Sad News

[Joe L.]

I was just informed by a telephone call a few minutes ago that the dealer here in Fremont, CA that originally delivered my 1969 Corvette to me is going out-of-business. This same dealer also delivered to me my new 1966 Chevelle SS 396 as well as my new 1968 Chevelle SS 396. It's been family-owned and operated since the 20's. I have not confirmed this news as yet but based upon other recent information I feel it's very likely true.

I feel like my car is an "orphan" now.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Sad News

I was just informed by a telephone call a few minutes ago that the dealer here in Fremont, CA that originally delivered my 1969 Corvette to me is going out-of-business. This same dealer also delivered to me my new 1966 Chevelle SS 396 as well as my new 1968 Chevelle SS 396. It's been family-owned and operated since the 20's. I have not confirmed this news as yet but based upon other recent information I feel it's very likely true.

I feel like my car is an "orphan" now.

you didn't buy enought cars from them joe. my small town dealer is still there but i bought 30 new chevys and 11 new corvettes from him so he should have some $$$$ left. i know don't,he got it all.

[Dan P.]

Re: Sad News

Joe- Perhaps you might ask them if they have any old records stored away. It'd be a shame if original sales documentation to significant cars were lost. Also might ask to poke around in the corners of their parts department before they shutter the place.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Sad News

Joe- Perhaps you might ask them if they have any old records stored away. It'd be a shame if original sales documentation to significant cars were lost. Also might ask to poke around in the corners of their parts department before they shutter the place.

mrs clem worked for a dealership and she said every 10 years they did a house cleaning of all records. i bet most dealerships did the same also to save paying for record storage

[Lyndon S.]

Re: Sad News

Joe
That is sad news. And it happing all over this great country unfortunately to a lot of long time family owned dealerships both large and small.
________
Kelly

[Joe L.]

Re: Sad News

Joe- Perhaps you might ask them if they have any old records stored away. It'd be a shame if original sales documentation to significant cars were lost. Also might ask to poke around in the corners of their parts department before they shutter the place.

Dan-----


In my case, I don't need any of their records since I'm the original owner and have all the records. Anything I could get from them would just be copies of what I already have. However, I really doubt they have any records going back that far. But, I might check with them; I know the owner very well.

[Peter L.]

Re: Sad News

Joe - Buck up. As the songs goes "the times they are a changing," but I'm sure we'll are weather this change and others to come and continue to do our best to "HAVE FUN" with our cars. Pete

[Dan P.]

Re: Sad News

Just curious... What's the name, location and dealer # of the dealership?

[Joe L.]

Re: Sad News

Just curious... What's the name, location and dealer # of the dealership?

Dan-----


The dealer is Central Chevrolet, 4949 Thornton Avenue, Fremont, CA. I don't have the dealer number handy, though. I'll post it if I can find it.

In the "old days", they sold LOTS of new Corvettes and Camaros. Several salespeople there specialized in only those cars.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Sad News

If you follow the stock market Gm stock lost 24% yesterday to close at 3.26 I guess times are really changing. Imagine the ripple effect on the other businesses in the country if GM goes bankrupt, dealers included.

[Larry E.]

Re: Sad News

Hello to All:

Agree with all the above but part of the problem was the General himself.
Why is heavens name did they keep all the divisions alive; even the ones
that could not even "give" there cars away. GMC; Pontiac; eg. This is even when there market share dipped below 20%. Why they would keep
two truck divisions going is beyond reason to me. Why not trim down to
Chevrolet and Cadilac which is 80% of there business.

Thanks; Larry

[Timothy B.]

Re: Sad News

Larry,

The answer to your question may be the UAW contracts with the other GM divisions. Also, GM at the time could have had some loyalty to it's employees. Others will know better than me.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Sad News

Hello to All:

Agree with all the above but part of the problem was the General himself.
Why is heavens name did they keep all the divisions alive; even the ones
that could not even "give" there cars away. GMC; Pontiac; eg. This is even when there market share dipped below 20%. Why they would keep
two truck divisions going is beyond reason to me. Why not trim down to
Chevrolet and Cadilac which is 80% of there business.

Thanks; Larry

it cost GM a bundle to drop olds and i don't think the dealers lawsuits are over yet. there are some kind of state business laws also. same with hummer they had the dealers spend 10s of millions of $$$ on new stores that i am sure they have not been paid off so they will sue. this way here the dealers fold on their own and GM can not be held responsible. what is happening is a both a blessing and a curse for GM.

[John D.]

Re: Sad News

Clem, You neglected to tell that our small town dealer was Grabiak Chevrolet now owned by Joe Policastro and family. The old crew and owners are all gone. But our memories will last forever Clem and Joe. Don't forget that.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Sad News

Clem, You neglected to tell that our small town dealer was Grabiak Chevrolet now owned by Joe Policastro and family. The old crew and owners are all gone. But our memories will last forever Clem and Joe. Don't forget that.

chris grabiak and donny hamilton are still there so to me it is the same old family owned business that everybody knows you by your first name when you walk in. i also have know joe for better than 40 years. if grabiaks ever close i will most likely quit buying new cars as i would not want to put up with the BS at these big dealers. joe tried the big dealer style when he took over but the customers told him they did not like dealing with 3 or 4 different people when you came in to buy a car. one time mrs clem had to show the "new" F&I guy how to do the paper work when we picked up a new car. don't forget she worked there in the office for 15 years.