Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

[George J.]

Amazing. My '65 fuelie coupe that I purchased in 1996 in La Jolla CA was originally delivered to Dawson Taylor Chevrolet in Detroit, about 12 miles from where I live. The dealership was located about one block from the old Olympia Stadium. Anyone who is a hockey fan will recognize this name. I even played there as a tike of about 7 before it was torn down.
Also, my father knew Dawson, who was about 50 years older than he. It is a very small world.
I have come to find that there may have been a salesman at Dawson that may also have been a racer: Tom Swindell. Does anyone have any information on him?
I would also appreciate any information on the dealership. I can't wait to get to some of the other resources I have on Monday. We have quite a historical society here in Detroit and I am hoping to find the original owner. Do I sound like a little kid on Christmas Eve?
Thanks for any help.

George

[Patrick H.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

George,

You could also ask around at the meeting on Sunday.

Patrick

[George J.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

Patrick,
Of course I am looking forward to any information some or our Chapter members may have. See you tomorrow.

G

[James G.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

Tony DeLorenzo, SCCA National Champ got his road race 1967 black / blue L-88 from DAWSON TAYLOR Chevrolet. That was his second race car. It just sold for $1.25m at the MECUM MONTEREY Auction August 13. story is here on that car http://www.corvettefever.com/feature...tte/index.html

Tony was just inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame in Bowling Green in 2009. He lives in Rochester Hills, MI. and knows all the racers from back in the day. I can hook you up if you think he can help.

[George J.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

Jim,
Yes, I would appreciate that. Let me know what information you would want from me.

George

[George J.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

Another member asked me to post the Dealer Code and Zone.

Zone 44 - Detroit Area

Dealer Code 468 - Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

George

[Rob M.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet -MI

I have come to find that there may have been a salesman at Dawson that may also have been a racer: Tom Swindell.

Must be hard, being a salesman named "Swindell" (Dutch for scam is swendel and sounds almost similar)...

[George J.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet -MI

Must be hard, being a salesman named "Swindell" (Dutch for scam is swendel and sounds almost similar)...

Rob,
Well, one of the stories I have heard about him was that he was murdered. I have not been able to verify this, yet.

George

[George J.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

Updated Information:

I have been in contact with Dawson Taylor's son, also named Dawson. He informed me that his father bought the Dealership from Don Homer in 1956 and changed its name to Dawson Taylor. He closed the Dealership around 1970 due to the combination of the riots in '67 and the construction of the I-96 freeway.

George
31887

[George J.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

I have new information. The attached photo is of the Corvette Center that Dawson Taylor operated, in addition to the regular Chevrolet dealership. I have Ken Kayser also stated that this dealer was a heavy conduit for Executive cars. This photo looks to be taken in '64 since I don't see any later models, but it was in the 1966 Autorama program. I have a better copy if anyone needs it. More to come as I find it.

George
31887

[Dino L.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

George,

I would love to have a better copy of that document....I am attaching a photo of the dealership today......you can see the resemblance from your photo....I notice that the dealer code info shows 9711 Grand River Avenue, but your piece says 9689 and that address still appears on the front of the building.....I also know that Dawson was an avid golfer who has wrote multiple books on Golf and was an active member of the Detroit golf club.

[Dino L.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

Here is another ad from around 62/63

[James R.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

George,

I would love to have a better copy of that document....I am attaching a photo of the dealership today......you can see the resemblance from your photo....I notice that the dealer code info shows 9711 Grand River Avenue, but your piece says 9689 and that address still appears on the front of the building.....I also know that Dawson was an avid golfer who has wrote multiple books on Golf and was an active member of the Detroit golf club.

My 65 was purchased at Dawson Taylor and Swindell was the salesmen. I have the original "Statement of Vehicle Sale" and it states the address as 9711 Grand River.

[George J.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

George,

I would love to have a better copy of that document....I am attaching a photo of the dealership today......you can see the resemblance from your photo....I notice that the dealer code info shows 9711 Grand River Avenue, but your piece says 9689 and that address still appears on the front of the building.....I also know that Dawson was an avid golfer who has wrote multiple books on Golf and was an active member of the Detroit golf club.

Dino,
I think that 9711 was the Chevrolet Dealership's official address. The 9689 is the separate Corvette Center which was a block or two away. That would make sense with the post above. Thank you for the picture, I will add it to my file. I will need your email address since the file I have for the other ad is 10MB, and I don't think that will go through this system. I have sent you a pm with my email address.

George
31887

[George J.]

Re: Dawson Taylor Chevrolet

My 65 was purchased at Dawson Taylor and Swindell was the salesmen. I have the original "Statement of Vehicle Sale" and it states the address as 9711 Grand River.

Jim,
can you provide some details. I would be interested in the vin, date delivered, etc. You can pm me if you like. It seems that there were quite a few 365hp cars popping up that were delivered in March/April. Tom Swindell may have ordered 10 for delivery as soon as the strike ended. I am in touch with an original owner of one such car. Are you the original owner?

George
31887