Dave Rosique! Tell us about the Keep On Buggin club days.

[Jason Foster]

Great Stories!

[John Rayburn]

Across from H&H motors , there was this motorcycle cop that always hung out with a radar. This was on South Street (Orangethorpe). People would go pretty fast, especially the VW crowd. Well this guy wouldn,t chase you, he'd step out into the street in front you and motion for you to pull over. Whenever I was over there and Dave had enough of the joking around, he'd walk out to the curb and yell at the cop , "Hey, look at this one right here! It's too low!" I'd have to wait till the cop was righting someone a ticket before getting out of there. Dave , do you have any good stories about that old cop?

[Dave Rosique]

Yeah John,
Since the middle of the headlight couldn't be any lower than 24" or something like that, I was just trying to help the poor ol' motorcycle cop out a bit... I figured giving you a ticket would be like shooting fish in a barrel for that cop

Of course, you know I didn't mean any harm... or did I?  Hmmmmmm.

Anyway, One fine Friday afternoon as we were going through the regular motions of bringing all the good cars inside for the weekend, I was in charge of pulling the shop off road race car in. It was a 2180cc Zenith carbed (remember, this was in the 70's) top of the line class 2 SCORE car. I decided to drive 'er around the block real quick (after all this was Friday), I'm thinking I brought your brother with me... not sure it was either your brother or Glen. I AM sure that I got out on South and gave 'er a WFO trip through at least three gears when I want sailing by your buddy the cop! He was in the process of writing a ticket (suprise) and looked completely slackjawed as we blew by. I didn't know exactly what to do, so I did what came natural... made a quick right, another quick right and hauled butt up the alley to the back yard of the shop and hid like a little girl.
He never gave chace, SURELY he knew who I was, and nothing ever came of it. I'm pretty sure if it was this day and age, I would have made it on an episode of COPS. 

Side note- I found an old thread about Dave Wright's '54 Chop and remember now I was asked to gather a little more info on it. I have located some photos of it from my brother he shot back in 1979. He's going to give me the photos to scan soon. I'll do my best to actually speak with Dave if possible for some of the other details and photos he might have. Once seen in detail, I think most of the Loungers will probably agree that was one of the nicest, best proportioned chop-top cars ever.

Oval window, Chop-top, straight B pillar, working semiphores, convertable W decklid that actually closed and fit, heart tail lights, BRM's, the list goes on. HVW's did do an article and it made the cover, but even with that exposure the car was still overlooked by many.

Everybody has a favorite car, that one was mine. 

I'll follow up on this soon.

~DR.

[Rennsurfer]

Priceless and classic stuff, Dave. Please keep the stories flowin'.

[Neil Davies]

Side note- I found an old thread about Dave Wright's '54 Chop and remember now I was asked to gather a little more info on it. I have located some photos of it from my brother he shot back in 1979. He's going to give me the photos to scan soon. I'll do my best to actually speak with Dave if possible for some of the other details and photos he might have. Once seen in detail, I think most of the Loungers will probably agree that was one of the nicest, best proportioned chop-top cars ever.

Oval window, Chop-top, straight B pillar, working semiphores, convertable W decklid that actually closed and fit, heart tail lights, BRM's, the list goes on. HVW's did do an article and it made the cover, but even with that exposure the car was still overlooked by many.

Everybody has a favorite car, that one was mine. 

I'll follow up on this soon.

~DR.

Dave, was this the brown metallic one on ther cover of HVWs in about '78 or so? I bought that magazine at a swap meet several years ago and always loved that car.

[Dave Rosique]

Yeah Neil, That's the one.

You really had to see that car in person...
I have that same magazine somewhere but it's pretty tattered. I'd really like to find a good copy someday. 

I assembled much of that car straight from the body shop... more like a labor of love, because you could not possibly charge a guy enough to make a job like that profitable.

~DR.

[John Rayburn]

Yeah John,
Since the middle of the headlight couldn't be any lower than 24" or something like that, I was just trying to help the poor ol' motorcycle cop out a bit... I figured giving you a ticket would be like shooting fish in a barrel for that cop

Of course, you know I didn't mean any harm... or did I?  Hmmmmmm.

Anyway, One fine Friday afternoon as we were going through the regular motions of bringing all the good cars inside for the weekend, I was in charge of pulling the shop off road race car in. It was a 2180cc Zenith carbed (remember, this was in the 70's) top of the line class 2 SCORE car. I decided to drive 'er around the block real quick (after all this was Friday), I'm thinking I brought your brother with me... not sure it was either your brother or Glen. I AM sure that I got out on South and gave 'er a WFO trip through at least three gears when I want sailing by your buddy the cop! He was in the process of writing a ticket (suprise) and looked completely slackjawed as we blew by. I didn't know exactly what to do, so I did what came natural... made a quick right, another quick right and hauled butt up the alley to the back yard of the shop and hid like a little girl.
He never gave chace, SURELY he knew who I was, and nothing ever came of it. I'm pretty sure if it was this day and age, I would have made it on an episode of COPS. 

