Dealer Zone Confusion

[Chris L.]

Just removed my fuel tank on my 67 Coupe. Found the Zone and Dealer info and input it here on the NCRS Dealer/Zone listing page. It comes up as a dealer in San Jose that opened in 1968. How is this possible for a 1967 car? Or am I reading the information incorrectly? Thanks for the help, Chris

[Joe L.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

Chris-----

I don't see that it's possible that a dealer that opened in 1968 could have ordered any 1967 model cars (and, thus, be coded on an original 1967 build sheet). However, you provide very little information in your question. What is the code of the dealer and what is the name of the dealer?

[Tom H.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

Could it be that the dealership just changed hands or names in 68 and actually existed prior ??

[Stephen L.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

If you are talking about Dealer #150 Zone #06, the data on the NCRS website was inputed by another member.

The 1968 date means that the data was found on information associated with a 1968 vehicle, not the date the dealer started business.

[Chris L.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

Joe,

The dealer code is 150 and the zone is 06. The dealer listed is,
Courtesy Chevrolet in San Jose, Ca. Maybe this will help you help me.

Thanks, Chris

[Joe L.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

Chris-----

Yes, it will. Courtesy Chevrolet was in business in San Jose well before 1968. I used to go down there quite often "in the old days" and that dates back to, at least, 1966. I can tell you that the dealership was not new then, but it was a very modern and spacious facility for the time. They were on the corner of Stevens Creek Bl and Winchester Bl. Prior to that location, they may have been located elsewhere in San Jose. They remained there until about 7 years ago when the property was purchased for a major development and Courtesy moved further west on Stevens Creek Bl. A few years ago, they also opened another dealership in Gilroy, just south of San Jose.

I ordered and purchased my 1992 Corvette at Courtesy Chevrolet in the fall of 1991.

[Chris L.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

Joe,
Thanks for the input. It sure helps when you can talk to a local. By the way, I know this is a long shot, But do you remember a Silver 67 BB coupe w/side exhaust that was bought in late 66 from that dealer? Maybe October or so then the owner either moved to or sold it to someone in Texas. Just thought I'd ask.
Thanks again, Chris

[Joe L.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

Chris-----

No, I don't remember any specific cars. During the 1967 model year, I was a sophomore at San Jose Sate College. So, I probably wasn't far away when the car was delivered. However, I was way too busy to be going over by Courtesy Chevrolet all the time. Courtesy was a MAJOR Corvette dealer at the time, though---one of the biggest in Northern California. They always had a large inventory of Corvettes in stock.

They are still a big Corvette dealer to this day.

[Michael B.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

Chris,

I posted the dealer and zone info for this dealer. At one time I was an Equipment Inspector for the State of California and had a working relationship with the Dealer Rep in Fremont. When I found my tank sticker I called my Rep friend and without hesitation he said it was Courtesy Chevrolet.

My 69 (Oct 3 1968 build date) was also delivered to Courtesy Chevrolet in San Jose. I grew up in San Jose and I clearly remember the dealership with their beautiful plate glass windowed showroom and there advertisement noting their address, 3030 Stevens Creek Blvd. Dad owned a business in near-by Campbell and had business contacts at the dealership. I remember actually going to this dealership to see the new models when they were unveiled.

Before moving they had a multi-story parking garage plus a 5 story enclosed building of new cars. Rumor was that the enclosed building had several new vehicles of each model year Chevrolet since the dealership first opened.

There was another Chevrolet Dealer in San Jose on North First Street near Highway 101. I remember it as Bob Coyle Chevrolet, but I also know it changed names several times over the years and is no longer in business.

[Michael B.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

Through a little more research I found that Courtesy Chevrolet in San Jose replaced a pear orchard at the corner of Stevens Creek and Winchester Blvds in 1959. There was a huge landmark bowtie sign that could be seen for miles around.




Courtesy Chevrolet Sign

[Joe L.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

Mike-----

Yes, Bob Coyle Chevrolet was located on 1st Street, near US 101. Later, it became Coyle-Billings Chevrolet at the same location. About 20+ years ago, they changed their name to just Billings Chevrolet and moved to Milpitas in a new facility bordering on I-880. However, they went out of business about 3-4 years ago.

Also, the GM zone office in Fremont is no-more. I believe the building has been sold and is being converted to other use.

Central Chevrolet is still in business in Fremont, though, and at the same location where it's been since about 1965. That's where I bough by 1966 Chevelle SS 396, 1968 Chevelle SS 396 and my 1969 Corvette that I still have.

[John G.]

Re: Dealer Zone Confusion

Ah, yes, those days of old ....... I remember that huge Courtesy Chevrolet bowtie sign mounted high up in the air was quite a sight to see - especially at night when all lit up. .. Landmark it definitely was! ..

I remember too visiting the Courtesy Chevrolet parts department, circa 1966. There were a couple of older gents who worked the parts counter. IIRC, one of those gent's had the name of "Elmo" embroidered on his work shirt. The other gent's name might have been Earl.

I seem to remember there was a performance parts display behind the counter on the back wall? .. The memory is kind of vague at this point in time but I think that's how I remember it.

Those were the days when the local Goodies Speed shop sold brand new long block 365hp 327's for 500 bucks. A buddy's '64 V8(283) Nova would eventually have one of those.

Funny car driver "Jungle Jim" Lieberman would do burnout's in the Goodies Speed shop parking lot on Lincoln Ave. . . Those were the days!