Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Convertible 914, Conversions
heavydriver
post Aug 7 2004, 09:54 AM
Post #1


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: 7-August 04
From: Orlando, Fl.
Member No.: 2,470
Hello, I am a new member looking for some information/advice.

Back in the late 80's and early 90's there was an outfit in Carson Ca. that was marketing a convertible kit for the 914. Their name was MAI Auto Division. There were 2 men, Bill Guinn and Bill McKnight.

I was wondering if anybody knew of these guys or had any other tips on how to make my 914 a convertible??
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Brad Roberts
post Aug 7 2004, 10:50 AM
Post #2


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 19,148
Joined: 23-December 02
Member No.: 8
Region Association: None
I forget the guy's name, but somewhere buried on the Google archives you'll find a guy who dedicated a decent site to the 914 convertables built in Socal.

The person I would call is Bob Farnham. He runs the body shop in Venice Ca. where most of the conversions where done. I dont know the name of the body shop... but I know it is still there. Bob called a "division" of his place "Beach Boy's Racing". He is right next door to "Otto"s. Someone else on the BBS here can get you the numbers. Last I checked they where utilizing parts from a Miata top.


B
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Ctrout
post Aug 7 2004, 11:07 AM
Post #3


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 377
Joined: 20-May 04
From: Mountain Home, ID.
Member No.: 2,091
Try this site. It might be what you are looking for.914 Convertible
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Brad Roberts
post Aug 7 2004, 11:10 AM
Post #4


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 19,148
Joined: 23-December 02
Member No.: 8
Region Association: None
They are the ONLY (so called) vendor that I would advise you staying away from. I have seen some seriously hacked crap come out of that place. The beer bottle is more important to them than getting anything done around the "compound".



B
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
heavydriver
post Aug 7 2004, 11:58 AM
Post #5


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: 7-August 04
From: Orlando, Fl.
Member No.: 2,470
I have already talked to them. The method they use removes the entire sail panel and rear window. I do not think that this is practicle for a Fl. car. To much unexpected rain.

BTW this is not the first time I have been warned about them.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Brad Roberts
post Aug 7 2004, 12:03 PM
Post #6


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 19,148
Joined: 23-December 02
Member No.: 8
Region Association: None
Ha ha... and it wont be the last.

B
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Brad Roberts
post Aug 7 2004, 12:04 PM
Post #7


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 19,148
Joined: 23-December 02
Member No.: 8
Region Association: None
Welcome BTW (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif)

I noticed your signup. Good to see you posting so quickly.

We have many members throughout Florida.

B
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
heavydriver
post Aug 7 2004, 12:08 PM
Post #8


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: 7-August 04
From: Orlando, Fl.
Member No.: 2,470
My little one has been dissasembled for the last 10 years.

Its restoration is starting to take as long as my college degree.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Brad Roberts
post Aug 7 2004, 12:11 PM
Post #9


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 19,148
Joined: 23-December 02
Member No.: 8
Region Association: None
You'll fit right in with this group... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)


B
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
watsonrx13
post Aug 7 2004, 09:05 PM
Post #10


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,735
Joined: 18-February 03
From: Plant City, FL
Member No.: 312
Region Association: South East States
Welcome to Central Florida Group. If you need anything, just post. There's alot of local teeners with vast years of experience. Don't worry about getting the car to a drivable state, it will get there when it get's there.

Again, welcome the the ABYSS. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
heavydriver
post Aug 8 2004, 05:10 AM
Post #11


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: 7-August 04
From: Orlando, Fl.
Member No.: 2,470
Hey, where do the central Fl. guys hang out ?? I need to immerse myself back in the "car culture".
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Rider914
post Aug 8 2004, 01:40 PM
Post #12


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 276
Joined: 13-April 04
From: Palm Beach
Member No.: 1,923
Full time convertable - not good for regular days, but great on sundays!


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
heavydriver
post Aug 8 2004, 02:55 PM
Post #13


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: 7-August 04
From: Orlando, Fl.
Member No.: 2,470
Rider 914:

NICE CAR. I think that you and I have E-mailed in the past about this subject. Your car is unmistakable.

I guess full time sunshine is good but you have had her inside for the better part of the last 2 weeks, have you not..

I like it , however impractical it is. If I cannot find a way to make mine a functioning convertible I would like to imitate yours.


BTW I used to work out on the Beeline on the way to Moroso.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Rider914
post Aug 8 2004, 06:50 PM
Post #14


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 276
Joined: 13-April 04
From: Palm Beach
Member No.: 1,923
Thanks, You are right - rain every day for a good month now. Today I went out for a quick run (down the Bee Line) saw 5k in 5th! Then went to the beach for a little surfing!

I have a water proof cover that works well, but I'm not afraid of a little rain - rust is going to get her one day sooner or later. Better to drive it than let it rust in the garage.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
heavydriver
post Aug 11 2004, 09:39 AM
Post #15


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: 7-August 04
From: Orlando, Fl.
Member No.: 2,470
I'm glad that someone is enjoying their car.

I am going to start my rebuild and leave the top situation
until the end. Maybe something will turn up along the way.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
914werke
post Aug 11 2004, 10:19 AM
Post #16


"I got blisters on me fingers"
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 10,801
Joined: 22-March 03
From: USofA
Member No.: 453
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
I recall that outfit, I tremember VW & Porsche or perhaps by then they had converted to EC, did a artical with a White car. The top dropped into a tray fabbed where the engin lid is. To compensate for the lack of intake air they fabbed scoops extending from the door latch scallops.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
heavydriver
post Aug 11 2004, 04:50 PM
Post #17


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: 7-August 04
From: Orlando, Fl.
Member No.: 2,470
Exactly, it was a December 1989 issue of VW/ Porsche magazine. I still have that issue. ( I gotta learn to throw things away.)

The car looked great. I don't know how well that particular conversion would work with a V8 conversion, but it looked very nicely done. In the article they state that they were marketing it as a kit, or as a conversion done by them.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
neo914-6
post Aug 11 2004, 04:59 PM
Post #18


neo life
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,086
Joined: 16-January 03
From: Willow Glen (San Jose)
Member No.: 159
heavydriver,
QUOTE
December 1989 issue of VW/ Porsche magazine
Can you scan and post some pics from that issue?
Felix
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
heavydriver
post Aug 11 2004, 05:35 PM
Post #19


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: 7-August 04
From: Orlando, Fl.
Member No.: 2,470
I'll try. I am about as low tech as they come. I still have not figured out the smiley faces that everyone uses.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 31st October 2024 - 07:30 PM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...