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General Forums => Air Speed Lounge => Topic started by: Bruce on January 19, 2005, 03:44:31 AM

Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Bruce on January 19, 2005, 03:44:31 AM
The stolen blue car reminded me of Ralph's oval window that was stolen in the early 90s from Coquitlam then eventually chopped up.
Ralph's car was one of the pioneers in hot street cars around here.  I remember it having a 2110 with 45 Dells.  It was a low compression reliable daily driver that he could go anywhere with, not the grinade engines we have today.  It had stock gears and he regularly drove it to Seattle for events there.  One year amongst all the drag cars, Ralph showed up and ran consistent low 13s in this full-on DRKC type show car.
One year at SIR for the Bug-in, I was wrenching on some part of my car when up walked Ralph with GF.  I asked him where his car was.  He said he didn't drive it this year, that it was at home.  No it wasn't, because that weekend it was ripped off.
The car was seen driving around Langley in the months afterwards.  Then, there was one extremely close call in recovering it when it was still whole.  The Langley RCMP raided a house that was the center of a stolen bicycle ring.  In the house were literally hundreds of stolen bikes.  And inside the garage was Ralph's car.  The cops took the number behind the spare tire and ran it.  The number was clean.  Ralph's car was registered as a 70 by the pan number. Since the car came back as clean, the cops left the car there.  But one experienced cop knew that lowlife scum never have nice stuff like that car, so he went to the hot sheet and looked at the cars there.  He knew enough about VWs that an oval was really old.  There was indeed Ralph's blue Bug on the hot sheet.  The cop called Ralph and described the car to Ralph.  There was no doubt it was his car.  The cop gave the address to Ralph and said to meet him there. By the time the cops got back to the house, the car was gone!!!!  That was the last time it was seen alive.
I saw the custom guages at a wrecker in Langley, and the custom painted EMPI 8s appeared on a local Super about 6-7 years ago, having been bought at that same wreckers.  It was common for people to bring parts to that wrecker to sell to him.  I doubt the wrecker knew the parts were hot.

Has anyone got pics of Ralph's car?
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: James Buchan on January 19, 2005, 04:49:55 AM
Quote
It was common for people to bring parts to that wrecker to sell to him. I doubt the wrecker knew the parts were hot.

If it is the wrecker I am thinking of - he knew they were hot.....

 
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Stephan Schmidt on January 19, 2005, 08:32:52 AM
Good story bruce.  I think you've told me that one before.

Was it a hardtop or a ragtop?  

There are too many closed old garages around.  By now, the car has probably be gutted and pieced out over the years.

Its a sad sad thing.  :(

...oh, come to think of it... I was talking to a guy about 3-4 years ago, and he said that there were 2 oval windows at the parts wrecker along the highway out in Abby...I think we all know which place I'm talking about...james, same place?  Bruce?

Stephan
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 19, 2005, 08:59:21 AM
Quote
There are too many closed old garages around.  By now, the car has probably be gutted and pieced out over the years.



Bruce is started this form because I had questioned him after he mentioned the oval on the other form I believe I have the front and rear clip of this car in my possession . If someone post a picture I could post a picture I would be greatful. Ihope I am wrong this would be so shitty if I am right. I would hate this to happen to me :angry:

Thanks
Chris
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: ehos on January 19, 2005, 11:22:44 AM
That's sad.  I know when my car (if!) it's finished, I will be rubbing out and matching the body Vin # to the pan Vin #

1) I know it's wrong, so don't tell me about it.  But it's stupid for a car to have 2 different ways to ID it.  

2) It's soooo easy to register cars according to different numbers as this story just pointed out.  

3) I'll also be doing the Vin etching on my windows (I don't have big logo securits anyways).

4) Garages need to be alarmed.   Mine is.  I know if I was sleeping, I doubt I would hear my own garage being opened.   You need to at least warn the neighbours, yourself.    I wish I could find an easy way to hook a trap to it as well :)

 
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Geoff on January 19, 2005, 11:34:25 AM
Ralphy-Boy had a clean car! I remember when he got it running with the 2110 and 45's, He came by the old CIP store (1991) I had just got my 2275 with 48's and Dave (Then store manager) was trying to get us to line up on Kingsway and see who's faster. LOL , We didnt do it but decided to try and race at SIR the next month. It never happened :(  
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: James Buchan on January 19, 2005, 02:43:20 PM
the place I am speaking of is located in Langley.
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: red snapper on January 19, 2005, 02:46:39 PM
Quote
the place I am speaking of is located in Langley.
Im pretty sure I know who you are talking about.  :ph34r:  
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: beetleman on January 19, 2005, 05:13:18 PM
i got to meet ralph this summer when he walked up to my house when i was building my car and told me the same story bruce just did , and has offered to help me out anytime i need it....
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Mike Scott on January 20, 2005, 07:35:56 AM
I'd like to see pics as well. Was it a light blue-green?

I cant remember the exact year, probably around 1998. I was down in the low lands of Whalley, somewhere in behind the Chevron at 128th St. and King George. I stumbled on a light blue-green oval window, with color matched empi 8's on it. I cant remeber all the details. I think it had disks on front and no motor at that time. I even went in and talked to the owner. Could this be the car?

Mike
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Bruce on January 20, 2005, 12:35:03 PM
I don't think so.  There was no green involved in Ralph's car.  The body was a really dark blue, and the spokes of the EMPI 8s were painted light blue.
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 20, 2005, 01:00:11 PM
dark blue with 3 light blue pin stripes and one red just above the running board?
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 21, 2005, 01:17:16 PM
anyone??????
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Bruce on January 21, 2005, 09:21:46 PM
I was talking to Stefan Feeg today and he remembers the car clearly.  He said he ran across the feature in the magazine about 3 weeks ago.  He thought it was in the 89-93 era.  Anyone know what issue it was in?

