Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: Heeltoe914 Feb 8 2013, 01:13 PM

I just got word that a Great Driver, A 914 enthusiast who truly lived and breathed 914s, 911s and the Porsche dream has passed. My friend John Williamson.
We all know the knowledge and creations of John. I can truly smile at some of the things I remember him for. I was a 20 year kid going to school in West Los Angeles, I wanted so much to get into 914s. But I had the below average college funding. I found a $1000 non-running 914 and needed some advise to get it going. I found John, AKA; OTTO. First thing he said to me was "take the motor out bring it in we will look at it". I said "I don't have that kind of money!"
Before I could say another word he put a book in my hand and ask me what kind of work can I do. I said I do construction. The next week I bring the motor in and before I can even go take a piss he had the heads off. I said "Whoa! Stop I cant afford this."
Anyone who knew Otto will agree that it does not matter what you say, he is going to do it his way. From that day he showed me all the little tricks on how to do 914 motors. Never did I pay anything, but blood and sweat, working around his shop from time to time.
Fast forward 30 years later, I will miss the great conversation on racing and the personal trust that him and I had. I hope that like me, several of you will understand this loss to the Porsche world. But know like me, that they must have needed a mechanic in heaven.

R.I.P - John Williamson 2-8-13.

Plans are to have ashes spread at Willow springs Details as thay develop.


Enjoyable Reads;

http://www.yovenice.com/2013/02/10/rip-john-otto-williamson/


___________________________________________________
Leamon S

Posted by: tod914 Feb 8 2013, 01:26 PM

Real sorry to hear that. John was definetly a character (meant in a good way). Always enjoyed talking to him. He got me out of a bind with my 1st 914 too. A few of the local shops couldn't figure out why the car was running so poorly after warm up. Dropped it off Ottos, got a call an hour later. "Your heads are put on wrong and temp sensor is just hanging there." Problem solved.
RIP John

Posted by: brant Feb 8 2013, 01:39 PM

thank you for the news.
I'm sorry to hear it though
I never met John in person
but did have a few good phone calls with him over the last 15 years

sad to hear it.

Posted by: sixnotfour Feb 8 2013, 01:49 PM

RIP OTTO
Glad I got to meet him and BS with him at a few events.

One of a kind.

Posted by: JRust Feb 8 2013, 02:04 PM

RIP brother . Sad news to be sure. Met Otto a couple times through the years. A little quirky but what teener isn't

Posted by: Chris H. Feb 8 2013, 02:14 PM

"Otto's Venice" Otto? Well that sucks. Nice guy. He sold me my re-chromed rear bumper for $15 with $350 shipping. Does that sound like him or what? RIP John...

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Feb 8 2013, 02:47 PM

I sat next to him at the breakfast just befor the 2005 WCC. I think he got kinda tired of all the questions. RIP

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Feb 8 2013, 02:57 PM

Posted by: SLITS Feb 8 2013, 03:02 PM

Godspeed John ... one hell of a person & racer.

Posted by: ejm Feb 8 2013, 03:03 PM

RIP John. Real nice guy. Gave Jen and I a tour of his shop when we were out for WCC05. She happened to call while I was reading this thread. Had a good laugh with her retelling how John took her out on the Streets of Willow in his green 914. Passing cars with twice the hp and putting his cigar in the ashtray when he needed both hands on the wheel. He was one of a kind and will be missed.

Posted by: Michelj13 Feb 8 2013, 03:46 PM

Sorry to hear that John has passed. He was a character for sure and shared his knowledge and love for Porsches. And, did I say he was a character

I got a few hard to find parts from his shop. He would say, 'Go back there and find what you need and we'll figure out a price later" He was always reasonable.

He could drive too. I saw him get FTD at a few POC events.

RIP John

Posted by: Garold Shaffer Feb 8 2013, 04:02 PM

Never met him in person, but talked a few times on the phone.

RIP John

Posted by: GeorgeRud Feb 8 2013, 04:17 PM

R.I.P. John

I first talked to him years ago when I wanted to start my conversion. He sent the parts that I needed, with the instructions to send him a check if I liked them, or send them back if they weren't what I needed. Unheard of these days!

