Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

[Ronald L.]

Pennsylvania Philadelphia area members, looking to get in touch with those folks that might remember a Red 1966 427/ 390 HP convertible sold in late June at Reedman Motors, Langhorne PA. Title shows June 24, 1966.

Looks like car had a white convertible top perhaps came with both tops and was in that area for a year or more, perhaps serviced at Langhorne Speed Shop?

Any one from the day remember some one that would have had this car new?

How about a second owner that would have then sold it to someone from central or western Pennsylvania?


By 1972 the car was in Selinsgrove Sunbury Northumberland area, any one from the HWY 15 corridor in the early 70's remember this car at Todd's Auto Sales?

[Dan D.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Ron, I'm sorry I can't help you out on your car search, but I could not help but comment on Redman motors.

Throughout the 60s I was part of the pit crew on a sportsman modified stock car. It was my cousin's car and every year we would run in the 100 lap race at Langhorne in October. We would always go across the street to Redman Motors and brouse the lot. That had to be the largest Chevy dealer I have ever seen. There was a Ford dealer right next to the track, with Redman right across the street. This was always a fun experience and I still think about it often. At least two of the years I drove my 54 Vette to Langhorne. I have lived in upstate NY all my life, so this was a yearly event for me. I remember when the track was dirt, before they paved it in the mid 60s. The speedway closed in 1970 after the October race. The end of an era.

Good luck on your search, I hope someone can provide some info for you, and I hope I have not violated forum rules too much on this response.
-Dan-

[Patrick N.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Ron,

Did you try contacting Langhorne Speed Shop (located on rt 1 correct)? I drive by them a couple times a month going into Trenton.

If you can get any owners name, you can use the online search engines to track them down. I found the original owner of my 68 who had long since moved and had new phone number / address.

I am too young to know about this car but I'm in the Philly area-let me know if you need any help.

Pat

[Ronald L.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

I'll answer both notes at this post.

Dan - these personal tidbits are very important and a wonderful part of this restoration hobby and most welcome from my point of view. I'll mention it to Herb Reedman Jr. he will get a kick out of the history...we've developed a friendship in this quest for the original owner documentation.

Pat - Bill Cookham (SP?) owner of Langhorne "now" is a NCRS member, though I could not find him in the directory, and I did talk to him briefly, he was a bit busy that day.

The car being red and basic other than the 427/390 leaves the description process uncertain.

Anyone have any ideas? I am looking for help and do appreciate the offer being in the area!

[Kevin G.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Ron,
I would suggest reaching out to Elaine Raisner from the Delaware Valley Chapter. Contact info is listed on the DelVal web site. I believe she has a very large data base from years of our Run for the Ribbons and our Gallery Collection in Carlisle. It's a shot in the dark but worth a try!

[Steven S.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

I believe my '66 came from Reedman as well... does yours have the little sticker on the inside of the glove box door?

[Peter J.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

My former brother in law worked at Reedman's Chevrolet as a salesman back in that time frame before he got his own Ford dealership, I will ask him what he remembers. But that is not likely, as Reedman's was reputed to be the country's largest car dealer for a long time.
I can remember their parts department was open twenty-four hours a day. I
was the designated "parts-chaser" as I was the youngest kid to hang out with some very serious street racers. I can remember buying a "Duntov cam" at eleven o'clock at night and four guys in front of me in line.
I have fond memories of the used car corral on top of the hill behind the dealership where they sold the hot rods and modified muscle cars.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Steven -
Absolutely. And the first thing I did when I got the car was call the number. Back then they put a metal emblem on the tail too.

Mr. Reedman Jr sold the business in 2004, but they were nice enough to give me his number. We've chatted and have since kept up with email.

He was a young 14 back then helping with the cars that came back as trade in, cleaning them up.

So in asking those folks if they remember a early summer Red 66 427, my car specs are:

427/390HP
RED
Black standard interior.
Side pipes.
We think the top was white, and with the holes for a hard top there, it came with a hard top.
M21 and 3.70 axle.

Suspect base wheels tires and hubcaps, the interior is essentially un molested and there is no knock off evidence, as I have seen on other cars.

It was titled June 24 1966

Here is the history trail summary:

I'm looking for three people A B and C titles that then put this car in Selinsgrove PA area in 1972 the car was sold to Todd's Auto and there is where I have good history.

We "thought" we had the C title guy but his description of the car was completely incorrect, and did not have 'wheel broke off at 70mph' type underbody damage as he described. There would be evidence of a whole lot of scraping if not broken fenders and none of the suspension components show any of that.

I certainly appreciate asking around to those that were there in the day, and tying up the ownership trail.

[Steven S.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Ronald,
Where at approx. was the metal emblem located?

Just out of curiosity, how did you end up locating the possible C title guy?

Steve

[Ronald L.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Steven, I'll ask Herb next week the exact placement and let you know.

The history of ABC is quite unknown.

What we knew is that owner D got the car from Todd's auto sales in Selinsgrove Sunbury area. Todd passed away 18 years ago so we did not have a way to get sales records there. I placed an add in the local paper and turns out the paper adv manager's husband was bes friends with Todd, back int he day. He put me in touch with guys that were running the Vette scene back then.

The key we were looking for - and I think still am ---

The guy that sold it to Todd Brosius, Todd Auto Sales, was having leg or knee surgery and was no longer able to drive a car with a clutch. This guy we got, fit the description, but he sure was wrong about the car's content.

I have never been driving and lost a wheel, was at GM when wheel bolts were breaking... and did see cars go down...at low speed. This guy described buying the car out in CLEARFIELD PA and driving home on I80 lost a wheel, there are a lot of sparks and scrapes on a car that loses a wheel, front or rear. Lots of places to look for evidence.

On the rear, rotors, brake shields, IRS bar, non of these are bent, or scratched, or ground down from ground contact at speed. Nothing - ditto for the front.

Either this guy is the wrong guy or he was spinning a tale.

So we will start over, looking to fins someone that was hot rodding red Vettes in 66 around the Langhorne area.

[Steven S.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Interesting stuff!

It had me thinking for a minute as my car has some odd old right front inner shield damage and was a maroon (close enough to red for some 40 year old memories) 427 car from Reedman motors, and I have history back to the early '70's as well.

Oh well!

Good luck with your research!

Steve

[Ronald L.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Steve,

The badge from this era was supposed to be installed with drill holes and rivets. I have asked where, but will be checking the tail end for closed over holes tonight.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Any Delaware Valley members out there that remember early big block Red Convertibles in the area? 66 to 73?

[Ronald L.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Steve,

Look for drill holes in the back panel deck or rear inside the tail lights.

The guys that are still around do not recall when Reedman went to adhesive badges.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Philadelphia - Langhorne area History search Red 66 Big Block

Langhorne Speed shop any one?

Who was working there in '66 - '72 to make this mod -see photo - and save all the original parts in a box???