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A few things to know before stealing my 914

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Re: A few things to know before stealing my 914

#41

Post by kragen »

dilap wrote: post #34
kragen wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was thinking exactly the same thing, except ① it was '83, not '85 (and thus air-cooled); ② it was an aftermarket camper van conversion with some slight design issues in the pop top, not a Westfalia; ③ after I rebuilt the engine a second time we sold it, so, blessedly, it's not mine anymore. My engine rebuild survived for a couple of years until the new owner drove it in second gear for an hour at highway speeds, ov…

re ③, on...purpose?

I don't think he destroyed the engine on purpose, if that's what you meant. I did sell it on purpose though. I rebuilt the engine on purpose too, because without a working engine the market value of the van was scrap metal.

Re: A few things to know before stealing my 914

#42

Post by gkoberger »

This is one of my favorite styles of writing. I have absolutely no clue what this person is talking about and have no interest in cars, yet I read every single word.

I love when people have such a deep knowledge of something that they can write an essay as unique and thoughtful as this. It reminds me of Kitchen Confidential, Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman!, or any rant about British politics by David Mitchell.

Re: A few things to know before stealing my 914

#47

Post by jorts »

AdmiralAsshat wrote: post #32
krallja wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It depends on the state. Most of the ones that do exist are concerned with things like “do you have seat belts? are there rear view mirrors? do the turn signals work? is the check engine light on?” Classic/antique vehicles are also often exempt.

There's no way that car would pass an emissions test.

In CA "The California Smog Check Program requires vehicles that were manufactured in 1976 or later to participate in the biennial (every two years) smog check program in participating counties." so it would be exempt based on the year that it was manufactured.

Re: A few things to know before stealing my 914

#48

Post by giarc »

BayAreaEscapee wrote: post #8

For awhile I was into autocross. I remember one guy who would always show up in a Porsche 914 with racing tires, and he would run circles around us amateurs.

It's not always the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog.

I knew a guy that was an incredible mountain biker, won all the races he entered etc. He used to show up with crappy bikes probably 10lbs heavier than everyone else... he'd still win. Sometimes you either have it or you don't, and all the equipment in the world won't help you.

Re: A few things to know before stealing my 914

#49

Post by throwaway0a5e »

gkoberger wrote: post #42

This is one of my favorite styles of writing. I have absolutely no clue what this person is talking about and have no interest in cars, yet I read every single word. I love when people have such a deep knowledge of something that they can write an essay as unique and thoughtful as this. It reminds me of Kitchen Confidential, Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman!, or any rant about British politics by David Mitchell.

Depth of knowledge is impossible to assess for anyone that doesn't have similar depth in the same subject matter.

The author could be bullshitting (he's not) but how would anyone who's not driven vehicles that are decades beyond their design life know?

Re: A few things to know before stealing my 914

#50

Post by jeffbee »

BayAreaEscapee wrote: post #8

For awhile I was into autocross. I remember one guy who would always show up in a Porsche 914 with racing tires, and he would run circles around us amateurs.

That’s a funny sport. For years the SF area events were dominated by a guy who ran a ‘78 Toyota Corolla hatchback. Or what had once been that car, anyway.
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