I searched to make sure this wasn't a double post, and didn't find anything, but I've got my flamesuit on just in case. All of the Ramchargers shops are officially closing up for good. Livernois Powersports bought a couple of them just to close them up, and the other shops went to different buyers. I don't know if the website is staying open for business, but it's down right now and I don't know if it'll stay that way. I heard all of this from a Ramchargers employee, Matt. He's a good guy, too bad he's out of a job now.
Just what we need, more speed shop closings. I never lived near one so it won't make any difference to me. It's just one more sign of the passing of some of the roots of hot rodding. RIP Also another reason to keep things like the HAMB up and running. Frank
Gratiot auto went out shortly after I graduated from high school; bought a buncha speedparts (brand new holley carbs for $20) when they went. The big store on Woodward is now a Murray's Auto. If you go thru old Hot Rods, you'll see that Gratiot Auto was THE shop in Detroit as rodding came of age. Ramchargers pissed me off, to be honest. If you had a SBC - they could hook you up; if you deviated from the mainest of the mainstream - they had jack*****. They could order it for ya - in the day of online catalogs, that's not worth a fart in the wind. Last time I went in there, I asked for a generic 9" K&N with a 4" mouth for the daily driver. The counter stooge wanted to know make, model, and year... After checking their stock (they had none) I walked out. If I can't get it off the shelf and the dweeb behind the counter is a P/N jockey - then the store has no value whatsoever. I remember guys who knew their*****; I also remember when parts stores carried more than air filters for small block chevys. I'd love to see a REAL speed shop in the Center of the Known Motoring Universe - in the meantime, Ramcharger's passing is like the passing of pets.com - utterly unlamented. If you want - I can tell you what I really think...
I noticed last week that the Ramchargers on Plymouth road in Livonia was closed and empty. Was hoping that it was an isolated closing......bummer. Scott.
As of Sat. nite the Roseville Ramchargers was being remodeled with a new "Opening Soon" sign displayed...... wouldn't make much sense to buy a closed store to close..would it? cc
Hey, Speakin of 'real' speed shops- Anyone know if either Super Shops or Service Center Speed Shops were ever out side of the So Cal area? Once upon a time they actually sold 'real' speed equipment.
We had one in Columbia SC, but it was not much........mainly wheels and tires.....and the counter help was useless....sort of like Advance or Auto Zone.....the People who worked the counter at McDonalds the week before and knew nothing about cars...... We have one NOW..........that is ran by a 5.O guy....heavy into Mustangs... But he does know a little about other cars and builds engines, installations and has a in ground wheel dyno..... I try to do business with him....when I can....Hope he makes it...
The easy access of the web keeps many of us on our kyoots, asking the questions we would have asked at the local shops giving way to business for the owner. If I had a choice between hanging out at old school shops where the local blacksmith plied his trade in the modification business, I prefer to hang out. But it's 2005 and I'm still waiting for 1984, stuck on this damned computer instead of the slower happier days of 40 years ago.
We've got a real shop in Kansas City. Midwest Motorsports on Sate Avenue in Kansas City Kansas. It's mainly round-round and 5.0 stuff, but thy also sell used parts and consign some old speed equipment. I've bought a BBC Hilborn (YES I made sure it had the pump!), a flathead to powerglide adaptor (strange, but it works), and they have a good selection of parts. Also, Dale Welch is still in the area and does alot of online and some swap meets. Lots of vintage parts.
ahhhhhh stupid shops........there was one in costa mesa i used to go in and drool between classes (next to orange coast community college). there always seemed to be one person who knew what they were doing. internet is killing them off (smaller shops/chains). the only thing around here is santa ana speed (if you want to walk in) or herbert cams (i think thier still open) and a small corner in the local auto parts store.
