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#171744 Mon Jan 25 2010 10:14 AM
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I can't verify this yet but maybe someone else can?? I just got a call from another Old Gasser and he told me that long time collector Gene Sonnen from the Twin Cities area, lost a building with his collection and hot rods in it over the weekend!! What a tradgedy that is!!
I don't personally know the man but I've heard stories of his car and memorabilia collection and it sounded impressive! Any loss of personal possessions to fire, is a horrible thing but to lose a very valuable collection to fire would be very tragic and disheartening to say the least! My sympathies to Gene!
Can anyone else fill in the blanks here?? Thanks--KEVIN


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K W FRITH #171747 Mon Jan 25 2010 10:41 AM
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Kevin, I am very sad for this Old Gasser because it must be a true tragedy see disappear in few minutes many years of sacrifices, hunting, search, etc... This is the risk of each collecting because lot of stuff are close in the same place.

Enrico





K W FRITH #171754 Mon Jan 25 2010 11:19 AM
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Mike Rhein is a close friend who posts here, maybe he will be able to comment.

Kim


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EVERY COLLECTORS' WORST NIGHTMARE!...FIRE!!! SAY IT ISN'T SO! frown


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Tragic news,I hope it's not true..no offense to anyone.

Cold Pizza #171763 Mon Jan 25 2010 01:06 PM
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Gene Sonnen is a first-class gas and oil, and old car collector. I have known Gene and dealt with him for years. What a shame this is. But, most important....it sounds like no one was injured in the fire. John in Wisconsin

Jolly-John #171765 Mon Jan 25 2010 01:14 PM
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SO. is this confirmed? how sad.. I have met Gene at Minneapolis shows in the past.. what a shame if it is true..

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Stops my heart to even think about it.

K W FRITH #171836 Mon Jan 25 2010 08:31 PM
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Yes Geno did have a fire but not everything was lost he had insurance and its sounds like his fords will be ok! But still it sucks as a lot of those signs go way back to our early days of collecting!!!

vmc44 #171846 Mon Jan 25 2010 09:13 PM
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Man that sucks. My wife was just talking about that over the weekend with my collection.


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Brad Ralston & my website is
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gasoildude #171856 Mon Jan 25 2010 09:34 PM
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That is a real shame to hear. I've had a similar experience 8 years ago, let me tell you, it's absolutely horrible. I sure hope not too much was lost.

Wes

thermactor #171858 Mon Jan 25 2010 09:46 PM
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To those that have been to IG, Gene Sonnen sets up in the South East corner of the parking lot behind the hotel [next to grass & trees w/ a large shade tarp].

Dick Bennett #171965 Tue Jan 26 2010 06:18 PM
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I bought a Quart Can from him at IG this past year and visited with him for awhile, seemed like a real nice guy.


***Wanted*** Always looking for Oilzum, Kunz, and Husky Cans, Signs and Smalls.
K W FRITH #172885 Sun Jan 31 2010 08:43 PM
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Hi, it's Gene Sonnen here. Yes, I did have a garage fire on Jan. 20, 2010 and yes, I did lose part of my over 40+ year collection. At the time of the fire I was with friends looking at another collection and received a call from my alarm company notifying me that my garage was on fire. The apparent cause of the fire was a timer that shorted out. I had the timer in the garage to turn on an outside gas pump light. The St Paul fire department showed up and did a great job putting out the fire. Thank you all for your concern, and if I were you I would check out the status of your timers.

Sonnen #172888 Sun Jan 31 2010 08:55 PM
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I CAN RELATE TO WHAT GENE IS GOING THROUGH!!! I HAD A FIRE IN MY GARAGE AND DIDN`T LOSE WHAT HE HAD BUT I`LL TELL YOU WHEN YOU WATCH YOUR COLLECTION GOING UP IN FLAMES !!,,,ITS A FEELING YOU CAN`T DISCRIBE..I WOULD SAY MAKE SURE YOU HAVE INSURANCE TO SAY THE LEAST!!... I`M REAL SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR LOSS!!...ALAN



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Veedol-Tydol-Tidex-Cycol-Tycol.
K W FRITH #172919 Mon Feb 01 2010 07:00 AM
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i just recieved these photos from a collector in Florida & he had 7 buildings full of stuff....he said a hurricane or tornado ripped off the top of this garage......its amazing that a lot of the stuff is still standing & hanging......




roadrelics #172924 Mon Feb 01 2010 07:29 AM
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Holy smokes!!!! That could have been a lot worse!


Looking for anything from Hoosier Pete, Platolene 500 and Red Bird.
Jarvis #172988 Mon Feb 01 2010 04:06 PM
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Hi Geno & welcome.....................for those of you who don't know Gene, he has one of the best collections in the country & has helped put together other great collections as well........he would put the American Picker guy to shame........

I will be gone to florida for the next week in case the insurance adjuster tries to get a hold of me....

roadrelics #173018 Mon Feb 01 2010 07:23 PM
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Geno,
What kind of timer did you have? I have mine on timer also.


Looking for anything from Hoosier Pete, Platolene 500 and Red Bird.
roadrelics #173026 Mon Feb 01 2010 08:05 PM
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Got the shivvers looking at that. Glad to see the 61 is still in tact and that no one went to the hospital

Roger Loupias #173079 Tue Feb 02 2010 10:25 AM
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WOW!....I wonder who the lucky neighbor was to wake up with a gas pump and a couple signs in their yard?

Dipstick #173085 Tue Feb 02 2010 11:57 AM
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That's bad news. I only have about 10 or 20 timers at my place. Would like to know what kind of timer it was. I had Xmas lights on a timer switch one year and smelled something hot. The whole switch had melted. Watch and look at your maximum amp. draw which should be listed on switches and timers. If you have a 10 amp switch on a 20 amp circuit breaker it's not good. Ted


Ted Pam Ethyl & Polly Roach
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DOH !

Dick Bennett #173097 Tue Feb 02 2010 02:26 PM
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QUE?


Ted Pam Ethyl & Polly Roach
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Ted, That is a bad one running 10amp switch on 20amp breaker. Keep in mind that the florescent lights work great for lighting up outside pumps and amp draw is low.

Another thing to watch is keep your drill batteries plugged in drills and charges as they can start fires.

Sure would like to know what switch you used?

Here is the type of timer i have.


Here is info. on the switch.
Intermatic

Last edited by Jarvis; Tue Feb 02 2010 03:09 PM.

Looking for anything from Hoosier Pete, Platolene 500 and Red Bird.
Jarvis #173103 Tue Feb 02 2010 03:24 PM
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Jarvis obviously a POS not like yours in the picture. I had know idea my little Xmas lights were drawing too much current. I just screwed up and then looked at this POS switch I bought and said to myself you are dummy. Maybe too many egg nogs while hanging lights. I changed the whole thing over now and all is good.Only ran the switch for about two hours 6 years ago.
I converted all my pumps to fluorescent lights 2 years ago as they cost less to run, run cooler and put out great light.Ted


Ted Pam Ethyl & Polly Roach
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PS I am well insured. LOL Ted


Ted Pam Ethyl & Polly Roach
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100% ain't enough Ted

Dick Bennett #173106 Tue Feb 02 2010 04:09 PM
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How about 200%. LOL


Ted Pam Ethyl & Polly Roach
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intermatic has a plant about 15 minutes from me in spring grove.amazing how many different thing those guys make


Looking for gas,oil related clocks,especially neon and spinners .clock repair available. Mick
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