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Oldbug.com Pheasant Plucker
Joined: October 12, 2001 Posts: 1054 Location: Aguanga California
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 2:55 pm Post subject: Rometsch #508 out of hibernation |
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_________________ Cheers!
Randy Carlson
http://www.oldbug.com
951-795-1175 |
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Oldbug.com Pheasant Plucker
Joined: October 12, 2001 Posts: 1054 Location: Aguanga California
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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_________________ Cheers!
Randy Carlson
http://www.oldbug.com
951-795-1175 |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2011 Posts: 1593 Location: Louisville, ky
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, what a sexy car. Can't wait to see it cleaned up. |
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56TIMOTEO Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2006 Posts: 440
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, with a sunroof? |
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henry roberts Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2003 Posts: 1274 Location: australia
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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wow! what is the story behind the car and it's re-emergence? |
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Oldbug.com Pheasant Plucker
Joined: October 12, 2001 Posts: 1054 Location: Aguanga California
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 3:57 pm Post subject: The story |
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The car was owned by a couple in So Cal since the 60's and it was parked in about 1971. A good friend of mine called me to tell me about it and the rest is history. I must admit that the photo on the top of the car in the pile of junk was totally staged as it was actually located in a reasonably clean building...but I just couldn't help myself...had to get artsy with a shot just for the effect. It does look like it came out of the trash pile.
I have come to realize that a couple of the truly hardcore guys knew of it's existence but kept it quiet. It is the oldest Lawrence bodied Rometsch known to exist at this point and I "think" it is one of only two known with the sliding steel sunroof (the other being a much later model in the Grundmann collection) It is a 1957 according to the chassis numbers and paperwork. Obviously quite rough, and it is missing the bumpers and a couple of small bits...but for me...it is a pretty amazing find and I am thrilled to have it here in the shop. I cant wait to see it restored and back on the road someday...it will be a long haul, but it deserves the attention for sure!
Proof that they are indeed "still out there". _________________ Cheers!
Randy Carlson
http://www.oldbug.com
951-795-1175 |
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empiracer Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2002 Posts: 1098 Location: Issaquah / Seattle, Wa.
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:26 am Post subject: |
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Awesome find ! |
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Quintus Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2010 Posts: 173 Location: the Netherlands
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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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very cool! _________________ 2005 VW Lupo
1970 Pontiac GTO
2008 VW Golf R32
1959 Karmann Ghia 'Low Nose' |
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79SuperVert Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 9758 Location: Elizabeth, NJ & La Isla Del Encanto
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Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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Terrific find. _________________ Central Jersey VW Society
Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt. |
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D-train Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2007 Posts: 1449
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Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 2:11 am Post subject: |
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wow.... _________________ shiny paint doesnt make it worth any more |
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tisius Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 1570 Location: Rotterdam,NL (+Chicago,IL)
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Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 3:38 am Post subject: |
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So..... anyone already knew about it but didn't drag it home earlier???? What's the story behind that?
If I would hear of such car (being up for sale), then I would not hesitate one second to pull the trigger on some offer, so I'm surprised that some VW-freaks already knew for longer period of time, but left the car alone. _________________ drive it like you just robbed the bank
you don't have to be crazy to be into VW's, but it sure helps!!
.... if it ain't dutch, it ain't much! |
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16CVs Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004 Posts: 4020 Location: Redwood City, California
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Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:30 am Post subject: |
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So was it reasonably priced ? Or did you pay real money for it ?
Stacy _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
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overrestored Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2005 Posts: 724
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Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 11:55 am Post subject: |
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There are still a few unknown Rometsch cars (and other coachbuilts for that matter) lurking in the shadows. The owners of these vehicles do not desire to have their existence known for a variety of reasons. Usually it is because they will be contacted again and again by people trying to buy the cars.
I and a few others have known of this car for many years... but out of respect for the owner's privacy request have never spoken of it.
Very rare cars are often accompanied by very rare stories and interesting circumstances. If the owner wishes them to be public... then that is awesome... but if the owner wishes for privacy... then I think we can all respect that. _________________ some cars
some bicycles
some old skateboards
One cool crazy cat
a yard full of fruit trees
26 chairs for some reason
a crapload of old shoes
a lot of books on history of the Mexican Ranchos
200+ kamax bolts... stacked in rows |
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fod 54 24g Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2014 Posts: 4 Location: forest of dean uk
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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 2:37 am Post subject: |
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wow sold & going to the uk be good to see this at shows in the uk. |
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vwhelmot Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 617 Location: united kingdom
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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:47 am Post subject: |
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Someone`s got DEEEEEEEP pockets :D |
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Randall Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2004 Posts: 1402 Location: Orange County, Alta California, El Norte
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Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 1:13 am Post subject: Re: Rometsch #508 out of hibernation |
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Sorry, but I'm not that impressed. Other than the fact that your Rometsch is much rarer than this Notch, old VW garage finds having a California black plate beginning with IM can be found by the dozen between the Coachella Valley and Orange County. You just have to know a guy who knows a guy. I happened upon this Notch exactly as you see it. (I also own some ocean front property in Malibu that I am willing to sell at half its appraised value.)
The scan at the following post was provided by Samba member 'stale air'. It shows which DMV office issued the Calif. black plates in order by the three letters on the plate. Since yours begins with IM it was issued by the Santa Monica DMV. It is likely that the owner in 1963 lived closest to the Santa Monica DMV. (Another piece of the puzzle about the Rometsch's history has fallen into place.) All vehicles, new and used, received these new plates. If the Rometsch was registered in Calif. before 1963 it would have had the yellow plate that was introduced in 1956.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5373345&highlight=#5373345 |
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VWCOOL Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 1821 Location: Down under
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Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 3:30 am Post subject: |
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Nice find!
There was a Rommy here in Australia for a while in the early 1990s but I believe it has now left our shores... if anyone knows anything, please chime in |
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RareAir Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2002 Posts: 14576 Location: 18 miles North of the border
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Martin Southwell Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2010 Posts: 971 Location: Bath, England
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Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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Are they all also fitted with the same steering wheel gloves? The crutches are a stark reminder of what happens to us towards the end of life! |
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VWCOOL Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 1821 Location: Down under
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Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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and a blue tarp half on top, and a red rag over the rego plate and a garbage bin beside the door and a tyre on the ground behind it...lol |
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