Hey All,
I haven't been around as much these past few years as other life priorities drew my attention away from the 914. But it was always patiently awaiting my return - Until yesterday, when my house in Santa Rosa was destroyed by the Stubbs fire. The 914, along with my '88 Scirocco are no more.
In the big scheme of life, it's just stuff. My family is safe - and that is what matters most. But like all of you, I poured my heart and countless hours into this car - I knew it inside and out. And my tools... it took me years to acquire and restore many of them. All that effort equates not just to "stuff", but rather, it's a reflection of who we are and what we know how to do. I held it together until I saw the garage remains.
It'll be a long time before life settles back to normal; but one day, I can only hope I find another project that will give me as much satisfaction as did my 914.
- Bryan
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Sigh. So horrible. I have to commend you on a great attitude perspective about it. This too shall pass.
So very sad to hear, thank you for sharing. Glad your priorities are strong and life will go on. Look for another opportunity when life gets back to normal for you, if you feel the need.
Oh that really sucks. :-(
I agree its just stuff but when you've spent hundreds of hours or thousands with that stuff you get emotionally attached to it and seeing it like that must hurt.
Regards from another 914 owner and previous Scirocco owner.
I'm amazed at how hot this burned. As I study the pictures, I notice that not only are the aluminum Brembo brakes missing, but so are the five lug fuchs. I sorted through the ashes, and literally found nothing worth salvaging. Multiply this scene by 2000 times, and that's what is happening here now.
Wow. Just wow.
Can we help? Is insurance going to make you whole again?
Wow.
This sucks. I've been getting updates today from a friend who is a cop and lives in Petaluma. The situation sounds incredible and I don't understand why it isn't getting more national attention.
I am so sorry to hear and see this .
Sorry for your loss
Thank God your safe and your family! I’m sure all materials will be replaced! Good you have a nice view/thinking to be strong and being positive in life! Take care and I’m sure God will provide everything!
As I look at these photos, I have to remind myself that these are mine. It's like this stuff always happens to someone else. And today, that someone is me.
I am so upset to see those pictures. Thank God you or your family were not injured.
Sorry my brother. Tonight is my night to wait and see. 2 of my cars are far away and one 914is behind. Of course on Jack stands.
So sorry bud. Words can't express
Bryan -
We cannot begin to comprehend your loss, and we will be praying for you and your family that God's grace and love will be poured out on you in abundance, and that you and your family will be drawn close together and kept.
Your attitude in such loss is nothing short of amazing. You, as I wish we all would be, know that stuff is just stuff, and family is everything. So glad you and your family are ok.
Probably too soon to do this, but some day in the future read "The Shack" by Paul Young. Where is God when trajedy hits? Incredible book, NYT #1 best seller for over 2 years, over 20 million copies sold. Editor/Publisher Wayne Jacobsent (Clovis, CA) is a close friend and I got to spend a day with the author. Never seen a modern book that helped more people, especially those who are suffering and the last thing they need is religion.
Please keep us posted on how you are doing.
God bless - and may all from here be upward and onward.........
GN
Jeezus, Bryan. At a loss for words.
Hopefully insurance will prove to be worthy, and help get your life right side up at some point.
Wow. At least you and your family are safe.
You're right about your stuff. Stuff can be replaced; people cannot. Good luck with the clean up.
I'm not sure how these things work. Will you stay at the same address with a new house? Just buy another house?
Bummer man.
That sucks. but like you say just things. I'm glad you and your family are safe.
So sorry for the loss of your home and personal items. Those in time will be replaced, thankful that you and your family are safe.
How did it happen that you couldn't move them before the fire hit? I've seen the horrible news reports of the situation, but is it that it moves so fast there isn't time? But you're right, material things mean little compared to life itself.
So sorry to see that.
Good luck Andy.
I'm on one of the wine forums constantly, waiting for word that Napa Steve's property is out of danger. He and Carol evacuated yesterday.
Man that really sucks! I don't know how you do it, but have to get thru this and move yourself and your family on. There will be other houses, cars etc... but your family being safe is silver lining. Good Luck!
Bryan-
That hurts...please remember that you are not alone... We are always here for you.
Stay strong my friend....
Oscar
Our newspaper here in Charleston commented that there was very little time to evacuate for many and that the fires were so hot that metal tire rims melted and left cars sitting on their axles.
Arial photos of before & after of Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa showed the dramatic destruction of many blocks of homes and at least 17 deaths.
Thank god you got out in time.
So sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear and see this...but glad you and your family are safe.
Sincere and deep condolences for your losses. Grateful you and your family are OK. You will rebuild your life and if a 914 is a part of it, let us know.
So so sorry!
And yet the houses directly across the street appear unscathed. Tragic!
So very sorry Bryan. Incredible disaster. Happy to hear your family is safe.
Hopefully insurance will ease some of the difficulties.
Bryan - Words fail but know that many from 914 World are here, if you need anything. I'm in Petaluma and have room if you need a place to stay.
Chris
Why couldn't they be moved in a timely fashion? A fire that is 20 miles away being pushed by 40mph+ winds is on top of you in a half hour or less. There is NO time! Condolences for your sorrows.
