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Jim Ratto
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« on: November 20, 2008, 10:41:23 am » |
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lawrence
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« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2008, 19:53:04 pm » |
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wow, that is crazy.  I'm will take a trip over there before they close. |
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"Happiness is a Hot VW!"
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Tony M
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« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2008, 20:00:12 pm » |
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What a joke Arlo has made of that business - Once strong and booming, now weak and defunked  |
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Life is too fast to drive a slow VW
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2008, 20:25:58 pm » |
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I'd say go get what you can from them, and help'em out. These are tough times... especially w/ Christmas coming and all.
I'm sorry to see the place close too... lots of good memories.
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Tony M
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« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2008, 22:22:55 pm » |
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I was just in on saturday and they still do have some parts. some WCM stuff, empi things, more than what i thought they had  |
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Life is too fast to drive a slow VW
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Tony Wilkie
Jr. Member
Posts: 76
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« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2008, 05:20:56 am » |
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Hate to see any place have to close there doors! Buggy house has been there since 1967. Definately some history there. Jim, give me a call this weekend. With the new job ( www.hotrodsbydean.com ) I only have weekends free to talk. Tony |
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Operations Trask Manufacturing
Design, Prototype, & Dyno Tune Custom Motorcycle Exhaust
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Rennsurfer
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« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2008, 05:59:51 am » |
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Wow... that really sucks. Sad to see so many old places go down the tubes. Seems to be the current trend, unfortunately.
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"You can only scramble an egg so many ways."
~Sarge
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WCB Hitler's Hot Rod
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« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2008, 09:38:13 am » |
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BLIMP went out of business too.  |
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WARNING! BE PREPARED FOR A ROLLING BLACKOUT.
West Coast Blitz... "Motha Sucka!"
You may have some Swag, but I OWN da Swagoo!!
This right here is my 'lil Nazi-killa!
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Trond Dahl
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« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2008, 11:22:10 am » |
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I'm sorry to read about this... I usually stop by the very local Penninsula Automotives(vw classic related only) a bit further southin the bay each time im there, hope they dont see the same future.
Next time I will come over is July which is too late for buggyhouse it seems...
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Street car 10.67/206kmt@Kjula 2014 Race car 9.49/236kmt@SCC 2017  |
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Bob N
Newbie
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« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2008, 20:28:06 pm » |
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Wow i'm sorry to see this. I use to go there all the time when I lived in Fremont in the late 80's- early 90's. A local shop in the Santa Rosa area, Vintage technology also recently closed their doors.
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2008, 20:47:59 pm » |
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Wow i'm sorry to see this. I use to go there all the time when I lived in Fremont in the late 80's- early 90's. A local shop in the Santa Rosa area, Vintage technology also recently closed their doors.
I probably sold you something @ BH then... maybe the wrong stuff even!   |
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Bob N
Newbie
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« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2008, 21:15:46 pm » |
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Wow i'm sorry to see this. I use to go there all the time when I lived in Fremont in the late 80's- early 90's. A local shop in the Santa Rosa area, Vintage technology also recently closed their doors.
I probably sold you something @ BH then... maybe the wrong stuff even! Oh ya I bought a lot of stuff from you, even had you build me a motor. I had a white 67 cal bug with white 5 spokes vert deck lid etc. Don't think you ever sold me the wrong stuff though. |
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2008, 00:42:04 am » |
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Wow, I'm surprised we didn't sell you a paperweight off the boss' desk or a Rabbit timing belt or something. At times we were pretty clueless. Or something. Nice to hear we had one happy customer.
Someday you'll have to hear about the "illegitimate" story from that place.
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #13 on: November 22, 2008, 01:26:04 am » |
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Hate to see any place have to close there doors! Buggy house has been there since 1967. Definately some history there. Jim, give me a call this weekend. With the new job ( www.hotrodsbydean.com ) I only have weekends free to talk. Tony new job? Still VW realted or? pm me your phone number, TW. mmm... Jim's Diner burgers. Remember those? |
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Rennsurfer
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« Reply #14 on: November 22, 2008, 02:11:16 am » |
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Oh ya I bought a lot of stuff from you, even had you build me a motor. I had a white 67 cal bug with white 5 spokes vert deck lid etc. Don't think you ever sold me the wrong stuff though.
Just kidding. Sounds like it was a pretty funny scene and great place to be a part of. Sadly... 'tis an end of era, such as it were. |
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"You can only scramble an egg so many ways."
