TheSamba.com :: View topic - Blazer Automotive Closing

Thu Jul 19, 2018 8:39 am

CO folks may have already posted this about Blazer. I searched but didn’t see anything.

Two pieces of info:

-I sold my Vanagon a few months ago. We have purchased a Sportsmobile. I stopped in at Blazer today to tell Larry thanks for keeping me on the road for the last 8-9 years. He told me my visit was well-timed, because they are in the process of closing. His lot is already totally devoid of parts vans!! He’s retiring after 40 years. Says he’s going to miss the place and all his great customers.

-Other piece - I sold my Vanagon, which I already mentioned. Thanks to everyone here for the sense of community and for also helping to keep me and my family on the road.

See you down the trail.

-SD

Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:06 am

Bummer

Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:26 am

Kind of you to check in and update us. Be sure to keep us apprised of where you're traveling, as even though you'll be driving the new rig, the campfire conversations would stay the same!

Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:57 am

Another piece of anecdata to bolster my "5 years" lemma

Thu Jul 19, 2018 11:26 am

In Biblical years? :wink:

This is a resourceful lot with lotsa commonality, we be okay. 8)

Thu Jul 19, 2018 3:04 pm

Just another example that Time relentlessly marches on.

As it does it claims us all. Sone sooner, some later.

I still remember 60's era Beetles as new on the showroom floor.
I worked on many before they aged horribly.

The numbers of those who remember as I do shrink almost daily.

The same is happening to Vanagons...... every shop with experienced guys will be sold, change personnel or close.

It is something you cannot change or stop.

Dave

Thu Jul 19, 2018 4:02 pm

I’ll miss those guys. They’re 2 miles from my house and super convenient, but Larry did tell me if I ever put a Subaru motor in my Vanagon he was done with me. Good thing I did it as he retired.

Blazer Automotive will be missed. Sniff, sniff...

Thu Jul 19, 2018 6:39 pm

Every vanagon owner has plenty of time to own the repair of their car,but they need to start learning now.

Fri Jul 20, 2018 3:49 am

What flavor Sportsmobile did you get?

Fri Jul 20, 2018 7:06 am

Brown, Duh. :D

Fri Jul 20, 2018 8:26 am

Is Blazer recommending another shop that is vanagon freindly? I have friends and customers in Denver that will surely need another wrench. Thank, Joel

Fri Jul 20, 2018 12:16 pm

Called Larry just now and said my respectful goodbyes, meant them. Blazer opened in 1979, and I always considered them as honest, professional, and skilled as mechanics could be. Larry and Jim loaded me down with good advice and helpful feedback, and did a lot to make my experiences with Winston as happy as they've been.

He DOES have a recommendation for his customers, the fellow to whom he sold his seventeen parts vans. It's

https://www.urabus.net/contact

John Buschman
3063 S. Tejon St Unit B
Englewood, Co. 80110

Tel: 303-921-0601
[email protected]

which is off Dartmouth and Tejon. For some reason I don't think he'd be backward about Subaru Conversions.

:shock:

Larry praised his honesty. Buschman has HIGH ratings on Yelp and his website says he loves Vanagons. Well, who DOESN'T?

Blazer's last day for new work will be July 31st, they'll be cleaning the grand old garage out through August and taking phone messages.

The only constant in life is change. I meant it when I told Larry, Jim, and those skilled old guys who made Winston run so well, that it was well done.

Best!

Fri Jul 20, 2018 1:11 pm

Please pass my best wishes onto Larry for his retirement !!

Fri Jul 20, 2018 3:10 pm

Well, they gave it a shot. The auto biz is tough racket and it's really no shame that they are throwing in the towel after just 40 years :D . They tried. At least they gave it a reasonable amount of time to see if working on VWs was for them.

They will be missed!

Fri Jul 20, 2018 7:35 pm

Lost their shirts forgetting to invoice for shop supplies

Wed Dec 19, 2018 1:04 pm

Hi all-

Just an FYI- Urabus has relocated to Buena Vista, at least according to their website. I shot them an email to confirm, but have yet to get a response.

Anyone have any other strong recommendations for shops in Denver/Boulder? We’re in Golden, so either will work.

Thanks!

Wed Dec 19, 2018 1:17 pm

I have used Painter’s Grinding for service on my Vanagon. It’s pretty close.
http://www.paintersgrinding.com
Painter’s Grinding
831 S Jason Street
Denver CO 80223

Not sure how they feel about Subaru conversions.

Comprehensive Car Care on Evans will service Vanagons with Subaru engines:
Comprehensive Car Care
701 E Evans Ave
Denver, CO 80210
(303) 722-0888

I don’t think they have a web site.

Sat Jan 05, 2019 9:48 pm

Thank you for the bad news about Urubus. Sincerely. Painter's ONCE, I heard, would not work on Vanagons, but I saw one on their lot when I drove past them during Winston's restoration, and they, too, are legend.

These guys:

Jeno's Auto Service, Inc.
3593 West Bowles Avenue
Littleton, CO 80123
303-794-6700
http://www.jenosautoservice.com

did Winston's balljoints and well, for the whole story see HERE:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7871770&highlight=jenos#7871770

The owner, Steve Horvath's family goes way back with VW and he knew the Brothers Blazer quite well, they used to send him their suspension work. They offer a 12 month/24,000 mile warranty and do not sneer at or boot out Vanagons. I guess they're my go-to guys for Winston now.

For anything REALLY major, I'd seriously consider having Winston trucked up to Rocky Mountain Westy. They are friends, and skilled. who've done much work on Winston and many kindnesses for me.

I wonder how many of the shops HERE are still open:

http://www.roadhaus.com/shops_search_map.php?state_id=6

Best!

Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:41 am

Thanks jmillsj and msinabottle. I setup an appointment at Painters for this week. I may have to go with Jeno’s or RMW too as there might be an issue with my transmission. Painters said they will install a new transmission, but won’t rebuild or do any other related maintenance. We’ll have to see what the diagnosis is.

I appreciate the feedback. I’ve looked at the roadhaus website in the past and might have to go back to that. I agree, a lot of shops have recently closed or moved, so not too sure how current those listings are.

Thanks!

Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:12 am

WeekenderWarriors wrote: Thanks jmillsj and msinabottle. I setup an appointment at Painters for this week. I may have to go with Jeno’s or RMW too as there might be an issue with my transmission. Painters said they will install a new transmission, but won’t rebuild or do any other related maintenance. We’ll have to see what the diagnosis is.

I appreciate the feedback. I’ve looked at the roadhaus website in the past and might have to go back to that. I agree, a lot of shops have recently closed or moved, so not too sure how current those listings are.

Thanks!

A lot of places will work on a vanagon but wont do a rebuild. But it sounds like painters doesnt seem enthusiastic about doing much beside direct swaps. I'd look at other options. If anything they could just pull it and you ship your transaxle to a builder.