Tweet
Are there any members out there who can recall the steet address of this dealer in 1967 ? Apparently they are no longer in business. I understand Cooke Chevrolet was a well known Corvette dealer in Louisville. This is the last nut I have to crack to decipher my tank sticker zone and dealer code mystery. Any info on this dealer, no matter trivial, would be greatly appreciated.
-
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet, Louisville, Kentucky #2
Since nobody has answered this, I'll give it a stab. I know very little of VV Cooke other than to say that they were very involved in Corvette racing in the 60's and 70's. The well known Corvette restorer, Kevin McKay has a restored L88 "shark" style roadster. It's an old SCCA race car and is restored as such. That car carries the VV Cooke sponsorship. You might try contacting Kevin, as he may know something of the dealership. I believe Kevin is from New York. Others might help with an address/phone number. Chuck1963 Corvette Conv. 327/360 NCRS Top Flight
2006 Corvette Conv. Velocity Yellow NCRS Top Flight
1956 Chevy Sedan. 350/4 Speed Hot Rod -
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet, Louisville, Kentucky #2
Kevin can be reached at Corvette Repair (516)568-1959 Good luck.Comment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet, Louisville, Kentucky #2
Patrick,
The information that I have regarding V.V. Cooke @ 1969-1970 is:
V.V. COOKE CHEV CO 961 S THIRD ST LOUISVILLE KY
I would definitely check with Kevin McKay as has been suggested though. He knows several people from the old dealership and can most certainly confirm or correct the above address.
Regards,
Stan Falenski NCRS# 24272Comment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet, Louisville, Kentucky #2
Patrick, My '64 was also originally sold through V.V. Cooke, but I don't know the address either. I sure would be interested if you find out. I also will be contacting my original owner, who lives in Sellersburg Indiana (across the river from Louisville). He may be able to help us. If you have other info on V.V.Cooke, I'd be interested as well.
Bob D.Comment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet, Louisville, Kentucky #2
Hello Bob-I have just verfied this address with Kevin McKay in New York (go back to yesterdays posts)and he confirmed that the address is V.V.Cooke Chevrolet Co.is: 961 South Third Steet, Louisville, Kentucky, Zone #40 Dealer #203. They went out of business about 1990 due to pressure from GM to expand their facility. According to my sources, there is a body shop who now occupies the original business and the owner is Jim Maydin, the phone # is 502-583-1245. I have not had a chance to call them yet,but I will.Also there is an ad in the recent Jan.Corvette Driveline on page 51 from an individual who is looking for a corvette that was purchased from VV Cooke Chev. I could not figure out what name that V.V. was.As it turns out that is his first name!! I have other info on this dealer, if you need anything else or if your info does not match the above, please post it and I'll tell you what I know. Hopes this helps. Good Luck.Comment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet, Louisville, Kentucky #2
Patrick,
For the Dealer & Zone data base:
Was this the same zone & dealer number in the '60s to present?
Terry
TerryComment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet, Louisville, Kentucky #2
Terry, does this data base hold any info on zone 05 dealer 584 from 1967?Comment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet, Louisville, Kentucky #2
Terry- As was recommended,I phoned Corvette restorer Kevin McKay in N.Y.(516)568-1959. Kevin is a great guy to talk to and is a walking encyclopedia on corvettes and knows more about V.V. Cooke Chev. than I could assimilate in 10 minutes. He did all the talking, I just took notes.He didn't mention how long zone #40,dealer #203 lasted. I just know it was good in '67.He said he would be glad to discuss his knowledge with NCRS.He is a valuable source, so I don't want to tap the well 2 days in a row. As an NCRS Officer, I sure he would be glad to talk to you.He did mention a guy named Bob Epperson, who I believe he said works at the body shop where Cooke Chev.was formerly located and was a former employee of Cooke. He can be reached at (502)4229-6483.Last but not least is V.V.Cooke Jr.who operated the dealer until it closed in 1990.He is now living in Florida.I will give his phone number, but I strongly suggest that only you or other NCRS Officer try to call him, as I don't want to compromise my source, nor harrass this guy with a flood of calls. His number which was good as of 2 years ago is (407)395-5015.If he doesn't know,nobody does.Hope this helps. Good Luck.
Also in Zone #40 there was a dealer #423 by the name of Williams Chevrolet,located in Marietta,OhioComment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet, Louisville, Kentucky #2
Brian,
I'll check and get back to you privately. I only have several dozen dealerships listed since I posted a request here and published request in the last Restorer, but there is a list/s in the NCRS archives which I have not had the time to dig out yet. I do have several hundred dealers in 3 or 4 zones from the late '70s to mid '80s for those with cars of those eras.
There is also a story in the Spring 1995 Restorer, by John Amgwert regarding zone codes and requesting information. If you have the Restorer on CD or access tot he old issues you might want to look it up.
Terry
TerryComment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet, Louisville, Kentucky #2
Thanks for the info Partick. I know Kevin quite well. I'll talk to him. Likely I will see him in Chicago next week.
Terry
TerryComment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet Zone 22
The other posts show VV Cooke as zone 40 - The submissions from others show Zone 22. Zone 22 has other dealers in Tennessee and Kentucky. Zone 40 is West Virginia according to the 1995 Restorer.
Terry
TerryComment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet Zone 22
Chuck, Terry's message is giving me a panic attack. Could you clarify to Terry what we discussed a few days ago concerning the states which were taken in by Zone #40 and maybe what your source is? I really need to get this straight.ThanksComment
-
Re: V. V. Cooke Chevrolet Zone 22 or 40
Patrick and I have had a private exchange on this subject, but to clarify my post for everyone else.
I have information from a member in Canada stating that in 1967 VV Cooke Chevrolet, of Louisville KY, was in Zone 22. A story in the Spring 1995 Restorer about Zone numbers and dealer codes lists Louisville KY as the headquarters of Zone 22 (but it was closed by 1994, the date of the listed zones).
That same story shows Zone 40 headquarters as Charleston WV (also closed by 1994).
It is not practical (or maybe even possible) to post that whole story here, but it does go on to explain that zones changed over the years and why dealer numbers also changed. Could VV Cook have been in both zones at different times? Maybe that is the answer to your palpitations. That is only one of the many reasons this is so much fun - it is fun isn't it? Well if it is not fun maybe your cardiologist will get richer. :-)
I suggest you dig up a copy of the Spring 1995 Restorer or purchase the CD and get all The Restorer articles (Note: blatant plug for NCRS products that support this board).
Terry
TerryComment
Comment