Bad 914 Representation at GAF

Zeke · 09-15-2002, 07:17 PM

While attending the fantastic German Autofest today at the unseasonably cold Ventura beachside park facility, I saw a grand total of four 914s. One was a racecar with windshield cut off. To me, those look like MGs. Another was painted flat black and had signficant problems with the front bumper area; like things wanting to fall off. I wonder if that car was owned by someone into the goth thing. A decent car inside one of the buildings (I was thinking as I approached from the front) had a SB Chevy in it. Somehow, that was being pretty much passed by after onlookers discovered the v8.

I don't even remember now what the forth one looked like. With this kind of rolling stock representing the pride of 914 ownership, it's no wonder the 911/356 crowd doesn't offer much respect. I cite 911s and 356s only because they are also *early* cars. If one of these cars was yours and I offend, then I offend. It is my opinion only. I'm sure there are other perspectives.

Overall, the show was oustanding with the biggest swap meet I have observed yet. As far as Porsche parts are concerned, this includes Pomona! Saw lots of Pelicans like Wayne, Tom and Dave D. of PP; Chuck Moreland (aka Clark Griswald), many more. Vendors galore. If you didn't go this year, go next Sept. 13 & 14, 2003. And bring an outstanding 914! Like at Dunkels, where there were scads of 'em.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

No limo?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

No limo.

Comments--
The black car was built entirely by a kid up here in the Bay Area, and he drove it down there. And when I say "Kid", I mean "still in high school". He's got a beefed-up Chevy 350 in the thing, and it goes roughly like a scalded cat.

Speaking of Chevys, the orange car inside is the Renegade Hybrids car. Goes faster than a scalded cat.

There were at least a dozen 914s of various kinds in the parking lot. Check through the photos ( http://www.pelicanparts.com/swapmeet_pics/German_AutoFest_02/Page1.htm for some, I'll be sending more later today) and you should see 6 or 8 of them. Some were really very nice. At least four different Sixes (at least three of them original), plus a Turbo Six, plus a goodly number of Fours.

There were far fewer 914s present on Sunday than Saturday. But there seemed to be far fewer people there in general on Sunday as well.

Then again, I'm not sure why I would need to impress a bunch of CWs. Sure, the Speedsters are really neat cars, but if someone can't respect (for instance) the hard work that was put into that black car, and the sheer fun level that he owner has from driving a car he built with his own hands, then I don't see any need to value that person's opinion.

--DD

campbellcj · 09-16-2002, 09:57 AM

Hey Milt,

I agree. There were more 914's there on Saturday including a couple of gorgeous stock sixes, but the 356 and 911 turnout just dwarfed the other models.

My "tri-color" race-car-in-progress was there on Saturday...I parked next to a fantastic show quality 914-6.

bowlsby · 09-16-2002, 04:06 PM

Along the same lines,

I went to the PCA Concours and swap on Sunday at their new digs in Redwood City and was likewise very disappointed at the 914 showing. there was an outstanding 3.6L conversion ($47K) which was mind boggling and only 3 914s entered in the Concours, all 4 bangers, no sixers! 2 were 2.0L cars, the other an early car. All had strong personalizations, not the 914 show I've seen there in the past.

On the other hand, our 914FEST Roadglue event on 9/14 had about 35 cars including several sixers out for an exquisite day of twisty road chasing. The best time I've had yet in more than 4 years of 914 ownership, some incredible roads in the East Bay. There are pictures up at the www.roadglue.com site and hopefully more will be posted in the coming days so keep checking back. <>

6 Shooter · 09-16-2002, 04:55 PM

I saw an orange 6 with a 2.7 on Sat afternoon. Plate said FREDS 6, talked to him quickly as he was driving out. Just asked about his eng, didn't ask if it was an original 6. I saw the GPR 6 with the 3.2, spoke to Dave about his car on Sunday (told me it was a conversion, still a nice trick car). I didn't get there on Sat until really late, after 2:30 or 3. Alot of the early 911/912 had already left their parking area between the buildings. I saw the white 6 in the swap meet area with the cut/Ginther windscreen. Built it for vintage races, think he wanted 50G for it.... Met a guy named Mike that had his 6 since '72, didn't bring it though... changing his speedo cable. Maybe he'll show up at the San Gabriel PCA breakfast this Saturday in Arcadia (8:30 a.m. @Coco's on Colorado at Michellinda (sp?).

unclerichy · 05:28 PM

Glad to hear there were more on Saturday.

