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A Trip from the Dentist - Owner : Lawrence Forton
I purchased this Volkswagen almost ten years ago, when the then owner,
the wife of a local dentist, lost interest and it was kept in an outside
storage facility. Since then, I have upgraded the engine to a dual carb
1776cc engine, a German Transaxle of America super street transmission,
a shifter from Vintage speed, and door cards from Scat VW. The car came
with real Fuchs from a 911 Porsche Carrera, 4 inch narrowed and adjustable
front beam with disk brakes.
The car has since had its electrical gremlins sorted, its brakes refreshed,
paint corrected, and its upholstery made not only presentable but usable.
I am the 4th caretaker of this wonderful car. The original owner was a
priest who bought it new from what was Riviera Motors in downtown Portland
Oregon. I have met the second owner and his friends who helped him build
this car long ago at some local VW gatherings. The second owner had the
difficult decision of selling the car after starting a family to a local
dentist who spent many thousands on it.
Everything from a new top, to a custom sound system, top of the line
car alarm and rebuilding and powder coating the frame. The dentist had
the car done for his wife, who I am guessing probably lost interest in
it. It was stored it outside, then eventually their son put it for sale
on Craigslist where I came across the ad and immediately called. I used
the car as a rolling project and daily drove it for the first five years
of owning it. Since starting my own family, the car now gets to enjoy
a warm garage space, awaiting any break in weather when I can take my
son for a ride.
The car has been shown multiple times at the yearly Woodburn VW show,
the Portland International Raceway VW show, Beaches vintage show, along
with local VW meets and charity runs including the KGW toy drive. The
picture below with the kids inside, is my parents with half of their grandchildren.
My dad in the driver seat, is holding my oldest son in his lap for this
picture, which they had made into a poster that hangs in their living
room.
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