Someone isn't going to be happy

[Benz Dr.]

It has been reported to me by a customer that a certain FI pump rebuilder in NY had their place burn to the ground this week. I have no notion as to the extent of damages but I was told that a mint 1968 280SL was sitting by the hoist where the fire started and that it was destroyed.

 Even though my customer talked directly with the shop owner yesterday, I have no way to verify if any of this happened. I assume it did though.

[wwheeler]

If that is indeed the case, that is terrible news for the owner of that SL. But it is also terrible news for all of us with mechanically injected cars. The last thing we need, as a community, is for one of these FI repair shops to disappear. The two FI shops that I know of in the west are so far behind, they cannot see straight.

[john.mancini]

That, indeed, is terrible news. It only highlights the overall problem that is, trying to find knowledgable, experienced, quality oriented trades people, who have the desire, the ability and the time to produce the correct results. It's becoming more and more difficult to find the right people, especially when you need them.  Almost every shop owner that I know can not find young workers who either have trade school experience or are willing to "learn on the job". Losing a FI pump rebuilder is catastrophic for that company, but will have a lasting effect on our hobby.

[Shvegel]

Having gotten to know Hans before his passing and spent time with him in his shop it is particularly sad news.  A couple off 300SL pumps that he had are lost to the world.  Machines are destroyed  (they can be replaced).  No one was killed and hopefully no one injured.  The true loss is in all of the data on paper that was in that shop.  Volume upon volume of test sheets, notes and general information on things that Bosch no longer cares about.  Sadly, unless another shop allows them to copy what they have they won't be back.

[thelews]

Black Forest in Milwaukee does excellent FI pump rebuilding with the oldtimer test equipment to calibrate.  As always a backlog, but, they are a source and relatively young.