My friend turned me on to the craigslist ad which listed a bunch of 914s, airplane parts, an Alfa, etc etc. We were the first to make it out the the huge estate with its own private, paved airstrip and huge hangars full of wonderful machines. All sorts of cars, airplanes and tons of 914 parts and '73/74 cars that need a loving home.

I put everything from the day in one big gallery, so you'll have to look at non-914 content too. Oh, and I tried to shoot VINs when I thought of it. I know the '75 he'll pretty much give to the right person. We didn't discuss costs too much. Nice kid, father passed away recently and there's more there than he can really deal with. Wants cars to go to loving homes vs. the wreckers. He's keeping the red one with fresh'ish paint for himself. More people showed up after we left Saturday, so I don't know what's left.

Here are my photos - http://wentzelphoto.com/funnyfarm

Here's the Craigslist ad:

Lots of Vehicles for Sale: Cars, Motorcycles, Tractors, Aircraft
Date: 2013-01-20, 3:35PM

I have an incredible amount of vehicles that I'd like to sell. The list includes:

Cars:

Multiple 1973-1975 Porsche 914 project/parts cars. Also a large amount of 914 parts also available.

1993 Eagle Vision, great condition inside and out but needs an engine rebuild - $500

1999 Dodge Intrepid, needs transmission replacement, near perfect otherwise - $500

1973 VW beetle parts car

1983 Alfa Romeo GTV, needs work. - $1,500

1981 VW Rabbit Convertible parts/project car - $200

Motorcycles:

1982 Harley-Davidson FXE in really good condition. -$6,000

Tractors:
A number of D4 Caterpillars

Aircraft:
1964 Piper Comanche 250 Project - $20,000 OBO

also a ton of misc. aircraft parts.

Call (925)580-1433 to discuss specifics or to come check something out. Reasonable offers will be accepted.

This guy was crazier than most of us! And I'm really envious, wish it was my shop.

Trying to me a poor man's Steve McQueen.

Rust never sleeps...even in California!

Randy, I have always been a big fan of your photography skills. I love your pictures!

Cool Photos! Thanks for sharing.

Do me a favour.. If you're talking to the fella again.. I'm sure he could find a home for some of the aircraft stuff, especially the fouga (v-tail jet) and the sterman (yellow bi-plane) at the Canadian warplane heritage museum. ( www.warplane.com ) they have a couple stermans and could most likely use the parts and one person on the board for the museum flys a fouga around ( if he's still kickin). as for the cars... danm... nice collection of cars to work on.. I wish I had that garage

He's a pilot and is keeping almost all of the aircraft. The jet was trucked in as the strip is too short, and it's staying as decor. The Sterman is also staying, but he still needs to get his high performance rating as it puts out around 250 HP. I'm a private pilot (can no longer get my med endorsement), so I was really buzzzzing over all the aircraft parts and planes. My friend David who met me there is getting a lot of the parts and as a long time A&P, he'll be getting many of the "mystery" parts recertified and yellow-tagged. He knows that process.

The 914s aren't that rusty. At least the four in the barns aren't. A number would be great starts to projects as they are all 73/74 2.0s. Ignore the photo that shows a hood with 1972 written on it. That's a 73 and has a 2.0. He just wants them gone and picked up by someone that's going to do more than just scrap 'em. I think you can pretty much name your price if you are going to let Eric know the car isn't just a doner mobile. I think all of those are worth saving except maybe the one with weeds growing through the engine bay as it has been hit rather hard on one side. But that one and the 75 are probably free to the right home. The 75 I think has a motor and exhaust too.

Realize they aren't for everyone (me included), but for people wanting the "right middle year" model, they are great project cars.

great pics! You have a good eye

Is he at the byron airport or a private strip?

I left him a message!

Oooo look Jeff... WHEELS!

Private.

Brentwood, as in west LA area? Airstrip? Am I missing something?

SF Bay Area

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Brentwood,+CA

I can't give the exact location as I didn't ask.

--Randy

ah, a little too far to hit on my lunch break...

Drive faster.

Told you pilots are just F'n crazy !!!

Ha! Don't 'cha know it.

not too hard too find

Click to view attachment

He could open a fly-thru parts depot for us...

There, now I didn't show you. Yep, that's it!

OK that's only about 10 minutes from my house!!

I hope he calls me back!!

Oh yeah, if you're in Discovery Bay then you can walk there in a pinch.

The guy hasn't called me back yet so I drove by and couldn't get past the gate! I hope he calls!

Please don't show up! Really, call and wait. He works and his family is onsite. He may only be there on the weekends. If he finds that people are showing up unannounced, he's going to connect the dots back to me. Remember, you aren't supposed to know where he lives and it's private property. Please be respectful, and remember that his father just passed away.

Cool! He'll get back to you when/if he wants. No more drive-bys, anyone... please.

How much did he want for the 63 VW? I didnt see a 73 in your pics.

http://wentzelphoto.com/funnyfarm/h538ff5c0#h538ff5c0 (or is that a '74?)

I don't know if the Beetle was for sale, had no interest, didn't ask.

Oh, wait, don't tell me. Is this a new trend in 914 engine transplants?

Click to view attachment

Yeah, they're just following the LeMans trend. This is actually a diesel hybrid setup for a 914. Mind you it's still in the prototype stage.

