Just curious, but does Charlie at Vintage Speed prefer online orders over phone orders? Been trying to call for the last couple hours to place an order and it just rings and rings. Are they even in business still?
Welcome to the club. Some people like 'em, a lot don't. Do a search on here and decide what you want to do.
I've read enough. Good thing he didn't answer the phone. I will not be doing business with a person like that. So with that being said, where can I order some power valves and plugs for my 94s?
Charlie is a very small business-like small. Used to be him and his wife, maybe still so. He personally built all the early stuff he made and sold. I waited like 3 months for a set of bases for some rochester big base carbs--but damm, they were perfect in every way and I ran 'em for years and years and were still great when I sold the car. I forgot about the wait based on their performance..I'm not defending him in any way, I paid and he provided, nothing extra. Yep, he's not for everybody. I did notice however that you are still looking for a source for some parts.
Before I stopped struggling with old, obsolete carbs, an old timer recommended this guy... https://daytonaparts.com/
I made several purchases over the last couple months and the product is fantastic and the service was very, after I came to grips with the fact that plain and simple does not answer the phone nor does he return calls. He depends on email and once I figured out what the rules of the game were and started using email all was good. In fact I would say very good. I would do business with him again no question but I wouldn’t try and call him, I would email. And yes, I believe he does everything himself.
See what I mean? It's a crap shoot. I have also heard good things about Daytona Parts. For the very best, there is "Uncle Max" on this forum for Stromberg's and Charlie Schwendler in New York for distributors, fuel pumps, and later carbs (94's).
Order online and they are very responsive. I had a small issue with an error on a part shipped and handled it with e-mail. Charlie was very responsive and had it resolved the next day with shipment of the correct part. I have been buying from him (online) since 2008 with no problems. I don't think you will be sorry if you order from his web page.
Have been ordering from him for over 10 years. Dozens of orders. If you need linkage parts, there is no better place. If you want repo nostalgic parts, they are there. His prices are fair and orders are usually shipped within a day. He does trips to his suppliers and and may be away from the phone for a week. There is just he, his wife and sometimes a helper. When I want something that appears in his catalogue, it is the only place to go. If you order his carbs, he test runs every one before shipping. Warren
I’ve ordered from him in the past and have spoken with him at length, but that was a couple years back. Never had an issue and will actually order some additional parts I need.
Just bought a bunch of stuff from Charlie. He’d been answering all my dumb questions on Tripower stuff for over a year (so I know he does have patience). If you can’t get through his online catalogue to order stuff, I think his whole catalogue is on e$@#. For convenience, I went that way and followed up with a communication (via e$@#) to give local elevation for recommended jets in my application. Whole transaction went very well. Would and will do more business with him in the future.
Something else, These vintage suppliers are dropping like flies. They are mostly small mom and pop operations trying to do everything that twenty people would do at Amazon. Be patient with them and support them. In many cases, they are our last frontier. Warren
In MYO, I'd rather deal with someone like Charlie who really knows the stuff he sells and how it'll perform on what its going on. PITA sometimes with deliveries, etc. as several have said, but ask about how the stuff performed after a year or so. I know, I've ordered stuff from others and got it pronto, and it went out pronto also--cheap junk. I'd go to him again anytime.
Charlie is a great guy, like stated, he is mostly a one man band. I have talked with him on the phone several times over the years. He even invited me to come down and ride with him on his air boat powered by a SBC and 3x2 set up. I support Vintage Speed.
I've been a customer of Charlies for many years mostly buying Rochester, Stromberg parts/kits along with fuel lines and linkage. Vintage has never failed to supply quality parts and excellent advice when necessary. Thank you to Charlie.
I am pretty positive he has parts for sale on Ebay under the seller "Realrodder" I have ordered parts 3 times and maybe because he has to follow the rules of Ebay he gets things shipped out fairly quickly. Worth checking out.
I took a chance despite what I've read on here and placed an order. The parts came within a week to 2 weeks. Only downside is one of the powervalve plugs don't want to seal. No big deal.
Except for the negative leanings of one poster, everyone had nothing but good to say about Vintage Speed. I actually phoned Charlie twice today and he answered both times. I wanted to make linkage for my twin carbed banger and although he doesn't have a finished product per se, he spent 40 minutes helping me find the right pieces to do the job. And since I need the pieces for Rodtoberfest in two weeks, he assured me they would be shipped tomorrow. Service doesn't get any better then that. Warren
All my orders have been done online and my questions has been on line or through his E bay store. Necer a problem and fast service
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