Economotors, 1963 - Don Streeter

[Dave Galassi]

I was recently given a copy of Volkswagen Handbook, published by Peterson and part of the Hot Rod Technical Library (1963 Publishing date).  In it, aside from articles like "Blowing the Beetle" and "Poor Man's Porsche", there is a great article showing a fellow named Don Streeter, an Economotors employee at the time, building a 1500 stroker Okrasa motor.  Does anyone know where he fit in with Dean Lowry and Darrell Vittone?  Hadn't heard the name before and maybe some stories are out there floating around.

In addition, there is a great article called "Commuter's Express" about a stroked, 32 NDX and fake knockoff equipped bug being flogged on Bursch's Clayton Dyno and at Riverside Raceway.  It also has a Bursch header on it!  Neat early hypo stuff.

Has anyone else seen this book and does anyone know about Don Streeter?

[nlvtinman]

Dave,
It would seem that you've stumped even the best with this query. 
Given the number of years since publication date of your Volkswagen Handbook, and that Don Streeter is an unfamiliar name in the world of VW high performance, it does make one wonder how he fit into the earliest era of the VW scene?
And more so, why didn't he carry forth?

Love to have the chance to see your book.

[Fritter]

I have a copy of this one, red cover.  It's a great early hipo VW read!!

[.]

At the Time, Empi was selling Okrasa kits through mail order.
They had them imported from Germany.
You could also drive your car to Economotors buy an engine kit  and have it installed.
Don Streeter was one of a number of employees who job it was to install the kits.
He didn't have anything to do with designing hi-po parts, racing, etc. like Lowry and Vittone.

[Dave Galassi]

Thanks for the response guys!  I thought I was banished for a bad post......

If I can Steve, I'll try and figure out how to post an article or two.  They really are interesting, especially for us San Gabriel Valley types, as there are articles on Judson installs on Colorado Blvd and dyno work at Bursch's place. 

Mike, it is good to hear someone else had the book or had seen it.  It is a pretty good primer into the early 60's VW scene.

Richard, thanks for the info.  I knew about the Economotors installations, but didn't know that there were a significant number of employees there.  Riverside was not a big town at the time.  Lots of citrus groves...........but then again, so did Orange County. 

The cars in a few of the articles, at least, are running chromies with the fake knock off hub caps.  Really cool look.