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SoonerDave Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2010 Posts: 219 Location: Denver, Colorado
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 8:39 am Post subject: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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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 _________________ -2018 Ford Transit Sportsmobile, 3.5 Ecoboost, mid-length, low roof with pop-top.
-1998 Toyota 4Runner everyday driver
FORMERLY:
-'86 Wolfsburg Westy Weekender original 2.1 Waterboxer - "Buster". Like the moe. song - Pig can fly!! Not named after it's tendency to have things on it bust. |
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raoul mitgong Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2009 Posts: 1338 Location: Denver, CO
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:06 am Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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Bummer _________________ 84 Westy with a 2.1 (Groover)
86 Tintop Syncro (Crow)
86 Tintop Syncro to Westy project (Tom Servo)
91 Westy (Only the top 12 inches of this van (a burn victim)) |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10248 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:26 am Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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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! _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22639 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:57 am Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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Another piece of anecdata to bolster my "5 years" lemma _________________ .ssS! |
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E1 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013 Posts: 6529 Location: Westfalia, Earth
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 11:26 am Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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In Biblical years?
This is a resourceful lot with lotsa commonality, we be okay. _________________ ‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32576 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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jmillsj Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2017 Posts: 110 Location: Denver, CO
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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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... _________________ 1985 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
Vanagon owner since 1995 |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22639 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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Every vanagon owner has plenty of time to own the repair of their car,but they need to start learning now. _________________ .ssS! |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7462 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 3:49 am Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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What flavor Sportsmobile did you get? _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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E1 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013 Posts: 6529 Location: Westfalia, Earth
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 7:06 am Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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Brown, Duh. _________________ ‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
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Escorial Syncro Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2004 Posts: 437 Location: Manitou Springs, CO
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 8:26 am Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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Is Blazer recommending another shop that is vanagon freindly? I have friends and customers in Denver that will surely need another wrench. Thank, Joel _________________ Joel Lane
1985 Vanagon converted to syncro, ALH TDI, Reimo Primus top with Westy interior
2002 Toyota Tundra 4x4
1974 Honda CL360 Scrambler (for sale!) |
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msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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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.
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! _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."
Last edited by msinabottle on Fri Jul 20, 2018 1:26 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22639 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 1:11 pm Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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Please pass my best wishes onto Larry for his retirement !! _________________ .ssS! |
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davevickery Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005 Posts: 2887 Location: Fort Collins, CO
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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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 . 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! |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22639 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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Lost their shirts forgetting to invoice for shop supplies _________________ .ssS! |
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WeekenderWarriors Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2018 Posts: 2 Location: CO
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Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 1:04 pm Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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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! _________________ WeekenderWarriors
'86 VW Wolfsburg Weekender
'04 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro
'11 Volvo XC70 T6
'18 VW AllTrack SE |
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jmillsj Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2017 Posts: 110 Location: Denver, CO
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Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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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. _________________ 1985 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
Vanagon owner since 1995 |
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msinabottle Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2019 9:48 pm Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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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! _________________ 'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence." |
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WeekenderWarriors Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2018 Posts: 2 Location: CO
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:41 am Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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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! _________________ WeekenderWarriors
'86 VW Wolfsburg Weekender
'04 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro
'11 Volvo XC70 T6
'18 VW AllTrack SE |
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elizer Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016 Posts: 1461 Location: Northern Virginia
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:12 am Post subject: Re: Blazer Automotive Closing - Denver |
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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. |
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