<VV> RE: Are recalls (and warranties) just a sales gimmick

Fri Sep 1 02:18:14 EDT 2006

Unfortunately (not to start another thread), the car was in for another repair at another shop, and mysteriously disappeared while I was waiting for them to work on it.  They claimed that it was there over 90 days and they "disposed" of it.

I never saw her again, and reported to the police as stolen, but they refused, saying it was a civil claim, and the shop won that battle, claiming it was there "over 90 days," which was true.  The fact that they were "working on it" did not faze the lawyer, or the BBB.  Patience is not always a virtue, since, had I not been so patient (and up on the law, re the "90 days" thing) it might not have happened that way.

Several years later, I heard about a "custom Karmann Ghia" show car with a 1969 Corvair 140 in it at the New York Coliseum "Custom Car Show." 

I went to the show and talked to the guy showing the car, and looked behind the oil adapter, where it said "W703328" which sure enough was my number.

I made the mistake of commenting that "this is my engine !" (bad move) before I called the police to report the incident.  The car was gone by the time the police got there.

The next time I heard about the engine, I was working for a guy in Smithtown, NY, who had a 1969 140 engine with my number on it, and it, too, mysteriously disappeared before I could do anything about it.

My 1969 Monza convert was named "Stone Poney II" after the demise of my (1st) 1965 Corsa convert, "Stone Poney" (named after Linda Rondstadt's Greenwich Village group, and so-named based on the "pony car" revolution that was happening at the time.

The full VIN was 105679 W 70 3328, making her # 3328 of 6000, built in March or April of 1969.

I have the window sticker in my scrapbook, and I'll scan it in someday.  Do you want a copy of that ?

It was bought at Konner Chevrolet in Levittown, LI, NY.

Sorry for no better news about a 1969, but if it helps fill in the gaps, you're welcome to it. (I thought I had submitted this a long time ago, but I guess not.)

Chaz

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: richard shank 
  To: Charles Lee at Proper Pro Per 
  Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 1:10 PM
  Subject: Re: <VV> RE: Are recalls (and warranties) just a sales gimmick

  Chaz - - -Do you still have this car?  I looked in the 1969 roster and didn't find a car in your name.  What is the Vin number?  Dick Shank, Past Pres. 69 Group

  ----- Original Message ----
  From: Charles Lee at Proper Pro Per <chaz at ProperProPer.com>
  To: mopar at jbcs2.net
  Cc: Virtual Vairs <VirtualVairs at corvair.org>
  Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 3:54:18 PM
  Subject: Re: <VV> RE: Are recalls (and warranties) just a sales gimmick

  Can't blame 'em for tryin' !!

  Some people are too "nice" to walk away, the way they were raised - "If you 
  have nothin' nice to say don't say anything."  Saying nothing means "go 
  ahead" to a mechanic.

  To paraphrase PT Barnum, "Fools are fair game."

  In 1969, I ordered a new Monza convert, just before they canncelled 
  production.

  The dealer claimed that the car wasn't built, but would I take a Camaro 
  instead ?  Uh-uh.  I called GM and found out the car was BUILT AND SHIPPED.

  Then they claimed it was "lost somewhere."

  I made them "lend" me a car to drive while they "looked" for it.  I got a 65 
  Mustang convert (a real ratty one, although it was only 4 years old, and 
  auto trans to boot !)

  I found my car (with a lot more phone calls) sitting in a rail yard in 
  Pennsylvania (on its way to New York.)

  When I finally got it, they were not happy, and I suspect that they really 
  wanted that car, since it had every option in the book, including shoulder 
  harnesses, which were NOT in the book.

  It was great to finally have my Corvair, except for a knock in the front end 
  that the dealership would not fix, although I don't remember their excuse.

  I took it to Midas who said that I needed a whole new front end, but would 
  not put it in writing so that I could their evaluation to the dealer to 
  "prove" it needed to be fixed.

  Of course, Midas said that I could use my receipt as proof after they 
  replaced everything, and after I paid for it. Hmmmm.... I don't think so ...

  Finally, I took it to yet another shop, "Bellmore Brake and Spring" on Long 
  Island, and in less than 5 minutes, he put it on his lift and found the 
  front shocks simply were not tightened.

  The "Bellmore Brake and Spring" mechanic tightened and Viola ! (or, "Oh boy 
  !" as they say in France) the car ran like a dream !  He didn't even charge 
  me, but gave me a receipt showing what he did.

  I showed it to Midas management and to the dealer, both of whom were not 
  happy, mostly because they lost a lot of money.

  Midas just wanted to make money, but I firmly believe, that the dealer 
  wanted my car ! (They kept offereing me the Camaro, and even upted it to a 
  427, but I declined.)

  Consider the source, and their agenda when dealing with ANYONE ....

  Chaz

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