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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ beach boys racing
Posted by: charliew Mar 1 2009, 11:58 AM
I was interested in the convertable conversion they seem to have done and thought I would order a dvd. What I got was something that seemed to be maybe down loaded from some blogs or something including some movie junk about someone trying to be a actor. Most of the dialogue was drowned out by background music. Do the convertable conversions really still exist or was this stuff only around in the 90's? I think I found the ad on ebay is that the answer?
Posted by: Bruce Hinds Mar 1 2009, 12:05 PM
Try this, it's their other business...
Venice Beach Auto Body
703 Hampton Dr
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 396-3221
Posted by: charliew Mar 1 2009, 12:11 PM
At some time they had some pretty neat mods going on but it seems to be all in the past now. The dvd was supposed to be a convertable how to I thought but it is only some old tapes converted randomly and put on dvd. The copying is something I would not attempt to sell to anyone.
Posted by: sixnotfour Mar 1 2009, 12:19 PM
Yes thats the guy, Bob Farnham? visited the shop in 89 He took a picture of my gas cap WoW.
Posted by: Bruce Hinds Mar 1 2009, 12:29 PM
I think there was a company called Wilco Autorestorations that did the speedster top conversion....
Posted by: boxstr Mar 1 2009, 01:19 PM
If someone is interested I have the Wilco, 914 convertible top frame and a used vinyl top.
ALso a Wilco brochure.
Contact me at camp914@comcast.net
CCLINTOPLESS
Posted by: race914 Mar 1 2009, 03:31 PM
Here's another convertible option
http://www.betterbodiesmotorsport.com/interiors/bodykits15/bodykits15.html
Posted by: 736conver Mar 1 2009, 03:41 PM
Was this the ad on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-914-BEACH-BOYS-RACING-CONVERTIBLE-ENGINE- LID_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a13
18Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem2203678580
59QQitemZ220367858059QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Posted by: KELTY360 Mar 1 2009, 03:53 PM
Here's another convertible option
http://www.betterbodiesmotorsport.com/interiors/bodykits15/bodykits15.html
Cool, a mid-engine Miata! It's what Mazda should have done. Does it have a Wankel? -2? or -3?
Posted by: GeorgeRud Mar 1 2009, 05:01 PM
Actually, looks like a Miata front end with a Carerra GT rear end! Not a bad look IMHO.
Posted by: mikez Mar 1 2009, 05:50 PM
Next door to Otto's....
Posted by: burton73 Mar 1 2009, 07:05 PM
Bob Farnfam is living the relaxed life in the mountains in the Lake Arrowhead area. The cops think his Red 914 is a Ferrari. A very nice guy. They still have the mod kits but they do not have the steel turbo 930 rear fenders now only the glass ones. If you are thinking of doing a convertible you should get a DVD as they show you how they cut the targa off and the DVD it is worth the money. That was not that cheesy.
Bob
Posted by: al weidman Mar 1 2009, 07:50 PM
I ordered the DVD from ebay too and the first one was basicly non-operable. I sent Bob an email, checked it out and called me on my phone, apologized and rushed me a new one. He is a very nice guy and HIS customer service was excellent. Just contact him and I'm sure you will be satisfied. I plan on contacting him for more details when I get my rollbar removed. Thanks Bob. Al. 
Posted by: sixnotfour Mar 1 2009, 08:08 PM
Remember the" Monterey." The car they built for the parade?
It wasnt all show ,he put a roll bar in for the track event.
Does he have the same girl friend ?
Attached image(s)
Posted by: Heeltoe914 Mar 1 2009, 08:23 PM
I can inform you that thier is a effort to bring it back and if you need any more info LMK I have contact with all the guys at the shop, best thing is its the same crew from the first intro, of the kit.
Posted by: charliew Mar 2 2009, 12:02 AM
I thought I was getting a how to on the convertable top conversion and it was barely viewable. Also no prices on the kits or individual parts. It was really a crude attempt to show a neat product that may be no longer available. If it is available it may be very expensive. In the video they mentioned a monterey kit but nothing about it other than a few glimpses. The convertable kit showed a basic kit and a delux kit with different curved side windows and larger vent windows. Also a new aluminum frame with porsche speedster latches instead of the 914 latches.