Its pretty hard to view those photos and so sorry that this has happened. At least you have the right perspective as far as keeping safe.
Hope you are insured for full value of the home and contents as well. Also hope that you will find comparable replacement vehicles that you can enjoy in the future. Hang in there.
It makes the heart ache to see that. Let us know how we can help when things settle down a bit and you figure that out.
Very sorry about the house. Glad you're OK. I know it's kind of cliché but, it could have been worse.
Glad to hear that you and your family are safe, that's the most important.
As for the cars, I can completely empathize with your posts and someone else had said, "this too shall pass".
My heart sank when I saw the photo, awful to see, so sorry - I can't imagine how you must have felt. Glad to hear you and your family are safe and well though.
No words ...
OMG, so sorry about your loss Bryan, but very glad your family is okay, that's what matters.
So happy you and your loved ones are safe! Very sorry as said above many times for your loss, no words can bring it all back to normal.
We’ve been feeling safe here in Ukiah although the winds are redercting our way so we are getting ready for whatever as the Redwood complex is 9.6 miles away, seemed safe but now you just don’t know!
Ack.
Aluminum burns when hot enough.
I'd think that a part or two could be removed and kept so there is still some connection to the cars. Or maybe even a part that is reusable on the next project to keep some of previous cars alive.
So glad you and your family are safe.
We're here for you.
The image is a stark reminder how hot it got. Your 914 really looked good too. So sorry for your loss. Wow.
Sorry for your loss, but good to hear you and your family are OK.
I hate to see this area burn up, its an amazing area that is like no other in the world... very sad. Hopefully these fires get put out soon.
Collectively, that is our worst nightmare!
That is so difficult to see.
Sincerest condolences, not only on the loss of your beautiful 914, but for the rest of the house & everything in it, as well.....
Funny how the houses behind you don't look to be touched.
Oh man, sorry to hear this
Hope it doesn't take too long for your and your family to get back on an even keel.
So sorry to see this, very sad.
Stay safe
So sorry for the loss you have suffered. Glad you and the family are safe.
Glad to hear your family is safe. Condolences on the cars... I think I know what you mean about losing the tools, something that you've held so much it feels like a part of you. Hang in there man, hope you are made whole before long.
My sympathies for your loss. Glad you are the family are ok.
wow, not really sure I have any words other than thank god you are your family are safe. good luck on the recovery.
CalFire C-130 just dropped a red load on our house. Hallelujah.
The devastation in Napa, Sonoma, and Santa Rosa is disheartening. So many objects acquired over a lifetime consumed in seconds. Rebuilding will be painful and hopefully financially you will be covered.
I spent the day yesterday with a good friend, a car designer and co-founder of the RGruppe, and we were looking at some amazing 914-6s. When I heard about some of the cars he had owned and sold, my initial thought was "how could bring yourself to part with these?" His answer may help you find peace here - he said that he considers the journey to be far more important than the objects. He describes the cars he's owned and parted with as a series of great experiences, and when he's done with the experience, it's time to move on to new ones, which keeps him excited and engaged. (That also explained why we found ourselves in a garage in rural WA looking at a slightly decrepit Austin Healy Sprite to consider).
When I think back on the cars I've owned and regretted selling/crashing etc, I'm at peace when I think of my friend's perspective. What I've enjoyed more than owning them is experiencing them. However they leave my life, the experiences (and the friendships and discoveries) are the best part of the journey.
Yes, the fire burnt your possessions but it didn't consume your journey or your experience - it just created the opportunity to find a new experience. Hopefully that will bring you some added optimism especially as you and your neighbors are surrounded by devastation.
Toasting not your loss but the beginning of your next journey!
I like what you wrote Dave and right now I don't know if my Olympic blue still exists. I'll post when I know.
So sorry for your loss. Glad to hear that you and your family are okay.
My father had one great line:
"Things always get better"
He grew up during the great depression, so you can see where that thought came from.
I can't tell you how many times I repeated that phrase to myself when I was in the depths of depression over some the many calamities in my life. It gave me hope for a better future. Life is a series of highs and lows. Rest assured that this low will be followed by a high. It seems impossible now but, it will come.
Dave
Please understand: our house may have burned but we don't know. We may know soon.
Waiting is a bitch!!
House and 914 still intact. I'm about to start drinking. It's been a helluva day. Pictures soon.
We have been following the devastation from here, and can you tell you that is incredible and disheartening to see the devastation over such a wide area. I cannot imagine the feeling to see you home and everything in it disappear.
Hope you come out the other side in tact....
Wow. Just. Wow.
Everything that isn't steel melted to slag.
Zach
I'm glad you and your family are safe.
Sorry about your loss.
Is this your neighborhood? Jesus, unbelievable.
https://gizmodo.com/drone-video-shows-postal-worker-still-delivering-mail-i-1819394101
Thank you all for your thoughts and encouragement. I'm still having trouble coming to terms that this happened to me. It really does suck. I know it will get better, but it sure sucks now. I've been looking for a silver lining and one of them is that my waiting is over. My house is gone. Unlike others, I do not have the stress of anticipation. Yesterday I was helping a friend of mine in an evacuation alert zone to clean up his yard and wet down the perimeter of his still intact house. He has feeling a stress that I do not have.