He truly did enjoy being a bit offbeat, but his knowledge and and help will never be forgotten by this enthusiast. I really enjoyed having had the opportunity to converse and visit with him when we were out in Venice.

He was one of a kind and will be missed.

Posted by: Maltese Falcon Feb 8 2013, 04:55 PM

John and I would always come up with some joke about cars.
The 912e, we nicknamed the Stuttgart Edsel !
I will surely miss JW
Marty

Posted by: Black22 Feb 8 2013, 05:06 PM

Posted by: Michael N Feb 8 2013, 05:49 PM

I had the pleasure of having Otto show me the lines of the track during WCC 05 at The Streets of Willows. What a character. He to this day has driven my car faster than I ever have. Scared the crap out of me but was in control all the time. Really cool that he came with headsets to instruct and loads of knowledge. Otto chasing down Siverson's orange beauty scared the living crap out of me.

R.I.P.

Posted by: 914 Feb 8 2013, 05:56 PM

John was a great guy.. He talked with my kind of humor.When parts were needed he would point you to the loft,find them and bring them down..Otto worked on my "four"over the years .He Really new 914's.Rest In Peace my friend..

Posted by: SirAndy Feb 8 2013, 06:15 PM

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Feb 8 2013, 06:16 PM

Spanky's gone? I am pretty much stunned. I worked with him off and on, he got me into P-car school, and we've talked on the phone many times over the years. My kids will be shocked, too.

Bye, Otto! May your trunk be always filled with beer, or maybe Cuba Libres, and may you always be on the line ............................. We'll miss you.

BTW, he got me started in this biz, befriending me when I couldn't get a job after I got out of the AF, getting the dealership where he worked to sponsor me at school, showing me how to get around Willow in my Speedster, letting me crew for him at the Laguna Parade in the 70s, and helping me get a job at Porschop when I was ready to leave the dealership.

The Cap'n

Posted by: SUNAB914 Feb 8 2013, 06:18 PM

Is this the same Otto that was a retired Marine? If so he had me laughing over the phone so hard with old Marine stories.
RIP and Semper Fi old friend!

Posted by: euro911 Feb 8 2013, 06:29 PM

Rest in peace, John ...

Posted by: 914Sixer Feb 8 2013, 07:40 PM

Man, I hate to hear John is gone. He was a one of a kind and a really nice person.

Posted by: nathansnathan Feb 8 2013, 07:46 PM

I'll never forget the time my girlfriend and I stopped by there when I was first looking for a bus. I probably should have bought the split with a seized engine for 3k, like he said - I think I'd do it in a minute now, 8 years later. He had me on the phone with a guy with a bay westy but I didn't want a full pop top. That was the first day I ever drove a bus, the day I met Otto, an 18 window that squeeked like crazy as I remember... thanks, Otto for the memory.

Posted by: Steve Feb 8 2013, 09:35 PM

I am so bummed... JW did a lot of work on my car and I have known him for years. I played pit crew for him in AZ over 15 years ago. He always spoke his mind. His work was always the best. I am curious if he turned his shop over to his head mechanic that was there forever.

Posted by: sixnotfour Feb 8 2013, 09:46 PM

OttO and then girl friend Ann Tomlison ? were prepping their 914-6 for the parade concourse, as he was Q tipping the -6 he talked for a longtime about days gone by, priceless....He is the guy who told me about the 914-6,s that got scrapped... I believe after the Celebrity race at California Speedway, The Parade autocross, John 1st the fight was for second, The guy was smooth on the track...Godspeed

Posted by: Krieger Feb 8 2013, 11:04 PM

I learned a lot from that guy. He always had great advice. He built transmissions for all three of the Porsches Ive had over the years going back to 1990. I loved all the photos and awards he had in his shop. He had some good stories about then when I asked. Thanks John! You will be missed. RIP...

Posted by: socalstuttgart Feb 8 2013, 11:35 PM

I've known John since I was 14, he will truly be missed.

Posted by: moparrob Feb 8 2013, 11:43 PM

QUOTE(GeorgeRud @ Feb 8 2013, 02:17 PM)

Posted by: 396 Feb 8 2013, 11:58 PM

RIP

Posted by: Robert21 Feb 8 2013, 11:59 PM

I went to John after the engine that i had rebulit was crap. John bulit the engine i have now its been 8 years and its still going strong. He would tell like he saw it . yelled alot but would give great advice. 914 world will miss a great guy that loved 914.

