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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ California aftermarket--1976
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 12 2021, 11:23 PM
It was 1976, I was just about wrapped up with a 2 year course in graphic arts and in my spare time, had already modified my 914 and a couple of other 2.0 type 4s with forced induction. An article was published in the old Argus Publishing/ "VW Greats" magazine with my '74 going down the original Irwindale 1/4 mile (today the Budwiser plant) running against editor Jay Amestoy in the 930 press car. About 2 months after the article hit, orders for my turbo kits started showing up in the mail, only one problem; these could only be sold in the 49 states...not legal in Cali !
So I penned up this little caricature of my "Feels" on the topic of Cali's tough DMV laws 
Inclusive of a smokey cigar chompin' politician, earthquakes , and a special shark !
Posted by: Shivers Jul 13 2021, 12:03 AM
It was Miller beer, did bud buy them out? I was two off ramps down, went tuesday for speedway, wednesday was grudge night, thursday was bracket racing. The weekend was loud. I lived at the top of glendora, and we could still hear them on the weekend.
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 13 2021, 08:00 AM
It was Miller beer, did bud buy them out? I was two off ramps down, went tuesday for speedway, wednesday was grudge night, thursday was bracket racing. The weekend was loud. I lived at the top of glendora, and we could still hear them on the weekend.
Today's relocated "Irwidale strip" is an 1/8th mile...I've never been on a strip where at 2-gears (most cars) and you're at the lights !
Miller, Miller-Coors, Molson-Coors, and today might be Pabst as the current 225 acre brewery owner.
There once was a hamburger shack at the old 1/4 mile track, run by Esther + Harry Snyder. They were partners in the property ownership...and had another business to run "In-N-Out"
Posted by: Porschef Jul 13 2021, 10:21 AM
Roads, weather, and In-n-Out be the things I miss most about Cali
Posted by: Shivers Jul 13 2021, 10:27 AM
It was Miller beer, did bud buy them out? I was two off ramps down, went tuesday for speedway, wednesday was grudge night, thursday was bracket racing. The weekend was loud. I lived at the top of glendora, and we could still hear them on the weekend.
Today's relocated "Irwidale strip" is an 1/8th mile...I've never been on a strip where at 2-gears (most cars) and you're at the lights !
Miller, Miller-Coors, Molson-Coors, and today might be Pabst as the current 225 acre brewery owner.
There once was a hamburger shack at the old 1/4 mile track, run by Esther + Harry Snyder. They were partners in the property ownership...and had another business to run "In-N-Out"
It was like Disneyland to a young gearhead. I did not know they were the In-n-out family. I've never been to the new track. By the time the track moved, I had discovered the joys of right and left turns and had moved my activities into the canyons. I do miss those days. @Maltese Falcon
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 13 2021, 11:30 AM
If you're looking for a new crib @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=24781 in the Glendora Hills, the Snyder's current home in Bradbury is on the market for 16.8 
Posted by: Shivers Jul 13 2021, 11:59 AM
If you're looking for a new crib @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=24781 in the Glendora Hills, the Snyder's current home in Bradbury is on the market for 16.8
Hahaha My Dad bought his house there for $67,950 and zillow says it's worth over a million. Crazy, almost as bad as parts for our cars.
@Maltese Falcon
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 13 2021, 01:10 PM
Top pic is the 1976 930 press-car that appeared in a 2009 Excellence article.
Lower pic is the same 930 press-car getting Christmas tree'd at Irwindale by yours truly
Attached thumbnail(s)
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 13 2021, 01:13 PM
At the end of the Irwindale 1/4 mile, in the safety sand pit for this pic.
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 16 2021, 09:01 PM
Howard's '75 2.0L ( Nevada neighbor) with his new boosty friend ready for the return trip home on the 15. Note the coating of cosmoline all over the undercar + 901 gearbox
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 16 2021, 09:12 PM
Working out of my buddys independent " Porsche Factory" in Mar Vista, Cali. Non-Osha approved juaracha sandals in use, due to the proximity to Venice Beach adjacent to Dogtown 
Posted by: FL 000 Jul 17 2021, 09:34 AM
Very cool - you were way ahead of the times doing that in the 70’s. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: JOEPROPER Jul 17 2021, 10:45 AM
Love the shop boots... Um sandals... Must be a '70 thing.
Posted by: sixnotfour Jul 17 2021, 11:05 AM
My lust for 60-70s ..CA. paid off ,,My Son is an engineer In San Diego...always love to visit,,so nice to be Home..middle of nowhere..UT.
Posted by: Montreal914 Jul 17 2021, 11:13 AM
Very cool! 
Thank you for sharing some of the history 
Posted by: davep Jul 17 2021, 11:16 AM
Marty, how did you handle the fragile first gear for the quarter mile runs?
Posted by: rhodyguy Jul 17 2021, 11:31 AM
A 930 for $26k? Really?
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 17 2021, 11:57 AM
Marty, how did you handle the fragile first gear for the quarter mile runs?
That 1 ¹/² car length lead at the Green ...actually learned to beat the red light by leaving when the last amber went out...comes with a price.
Hard launch at about 1500 rpm dump was damage to the T/O/B, a bit of clutch smell and driveable although noisy.
A couple of days later, still digging the hard launching and spirited street challenges...the box started howling. Pulled the 901 and needed to replace; Intermediate bearing, ring + pinion, and drained all of the silvery oil out. The rest of the box went into the solvent tank.
NO more drag racing for me...but the gearbox o'haul was cheap & Bozanni Porsche had the R+P on Saturday
Posted by: Eric_Shea Jul 17 2021, 01:41 PM
It's in the blood... <3
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 17 2021, 05:11 PM
A 930 for $26k? Really?
Yep...in 1976 dollars ! Most dealers marked them way UP, cause they knew they could hook the sale. Today (current market) these early 3L non intercooled / small brake Turbos are worth as much or more than the '78/ '79 USA model 3.3s
Posted by: sixnotfour Jul 17 2021, 09:24 PM
A 930 for $26k? Really?
Yep...in 1976 dollars ! Most dealers marked them way UP, cause they knew they could hook the sale. Today (current market) these early 3L non intercooled / small brake Turbos are worth as much or more than the '78/ '79 USA model 3.3s
euro grey market,,1995 20k for a 1984.. sold 1996, 22k totaled in less than a week
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jul 18 2021, 11:43 AM
It's in the blood... <3
Eric, either puro sangr Or in the imbibement of the juice
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