<VV> Vendor Support

[Hank Kaczmarek]

Good morning all

If one was to look in back issues of the Communique, you couldl find letters
written to Readers Forum by myself going back almost 15 years urging support
of our vendors.

It is reasonable to think there are those of us out there who weren't into
Corvairs 20 years or so back. I've had one for 19 years now, but I still
remember when my first Clark's catalog boasted almost 5000 items. I am by no
means an "old timer".  There are those in this forum who remember when the
Clark's catalog (as an example) was a couple of mimeographed sheets, and the
"store" was a couple of sets of shelves in Cal&Joan's living room.  I am
fairly certain Unca Lon started out the same way.

I also remember going to the home of my first Corvair mentor, and seeing a
bunch of FC's up on blocks.  When I asked him about it, he said "Bad Rear
Wheel Bearings,  if someone doesn't reproduce them soon, all the FC's will be
up on blocks, as they aren't safe to drive with bad bearings". (this was in
the mid 80's)... When you could find NOS bearings, they were in such high
demand, the prices --adjusted for inflation today, would be ridiculous.

I got my Clark's supplement in the mail yesterday. After I got up this AM I
took a gander.  If you aren't impressed by what Cal, as well as Lon, Larry,
East and West Coast Jeff (cal. Corvairs and Corvair Ranch), Mark at Southwest
Corvair, etc manage to provide for us........

Next time you go to a show, take your vendor catalogs with you.  Set them on
the seat, or in an open trunk, someplace where you can get to them quickly.
Don't go for exotic, just talk to perhaps, a Chevelle or Camaro guy.  Ask THEM
about their parts availability and pricing. Show them the Vendor
Catalogs......Guys, it might look expensive at times, but as collector car
people, we get off CHEAP!!!  and availability that's awful hard to beat.

Now that one of my friends is working at a street rod restoration shop,  I see
a lot of hot rod guys.  Most times they are damn pleased just to get the
pieces they need, the prices be damned!!!!  Street Dreams is currently working
(among other projects) on a 57 Chevy Pro Street Car.  The guy gave the owner a
credit card, told him 10,000 per month was OK,  just keep working on it. David
spends a lot of time just hunting down parts, and having been in the business
for years he knows of lots of sources.

There are people who just can't understand that without the vendors, restoring
Corvairs would be over. Fini'.  I fear the day when the Wall's, Clark's, et.al
decide to retire----what happens to us then??

Just the fact that Lon and Cal (a surprise to me for Cal to answer on V V---
shows both his concern, and not surprised that he seems a bit pissed) to
answer as they have--show me they intend to stay in business.....comforting
thought.

Clark's brand oil filters,  case priced at 6.25ea??  That should give many of
us solace.....Well, at least one guy I know of.....

Sure, you can get a belt for your Corvair at Retard Auto---Ask Garland
<GG>!!!!  Want rear licence plate bumpers for your FC??  Need a complete
muffler kit for your 60 Coupe??  They will be happy to tell you they don't
give a shit faster than you can blink your eyes!!!   If you need something for
your Corolla, or Corsica, etc-- and you prefer cheap low quality junk parts,
of course they are the place to go.

Let's face it---without trying to kiss anyone's tail here,  The Vendors are
here for US---WE need them. It may cost a trifle more from time to time,
but.....I wonder if some Corvair People have figured out a way to take their
money to that undiscovered country, from whose borne no traveler has ever
returned.  It's paper, but coffins don't need insulation.

Just my not very humble .02   Some persons mileage may vary.

Regards
HANK