OK, I spoke with the guy, and as I was talking to him my friend says are you talking about "such & such?"! So he knows them and everything that is going on! My friend is taking me out there (after speaking with them) to see the cars this week, maybe tomorrow! The family is liquidating the estate and the son sounds like he wants to keep a few of the teeners to restore one some day!

I will fill you in with some more details as I get them!

Let us know if you pick up anything. Every building has 914 parts, even in the buildings without actual cars. Eric seems to have a good grasp on where everything is. I'd make an offer on the real Fuchs if they are still there. They are in the Hangar with the Stearman. There is a fake set too.

Have fun!

He said he can't make it out until the end of next week so I figured I would offer on anything that looks like I can use but I don't think he will sell anything unless he is here in person. I will see but thanks for the tip!!

David Behne died in a plane crash in October 2012. I was just getting to be friends with him.

Dave Behne

Another Friend is rebuilding a Lotus 23 for vintage racing and Dave allowed him to use his private runway for shakedown runs. So we toted the 23 from the Bay Area to Brentwood and I went along to help in May and August of 2012.

I rode along for one of the tests: Lotus 23 Shakedown from passenger seat - Funny Farm Runway

Dave was an extraordinary engineer and a real car guy. In August, I mentioned to him that I was interested in both a Cayman and a 914 but was not sure I could afford a Cayman. He said if I wanted a Cayman, I should get one (life is short, right?) and then left the hanger where we were working on the 23.

About 10 minutes later returned in a 914 and took me for a drive up and down the runway to demonstrate how well it handles. He spun (drifted) a donut at the turnaround point at the end of the runway explaining how easy that was in the 914.

I got my Cayman in November. Still looking for a decent 914.

Wish I had taken more pictures.








The 23 went on to run at Sears Point:



The Cayman:

Terry great experience,
Dave, RIP, you have some cool stuff on the Funny Farm Airport.

Nice barn too

Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry for your loss Terry.

Alright, now I have to chime in. I'm Eric, David was my Dad.

Terry thanks for the kind words about my Dad. He was certainly a unique individual with an eclectic taste in vehicles. For a brief while he even owned this:

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

So he obviously didn't wait to buy his dream car either.

I have to admit I'm pretty jealous I wasn't out at the Funny Farm the day the Lotus was running up and down the runway! In fact, I had no idea this ever took place! Very cool vehicle and a nice video.

You're welcome back anytime.

Eric

Hey Eric,

Thanks for calling me back on Monday!

It was funny when I was talking to you I hear "are you talking about Dave Behne?", he said your dad was a great guy!!

It looks like your fathers good friend is going to meet me at the property tomorrow to give me a glimps of what you have!

I will call you after!!

Thanks for letting me take a look!!



Jeff

Eric,
My name is Dean Collins and I'm the guy with the Lotus 23 that ran around the Funny Farm last August. I believe I met you once w/Dave at the Gordon Birsch in PA. Many years ago.

The bald guy in the 1st photo of the 23 at the FF is Jim Norvell. Jim and Dave worked at Aerojet (Sacto) back in the late '80s. Jim introduced me to your dad and later we worked together at Aerojet, Lockheed and Loral. He would occasionally crash at my place in Redwood City if flying home was ill advised that evening.

Dave very generously allowed me (my request) to run my 23 up and down his runway - twice. The first time (last April), I was unable to get the clutch to disengage and the only thing that happened was lot of un-muffled twin cam noise.

The 2nd time was more successful as Terry's iPhone videos illustrate. There are more.
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7PtK-0tZWM&feature=autoplay&list=PL685F14DFF5C34DA4&playnext=1 ]

That is still the only time I have driven my 23. In the next-to-last last photo Terry attached - showing the 23 in competition at Sears Point - it is being driven by my next door neighbor, Don Hogue. I am still jumping thru all sorts of hoops in order to qualify for a vintage racing license. A work in progress.

I tried to find a phone number or e-address for you last Oct - unsuccessfully - to express my sympathies. Dave was one hell of a guy. He is fondly missed by many like myself who may belatedly crawl out the woodwork.

If you'd like to pursue a further conversation, e-mail me directly at collinsdean@astound.net. I am very interested in your plans for the Funny Farm.

My sincere sympathies and regards,
Dean

Hi Eric! Thanks for chiming in. I hope I've helped by starting this thread and that the great group of people here can be of service. Like I said when we met, just let me know if I can provide any help.

Cheers,

Randy

Eric, your father was one unique human being. I remember the tale about the Countach. Bought it for $60 sold it to some Bimbo from LA for her Boy Toy for $75. typical Behne.

I miss him
Jim Norvell

Ok, now everybody grab a 914 and lots of parts and start your own rustorations - sharing all the highs and lows w us here. That's how "the world" works

I went out and looked at them yesterday and there are some good parts!

Two of the chassis are toast (rust), one he is keeping, and two that are complete but rough!

I would like to get one to do some kind of conversion on so if I am able to strike deal I will be getting rid of a bunch of stuff cheep for those who want it!

It all depends on Eric!!

Out of curiosity, how was that brown 74? Looked in nice shape, just dusty.

I am sure I didn't see all of them! I was escorted by a friend of Eric's father who wasn't sure where they all were! I didn't see the brown one, the white one or the blue one with the weeds growing through it!

So there seems to me alot more in some of the other hangers!