~Sarge
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stealth67vw
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« Reply #15 on: November 22, 2008, 02:45:05 am » |
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Man, that sucks! When I was layed off about a month ago, I stopped by Buggy House on a Thursday about noon and they were closed. WTF!!! You can't stay in business if the fucking doors are closed. They really ran that place into the ground. I started going into BH in 1986 with my Dad to buy parts for his 66 Notchback or his 68 Bus. There were quite a few characters that hung around that place both customers/bar flies and employees. |
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John Bates
JB Machining Services
1967 street bug 2020lbs w/driver
12.34 @ 108 mph 1/4
7.76 @ 89mph 1/8
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Tony Wilkie
Jr. Member
Posts: 76
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« Reply #16 on: November 22, 2008, 17:35:30 pm » |
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Hate to see any place have to close there doors! Buggy house has been there since 1967. Definately some history there. Jim, give me a call this weekend. With the new job ( www.hotrodsbydean.com ) I only have weekends free to talk. Tony new job? Still VW realted or? pm me your phone number, TW. mmm... Jim's Diner burgers. Remember those? pm sent  Yes new job doing mechanical / fab building hot rods. I still have the business building vws & hp engines. (part time) mmmm... Jim's Diner for lunch then racing back to the shop down the clement 1/4 mile  I still can't believe bh is closing sign of the times......... tw |
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Operations Trask Manufacturing
Design, Prototype, & Dyno Tune Custom Motorcycle Exhaust
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kafercup
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« Reply #17 on: November 23, 2008, 18:42:36 pm » |
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Wow, another piece of VW history gone. It is long past due though as BH has been on borrowed time since the last change in ownership.
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larry mck
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« Reply #18 on: November 24, 2008, 05:58:14 am » |
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This is too sad. Buggy House was a big part of the Bay Area VW scene for many decades. I remember going there in the 70s with my brother. That is where I met Ratto, and look what happened since,that man is trouble. Lots of good times and tall tales from that place.
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Tony M
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« Reply #19 on: November 24, 2008, 20:03:17 pm » |
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Man, that sucks! When I was layed off about a month ago, I stopped by Buggy House on a Thursday about noon and they were closed. WTF!!! You can't stay in business if the fucking doors are closed. They really ran that place into the ground. I started going into BH in 1986 with my Dad to buy parts for his 66 Notchback or his 68 Bus. There were quite a few characters that hung around that place both customers/bar flies and employees. Hey Hey - I was one of those employees / bar flies - - Yea need to keep ths door at least open to try to make it happen. |
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Life is too fast to drive a slow VW
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #20 on: November 24, 2008, 20:37:11 pm » |
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This is too sad. Buggy House was a big part of the Bay Area VW scene for many decades. I remember going there in the 70s with my brother. That is where I met Ratto, and look what happened since,that man is trouble. Lots of good times and tall tales from that place.
it takes trouble to know trouble, Billy. |
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Dick Mitchell
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« Reply #21 on: November 25, 2008, 08:55:27 am » |
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Man this really sucks, When I was in High school, every dime I earned was spent at BH each Saturday morning. I may have had issues with them at one time but having a local shop near by was great. I made many friends thanks to that place.... It was even the final resting place to my old roommate's original 66' when a drunk driver smashed and destroyed the car as it was parked out in front at the annual BH car show. I guess if it had to happen, a local VW shop surrounded by sympathetic enthusiasts would be a fitting place. I guess I should get in there soon since I just remembered that I ordered a set of valve springs from them last month. Hey Jim, I still tell the story about how the oil stains ended up in circular patterns on Mission Blvd. anytime someone goes with me to BH And the ""illegitimate" story is still my favorite! |
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« Last Edit: November 25, 2008, 09:01:03 am by Dick Mitchell »
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #22 on: November 25, 2008, 17:19:13 pm » |
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it would be cool to get former employees and notable customers together for a farewell thing. As long as it is at my place in Simi Valley |
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stealth67vw
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« Reply #23 on: November 26, 2008, 04:44:43 am » |
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it would be cool to get former employees and notable customers together for a farewell thing. As long as it is at my place in Simi Valley I'll bring the beer and Oxy-Clean |
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John Bates
JB Machining Services
1967 street bug 2020lbs w/driver
12.34 @ 108 mph 1/4
7.76 @ 89mph 1/8
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