Fire at Pipers

[William L.]

Apparently Pipers Corvette in Illinois had a big fire and lost most of their inventory. What a bummer hope no one was hurt.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

Where is Piper's? I lived in Illinois from 1972 through 2004 and can't say I ever heard of them. Are they a Corvette dealer or parts supply house?

Stu Fox

[Jeremy D.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

J.T. Piper's Auto Specialties/4 Speeds by Darrell...Vermillion, Illinois..www.pipersauto.com

[Stuart F.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

Ok. I believe I recall hearing of them. It is all to common for us Chicago types to forget there is whole another part of the State.

Should members who might have their equipment consigned to them be concerned? If so, perhaps a re-title of this thread may be in order to grab their attention, although I'm sure they will find out sooner or later.

Stu

[Bill O.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

Fire in Vermillion, Illinois
Reported by: Jon Swaner


Sunday, May 4, 2008 @06:49pm EST


Fire crews worked for hours on a fire. It happened at 12:39 p.m. Central Time at Piper's Auto Specialties, located at 308 Water avenue in Vermillion, Illinois.

This business specializes in restoring older vehicles, especially corvettes.

At least eight crews responded to the fire, which was called in by the owner's wife.

The business is located in close proximity to the owner's home.

We do not know at this time if the home was damaged.

No one was hurt.

[Joe L.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

Piper's has a huge collection of NOS Corvette parts as well as a huge inventory of used, original Corvette parts. If the fire destroyed all or most of this, then a lot of rare and valuable Corvette parts are gone. Obviously, these parts are irreplaceable and Corvette restorers will have suffered a great loss. Piper's is very expensive but a lot of the parts they have are quite rare and, the fact they are expensive, is why they still have a large inventory.

One problem here, though, that might be at the root of all this: Piper's parts are stored in a group of old, ramshackle, barn-like buildings. If a fire were to get started there, it would spread quickly and destructively.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

This does not sound good. I share yours, and every other early Vette owners concern about the potential loss of a good stock of rare parts.

Thanks for your update, and if anyone else has heard any further details about this, I'm sure we'd all appreciate your sharing with us.

We hope it turns out not to be as bad as it sounds. Fortunately, I understand, no one got hurt.

Stu Fox

[Steven B.]

Fire update as of Sunday...

Edgar Co. Fire
Posted: May 4, 2008 02:37 PM
Updated: May 5, 2008 06:04 AM
<SCRIPT LANGUAGE='JavaScript1.1'>if (document.layers) {document.write('<SCR' + 'IPT language=JavaScript1.1 SRC=/Global/ad.asp?type=single&cls1=News&src1=loc& spct1=100&sz1=wnsz_20&callType=script />'); document.close();}</SCRIPT>




VERMILLION, Ill. - Investigators are still looking into the cause of a fire that destroyed an Edgar County, Illinois business.
The fire broke out Sunday afternoon at "J-T Piper's Auto Parts". That's located three miles east of Paris, Illinois in the town of Vermilion.
News 10 is told that "J-T Piper's Auto Parts" sells parts for vintage Corvettes.
The owner, J.T. Piper, was inside when the fire started, but made it out okay, thanks to his dog.
"I come out. He grabbed a hold of my pants, and I said what's the matter with you, boy you just kept going, you know, so I went up through the warehouse as fast as I could walk, can't run. When I got up in here, I seen the smoke. I just thought the air compressor blowed up, and no big deal, but I seen the smoke, and I knew I had a problem, and I walk here..run here..don't know which way to go".
Piper says the building was full of vintage car parts.
He says he had insurance on the building, but could not get insurance for the vintage car parts.
The business is more than 30-years old

[Richard M.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

Ebay Seller "corvettepartsking" is Piper's. Just noticed almost 500 items in his Ebay store. No insurance on the parts.

Very sad......gladly no one was hurt.

[Joe L.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

In 1988, I was allowed to go on an unescorted tour of the largest of Piper's storage buildings. I was like a kid in a candy store. This was a virtual treasure trove of NOS Corvette parts. I spent as much time as I could in the building perusing the parts. The problem was I was there in late June and the day was extremely hot and humid. The place was absolutely sweltering. However, I think I stayed in there looking around until I was on the verge of collapse due to heat prostration.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

Joe;

Sounds like you got to experince a little bit of heaven and hell all at the same time!

It's a sad story. Hope not all was lost. Sounds like his dog is a hero.

Stu Fox

[Joel F.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

It it common to not be able to insure parts for people in this business (or not in this business for that matter)? Seems like a huge risk, since their inventory is probably most of their assets.

[Dennis A.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

Any idea if Darrell's four speed inventory is lost?

[Joe L.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

It it common to not be able to insure parts for people in this business (or not in this business for that matter)? Seems like a huge risk, since their inventory is probably most of their assets.

Joel-----


The biggest problem, especially in a case like this, is establishing the value of the parts. Insurers don't like to insure things, regardless of premium, that cannot be accurately appraised as to value.

[Warren F.]

Re: Fire at Pipers

This is indeed terrible news. I have purchased some very rare NOS parts from them. I was grateful he had the parts, no matter their cost.