Nielsen Chevrolet - Harvey, Il

[Jim B.]

Does anyone remember Nielsen Chevrolet in Harvey, IL? The dealership may have later become Bob Chapman Chevrolet that also appears to no longer be in operation. I just received my shipping data report for my 1963 roadster that listed a production date of 10/13/62 and ordered by this dealer. I have owned this little driver for over 25 years and would be most appreciative if anyone might know anything about this dealer. I live in Florida and bought the car here in 1985 after it had been wrecked by the previous owner that I believe lived in Daytona. Thank you for any help, jim

[Larry M.]

Re: Nielsen Chevrolet - Harvey, Il

Jim:

I grew up in Harvey during this time. The name is very familiar........but do you have an address? That may help with my memory. It's only been 50 years ago.

I grew up in a Ford family (Dad was a Ford mechanic) and was into these cars during this time (C Bradshaw Ford in Harvey). But all my friends drove Chevies, Pontiacs, or Mopars.

Not much in Harvey anymore, but I still have a few contacts and family that may be able to help.

One of my neighbors had a 62 maroon fuelie, another one a red 1963 or 1964 convertible, and a third one had a red 1963 convertible. Maybe you have one of these?? Red Corvette convertibles and split window coupes were popular in 1963.....especially if fuel injected

Larry

EDIT: Is the address 146E 147th Street? If so, it is between what was once the Dairy Queen and Bryant School where I used to go to play basketball (had decent outside courts). There is a Bob Watson Chevrolet in this area now. This is probably it. You can use "Google Map" to get aerial and street views.

[Jim B.]

Re: Nielsen Chevrolet - Harvey, Il

Larry,
Thanks so much for the info about Harvey. The Bob Watson Chev (est 1991) that was on 147th st is now also closed but there is still an answering machine that has a message on it regarding weekly retrievals. I haven't had a call back and may not since my message requested any info about Nielsen Chev and a possible connection with my car. My car is red with black interior and white top. I still have the original 327/300 and 4 speed transmission. The car has KH wheels with normal curb scratches when I bought it in 1985 so may have been dealer installed when new. I retired from flying in '04 and have flown into Midway many times but had no idea my car may have first traveled a street nearby. Unfortunately when I bought, I didn't keep a copy of the seller's FL title but I seem to remember a Daytona area address. I also grew up in a split family (Ford vs Chevy) and have always preferred the bowties but do have a '55 Tbird to keep peace. Bird needs paint so don't have a current tag on it. Thanks again for your help and would really be great if my car is one previously owned by someone you knew. Thanks again, jim

[Larry M.]

Re: Nielsen Chevrolet - Harvey, Il

Jim:

Good hearing from you. Don't know if I can help you find the original owner of your car or not. The State of Illinois DMV probably doesn't have much to offer on old vehicle titles, but you could check.

Harvey required "city stickers" for all cars back then. This was a city/town tax for the privilege of driving your car around the town. You got a decal to put on your windshield to prove you paid the tax. Perhaps, somewhere in the City of Harvey archives, they still have records of the cars and the owners. This would be a VERY LONG shot.

Harvey also has a forum, which was started many years ago by folks about our age to keep track of each other. This forum is still active, and they have a lot of historical data. I could put you in touch with this website or the website moderator. I know they have access to old phone books and various business advertisements. You might also be able to get a post on the forum and see who/what turns up.

The two guys that owned red 1963-64 Corvettes in Harvey during this time (that I know of) were Tommy Key or Tommy Keys, and a guy with the last name of Steele. I don't remember the first name, but I hung around with his younger brother Tom Steele during high school (1961-1965).

As a matter of fact, Tommy Key(s) had an Old English Sheepdog that used to ride in the passenger seat of his Corvette convertible with his head protruding above the windshield and his fur blowing in the breeze. It so impressed me, that I wanted to buy a sheepdog just like Tommy when I got my first Corvette convertible. But I lived in East Texas, and it was simply too damn hot for sheepdogs.......so I never bought one.....but I tried. But if you find sheepdog fur under the carpet, we know who once owned your car.

Short of some piece of paperwork, I don't know how to tie things down any better than this. But, I'll work on it.

Larry

EDIT: To the best of my recollection, both cars I mentioned above were 327/300 HP motors. The only fuelie was the 1962 maroon car.

[Charles C.]

Re: Nielsen Chevrolet - Harvey, Il

Hello Gentleman, Nielsen Chevrolet Was Located At 146 East 147th St. Harvey Illinois The Original Owner Was Herb Nielsen Who Then Sold It To Ted Horton. Ted Retained The Nielsen Name For A Brief Period And Then Renamed It Ted Horton Chevrolet. I Was Originally Hred As Shop Foreman And Later Became The Service Manager And Then Became Used Car Manager And I Was Sales Manager When I Left There. Ted Was A Great Business Man And He Did Well. He Later Sold The Dealership In The Late ( I Believe) 1980's To "bob" Watson One Of The Early Pioneers Of "if They Are Still Warm We Can Finance Them" Generation Of Dealers. The Dealership Went Bust. The Dealer Code When Herb And Later Ted Had It Was 11-416 = Zone 11 Dealer Code 416
I Bought Several Impalas And A Couple Corvettes From That Dealership. I Remained Friends With The Office Manager For Years After Leaving The Dealership. I Inquired About The Possibility Of Remaining Sales Records But Was Told That The Old Records Were Destroyed When The Basemant Flooded. Remember That Back Then There Was Not The Frenzy To Trace The Car's Paperwork. I Do Seem To Remember That Dog Passing By In The Corvette. Our Competitors Back Then Were Gibson Chevrolet In South Holland And Jack O'donnel (later Witte) Chevrolet In Midlothian. Jack Odonnel Got The First 1965 With A 396/425 When They Were Released. It Was Lavender With A Black Interior. They Let Me Drive It Before It Went Into The Showroom And I Will Never Forget The Raw, Off The Shelf, Power It Had. Awesome For The Time.
Email Me Direct If You Have Memories Of This Dealership
Chuck Commerford Email :cwcgec@comcast.net

[Jim B.]

Re: Nielsen Chevrolet - Harvey, Il

Charles,
Thanks so much for your information on Nielsen Chevrolet, sorry I didn't see it sooner but guess I'm a slow learner on how to best use this great web site. Were you there in Oct 1962 when my car was delivered? I have owned it since 1985 and regret waiting so long to trace it's origin as I suspect this car will remain in the family for a lot longer. Merry Christmas, jim