Posted by: rick 918-S Feb 9 2013, 12:15 AM

Sandy and I spent some time with him sipping beers in the pavilion watching vintage racing at Willow WCR 05. He had lots of stories and told them with dry humor. We really enjoyed the time. RIP Otto.




I think this is the ride he Gave Ed daughter Jenn Got a little too hot!

Posted by: ruby914 Feb 9 2013, 02:22 AM

So sorry to hear this.
I met Otto when I took the Ruby914 to Beachboys to be painted.
As soon as he heard my car, he said "sounds like you have a small exhaust leak". It did and it was small. How did he hear that over the valves?
Just like others have said, he showed me around his shop offered to dig up some hard to find parts...Great guy.
I didn't know his name was John. Wish I knew him better.

RIP Otto.

Posted by: eitnurg Feb 9 2013, 03:20 AM

Turned up from Oz straight from the airport, didn't even know what day it was. As it turned out to be Friday and I was holding folding he did an excellent deal on a nos 914/6 oil tank. He wrapped it up and made some tape handles so I could hand-carry it on a flight to London. Top bloke.

Posted by: 914ltd Feb 9 2013, 07:51 AM

On the track or on the rack, Otto knew what a 914 is all about.
A loss to the community. Brad Mayeur

Posted by: RobW Feb 9 2013, 09:21 AM

RIP Otto. Thanks for making these little cars a bit more fun for all of us.

Posted by: jeeperjohn56 Feb 9 2013, 09:56 AM

R.I.P. John we'll miss you

Posted by: sixnotfour Feb 9 2013, 10:58 AM

As others mentioned His send me a check after you get the part, Was Unheard of, Although if you knew him I don't think anyone would ever not send him a check.

RIP

Posted by: Gint Feb 9 2013, 02:45 PM

I never met him or talked to him, but it sounds like we would have gotten along just fine. RIP sir.

Posted by: TC 914-8 Feb 9 2013, 03:24 PM

RIP Otto, As I grew up in the LA area I knew of him and his cars, Never had the pleasure of meeting him

Posted by: J P Stein Feb 9 2013, 05:14 PM

John helped me with my 6 conversion. These were pre-Internet times and a phone was the tool....never got to met him in person.

Getting old sux, but it gets worser....

RIP, John

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Feb 9 2013, 09:54 PM

Went to dinner, had my Cuba Libre in Spanky's honor and memory, and I'm home just thinking about the good times. Again, farewell, friend ........................

The Cap'n

Posted by: campbellcj Feb 9 2013, 10:18 PM

Wow, that is some sad news. John helped me with several cars going back 15 years or more, and I have seen him fairly regularly as he often ate lunch near my office in Santa Monica. He built the kick-a$$ transmission and oil cooling system in my current 914 in 2003 and they have endured countless track events. He was one of my first instructors in POC as well -- probably to blame for getting me hooked -- and at that time was winning TTOD consistently in the short-track events, driving his SCCA GT-2 car "Rudy".

Some found his personality 'polarizing' but he truly knew and loved his trade and our 914 cars in particular - no one can deny that.

RIP, Otto.

Posted by: lonewolfe Feb 10 2013, 12:05 AM

QUOTE(GeorgeRud @ Feb 8 2013, 02:17 PM)

Posted by: Maltese Falcon Feb 10 2013, 12:57 AM

One of my favorite pictures of John, with the #6 917-30 Sunoco car.
I think this was back in the Otis Chandler /Vintage Racing days. It was hanging in his office and he knew that I liked it. So he made me a copy and signed it. It hangs in my garage and I glance at it as I pass by throughout the day. Our mutual friendship through the decades will be missed.
Have a safe journey John.
Marty

Posted by: Maltese Falcon Feb 10 2013, 01:15 AM

John out in front of the pack in a SCCA race at Riverside Int'l. Raceway, turn 6 after the esses. This was late 70's. He was in a stock class 914 2.0 type 4. He would often play bumper tag with the 914 (now seen ) behind him .

Posted by: Maltese Falcon Feb 10 2013, 01:24 AM

Instructor John with my son Matthew at the Streets of Willow. Up on the left front and hauling that little type 4 to 1.32 lap times. John showed me the quick way around Riverside in my early type 4 turbos as well.

