Ever Heard of Empire Chevrolet, Chicago, IL?

[Kirk M.]

Just got my report back. Car built on April 18th, 1967 (exactly as I had calculated) and the original dealer was Empire Chevrolet in Chicago, IL. Anyone ever heard of it or remember it?

It is interesting that when I removed my cluster to have it reconditioned there were two stickers on the back that read:

Green Tape

Century Auto Radio Inc.
Speedometer Service
5037 W. Diversy
NA2-6544 & NA2-7449

White Tape

Century Auto Radio Inc.
Speedometer Service
5037 W. Diversy
NA2-6544 & NA2-7449

Both of these are in Chicago too. So, my clues that the car was in Chicago at one time seem to be spot on with the dealer being Empire Chevrolet.

Does Illinois keep old DMV records?

Kirk

[Tom H.]

Re: Ever Heard of Empire Chevrolet, Chicago, IL?

Hi Kirk !

Did a little poking around and searched an old a site that showed they used to advertise in the newspaper called the Suburbanite Economist. Might check the local library and see if you can get some copies of any of their old ads.

[Joseph T.]

Re: Ever Heard of Empire Chevrolet, Chicago, IL?

Just got my report back. Car built on April 18th, 1967 (exactly as I had calculated) and the original dealer was Empire Chevrolet in Chicago, IL. Anyone ever heard of it or remember it?

It is interesting that when I removed my cluster to have it reconditioned there were two stickers on the back that read:

Green Tape

Century Auto Radio Inc.
Speedometer Service
5037 W. Diversy
NA2-6544 & NA2-7449

White Tape

Century Auto Radio Inc.
Speedometer Service
5037 W. Diversy
NA2-6544 & NA2-7449

Both of these are in Chicago too. So, my clues that the car was in Chicago at one time seem to be spot on with the dealer being Empire Chevrolet.

Does Illinois keep old DMV records?

Kirk

Email Bob Drennan at tirediron265@yahoo.com

He may have worked there or know something about Empire Chevrolet in Chicago.

Joe

[James B.]

Re: Ever Heard of Empire Chevrolet, Chicago, IL?

Kirk, yes they keep old records (not sure how far back). However, I sent off my money last year for a title search on my '64- I got back 3 or 4 title copies with all the names and addresses carefully blacked out!

[Robert R.]

Re: Ever Heard of Empire Chevrolet, Chicago, IL?

Kirk,
Do not recall the name of that dealership, but if they advertised in the Economist, it must have been a far south side location.
Also, when they were in business, I did go to Century to have my '62 speedo worked on (back in 1975). they were on the north side of town.
Bob

[Terry M.]

Re: Ever Heard of Empire Chevrolet, Chicago, IL?

Kirk,
Do not recall the name of that dealership, but if they advertised in the Economist, it must have been a far south side location.
Also, when they were in business, I did go to Century to have my '62 speedo worked on (back in 1975). they were on the north side of town.
Bob

I was going to post about The Southtown Economist but I realized for the north side location of those speedometer shops it made no sense to advertise in that Economist. Then I thought perhaps there was another similarly named north side publication. Since my north side roots go back to before I was reading auto ads, I didn't post. There is clearly more to this story.

[Ronald M.]

Re: Ever Heard of Empire Chevrolet, Chicago, IL?

I just received the Shipping Data Report on my '66. The official production date is 11/9/1965 and the original delivery dealer was code 187 in zone 11 - Empire Chevrolet in Chicago, Il.
I've owned the car since 11/1979 (purchased in Rockford, Il) and am interested in finding out how I can go about gathering some more history.
thanks for any help you may lend,

[Kirk M.]

Re: Ever Heard of Empire Chevrolet, Chicago, IL?

Ron,

After lots of digging, I was never really able to track any additional information down on Empire Chevrolet. Sorry.

Kirk