 COTM - February, Your Official Vote is HERE |
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| ThePaintedMan |
 Feb 26 2015, 08:16 PM
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#21
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Advanced Member  Group: Members Posts: 3,886 Joined: 6-September 11 From: St. Petersburg, FL Member No.: 13,527 Region Association: South East States 
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)
No way I should even be here but figured I'd share the story anyhow. I grew up watching 914s vintage racing at Sebring, usually on Sunday after the 12 hours was over. My dad told me a little about their lineage and history but being a kid, I was more interested in them because they just looked "cool" to me. As I grew up I was always confused why my dad was always tinkering with aircooled motors and eventually I started helping pull them in and out of his Westfalias... more times than I could count. As I went from being frustrated with them I began to fall in love with their simplicity and the engineering that went into them. At one point in high school I even had the chance to buy a 914, thinking it would be a cool father/son project. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I ran out of time before college started and eventually the hopes of finding one soon faded. ...until one day in grad school I happened to find a car on Craigslist that looked used and abused. But the price was right and the car even ran...sorta. I convinced my girlfriend to help me tow the car home a few blocks away. (I don't mind saying that her willingness to put up with my stupid car hobby is one of the many reasons she's now my wife.)  The car was rough. Really rough. There was almost as much sheet metal missing from the car as there was still left on it.  |
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| ThePaintedMan |
Feb 26 2015, 08:21 PM
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#22
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,886 Joined: 6-September 11 From: St. Petersburg, FL Member No.: 13,527 Region Association: South East States
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But the good news was there wasn't really any way to screw it up worse than it was. And then I remembered seeing them race as a kid. If there was any way I could put it back together, with the help of a friend, maybe there was a series out there where a couple of poor young guys could go racing. And then we found Chumpcar. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)
Getting the car back together was one thing. But preparing it to actually go out on track was something totally different. But we kept at it. New sheet metal here, some parts there and a whole lot of help and encouragement from YOU GUYS, especially T.C, Paul, John, Shane, Joe, Chris, Eric, Chad, Kevin and many others kept me motivated.  As I made progress sometimes I'd have to put things on hold and drive it for awhile. I spent a whole summer driving it to and from work nearly 1.5 hours away when my other car was giving me problems. But the 914 never let me down. Fast forward nearly three years later and I finally got to run a car that I built at Sebring with some of the best guys around - all members here on The World!     And the best part of all is that girl that helped me tow it home is now my wife and crew chief!  |
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| EdwardBlume |
Feb 27 2015, 12:42 AM
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#23
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 12,338 Joined: 2-January 03 From: SLO Member No.: 81 Region Association: Central California
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Super cool! Love the 914 stories.
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| 1stworks |
Feb 27 2015, 09:44 AM
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#24
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Member Group: Members Posts: 491 Joined: 31-March 13 From: colorado Member No.: 15,718 Region Association: None |
Those are some nice 914's.
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| SirAndy |
Apr 1 2015, 09:28 PM
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#25
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,707 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
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| gasman |
Apr 2 2015, 10:47 AM
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#26
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Member Group: Members Posts: 107 Joined: 21-January 08 From: Mooresville, nc Member No.: 8,602 Region Association: South East States |
I sold my 76 about 5 years ago (went back to the fatherland) and needed a new project. I saw this car on the Jeff Blowsby LE website and brought it. Moved it from Kansas to North Carolina and started to work on it. The car was tired and had ugly body side molding. Stripped the car and had it painted and some rust at jack points repaired. I rebuilt the engine myself and cleaned every nut and bolt during assembly. Replaced some rubber, carpet, engine pad, put in a Blaupunk radio and electric antenna. She is a great car to drive. The wife and I have driven it to many places. And like all 914's, it right at home on the Tail Of The Dragon. Plan on going to the Parade this year. Car came in first at Savanah Parade and my favorite event "Octeenerfest" Was driving her yesterday, and it automatically puts that smile on your face.
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| gasman |
Apr 2 2015, 10:57 AM
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#27
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Member Group: Members Posts: 107 Joined: 21-January 08 From: Mooresville, nc Member No.: 8,602 Region Association: South East States |
PS . I guess what makes it "Rare" is that it has sail panels from the factory. There are two pictures on Jeff Blowsby's website that show a Creamsicle with sail panels. I guess one of these might be my car from years ago.......
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| EdwardBlume |
Apr 2 2015, 11:55 AM
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#28
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 12,338 Joined: 2-January 03 From: SLO Member No.: 81 Region Association: Central California
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) New COTM.... nice. Thanks Andy!
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| wndsnd |
Apr 2 2015, 12:04 PM
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#29
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You wanted a horse, but got a goat. Nobody wants a goat.... Group: Members Posts: 2,861 Joined: 12-February 12 From: North Shore, MA Member No.: 14,124 Region Association: North East States  |
Good choice. A Miata driver and his other car!
Actually George, very nice what you have accomplished with your 914. She looks great. |
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| infraredcalvin |
Apr 2 2015, 01:42 PM
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#30
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Distracted Member Group: Members Posts: 1,532 Joined: 25-August 08 From: Ladera Ranch, CA Member No.: 9,463 Region Association: Southern California
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I voted for the chump, nice resurrection of a car bound for the crusher!
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| AndyB |
Apr 2 2015, 05:32 PM
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#31
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The Governor is watching me Group: Members Posts: 1,115 Joined: 10-April 10 From: Philadelphia New York Member No.: 11,595 Region Association: North East States |
I had to go with the 70/6 there is some thing more appealing about a road car then a track car or a car that is not able to be driven legally on the road. But that chump car almost got me, almost.
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