its everywhere the same , tell me wheres all the skateshops gone ,they gone . We havent one skate shop in town who is not owned by a chain or other big company ,speedshop ?? Well we have some garages they are spezielized in american cars ,but thats nor mean a speedshop , if i have the choice between 500$ for the carb in switzerland and 250$@ summit ??? Hey i know thats not very patriotic ,but as it seems you have to have a lot of money to support switzerland ,that is also the way my skateshop died
It is kind of a shock, but not unexpected. I worked for Ramchargers for 5 years, 20 years ago, working along side the original owners from the '60's. Boy, did I score a lot of cool parts back then (hemi and max wedge were my specialty). They weathered many changes in the market, at one time trying to do battle with Murray's (local reference) by turning brake rotors and selling windshield solvent cheap. Eventually they did end up with rice tuner and 5.0 Mustang types at the counter, leaving behind the drag race market that brought them to fame. For the Motown crowd, I can't think of another place to walk in and get parts and performance machine work done. A few race machine shops are still open (I use Thompson Automotive - Redford), but for parts it looks like the mail order monster has won out. An era passes. Steve
This is why everyone who can should buy from Sammy (Pinstriper) at Rocco and Cheaters Speed Shop in Birmingham, AL... the TRUE oldest speed shop in the country. Keep him going guys!
This WAS discussed this past Sept here on the HAMB. I believe it was around the 7th or 8th. Because****les sometimes don't reflect post content it's often difficult to search. Your statement that I highlighted is incorrect. Fact is I have been working with Cory from Livernois MOTOR Sports regard installing high speed internet in the Livonia store which is slated to open mid-Dec. He and I did have a long conversation regarding the lack of true speed shops in the Metro Detroit Area and what alot of gearheads are looking for. Whether he has any control over the type of products that will be carried or whether he takes any of my suggestions seriously remains to be seen. Only time will tell.
Speedshops truly are becoming few and far between. Once and a while tho you get lucky at your local NAPA and run into a guy like me....or even me for that matter (if you live in WI). I get bored with retards who want to use compression fittings on brakes, and those who trust that "pregapped" plugs actually are the correct gap. Its nice when someone comes in and needs/wants your help in locating the correct part, or the part thats gonna work for something interesting. I get an older guy who comes in with a triumph, and hes always up to hunt through some catalogs with me to find what he needs. (oddly enough, i actually had points for one of his cars in stock). So dont fear completely, sometimes the guy at the parts desk knows a thing or two. (although i dont trust checker autoparts...)
I was waiting to hear about the Ramchargers stores, I saw that there was one closed up, and was afraid that it was due to their demise. It*****s that speed shops are gradually falling off. If anyone is in or around Flint, there is a new performance parts business that recently opened, called Bristol Speed. It is located on Dort Hwy, about 1/4 mile north of Atherton Rd. The owner has been in the business for 10-15 years or more.
In another life I dealt with a Mark at RamChargers. He was in Livonia I think. He was a pretty cool guy but was really into late model 5.0 stuff. He was a manger of the store too if I remember correctly. It is sad to see. Even guys like Speedway, which is reasonably close, do not cater to the old walk in and BS speed shop. They have a little counter to pick up will call stuff.
I swear I'm not gonna Rant this time. support your locals and buy American when you can. We are the ones making the rules,kids.
The one up on 12 and John R is closed. They didn't even send me junk mail to tell me. I woulda bought some closeout stuff (and sold it beck to local mullets for a profit!) Serioulsy though, there's nothing left around me for speed stuff. I may have to leave the 'burbs! Eeek!
We had a SS here in Detroit for a year or so, typical 'book trained' help as usual.. My one visit went sumptin' like this: HIM.. Can I help you? ME...I need price on a pair of 12 x 15's with 5 on 4 1/2 HIM.. What kind of car? Me .. Doesn't matter, it's a Ford 9" HIM.. Well I have to know what kind of car ME... Ok, Ford HIM.. What model? ME... Model 'A' HIM.. What's that? ME... (now irritated) a '31 Ford HIM.. Sorry I can't help you, our books don't go back that far....... Wasn't too hard to figure out why they went away..lol CC
we have 2 speed shops that have popped up in less than a month and less than 2 miles from each other on the same street. I wonder who's gonna survive and who wont. for some reason speed shops just dont make it here. we have several dirt tracks and a couple of drag strips in the area...
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