Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

[Jeff P.]

Just received my shipping data report and my 68 was sold thru this dealer on 6/26/68. Anybody remember this dealership ? Looking for leads to retrieve original owner ,POP , Documents, etc.

[Rick A.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

From a link on CF:

Dick Fencl started with Fencl Chevrolet in the 50's, then he brought in a partner by the Name of Pierce when he took a position with Greyhound Corporation. When he left Greyhound and bought out Pierce and Ralph Bogan, one of the founders of Greyhound joined him in the new partnership. Dick Fencl later bought out Bogan and then the store was named Dick Fencl Chevrolet. He also put his brother Ray in business with a Ford Dealership and his brother in law in business with Dick Z. Lincoln Mercury. During the 60's Dick Fencl Chevy was the number one seller of Corvettes in the Chicago Zone. As far as total sales, the Number 1 spot was rotated between Z-Frank, Brigance, Fencl and Nickey. They were the top Chevy dealers in the Chicago Zone. Z Frank did some Hi-Pro sales and Nickey, of course, the "The Purple People Eaters" that raced at Road America and Meadow Dale Raceway.

At this time Maury Ettleson was the Office Manager of Dick Fencl Chevy and Al Piemonte was the New Car Manager. Maury and Al left to buy Glenbrook Ford in Libertyvile. Then Al and Maury sold Glenbrook Ford and opened Al Piemonte Ford in Melrose Park.

Maury Ettleson wanted to get back in the Chevy business and he purchased a Chevy store in Elmhurst along with Dick Fencl and Nick Celozzi, who was the New Car Sales Manager at Al Piemonte Ford. That, of course, became Celozzi-Ettleson Chevrolet.

Johny Tufo was the Used Car Manager at Dick Fencl Chevrolet and he partnered with Dick Fencl to start Fencl-Tufo Chevrolet in Glendale. Johny brought several salesmen from Brigance Chevrolet and got into the high performance business.

After the riots in 1968, business slowed down for both Brigance and Dick Fencl in Oak Park and in 1969 Dick Fencl closed his Madison Ave. Store and Brigance lasted another year or so.

[Jeff P.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

Thanks Rick for the information on Dick Fencl Chevrolet,also hope to see a vintage photo of this dealership. After reading this now comes the time to start searching the other names in the bio to see if i can retrieve some documentation for this 1968 covette sold from the salesmen. Should be interesting .

[Terry M.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

I know someone who used to wrench at Brigance from the mid-1960s until it closed, but that won't help Jeff much.

[Michael H.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

Johny Tufo was the Used Car Manager at Dick Fencl Chevrolet and he partnered with Dick Fencl to start Fencl-Tufo Chevrolet in Glendale. Johny brought several salesmen from Brigance Chevrolet and got into the high performance business.

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I think Tufo partnered with Ray Fencl at Fencl-Tufo Chev in Glendale Hts ??

[Jeff P.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

Thanks men, and more information will be greatly appreciated.

[Jeff P.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

Anyone know if this man has family selling cars , or owning any dealerships today?

[Michael F.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

Might have some luck here. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbt...er=5617&page=1

[Jeff P.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

Looking for old pictures ,, dealer license plate frames ,also promo pieces.

[Gregory M.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

Just got my shipping report and my 1968 L71 sold new there too. Jeff, is 6/26 the date on your tag or the date sold?

Has anyone been able to locate any further information or done any research into the individual contacts?

I am told Mr. Piemonte is still operating in the area?

[Eric E.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

I made a number of calls years ago and the answer was always that the records that old were destroyed after the dealer closed.

[Paul C.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

In 1961 the dealership was still known as Fencl-Bogan Chevrolet. Based on all the ads I am seeing it was not until late 1962 that Dick bought out Bogan and changed the Dealership name to Dick Fencl Chevrolet at the same address.


1st ad late 1961:
2nd ad late 1962:

[Gregory M.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

Awesome...anyone selling original dealership memorablila I am interested...

[Eric E.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

Nice add. Definitely fits the timeline of my 62. Thanks

[Joe M.]

Re: Dick Fencl Chevrolet Oak Park,IL.

I just heard Ed Showenthower (I'm sure I butchered his last name) who was the used car sales manager passed away. You would know Ed as he was one tall drink of water. As for Celozzi- Ettleson in Elmhurst the used/new cars was run by Ron Marricie (sure I hacked his name as well). He's still running cars out of Naperville and has some good stories back in the day.