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The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
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General TR Just saw this. RIP Charles.
- Thread starter PeterK
- Start date
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This is huge and very sad news to us all.
At times like this one often hears about someone referred to as a "Giant".
In my opinion.... Charles was a giant for our hobby.
Some of the items he had made in small runs very likely were not profitable....
but so good for the hobby.
I was fortunate enough to enjoy several nice conversations with him on
the West Coast at the Triumphest events. He treated me extremely fair
with the parts I got there. He did not have to go the extra mile but he did.
Hopefully there was a plan left in place for the business to continue.
Gil. NoCal
In my opinion.... Charles was a giant for our hobby.
Some of the items he had made in small runs very likely were not profitable....
but so good for the hobby.
I was fortunate enough to enjoy several nice conversations with him on
the West Coast at the Triumphest events. He treated me extremely fair
with the parts I got there. He did not have to go the extra mile but he did.
Hopefully there was a plan left in place for the business to continue.
Gil. NoCal
glemon
Yoda
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I have a nice note from Charles back when I restored my TR4a in the late 80s. Hard to believe so many years have passed since. He published a reprint of the TR250 parts manual back then offered it for free. Fast forward twenty years, and I still had the book and got my TR250 to go with it. The stuff that dreams are made of indeed.
It was a business, but a lot of things he did seemed like more a labor of love, like the free TR250 book. RIP Charles.
It was a business, but a lot of things he did seemed like more a labor of love, like the free TR250 book. RIP Charles.
mrv8q
Luke Skywalker
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Absolutely shocking news to read on Christmas Eve. TRF has always been my go-to source for LBC parts.
I also enjoyed his weekly email missives, and truly felt for him with the passing of his son last year.
I met him at Triumphest a couple of times over the past fifteen years and always thought him a gentleman.
God speed, Charles, and my condolences to your family and colleagues.
I also enjoyed his weekly email missives, and truly felt for him with the passing of his son last year.
I met him at Triumphest a couple of times over the past fifteen years and always thought him a gentleman.
God speed, Charles, and my condolences to your family and colleagues.
Got_All_4
Luke Skywalker
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Wow shocked, saddened and stunned! In 1986 I needed a part for my TR3. Never ordered from TRF before or heard of them. I remember talking to someone from the rebuild shop and they sent me the part with out having to pay for it up front. They told me to send it back if it wasn't right. Trust like that, it can only come from the top (Charles) this speaks highly of him and of his organization. I was hooked after that and a TRF customer for life.
I can't tell you how much fun I have with my cars because of Charles. He came up with innovative ways to use our cars. Summer Party. Racing, mountain tours, tech sessions and I even got to meet 2 retired Lucas engineers that he had flow in from England and one of the developers of the Sabrina motor. Even got to watch one come apart and back together. It doesn't get any better then that! Who can forget valve cover racing on Killin RD in front of The Roadster Factory. The countless friends I've made at Summer Party, the knowledge I gained from the tech sessions, all this because of Charles.
His love for LBCs and particularly Triumphs set him apart from other parts suppliers who just want to take our money and give us substandard parts. Charles was trusted and spent his time and fortune to invest to make sure we had better parts that lasted and as stated above, gave up profits to be competitive with his superior products. Well done Charles! We will all miss you.
I can't tell you how much fun I have with my cars because of Charles. He came up with innovative ways to use our cars. Summer Party. Racing, mountain tours, tech sessions and I even got to meet 2 retired Lucas engineers that he had flow in from England and one of the developers of the Sabrina motor. Even got to watch one come apart and back together. It doesn't get any better then that! Who can forget valve cover racing on Killin RD in front of The Roadster Factory. The countless friends I've made at Summer Party, the knowledge I gained from the tech sessions, all this because of Charles.
His love for LBCs and particularly Triumphs set him apart from other parts suppliers who just want to take our money and give us substandard parts. Charles was trusted and spent his time and fortune to invest to make sure we had better parts that lasted and as stated above, gave up profits to be competitive with his superior products. Well done Charles! We will all miss you.
Lou Metelko
Jedi Trainee
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TRF with Charles in control was a unique specialty company that dealt with the clique we call British devotees. I greatly admired Charles for staying true to his initial vision and not expanding to other brands to service. We should not worry for the future of TRF because his sons and the long serving staff will be guided by the legacy that Charles established. Every major decision will be prefaced by "what would Charles do?".
Yes it has been a tremendous loss for all of us but I am convinced that TRF will be eventually even stronger.
Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana
Yes it has been a tremendous loss for all of us but I am convinced that TRF will be eventually even stronger.
Lou Metelko
Auburn, Indiana
Unlike a lot of members of the forum I never had the privilege of meeting Charles but The Roadster Factory has always been my first go to for parts.
Charles was a visionary and entrepreneur who started to collected NOS parts and drawings from Triumph sources years ago which enabled him to produce parts that were as close to the original as possible. Without his foresight and work a lot of our cars would not be as good or original as they are.
Will also miss his weekly news letter. Always looked forward to reading it.
RIP Charles.
David
Charles was a visionary and entrepreneur who started to collected NOS parts and drawings from Triumph sources years ago which enabled him to produce parts that were as close to the original as possible. Without his foresight and work a lot of our cars would not be as good or original as they are.
Will also miss his weekly news letter. Always looked forward to reading it.
RIP Charles.
David
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