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yankee1919 Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2007 Posts: 485 Location: los angeles
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Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 7:57 pm Post subject: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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Hello All,
First I want to say I don't want to offend anyone on what I am going to say.
I was just trying to connect the dots. You have a different take I am happy to hear about.
Lets looks at what "I" believe the makings of the Empi Sportster.
WWII, Willy's Jeep, square body, flat fenders and a canvas top.
I am partial to Olive Drab. |
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yankee1919 Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2007 Posts: 485 Location: los angeles
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Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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Here is the Salt to the Pepper or the lime to Tequila.
KDF Kubelwagon, also from WWII. Using the components we know as VW.
I also like the tan top. |
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yankee1919 Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2007 Posts: 485 Location: los angeles
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Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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Put this in the mix, Peppertree Rivets, Baja 1000 competitor and really cool ride.
I met the owner several years back in Big Bear.
I think of Star Wars fighter when I see it. |
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yankee1919 Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2007 Posts: 485 Location: los angeles
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Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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And it comes to my Empi Sportster, slightly modified, canvas top (need replacement) two gas tanks, custom wiring harness, able to carry 1k inside or tow a little trailer. Had to tow a HD Heritage once.
I am the 3 owner of the Empi, hopefully I can pass it along to the next generation.
Tony
Bakersfield via L.A. |
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yankee1919 Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2007 Posts: 485 Location: los angeles
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Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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Post your take on the origins, would like to hear from you.
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finster Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2012 Posts: 7935 Location: north o' the border
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Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2019 8:50 am Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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I think this is in the family tree too
_________________ "we're here on Earth to fart around" kurt vonnegut
nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect... |
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slalombuggy Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010 Posts: 9145 Location: Canada
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Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:58 am Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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finster wrote: |
I think this is in the family tree too
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COOL
As a side note. I know the gentleman who now owns the original engine out of Rivets. It was quite the accidental find.
brad |
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BL3Manx Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006 Posts: 6767 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2019 11:23 am Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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The most widely accepted history is that in 1959 Scott McKenzie built the first VW based purpose built dune buggy(not just a stripped pan), the "Chimp". Scott built ten more similar buggies in the next couple years and went on to found Sandmaster and McKenzies. https://www.mckenzies.com/
Pictures from a 61 Hot Rod Ideas magazine. I also have a 1959 article someplace showing him with the Chimp
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yankee1919 Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2007 Posts: 485 Location: los angeles
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Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 8:47 am Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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Wow!
Thanks guys, what an interesting story. Does anyone know if any CHIMPS are still around? |
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BL3Manx Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006 Posts: 6767 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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I wondered the same thing. Back about 2014 there was a Craiglist ad for one in L.A. for $75. I haven't been able to find out what happened to it or to Scott McKenzie's original |
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johnnyniceguy Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2005 Posts: 287 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2019 8:09 pm Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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66 Chimp in the archives. Would like to see a few more pics. |
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BL3Manx Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006 Posts: 6767 Location: Northern California
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johnnyniceguy Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2005 Posts: 287 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 5:38 pm Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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BL3Manx Thank you.
I googled 66 Chimp and it showed Samba with this beast in the archives.
Thank you for sending me in the right direction. This vehicle looks bullet proof with that tube enhanced frame. Wish there was more to tie it in as a original Chimp. What are your thoughts?
I really don't know how I missed this in the classifieds. |
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BL3Manx Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006 Posts: 6767 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 12:23 am Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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It definitely has Chimps lines, but whether Scott McKenzie had a direct hand in building it or its a copy is the question.
In any case its been highly "updated''.
I would need more confirmation of its origin |
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BL3Manx Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006 Posts: 6767 Location: Northern California
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yankee1919 Samba Member
Joined: November 20, 2007 Posts: 485 Location: los angeles
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2019 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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Always thankful for the info. |
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super Chimp Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2019 Posts: 1 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:00 am Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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Morning this is my Chimp made in 66 you can Email me [email protected] |
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dustymojave Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007 Posts: 5802 Location: Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 10:58 pm Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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Another Chimp. An hour west of the one above.
Originally Corvair power. Now VW 1600. _________________ Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet. |
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dustymojave Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007 Posts: 5802 Location: Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:00 pm Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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I hope you've copied all the info off that page BL3, because it's now expired and under GoDaddy.com _________________ Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet. |
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BL3Manx Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006 Posts: 6767 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:13 am Post subject: Re: Empi Sportster Origins/ my 2 cents. |
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I believe I have it.
By the way, Tony Velis who started this thread is now the owner of a Chimp he just hauled back from New Mexico and Bob Anderson is the owner of one he just bought in Altadena.
You have any luck with the one you have your eye on? |
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