Fire at J. T. Pipers
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 5
From: Arlington TX
Fire at J. T. Pipers
From the NCRS TDB:
Fire at Pipers
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Fire in Vermillion, Illinois
Reported by: Jon Swaner
Sunday, May 4, 2008 @06:49pm EST
Apparently Pipers Corvette in Illinois had a big fire and lost most of their inventory
Fire crews worked for hours on a fire. It happened at 12:39 p.m. Central Time at Piper's Auto Specialties, located at 308 Water avenue in Vermillion, Illinois.
This business specializes in restoring older vehicles, especially corvettes.
At least eight crews responded to the fire, which was called in by the owner's wife.
The business is located in close proximity to the owner's home.
We do not know at this time if the home was damaged.
No one was hurt.
Fire at Pipers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire in Vermillion, Illinois
Reported by: Jon Swaner
Sunday, May 4, 2008 @06:49pm EST
Apparently Pipers Corvette in Illinois had a big fire and lost most of their inventory
Fire crews worked for hours on a fire. It happened at 12:39 p.m. Central Time at Piper's Auto Specialties, located at 308 Water avenue in Vermillion, Illinois.
This business specializes in restoring older vehicles, especially corvettes.
At least eight crews responded to the fire, which was called in by the owner's wife.
The business is located in close proximity to the owner's home.
We do not know at this time if the home was damaged.
No one was hurt.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Ozark MO
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 5
From: Arlington TX
Yes. I did. Almost. On a sleeting wintry night in 2003 I had a garage fire that destroyed a 1970 Corvette and a fairly new Pontiac that belonged to a friend who was storing it in my garage. All my 1970 Corvette and 1966 Impala rare parts were destroyed plus heavy smoke and water damage to the house and contents. I just got out as the heavy, thick smoke was filling the house.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: destin fl
1995 just backed my new corvette roadster out of dealership showroom 8pm phone rang carpet dealer attatched to my wharehouse 2alarm fire my 65k 70 ssnova 4year resto 69 ss el meno camino 62 gasser nova, total disaster. ITS CALLED LIFE. NO FEAR. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
I don't wish a lose on anyone,but JT is a bitter old jerk!!!!And....way over-priced.maybe he got burnt out,but he's not a vett guy any more.Vett parts make money for him....period.Darrel was the best thing that he had going for him.He's got interests going in mexico,so the vett business isn't a issue.It really isn't a issue now......
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
I don't wish a lose on anyone,but JT is a bitter old jerk!!!!And....way over-priced.maybe he got burnt out,but he's not a vett guy any more.Vett parts make money for him....period.Darrel was the best thing that he had going for him.He's got interests going in mexico,so the vett business isn't a issue.It really isn't a issue now......
Interesting...did JT ever hold a gun to your head? the man had rare and valuable parts, I doubt he ever forced anyone to buy his stuff.....aren`t the parts that make a car rare and valuable also valuable? or is it only the guy who gets the "top flight" award or the "big bucks" at any number of auctions allowed to cash in? I bet if you had to deal with as many cheapskate Corvette amateur knowitall restorers as he has you would be burned out too....................redvetracr
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
That is terrible news to hear of. I have purchased a few NOS difficult to find pieces for my 'vettes from them. I didn't find them to be anymore costly for those parts than any of the other vendors. Plus, he had the parts, something to be grateful for, believe me.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
He is not out of business, and is not going anywhere! He has many warehouses full of Corvette parts that he personally collected for 30 years. 30 Years of his life has went into finding these parts and see if anyone else takes as much pride than he does to sell them to you!
Cheers,
Pete
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Ky
I don't wish a lose on anyone,but JT is a bitter old jerk!!!!And....way over-priced.maybe he got burnt out,but he's not a vett guy any more.Vett parts make money for him....period.Darrel was the best thing that he had going for him.He's got interests going in mexico,so the vett business isn't a issue.It really isn't a issue now......
I've watched you post thread after thread and respected your work and the detailed post you have made in the past. Very good work I might add!
The comments you left just knocked me off my feet! You went down a few notches on my scale.
Maybe Pipers wanted more than you were willing to pay for a part or two, but there is no sense in kicking dirt at him! You do have an option, either buy or don't and I'm not sure what Mexico has to do with this either. Give the man a break!
Last edited by bluegoosed; May 13, 2008 at 11:26 PM.