Side note- I found an old thread about Dave Wright's '54 Chop and remember now I was asked to gather a little more info on it. I have located some photos of it from my brother he shot back in 1979. He's going to give me the photos to scan soon. I'll do my best to actually speak with Dave if possible for some of the other details and photos he might have. Once seen in detail, I think most of the Loungers will probably agree that was one of the nicest, best proportioned chop-top cars ever.

Oval window, Chop-top, straight B pillar, working semiphores, convertable W decklid that actually closed and fit, heart tail lights, BRM's, the list goes on. HVW's did do an article and it made the cover, but even with that exposure the car was still overlooked by many.

Everybody has a favorite car, that one was mine. 

I'll follow up on this soon.

~DR.

                                                   That was my brother with you! I remember him coming home and saying, Dave just did a wheelstand in front of the cop on South St in that rail! There was another time that Bob told me about the guy on the Moped you two chased down the sidewalk in that Type 3 that you could grab the seat rails and make the front end go up and down. I remember that car's front end was smashed and had this rust that looked like dried blood from Death Race. Didn't the guy on the Moped mouth off to you or something?

[Dave Rosique]

Dang John!

People are sure to get the wrong idea by now!

~DR.

[Sarge]

Dang John!

People are sure to get the wrong idea by now!

~DR.

Yeah, there goes the neighborhood   Good stories, Dave

[Rennsurfer]

Dave, was this the brown metallic one on ther cover of HVWs in about '78 or so? I bought that magazine at a swap meet several years ago and always loved that car.

Fabian, do you have that issue? If so, please show us said car. I vaguely remember it.

Dang John!

People are sure to get the wrong idea by now!

~DR.

Highly unlikely, Dave. You're too cool of a guy. That being said, please... carry on.

[j-f]

Really fun topic. 

All those old stories are so great.

Thank to share all this memories with us 

[John Rayburn]

Dave! Tell them about when you took the Ghia with the IDA's down for a smog test to see the little black lady.

[Rennsurfer]

HUH? Smog Test on IDAs? HAHA!! This outta be good. Bring it, Dave!

[Dave Rosique]

Oh yeah, the smog test.

I think it was around 1979 or so when the great state of California decided to get in to the smog check business. There were very few "smog stations" at the time, and since they were a government run business, it was about as much fun as going to the DMV. They were checking to see that the cars were still equipped with whatever the manufacturer had installed as a smog device was still in place. This check also involved a tailpipe test with the magic wand. Well, needless to say, my little 1700cc 48 IDA motor ran a little rich. In fact, it would make you weep a little if you were standing anywhere near the slightly upswept exhaust tip. I pushed my car through the long line (sort of like in line at the drags- but much more fun) waiting my turn. When the DMV lady -oops! I mean the Smog Check Specialist waved me in, I pushed it in. She said "doesn't this old thing run?" Oh yeah, I was just pushing it to save gas... The inspection consisted of a visual first, then tailpipe test. I opened the decklid, she stared at the engine and called over a co-worker. They had never seen a VW with "four carburators". I had a breather box on it and they said it would not pass because the breather hose did not go to the air cleaner. There were no air cleaners. Only velocity stacks. I stuffed the breather hose down one of the stacks and that seemed to pacify them. Once they decided they did not know what else to do they asked me to fire it up. She had me let it idle for some time while she fiddled around with the machine, and of course it was good and loaded up by this time. She grabbed the wand, and on the way to the tailpipe, it pegged the meeter! The wand never made it in to the tailpipe. After some discussion, they decided since the car was a '59 they were going to "let it go".
It was obvious they had no idea what the car was, or even what they were doing.
(I did clean 'er out a little as I was leaving ).

[Jim Ratto]

Oh yeah, the smog test.

I think it was around 1979 or so when the great state of California decided to get in to the smog check business. There were very few "smog stations" at the time, and since they were a government run business, it was about as much fun as going to the DMV. They were checking to see that the cars were still equipped with whatever the manufacturer had installed as a smog device was still in place. This check also involved a tailpipe test with the magic wand. Well, needless to say, my little 1700cc 48 IDA motor ran a little rich. In fact, it would make you weep a little if you were standing anywhere near the slightly upswept exhaust tip. I pushed my car through the long line (sort of like in line at the drags- but much more fun) waiting my turn. When the DMV lady -oops! I mean the Smog Check Specialist waved me in, I pushed it in. She said "doesn't this old thing run?" Oh yeah, I was just pushing it to save gas... The inspection consisted of a visual first, then tailpipe test. I opened the decklid, she stared at the engine and called over a co-worker. They had never seen a VW with "four carburators". I had a breather box on it and they said it would not pass because the breather hose did not go to the air cleaner. There were no air cleaners. Only velocity stacks. I stuffed the breather hose down one of the stacks and that seemed to pacify them. Once they decided they did not know what else to do they asked me to fire it up. She had me let it idle for some time while she fiddled around with the machine, and of course it was good and loaded up by this time. She grabbed the wand, and on the way to the tailpipe, it pegged the meeter! The wand never made it in to the tailpipe. After some discussion, they decided since the car was a '59 they were going to "let it go".
It was obvious they had no idea what the car was, or even what they were doing.
(I did clean 'er out a little as I was leaving ).

perfect!
I recall taking my '67 to get smogged when it had the cammed up motor with "four carburetors".... I just played dumb, but that didn't work. The guy that ran the place was Sikh and got almost offended when he opened decklid. He wasn't a savvy VW guy, but he knew "something was wrong." He screamed at me to get out of his shop, how he'd be fined, lose his license, world would end. Etc.
I ended up using plan B

[Rennsurfer]

HAHAHA!!! Great story, Dave. But you know... that's what those little tubes are in the middle of the v-stacks... to place the breather hose(s) over.

 

Weber's little way of complying.

[low oval]

great story, I had a similar time with my 56 when I went to smog it in 79.  what a joke that was.  Those people didn't have a clue as to what they were doing.
jim

[Sarge]

So Dave, you ever get "guided" into any of those road side smog checks..., you know the ones where if you pass you get a little sticker for the windshield?  Back in the day, when I was driving around in the '63, I had a friend pass me a free compliance sticker to put in the car...PRESTO, I'm exempt .  A few days later, I got nailed in a smog check.  As I'm pulling in, this giant of a CHP guy in a tan jumpsuit is yelling at me through the window...."WHO THE HELL GAVE YOU THAT STICKER??"

[Dave Rosique]

So Dave, you ever get "guided" into any of those road side smog checks..., you know the ones where if you pass you get a little sticker for the windshield?  Back in the day, when I was driving around in the '63, I had a friend pass me a free compliance sticker to put in the car...PRESTO, I'm exempt .  A few days later, I got nailed in a smog check.  As I'm pulling in, this giant of a CHP guy in a tan jumpsuit is yelling at me through the window...."WHO THE HELL GAVE YOU THAT STICKER??"

Nice one Sarge!!

They got me as well, but I passed...(sort of) My "built" motor was apart (big suprise there) so I was running a borrowed 36 horse at the time... They did, however give me a safety inspection and I only failed a little: 1) Headlights too low. 2) No front license plate. 3) Insufficient bumpers. 4) No wiper arms or blades 5) Modified exhaust. I received a written warning and they told me I would be cited next time. Don't get me wrong, I like Cops, but back in the 70's you could not hardly drive a lowered VW without getting cited for too low. I was not able to adjust my front axle back then because it was cut, turned, and welded... When the inevitible happened, to get the ticket signed off, I had a pair of solid struts that I would install in place of the shocks and it would give you about a 25" headlight center line with 135's.
Funny, I still have those struts

[Sarge]

Hahahaha....welded struts!   I used VW chrome tip clamps to hold the shocks open (just couldn't hit any dips hard on the way over to the police dept. or you'd get a "sag" on one side or the other ).  For me, if it wasn't fretting over running into a Smog Check, there was ALWAYS the very real threat of the dreaded Brea motorcycle cop.  In the early '70's, Brea actually "leased" a single motorcycle cop from La Habra.  This cop was a real piece of work.  You all know the kind, slow to get off the bike and approach the car, wrinkle free starched uniform, spit shined boots, aviator sunglasses, 5'7", and an unbridled hatred for punks in VW's.  All those "items"..., headlights, license plate, bumpers, etc, etc.  Sheeeeeesh!

[Rennsurfer]

HAHA!! Great stories, guys. I remember those stupid roadside checks. Was stoked to see those go bye-bye when they did. Thankfully, one of my neighbors was a local Sheriff, so I was lucky and got my low headlights and no front license plate fix-it tickets signed off whenever I needed it.

You guys are right... seemed like back then the cops were fully on us like white on rice. Compared to now... 'cause when I first lowered my blue '67, earlier this year, I took it out and drove it all over town. It felt really good to drive/own a lowered Bug again. Then, my heart sank when a Sheriff pulled up next to me at a traffic light. I looked outta the corner of my sunglasses and he was looking at my car. He nodded at me and sped off.

I asked Rayburn about how things are now with Cal Look cars. He assured me that they're not after us anymore. That, and we're old now and no longer a threat to society. HAHA!! Thank God for old... least it's good for SOMEthing, yes?

