RIP Joe Vittone (the original EMPI)

[fast Ed]

Joe Vittone, the co-founder of EMPI back in the 60s, passed this week at age 86. Anyone who has ever driven a modded VW owes the man a debt of gratitude.

A bit of the history of EMPI:

http://www.oldeskool.org/empi.html

[meatwagon]

From the looks of it VWs don't seem to garner much interest here. That's too bad. It is a privelige to be the first (and possibly last) to comment. Maybe too many American V8s were unexpectedly beat-up by the little "peoples car" at the strip. If so, it was largely because of Joe. I have many Empi parts on my buggy and always appreciated the quality options they afforded. From short-throw shifters to simple e-brake cable shortening kits, Empi has helped me enjoy hours upon hours of reliable air-cooled fun while pissing off 4WD owners that thought the little green buggy couldn't follow them. Ha! I owe Mr. Vittone a debt of gratitude. Thanks Joe

[fast Ed]

There are a few guys on here doing VDub buildups. Mourning privately perhaps. ;)


cheers
Ed N.

[yogreasygramma]

I was saddened when Gene Berg passed away years ago, too. I've had a few old VWs and my parents have had dozens, of all types, and they are fun, but in general I didn't like how idiosyncratic (and unsafe) some of the design features were (for example, having the windshield washer fluid operated by pressure in the spare tire).