My neighborhood is currently off limits so I have not been able to visit the house again. I feel better than I did a few days ago, but I'm sure when I do get back in there it's going to hurt again, but a little less.
The thing is, it's not just one or two houses burned. It's blocks, neighborhoods. It's crazy what has happened, and I wonder how many years it will take to rebuild these places, and what it'll take to get there.
Please don't forget Mendocino County. I'm on the coast, thank God! My 14 is well but inland it is an inferno. Drove up yesterday from Santa Rosa and you could see the fire burning from the 101 all the way up.
I'm just back from a trip to our house. House still there. Porsches both in garage and ok. All of my brush removal/fuel reduction efforts seem to be paying off. Fire has burned around most of the house on the ground but has not gotten into the tree canopies. I'll add some pics if I can figure out how to do that with my iPhone. EDIT: I'm too dumb to post pics from my iPhone. Strong north winds forecast for tonight are worrying. We're still hoping for the best.
Steve, I didn't realize. You must live along the Oakville Grade? I have friends that lived on the Sonoma side and had a vinyard and winery. Just recently sold their property. The Spann's.
If you need anything let me know. I'll be down tomorrow. If the road is still passable, we could put your cars down at my shop.
Steve just called. He was able to get up to his place (I'll let him fill you in on how he was able to do that!) and get some pics. He asked that I help get them posted.
So, here's yesterday (Thurs) morning looking north from the top of his property
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The arrow is pointing to Steve's home.
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Yesterday (Thurs) shot from the ridge top about 1.5 miles NW of them. Same as the last pic.
Bomber dropping retardant.
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Radar site that lets you real-time track air traffic. This is the spotter plane path that circled Steve's place for hours on Thurs.
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Tanker drop just south of Steve.
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This is Steve's place, Thurs ~ 6:00 PM. The fire has burned the ground fuel but, thankfully, didn't get into the canopy. Yes, this was extinguished after the pic was taken.
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300 feet down the driveway from Steve's house. Ground burned, trees not.
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9:00 this morning...
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Remains of a 3000 gal water tank.
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Another from this morning. Sprinklers aimed at the house.
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Steve-
Pictures speak volumes...you are very fortunate.
Best of luck to all northern cal teeners.
All of you are in our prayers.
Oscar
Thx Chris for posting pics for me. Tonight's winds will test our fortune..... thx Rob for the offer but it's way too scary to go there now.
Just stay safe.
Good luck with the winds tonight Steve. Please do post in the morning how you faired.
It might be a while before we know anything but I will post as info comes in.
Lived in Idaho for a short while and experienced range fires up close, but nothing like these. As others have said, those affected and posting here are safe and will rebuild, however it is still an emotionally difficult road.
I've never lost a house or worldly possessions, but I have been through a few traumatic times, but in the end I realized there were silver linings. In those cases it was the outpouring of assistance from friends and strangers, and rebuilding old friendships along with forming new friendships from those who assisted.
Best of luck to all of you, and also to those who suffered losses from this devastating hurricane season.
Pics just in from Steve. These are just south of his place.
He thinks their house is still there and they may have some eye witness info soon.
Thoughts and prayer and fingers crossed...
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Thx Chris for posting the pics. There's quite an air show going on just south of us. Sikorsky Skycrane sucks up 3500 gallons of water from an irrigation pond in 15 seconds. Getting real on the ridge top.
If you have Google Earth, check out this site ... https://maps.nwcg.gov/sa/#/%3F/38.3094/-122.4481/14
Fire has surrounded us for 2 days.
Tried to go to the smog shop today. Nope. Road shut down just a block or so away. Mandatory evacuation since 3am last night. Everyone in Sonoma is wearing a mask and the smoke is in the air, though not terrible. I could see smoke up on a ridge behind the shop. Probably 2 miles away? The old Stornetta Dairy buildings are mostly burned down. Much of the grassy area around Nicholson Vineyard is charred, though the actual vineyard seems ok. 1/4 mile from that intersection two homes have burned to the ground. In one, the carcasses of two fairly new cars are sitting on their bellys. Tires burned right off.
This is fuched up.
Yesterday I went to our house and it and the 914 and 993 are fine. So our years of vigilance and work preparing for a fire paid off. I'm not going to post again on this thread. Once we're back home and my computer is up and running, I'll start a thread in the sandbox that tells the entire fire story. I feel terrible for all the people with losses. Our 2 closest neighbors (each about 1/2 mile from our place) lost there homes. We have a 2 mile long fenceline that's in need of repair or replacement and we lost approx 0.2 acres of grapevines. I probably will need to replace some plastic culverts as well as other infrastructure repairs. I think we were very lucky.
My son is a firefighter here in utah. He left saturday for calif. to help fight the fires there. Utah firefighters left taking 31 fire trucks with them.
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