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 !
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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"

Roads, weather, and In-n-Out be the things I miss most about Cali

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

If you're looking for a new crib @Shivers 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

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

At the end of the Irwindale 1/4 mile, in the safety sand pit for this pic.
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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
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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
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Very cool - you were way ahead of the times doing that in the 70’s. Thanks for sharing.

Love the shop boots... Um sandals... Must be a '70 thing.

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.

Very cool!

Thank you for sharing some of the history

Marty, how did you handle the fragile first gear for the quarter mile runs?

A 930 for $26k? Really?

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

It's in the blood... <3

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

Eric, either puro sangr Or in the imbibement of the juice
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