More stories, please, Dave.

[John Rayburn]

Dave, tell them about the truck blazing on fire across from Jim's auto.

[Dave Rosique]

Dave, tell them about the truck blazing on fire across from Jim's auto.

OK John... these guys are going to think I never worked.
Come to think of it, both of the shops I worked at and then my own shop later, all of us worked hard.
We played hard too
If you guys can put up with another long story, I'll try to set the stage a little. Now, it's around 1981. At the first shop I worked at, H&H Motors, humor was the order of the day. An occasional acetelyne bomb, greased door handles, or somebody sneaks a few drops of oil on the floor under that engine you just built and got running. We found a little fun made working a lot more tolerable.
Well, that was great while I worked there, but time moves on and I had the opportunity to go to work at a larger shop with better pay, more work, things like that.
Enter- Jims Auto Repair. Jims was a well established VW garage and I was happy with the prospect of working there... until my first day. Don't get me wrong, this place was a class act, but I learned right away that this place was serious. No humor. Dry as a popcorn fart.
This was quite a shock to me given my history, but I worked on 'em. After a while this place discovered a sense of humor too... maybe not as radical as H&H, but we had a good time. One of these times involved fire extinguishers... we all had one, and I can't say for sure who pulled the first pin, but before I knew it I was involved with two other mechanics in a little extinguisher war. We didn't empty them or anything like that, just a few well placed shots at each other here and there. The fire extinguishers ended back up on the wall with not a care in the world, pressure gauges showing plenty of pressure, all was good.
Now, fast forwars a few weeks... it's in the afternoon, just about go-home time (beer-thirty Sarge), and across the street I see this poor old gardener in his To#¤ta truck with the hood up and had quite a nice engine fire going on. Well, my time to be the hero, I grabbed my trusty 'ol fire extinguisher, ran across the street, this guy sees me running toward hin, gives me a huge smile and steps back, I point the extinguisher at the base of the fire, squeezed the handle and   pffffft. That was it. I get this little pffffft and a small puff 'o powder and the extinguisher was done. This guy looked horrified, started cussing something I could not understand and ran to the back of the truck to unload his gardening equipment... I did help him unload. Fortunately, the F.D. arrived pretty quick and contained the fire to the engine compartment.

Moral of the story- APPARRANTLY, when you are screwin' with your buddies, once you squeeze the 'ol handle
on a dry chemical extinguisher, you need to have it serviced.  

~DR.

[John Rayburn]

Now tell them about about my car on the rack just barely kissing the ground doing a burnout, ( while we're on the subject of fire extinguishers. )

[Dave Rosique]

Now tell them about about my car on the rack just barely kissing the ground doing a burnout, ( while we're on the subject of fire extinguishers. )

I forgot about that one!
We have John's '64 on the rack back when his car was pretty stock. As he said, back tires just kissing the ground and we decided to do a controlled burnout... I think we had 'er up to third gear or so, smoke boiling off the tires, and in the driveway comes the boss... Yep, pretty cool. He looked at me like I was an alien or something and he asked what we were doing? Clutch test boss. 
I don't know why I wasn't fired that first year.

[Rennsurfer]

OK John... these guys are going to think I never worked.

Wait... you work?

 

[Dave Rosique]

OK John... these guys are going to think I never worked.

Wait... you work?

 

O.K. Fred, I'll remember that 

[Rennsurfer]

O.K. Fred, I'll remember that 

Uh-oh... this could dampen my existence on this ball that we call Earth.

Hey, c'mon... I DID use the smiley emoticon face thingy.

  <---LOOK! There it is AGAIN. Sorry, Dave... back on topic. I thought that you were at Jim's VW before H&H. Guess that I had it backwards. D'OH!

[Shubee2 (DSK)]

Hey John,
You don't want to give people the wrong idea about me do you? Do you think I would stoop so low as to do an illegal burn out in a grocery store parking lot?? YOU BETCHA! That was good times...

Fred,
Mark Souter sure had a sweet '67 didn't he? His '67 was one of my favorites! One of my friends bought that car when Mark built his beautiful red Ghia. Somewhere around 1981, I ended up with Mark's old five spoke EMPI's. The wheels were still Ford "Bold Gold" when I got them, but they were badly cracked. I sold those too... I can not believe how much any of the real deal original wheels go for now.

Does anybody remember Frenchy's Fiat? I got a late night ride in that car at a KOB party decades ago and it was a blast! I think at the time it had a 1600 w/ 48IDA's!
[/quote Mark Souters 67  I Bought My first set of American 5 Spokes from a Guy In K.O.B. he had them on a 59 VERT (Beater) Paid $550.00 for 5 Wheels

[Rennsurfer]

NICE find, Gary. Haven't seen that car in years. Used to love seen that car cruise around Lakewood, back then.