California dealer code 363?

[Alan B.]

I just received the shipping data report for my 1963. It shows delivered to Dealer Code 363 in Zone 20. However in the Name & Address section the report shows "No dealer information believed to begin with N and be located in CA".

The dealer code database doesn't show a dealer code 363. Has anyone else received a report like this?

I did purchase the car in California so I believe the California portion of the report but I would like to at least identify the dealer.

Thanks in advance for any pointers.
AB

[Don H.]

Re: California dealer code 363?

Suggest you try Camaro and Chevelle forums that have dealer info.
One of them may show this dealer code.

http://www.chevelles.com/zones/

http://www.camaros.net/zones/

As you have found Alan , Zone 20 was the greater Lost Angeles area and there were dozens (maybe 100s) of dealers in the area way back when. I have compiled a small list of some of them. Maybe you will find one that has some combo of your numbers like 063 or 303 that dovetails with some other piece of info you uncover. As you say, the A.E. Nugent Chev Co was located at 4th and LaBrea in Hollywood. It is long gone and there is a Chrysler dealer at the location now. If I can help you , drop a pm or another post.
Good luck,
Don

[Alan B.]

Re: California dealer code 363?

Thanks Don, I'll give that a try. The curious part is the note "no dealers starting with an N". I don't know where the information comes from but it makes me think that some of the numbers in the dealer code may be wrong. I've been searching on 383, 368, etc. I did find a dealer with the last name of Nugent in CA. I'll keep looking, they say the hunt is part of the fun I guess.

[Chuck S.]

Re: California dealer code 363?

I`m the third owner of a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad which was sold new by AE Nugent Chevrolet. From the broadcast sheet, I learned that it was first delivered to Baer Chevrolet in Manhattan Beach.

[Tom H.]

Re: California dealer code 363?

Alan:

I would think the report you got states that no dealer info was found but it is belived the dealer does begin with an N. That may be all that is readable in the records. maybe Roy can clear it up for you for sure.

[Don H.]

Re: California dealer code 363?

I`m the third owner of a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad which was sold new by AE Nugent Chevrolet. From the broadcast sheet, I learned that it was first delivered to Baer Chevrolet in Manhattan Beach.

Hi Chuck
as you well know, Hay E. Baher had Chevy stores in Hermosa Beach and in Northridge CA. The Hermosa Beach (on the border of Manhattan Beach) store sponsored a car for Dick Guldstrand in 1962. Mr. Baher was a great American patriot who had quite a colorful background that included a stint in a brutal Japanese prisoner of war camp in Burma during WWII where he was forced to help construct the Bridge over the River Khwae (Kwai). He passed away in 2010.
An excerpt from his LA Times Obituary: Hay Edward BAHER

BAHER, Hay Edward Thousand Oaks, CA - Born on June 4, 1918 in Singapore and entered peace and rest on February 1, 2010. When his father died at an early age his mother took care of the family of four. Each of them helped to provide and Hay learned at an early age that he had to be very enterprising. During World War II he served on a Red Cross vessel in the Pacific which was taken over by the Japanese. He was interned in a prisoner of war camp and later taken to execute hard labor on Bridge 277 over the Khwae Yai River. This bridge was recognized in the movie, "The Bridge over the River Kwai." After the POWs were released he moved to Djakarta, Indonesia where he became a motorcycle technician. This furthered his interest in mechanics. He began working on automobile engines which led to his first dealership.
With the uprising of Communism he sold half of his agency and flew to Europe. He then went on to the United States where he became a proud citizen. His first dealership was in Alhambra, CA. Here he sold DeSotos and Plymouths. Upon his great success General Motors offered him a Chevrolet agency in Hermosa Beach. It was failing and they promised another location if he was able to resuscitate this property. Needless to say he accomplished that and moved on to Manhattan Beach, CA. He had a concept for an automobile showroom that warranted him an award from the City for his design. From there he went to Northridge, CA where he established his last agency, Baher Chevrolet. He was elected to be an Ambassador to the Far East by General Motors. He felt this was a true compliment. His interests were varied and he was very athletic. He exercised every day, he was an excellent golfer and tennis player and his favorite hobby was painting. He is honored in the Reagan Library where one of his paintings hangs. In 2005 he pledged a significant gift to the Air Force Pavilion Building Campaign and the Presidential Motorcade which recognizes him and his family. Hay was a world traveler and spoke six languages. He had the pleasure of meeting Gorbachev, Margaret Thatcher, and Presidents Reagan and Bush. He leaves behind three devoted daughters and a granddaughter who will all miss him very much. He was a wonderful father, a dedicated friend to many and an inspiration to all.

[Roy S.]

Re: California dealer code 363?

Alan:

I would think the report you got states that no dealer info was found but it is belived the dealer does begin with an N. That may be all that is readable in the records. maybe Roy can clear it up for you for sure.

We know the zone was California, we know from other dealer names in the directory around this number that is not there that 363 most likely started with an N, because the numbers were assigned alphabetically within the zone. Unfortunately the dealer directory we have for this time frame does not list 363. The shipping data information does indicate 363, not 383, or 368