70 Shipping Data Report - Zone 20 Code 0 ??

[Brady C.]

just received information, indicates Dealer Code 0 in Zone 20 "GM Los Angelos Zone Car." Can i assume the car was used by GM executives in the LA area at the time of delivery?

Tks,
B. Como
#42793

[Francis F.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

Brady,strange,


Brady,just got my report..1966 car,code 0-zone 20.I'm filled w/questions also.
ps our car had many comfort options for the time.
Francis.



i

[Brady C.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

Francis:
Even though a late production (first week of July) base 350/300 hp convertible, my car has just about every option you could order... PW, PS, Automatic, Tilt Wheel, Alarm System, two tops, NA9 Calif Emissions, A/C while letter tires with rally wheels. I wish i had more information, like who was the deliverying dealer? first owner, etc.. but nothing past the zone 20 dealer 0....

Maybe other owners with zone 20 / dealer 0 on their data sheets may have information on which CA dealer actually delivered their car, hence we could develop information on which dealers were responsible for zone 20 cars. Chevrolet must had some protocol when these "zone cars" were ready to be sold on who handled the vehicle prep, sale, etc.

[Francis F.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

Brady, yes we need other code 0-zone 20 car owners to respond.There is the possibility these "0" zone cars were used by Co.mgrs. for a period of time,then sold to that person/family member.
The question is how can we get more info??
Francis

[Roy S.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

I believe most zone cars would have gone through some sort of wholesale dealer distribution system where the highest bidder got the car when the zone office was through with it, which is the way it works today on these type vehicles. I do not believe these cars were ordered through what was called for lack of a better term the “A plan” where employees bought new cars, if so they would have gone through a dealer just as they do today they would not have gone to a zone office. It is my belief These cars were used in my mind for advertising, a high ranking GM executive, special displays, etc.

[Brady C.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

Roy:
I would agree with that thinking but given this occured 40 years ago before we had a wholesale type auto network the way is works today, GM or a dealer would have been the seller or delivering entity when the zone did away with these. Must be some evidence by other owners on how those cars were eventually sold to a consumer.. which is what we are trying to determine. Los Angelos had many Chevrolet dealers so someone must know through their ownership chain, from what entity the bill of sale, transfer of title was generated as surely it went through a Chevrolet dealership... I would bet the selling entity would NOT have been GM in Michigan. The MSO (manufactures statement of origin) (document needed to obtain a certificate of title) may had been held in GM's name originally since they were factory owned and not transfered to a dealer when shipped, but when transfer time came, you can be sure it went through a dealership, then to a consumer. Doubtful it went right from GM to the consumer - is my guess.. No computers back then so trying to put myself back in time and work through the paperwork as i remember from my previous 20 years as a commercial banker where i did my share of vehicle transfers.... The proceeds from the sale were not doubt handled by a dealer as can't see a check being mailed back to GM - Michigan to clear the car for release to its new owner....

[Roy S.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

Believe me Brady GM had a wholesale dealer distribution network they used to distribute the zone cars through even forty years ago because no dealer would have missed a chance at some of these loaded discounted vehicles, my point being is I do not think they all went to one dealer, as the others would have complained even back then, and yes they had to go to a dealer in my mind because the were not sent there initially, now if GM titled zone cars that could open a different distribution stream but I doubt they did that.

[Brady C.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

Roy, thanks as quite helpful. Now all we need is other owners in Zone 20 with Dealer 0 with original paperwork to fill in the blanks for us. we are getting ever close to the mystery......

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

Newer information than you guys are talking about, but FWIW:

I remember visiting Warren Tech Center in the 1980s and I saw a parking lot full of what looked like new cars. I asked my guide what that was, and he replied those were company cars that had been released for sale to employees. If no employee availed themselves of the car after a set time (several months as I remember) they were to go to a dealer auction for dealers to bid on. Next time I am in casual conversation with that person iwill ask if he knows how long that system was in effect.

[Francis F.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

thanks Terry,any and all info.appreciated.
Francis

[Mark S.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

My father was a GM employee in the 60s and purchased such a car through the employee program in NC. The family story is the car was driven by a GM exec and used as a "demo" car. The car was a 65 coupe, highly optioned with 365hp, leather seats, power windows, telescopic, and teak wheel. He received the car in Jan 65 with about 10,000 miles. It was delivered to a local dealership in Charlotte, probably at his request since that was the closest city to where we lived. Unfortunately, the car was sold in the early 70s and no real paperwork remains. I do still have the owner pin, patch, and a stack of Corvette news which leads me to believe even though the car had been used extensively in its short life it was sold to him as if it were a new car and was not titled until he purchased it.

[John K.]

Re: 70 Shipping Data Report

My 1965 Coupe was a Dealer Code 0 Zone office 20 (Los Angeles) delivery. The production date was 12/14/64. I bought the car at the Mecum Monterey Auction last August and it was the subject of a 2 page profile in American Collector Magazine Nov/Dec. 2012. It is equipped with a NOM 396/425. I know that the build date is too early for a 396 car and several other things about the car suggest that it was not an original big block car, but due to the zone office delivery, could it be possible that this was a factory engine swap and the car was used as a show car for the 396 debut? Regardless of the history, it is a great car, a blast to drive and I got it worth the money.