I went Sunday and was disappointed enough to decide that I did not want to attend next year if this was all there was. Changed my mind now.

There were a whole lot more 914's there last year.

Brad Roberts · 09-16-2002, 08:40 PM

No sh_t..??

I wondered where the V8 kid was, he always attends the NorCal gatherings... he was in Ventura.

I'm pretty sure he just turned 17 and owns a V8 914.. cut him some slack. I didnt own a nice 914 until age 25.

I'm happy to hear you guy's thought the 914 turn out sucked.

B

derek_sf · 09-16-2002, 08:51 PM

glad I didn't end up driving down for this, who wants to look at a bunch of 911's!?

guess maybe I should have went to the local meet if I wanted to browse 914's...

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

With 30 914s, there were more at the Roadglue event than the Autofest. But not by that many--it just took some walking around to find the 914s in the parking lots at Ventura on Saturday. Some were very nice--I thought one car was Carl's Six, it had the metallic blue paint and was super clean just like his.

I like all the Porsches to some extent, and the Speedsters are really nifty. There were more than 50 of them, which is a rarity to see gathered in one place. Very cool. I'm glad I went!

Plate said FREDS 6, talked to him quickly as he was driving out. Just asked about his eng, didn't ask if it was an original 6.

I checked the VIN; it is. Very nice car!

--DD

Zeke · 09-17-2002, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave at Pelican Parts

I like all the Porsches to some extent, and the Speedsters are really nifty. There were more than 50 of them, which is a rarity to see gathered in one place. Very cool. I'm glad I went!

--DD

Fifty! I was there by 10 AM Sunday and there were fifteen not counting the 3-4 in the concours area. I wish someone had told me this was a SATURDAY event. I coulda seen some 914s too, I guess.

Kevin@ojai.net · 09-17-2002, 03:32 PM

Your right it was kind of cold all weekend (Fri-Sat). It was nice Thursday, and then nice again Monday. That gloomy, cool and fogy weather must have come in just to get the CW's cars all dewy.

Yeup, I was there Sat. also. Parked right in front of the back entrance to the building PP was in.

"FREDS 6" sure did look nice! He took off with a buddy in a 911 (and him in his 6) at the same time us that went to Chris' house left. I followed him from the auto-fest down to the 1. It sure was a nice looking, and sounding car!

-Kevin

boxstr · 09-17-2002, 07:58 PM

First 914 I ran into Sat. was Freds 6, talked to him and a friend of his who had his four there for some time. Both very nice cars, then on to the white racecar, $50,000. A blue 914-6 2.7 from Beverly Hills, work done by Werks II $20,000. Pretty rough. The young guy with 914-8 was also there talking to the BH guy.
Malms black 914 4 for sale, stripped out. A yellow 914 street racer with Clewett decals on it. A Metallic blue 914 very nice, interesting interior. Renegade Hybrids was there with there orange screamer. Alot of new items on the car. Front air dam , looked very nice without paint, just completed center console, also very nice. I really like there seats, much more than the Corbeaus I just bought and installed.
Sunday was a cold day and not as many people in attendance as on Saturday. Still there were a fair number of 914s.
Flying down for the event from Portland Oregon, I felt that it was a great, and I will attend again next year. It was fun to put a face to some of the names from this BBS and the Rennlist, etc. We don't really get this kind of thing in the Pacific Northwest.
Craig C. Laughlin CAMP914

campbellcj · 09-17-2002, 08:06 PM

I tried to do a little 'recruiting' for the fun-run (left flyers on several of the 914's in the lot & on the grass)...no hits We were supposed to have a couple of early 911's but they bailed too. Oh well.

Note to self for next year -- bring a sweatshirt ya darned fool! (I am used to the 95-100F/20% RH weather now and I froze my cajones off out there).

Bee Jay · 09-18-2002, 10:46 PM

Hey, I was there. My car was just one car over from Fred's 6. It was the guards red 2.0 with "sparco" racing seats. Fred's 6 was very nice. He's done some nice things to it. I took several pictures of his oil cooler installation. He also had a 911 Carrera steering wheel. There were plenty of 914s there Sat. but unlike last year, we were scattered. I think last year when I arrived, they told me 914's go over there, so we were kinda sorta grouped. When I arrived this year, they didn't know where to park me. There should be a 914 corral to separate us from the tons of 911s. Excellent event though. I will return every year.
Bee Jay
http://www.pelicanparts.com/swapmeet_pics/GermanAutoFest-01/Pic481.jpg