei was the front spoiler attached to the front bumper. in addition to the Okrasa staging set, there was Judson super charger. this was a set with the most important part being the compressor, which was driven on the crankshaft by a V-belt and an extra pulley.

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