The monterey was shown as a hard tonneau cover that either opened to cover the soft top or raised to expose the engine compartment and the rear trunk, with the soft top inside. It raised from the front, latching behind the seats.
Posted by: brp986s Mar 2 2009, 09:27 AM
So...like, what is the point? You convert a convertible to a convertible, lose the rollover protection, get a noisy ragtop, and blow thousands at a time when dollars should be saved. Is the rest of the car 100%? 
Posted by: sixgt Mar 2 2009, 09:55 AM
Hmmm....I guess it's why Porsche decided to add the Cabriolet to the 911 line in 1983 when the Targa had already been around for over 15 years.
Posted by: brp986s Mar 2 2009, 10:06 AM
Hmmm....I guess it's why Porsche decided to add the Cabriolet to the 911 line in 1983 when the Targa had already been around for over 15 years.
hmmm...how many take their targa and convert it to a cab, never to recoup that expenditure, then yearn for that wasted money when other needs arise?
Posted by: sixgt Mar 2 2009, 10:16 AM
Isn't it nice the we have the right to choose how we spend our money. I think that if everyone here was worried about recouping the thousands we have invested in our cars, either in restoration or mods it would be a pretty light forum.
Posted by: mikez Mar 2 2009, 10:26 AM
Very few manufacturers made cabs/converts in the late 70s and early 80s. It was due to liability. Too many lawsuits. Something changed in the courts and then Lee Iaccoca came out with Convertible LeBaron....everyone went GAGA.
Porsche has a factory "how to" book on converting 911 Targas.....
Posted by: ConeDodger Mar 2 2009, 11:09 AM
Very few manufacturers made cabs/converts in the late 70s and early 80s. It was due to liability. Too many lawsuits. Something changed in the courts and then Lee Iaccoca came out with Convertible LeBaron....everyone went GAGA.
Porsche has a factory "how to" book on converting 911 Targas.....
Didn't BMW and Mercedes send cars to an American company to have them converted from hardtop for the American market during this period?
Posted by: Renaud914 Jul 26 2017, 06:32 AM
No other owner here ?
No more infos shared about these BBR convertibles ?
I would be happy to buy a DVD copy if still available.
Sadly not able to be in contact with Bob thru FB ...[attachmentid=613671] 
Posted by: Beechwoodtitle Jul 26 2017, 07:02 AM
Here is my Speedster. Ton of fun.
Posted by: Renaud914 Jul 26 2017, 07:24 AM
Good news and idea for the roll cage !
Done by BBR too ? I thought that all had the vented hole on the 2 sides ...
Do you have other picture of your engine cover ?
Mine is quite basic with a wooden carpeted panel ...
Posted by: 914werke Jul 26 2017, 09:01 AM
Where exactly do the holes/scoops "vent" to?
Posted by: Renaud914 Jul 26 2017, 09:10 AM
On the rear flares near the door lock as you can see in mine ...
Posted by: burton73 Jul 26 2017, 09:53 AM
Look on EBay and see if there are any DVDs. I do not know where mine are that Bob sent to me for free when I bought a front bumper from him back in 2009
As I said a nice guy.
Bob B
Posted by: Renaud914 Jul 26 2017, 10:04 AM
Sadly I checked yet but didn't see one ! :-(
You will tell me if you find it later ...
Are you able to contact again Bob ?
I would like to know if there are some records still existing about the convertible modification > invoice with détails or any modification certificate ?
It would be interesting for the owners today ...
Posted by: burton73 Jul 27 2017, 09:33 AM
I only spoke to him a couple of times when I bought a bumper from him back several years ago. Like 8 years ago. He had a lot of parts from back in the day. Selling them on EBay. No idea how to find him. Well if you call the shop that in now in his old place maybe someone can help you out. As far a Mod cert, I do not think you will get anything that would help you in France.
Bob B
Posted by: SirAndy Jul 27 2017, 11:09 AM
Puts a whole new meaning to the term firewall ...
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