Posted by: Maltese Falcon Feb 10 2013, 01:29 AM

So long John...our family will dearly miss you. God bless you.

Posted by: jasons Feb 10 2013, 01:37 PM

QUOTE(sixnotfour @ Feb 9 2013, 09:58 AM)

Posted by: Steve Feb 10 2013, 10:16 PM

More information on Otto and a really good article on him.
http://www.yovenice.com/2013/02/10/rip-john-otto-williamson/

Posted by: championgt1 Feb 10 2013, 11:16 PM

RIP!

Posted by: campbellcj Feb 11 2013, 12:56 AM

A very common sight out at Willow Springs for many years. This was 2001.

Posted by: euro911 Feb 11 2013, 02:32 AM

Is that Jenny in that pic?

Posted by: bcheney Feb 11 2013, 06:00 AM

I never spoke to John but know how he touched so many lives. RIP Sir...heaven has another fine man.

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Feb 16 2013, 09:09 PM

Anyone heard yet about the date and time for the memorial event?

The Cap'n

Posted by: campbellcj Feb 16 2013, 10:01 PM

QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ Feb 16 2013, 07:09 PM)

Posted by: Jeff Hail Feb 16 2013, 10:02 PM

The journey takes us to many places. Sometimes face to face, an emailer or just a screen name.

I never knew "Otto" as the joke will always be told but I knew John over the years even if it was an infrequent visit or run in, an email or phone call. I still speak to the guys at the shop when one of my customers cars ends up there.

First time I met John I was riding shotgun for the day with a friend who was having John do some work for him. We roll in and my introduction with John started right fast with a verbal tango. My friend intoduces me to John then I ask who's Otto? John quickly replys we don't have any auto's here just Porsche's with a grin. I'm caught off guard for a moment and then John says have you met Rudy, he's a friend of Ottos.

That was a long time ago. Friends don't say goodbye, they just say later.

Posted by: campbellcj Feb 16 2013, 10:22 PM

Sorry if this was already posted above but I don't think so. Really good bio with a lot of vintage photos:

http://www.yovenice.com/2013/02/10/rip-john-otto-williamson/

Posted by: Steve Feb 16 2013, 10:48 PM

I had my first Cuba Lbre tonight in Otto's honor. It's actually pretty good. What particular white rum did he like?

Posted by: sixnotfour Feb 16 2013, 10:51 PM

He told me he had bought property at Willows, but didn't work out and sold it.....

Posted by: 76-914 Feb 17 2013, 08:32 AM

Is this the same guy I bought my rear trunk panel piece from off the 5 in LA?
Sounds like him. When I got there they're were 3 of them against his office wall. I grabbed the first one which had a bend on the back corner. That part gets trimmed off anyway but he wouldn't have it. Chastised me for grabbing the bent one and handed me the straight one. He seemed pretty set in his ways so I just said "Yes sir." RIP. Not enough of those kind around anymore.

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Feb 17 2013, 10:16 AM

Otto's is in Venice, 3-4 blocks from the beach, the 5 runs through East LA. Maybe 20 miles away. Even the 405 is 4-5 miles from the shop.

The Cap'n

Posted by: 914-300Hemi Feb 17 2013, 11:09 PM

RIP John.

Posted by: Black22 Feb 19 2013, 05:14 PM

Just drove by Otto's place. Just drove by, as I'm on duty and couldn't stop in.

As of 3:15 today it is still open for business! Sure hope it stays that way for everyone there and here.

Posted by: Black22 Feb 19 2013, 05:16 PM

QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ Feb 17 2013, 08:16 AM)

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Feb 19 2013, 05:39 PM

I spoke with them at lunchtime today. They're in a holding pattern until the bureaucrats are done doing what they do. They assured me it'll be all over here and Pelican, as well as other sites. once plans are made. It will do NO GOOD to pester them. I believe the company will go forward, as Otto was in the process of moving on into retirement, or so he repeatedly told me over the last year or so.

The Cap'n

Posted by: sixnotfour Feb 23 2013, 09:35 PM

Just came across this in the archives, Off a wreck I bought 1980.
RIP OTTO


Attached image(s)