Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mills, N

[Richard M.]

I have acquired a 1968 roadster that came from Utica,NY area and, like many, am seeking any information concerning past dealer or even current contacts.
Here's the car's story as per the documents I have received:


194678S406923, produced 12/15/67
Delivered to: Palmer's Granite Garage (according to NCRS shipping record service) Dlr code 48-383
In service date from Protect-O-Plate: Jan 3, 1968.

Here gets a little confusing.
It appears from the warranty transfer documents I have that it was originally sold to Nye Motors, 524 Genesee st, Syracuse, NY.
On March 30, 1968 it was acquired by: C. Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mills, NY. with 206 miles on odometer.

It was delivered on April 1, 1968 to Paul Hillebrand, Utica, NY.

Mr Hillebrand kept the vehicle until his death in 2012, the estate sold the vehicle in 2014-15 to a Corvette fan in Wichita Falls, TX (on ebay!).
I purchased the vehicle recently from the 2nd (or 3rd?) owner.

I have attempted to find anything about Palmer's Granite Garage, Nye Motors, or C.Weaver Chev. with little luck, apparently the Chev dealers are gone, but there is a Nye Motors.

Just perhaps someone remembers these dealers or even have a contact?

Just strange, to me, that after delivery on Jan 3, the car showed only 206 miles 3 months later (perhaps too much snow in Northern NY!?)

Thanks for any information anyone may be able to provide.

Rich Miller
Austin, TX

[Hugh P.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

Richard,

palmer granite garage was located at first and fourth, Fulton, NY 13069
c. weaver Chevrolet was located at route 5-A commercial drive B100, New York Mills, NY 13417
c. weaver zone dealer code was 48 564 per current NCRS ZONE/DEALER DATABASE

I have no other information. Probably was a dealer to dealer trade for many reasons such as original customer decided not to take delivery and another dealer had a customer that wanted the car. Good luck with your search

[William N.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

Hi,
I grew up in that area and in fact had my 63 coupe serviced at C. Weaver in that time period. They were sold to Carbone dealer family a few years ago. Same location, well they moved it across the street with their Buick franchise.
Noel Benoit was a technician there in 1968 and he may still live in Utica.
Nye was/still is? the Ford Dealer in Oneida NY. Big truck dealer. Also had a big dealership in Alaska.
Fulton is a small town north of Syracuse.
I can't recall the name of the salesmen at Weavers, unfortunately.
Sorry I don't recall more.
Bill

[William N.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

More of my memory is coming back, the C. Weaver dealership was sold to a gentleman by the name of Joe Cooper, who lived on Gilbert Road in New Hartford. That occurred in the 67-68 timeframe. They maintained the name C. Weaver throughout his ownership. Joe had a son who opened a Buick Dealership in nearby Rome NY, and eventually turned it into a Nissan dealership if I recall correctly. He also lived in New Hartford, not far from his parents.
Bill

[Richard M.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

Thanks for the info, I was a GM (Olds & Chev) field service rep in lower NY state & NJ in the 70's. At that time there were a lot of small, family-owned dealers in small towns all over the area.
From your earlier post not being able to recall the name of the salesman @ Weaver:
On the driver's door jamb is label showing owner's name & delivery date and the name "Phil" which I always assumed was either the salesman or service writer.
The dealer invoice shows the salesman's name "Trivieri"

[William N.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

Hi,
Funny you should mention that, my Dad was the Buick District sales manager for upstate NY for 33 years. Of course we knew all the Buick dealers large and small but my interests were in Corvettes so I was a bit of an outcast, though Dad enjoyed driving my 63 on Sundays. The one salesman I recall was Ernie Zumpano, who tried to sell me a new 69 Corvette while I was having the clutch pedal replaced in the 63. Utica had it's fair share of Corvettes although I don't recall Mr. Hillibrand. I go back each spring for a day or so, I will ask around about your car. It sounds as though you have a significant amount of history about it already. Congratulations.
I left the area in the 70s to pursue a career in the auto industry, living outside Detroit, and only returned for visits.

[Richard M.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

William
interesting, indeed.
We left NY/NJ area and GM in early '78 (was with Chev at the time, service rep for Malcolm Konner in NJ) & returned to mid-west as retail service mgr.
Went with Saab in 1980 & spent next 24 yrs with them, became a GM employee once again in 2004 after GM purchased Saab & integrated our HQ & moved to Michigan & spent next 4 yrs @ GM Tech Center as Brand Quality Mgr.
Left GM in '08 for Porsche, now retired in TX.
Attached is photo of car as I received it.
Thanks for the info.

[William N.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

That is interesting that our paths didn't cross. I left Utica in 1974 and worked for Ford. I moved to GM in 1979 working at the vehicle emission lab in Milford. Eventually I made my way to the Corvette engineering team, where I am the Powertrain Vehicle Systems Engineer.

[Richard M.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

It is a small world, When I moved to Brand Quality in 2004 I was put on the Corvette Brand Quality team under Art Spong. Even though I was responsible for Saab products I was put in that team since Art also was responsible for the Pontiac GTO (Holden) at the time. My experience with importation process fit in with that brand as well.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

Thanks for the info, I was a GM (Olds & Chev) field service rep in lower NY state & NJ in the 70's. At that time there were a lot of small, family-owned dealers in small towns all over the area.
From your earlier post not being able to recall the name of the salesman @ Weaver:
On the driver's door jamb is label showing owner's name & delivery date and the name "Phil" which I always assumed was either the salesman or service writer.
The dealer invoice shows the salesman's name "Trivieri"

Richard,
You said you covered lower NY- would that have included Long Island as well? My '69 was purchased new from R.N. Palmer Chevrolet in Great Neck. It is no longer there but I was able to get some photos from the local building department but any other information would be helpful. I did purchase it from the original owner in 1971 so I pretty much know the history except that the car was built in Oct. '68 and put in service to the original owner in Sep. '69. I have always wondered about the time lapse.
Jeff

[Richard M.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

Richard,
You said you covered lower NY- would that have included Long Island as well? My '69 was purchased new from R.N. Palmer Chevrolet in Great Neck. It is no longer there but I was able to get some photos from the local building department but any other information would be helpful. I did purchase it from the original owner in 1971 so I pretty much know the history except that the car was built in Oct. '68 and put in service to the original owner in Sep. '69. I have always wondered about the time lapse.
Jeff

Jeff,
Sorry but I never covered Long Island for Chev, NY state West of the Hudson, North to Albany. Then Northern NJ.

Good luck on your search

Rich

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

Rich,
Thanks, it was worth a shot.
Jeff

[William N.]

Re: Need info on Palmers Granite Garage 48-383, and C.Weaver Chevrolet, New York Mill

I worked with Art a lot, always a great interface with our customers.
By the way that is a beautiful car you have. I don't seem to recall a Corvette Bronze 68 in town, but I was in college at the time, only home for the summer.
The name Hillebrand rings a slight bell. I go back each May and visit a cousin who use to run a used car lot in Franklin Springs, I will ask him next May.
Enjoy it in good health, and by the way, it is a feels like 0 degrees temp here in Farmington Hills right now! Bet you are glad you are in Texas.
Bill