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 OT - Charles Runyan of TRF Died 12/24/18

 Created by: dklawson
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 Posted: Dec 29, 2018 07:31PM
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US
got to know Charles better after attending the TRF Summer Party the last few years, he was always cordial, and very welcoming to my son and me. He will be missed.

 

 

My Email is : [email protected]   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 Posted: Dec 27, 2018 12:17AM
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 Posted: Dec 26, 2018 05:26PM
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72 is not all that old. RIP.

 Posted: Dec 26, 2018 09:18AM
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Charles certainly was a character.  Anyone reading his catalogs or newsletters would find his imagination and storytelling amazing.  He could sure spin a yarn.  Charles did give back much to the British car hobby via his summer parties and support for clubs.  Several years ago the Greater Pittsburgh MG Club started a Countryside Tour event with the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association and Charles supported the club and the Grand Prix by providing a very nice luncheon at no cost to the participants.  He would often host local British car clubs at the Coventry Inn, usually in the 3rd floor meeting room.  The Coventry Inn itself was an example of Charles' eccentricities.  He wanted it to be constructed just like an old English post and beam building.  There were no nails or bolts used in the construction, only fitted timbers with wooden peg fasteners.  It was told that he even wanted to use traditional Wattle & Daub for the building's exterior panels.  The local building inspectors nixed that idea though.  Even the original Roadster Factory warehouse was set up to be like an old time British car factory.  The original warehouse used the farm's chicken coop.  Charles strung rows of bare incandescent light bulbs above the parts shelving, because that's the way it was done in the old days.  Of course, practicality  made them change to more typical fluorescent strip lighting.  Charles was a long time member of the Western PA Triumph Association, and always provided parts at a discount for their spring tech sessions.  

The Roadster Factory should remain in operation as Charles has been away from the day to day operations for some time. But he will be missed.

Don 

Why take the time to learn when ignorance is instantaneous?..... Hobbes   (to Calvin)

 Posted: Dec 26, 2018 05:13AM
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I did not know of him. Sounds like a man following his dream and his love for the British Triumph. Good for him. Do what you love, Love what you do. RIP Charles Runyan.

 Posted: Dec 25, 2018 06:55PM
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Charles Runyan of The Roadster Factory (TRF) died on 12/24/18.

Charles Runyan founder of The Roadster Factory died on Christmas Eve.  Over the years he grew his business into a major supplier of quality replacement parts for MG and Triumph cars.  He and his firm had several parts reproduced to their own high standards when the pattern parts available were not up to par.  He will be missed by those owning old British cars.

Obituary linked below:
//www.legacy.com/obituaries/postgazette/obituary.aspx?n=charles-a-runyan&pid=191078442

Doug L.