polara71
Old Man with a Hat
Just saw on Moparts Frank Mitchell died on Aug 6th of a heart attack....64 years old.........
frank Mitchel
- Thread starter polara71
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polara71
Old Man with a Hat
And those of us that knew him or ever had any dealingz with the man going way back to the dayz in Columbus before the little weenie rost will alwayz wonder if hiz sprit traveled up or down
polara71
Old Man with a Hat
That's a good way to put it. I never had a bad experience with him, certainly not like others had. He was always pricey but usually had what you needed
Sorry to hear that...
He was originally a Jersey boy.
His website is still up and running.
He was originally a Jersey boy.
His website is still up and running.
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
You will find posts from me here in FCBO several times saying that when he died I want to piss on his grave.
Well, in retrospect that was wrong but his death doesn't make my opinions about him soften.
.
Well, in retrospect that was wrong but his death doesn't make my opinions about him soften.
And I ain't buying anything from him up there either.
.
Didn't know him personally, but have had dealings with him over the last 30+ years or so. In the early years, he was not a very likeable guy from a business standpoint, but in the later years, he seemed to have turned around. About a year ago, I was very surprised when he went out of his way to call me and tell me one the NOS part I bought from him wasn't as perfect as he thought when he went to wrap it, and said he would have to look for another one rather than send me a defective one. He called me a week later and said he had found a perfect NOS one and then sent it on to me. It was nice, and the price wasn't out of line given the rarity of the part. I had other dealings with him also in the last 5 years that made me change my mind about him. I find it best in life for my well being to forgive a repentant person of his past behavior and leave the decision on his ultimate resting place with the Lord. Pent up anger never seems to do me any good.
CanCritter
Senior Member
Sounded like a car guy. Rip
I agree Steve but when I walk past a dogz fenced yard minding my own business and he jumps over the fence and bites me, my feelingz get hurt if not where the shaggy SOB bit me! So If I ever have to travel the street again I walk on the other side of the street from that yard. Then if that mean 'ole dawg comez over the fence after me again I've got time to pull the Glock and rack one and wait 'til he getz real close so I don't miss before squeezing one off, or 5 or 6 az needed. What's puzzled me for so many yearz is the need for so many to take that bite when it's so unwarranted, unnecessary and unkind.
MrMoparCHP
Old Man with a Hat
I have had multiple dealings with him (all ebay), no problems altthough I wasn't getting NOS E-Body stuff.
Even I thought $130 for a set of lugnuts was a deal.
Alan
Even I thought $130 for a set of lugnuts was a deal.
Alan
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
I learned to buy from him only after holding the item in hand. I was usually happy with what I got but got burnt by him too.
He had been training a fellow to take over the biz for some time ....... I have a feeling he has learned well.
RIP Frank.
He had been training a fellow to take over the biz for some time ....... I have a feeling he has learned well.
RIP Frank.
mdh157
Senior Member
Excellent point.......of course, it never stops us from holding hard feelings about one thing or another no matter what it pertains to. It's taking me a bit but I am realizing life is too short to waste on thnigs that makes us frown or otherwise hold negative thoughts.
If nothing else Frank's passing has given the FCBO clan yet another interesting topic of discussion.
That being said, here is another fresh Weird Al video, one of his own songs, and as usual, he hits the nail riight on the head. Should take any negativity out of your mind for at least 3 minutes it takes to watch it!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwvlbJ0h35A
I found this sermon to be one of the best I have ever heard on the subject of anger - this pastor is someone whom I very much respect for his incredible wisdom and his being real. It gave me new insights I never had before on the subject and seems to apply well to our nation today when so many are divided and unable to work together............. It takes about an hour to listen to. But worth it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8Slxh2W23U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8Slxh2W23U
patrick66
Old Man with a Hat
I bought stuff from Frank in the good 'ol pre-interwebz days. I had a factory '69 Dart GTS 440 that needed just a couple of little things that were missing on the car, and parts I did not have in my stash of A-body bits back then. He was high then with his prices - an NOS '69 Dart GT grille for $1,250 in 1988 comes to mind! - but what I was needing was reasonably priced, and quickly shipped. Never had an issue with the man.
The older we get, the more sources of parts vanish.
The older we get, the more sources of parts vanish.
Does anybody know how he accumulated so much NOS stuff?
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
Truthfully, that has bugged me the most. I seriously would love to know how he found the rarest of the rare more than anybody else.
No joking, I'd be fascinated to read about Frank's history if someone would write it, and not through hearsay.
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polara71
Old Man with a Hat
From Moparts ..... "He was a pioneer in many aspects in this hobby. He was buying up parts in the late 70's when Chrysler was going through bankruptcy, and nobody wanted it. Like him or not he was a staple of the collector car Mopar world, and yet another reminder of how brief this life really is."
also interesting.............
From Moparts............" Mods!...how about a sticky for this? As controversial as some of Frank's business practices were to many he still deserves a sticky.
If it wasn't for Frank along with John and Vickie McBride we would not have Chrysler's at Carlisle. Yup-those 3 people made it happen.
Frank was very helpful to our "hobby" when Chrysler came after the car clubs around 1990 or so - rudely demanding we [club presidents-I was NEHOA pres] roll over and "sign the licensing papers" about words that were trademarked like Hemi, Daytona, Charger etc...when in reality they were not licensed or trademarked at the time. The smoking gun that made Chrysler cave in to the car clubs and put the lawyers in their place was the letter to Frank from Chrysler calling the old car hobby business "an insignificant business opportunity". I still have the letter. BTW Chrysler took Frank and the McBrides to court over so called trademarked words in their company names: Mitchell Motor Parts and Motor Parts South respectively. There's more but that's enough.
Frank and I had a tenacious relationship over the years for many reasons, but we still bought and sold parts and talked. His business practices were always a problem. I tried interviewing him regarding the mysteries of the 1972 model year but he wanted to fight about other things; so he passed without sharing what he knew. RIP Frank."
68-300
Active Member
I bought a number of parts from him the past 11 years, never had any trouble, he had an impressive amount off (rare) parts for C-body cars. I hope the shop continues.
RIP
RIP
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
Frank was buying complete parts department inventories from closed or failing dealerships way back into the 70's, at least. He had the vision. What happened to his property, (the fire), in Columbus Ohio was never really explained, but a minimum amount of his inventory was effected. Not long after he was in Fairmount Ga.
The business has been in transformation for some time now and is also known as AMS obsolete. Same location. obsoletemopar@yahoo.com
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