He also remebered that it did indeed have the pinstriping you describe, so you do have the clips off it.  Was the rear filled?  Where did you get them from?
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: slammedbus on January 21, 2005, 09:33:53 PM
Quote
the place I am speaking of is located in Langley.
That place was awesome.....a guy could find great deals on projects.....just needed new tags.......bizarre.... :huh:  
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 21, 2005, 10:34:22 PM
I don't quite know what you mean by rear filled. The H panel is was replaced with a newer style and the quarter panels had some work done on them before painting, nice work who ever did it. Any way yes I do have the front and rear clips at my house. As for where I got them about a year ago I had an ad in the buy and sell wanting an oval front clip . This guy around 70 years old calls me up tells me he's got want I'm looking for.
I went to see it I bought them both . Then he say's his granddaughter had bought a '65 beetle and these parts came with it. After I got the pieces home and got a good look at how clean they were I had afeeling something was wrong . I have a picture of the rear clip how do I post it . Also if somebody want I will e-mail it to them or even come see it for your self . I don't know what else to say
Chris
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 21, 2005, 11:06:23 PM
look out computer moron coming through !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tried to post picture did not work.  I will try something else.
 
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Bruce on January 22, 2005, 12:57:31 PM
You can e-mail the pics to me if they aren't too big.

Where are you?
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 22, 2005, 01:27:17 PM
how do I e-mail them with out your address I can't pull them up when I use the short cut.
Don't for get I am a computer retard. :blush:
I live in Abbotsford.
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Bruce on January 22, 2005, 02:02:18 PM
See that button below all my posts that says \"email\"..........

Where did the guy live that sold you the clips?
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Chris on January 22, 2005, 02:52:18 PM
Quote
look out computer moron coming through !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tried to post picture did not work.  I will try something else.
when you posted that picture, you used the HTTP:// button instead of the IMG button. Do the same thing except use the IMG button.
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 22, 2005, 03:10:54 PM
It keeps saying I can't use my image extension  :(
Once I click the e-mail button I don't know how to pull up the picture from there :wacko:
The guy I got them from is in abby as well but his granddaughter bought every thing from
surrey originaly
I will get this picture thing  figured out right now it sitting in my personal e-mail I think I know how to send it from there thanks for your help but as you can see I am beyond help
 Chris
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Stephan Schmidt on January 22, 2005, 06:02:25 PM
you have to up load the picture to a filehosting site and then post the picture from there.

email me the picture at screamingthrottle@hotmail.com and I will post the picture for you tonight

Stephan
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Chris on January 22, 2005, 06:44:41 PM
Quote
It keeps saying I can't use my image extension  :(
Once I click the e-mail button I don't know how to pull up the picture from there :wacko:
The guy I got them from is in abby as well but his granddaughter bought every thing from
surrey originaly
I will get this picture thing  figured out right now it sitting in my personal e-mail I think I know how to send it from there thanks for your help but as you can see I am beyond help
 Chris
email button? what?

IMG button and use that same link you used before.

 
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: silas on January 22, 2005, 07:24:48 PM
Quote
I don't quite know what you mean by rear filled.
i'm pretty sure he means that the exhaust cut outs on the rear clip were filled to give it that smooth pre-55 look.

i'm just guessing tho. ;)  
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 22, 2005, 09:47:22 PM
salis your probabley right  I will check in the morning
stephan thankyou I hope that worked
76bus thank you also for your help I now realize I am hope less on this thing now I am going to cry myself to sleep.

Chris
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Stephan Schmidt on January 22, 2005, 11:23:02 PM
email me again!  nothing showed up

Stephan
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 23, 2005, 11:37:45 AM
stephen
hope that worked
chris
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Stephan Schmidt on January 23, 2005, 06:03:23 PM
I recieved no email

sorry  
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Stephan Schmidt on January 23, 2005, 10:25:07 PM
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv290%2FStephanschmidt%2FHPIM0298.jpg&hash=1b80c81d5558902c712c77b5dee1c225b079263a)

 :(

 
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Stephan Schmidt on January 23, 2005, 10:41:06 PM
another thing that bothers me is not only the fact that it was stolen and parted out, but the people who stole it and parted it out were probably in the VW community and still could be now.  we just don't know.  Its terrible.  Also, it was a beautiful car which will now never be revived :(

Stephan
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 23, 2005, 10:41:16 PM
Holy crap it worked, now is that it
Stephan
Any thing is fixable if you want it to be
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Stephan Schmidt on January 23, 2005, 10:49:08 PM
I don't know if it is from this car...bruce geoff and the other guys would know.  I was a little boy in the early 90's :P
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 23, 2005, 11:00:59 PM
At one point I did think about rebuilding the shell I don't think it would be that hard but it will require a full roof clip !!!!
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Stephan Schmidt on January 23, 2005, 11:10:06 PM
what bits and pieces of this car do you own?
 
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: Bruce on January 24, 2005, 03:10:19 AM
I don't remember the pinstripes, but that light blue is the right accent colour.  Also note the rear body mount in the wheel well.  It has clearly been raised to work on an IRS pan, which Ralph's car had.
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 24, 2005, 06:19:39 AM
All I have is the front and rear clip  
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: silas on January 24, 2005, 06:32:31 PM
Quote
All I have is the front and rear clip
what kind of condition is the front clip in and where is it cut? are you keeping it or getting rid of it? if you're selling, i may be interested.
Title: Ralph's Oval Window
Post by: rustybus on January 24, 2005, 10:45:13 PM
Does any one know if this is the oval in question :unsure: