Forgetting the cowl flaps is easy. They could be automatic using
a VW thermostat.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

Hi Paul,
That thermostst looks  like the one I trashed on my VW bus 20 years
ago. IIRC it failed to open with rise in engine temp, giving me an auto
shutdown to protect the engine. There was little need for it in
[Perth... not the outback :)] Australia with its mild climate.
I like your auto cowl flap design, I may build it into the Europa.

Do you have a part number or ident for that VW themostat?

With thanks, Dave McC

No part number. I think they come in two different trigger temps.