1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

[George W.]

Story:
4 of us Texans are playing golf with friends in Florida last week. We're out one night at the beach and see a '77 with an '80 rear spoiler and a red/white paint scheme. Two of the guys are convinced it is a '68/'69 Stingray---of course I counter, but again, to little avail.

Later one of the guys tells me his dad owned a "new" '53, Blue with Tan interior---again I counter, offering that maybe it was a dealer prepped option, again, with little avail.

Today my buddy calls with the "rest of the story".

Seems his dad, Eddie Laviolette Jr. was/is good friends with Kevin King Jr, son of the owner of King Motors in Exetor, N.J..
Story is that Kevin King purchased three 1953 "concept" or "Motorama" cars, one Red, one White, and one Blue---Kevin King ending up with the White one, Kevin King Jr. with the Red one, and Eddie with the Blue one.

Would love to hear from anyone who knew of King Motors, these cars, and where these cars may be today.

My buddy wants to get me together with his dad to discuss these cars, King Motors, and names like Wally Bowman.

My friend has some photos, and he is sure his dad has more, but the photos are in black and white. His dad is going to look for any paper work.

Thanks,
George

[Nicholas L.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

Is it Exeter, NH or NJ? You have both states in your message.
There is a Kevin King who is 96 years old in NH. Maybe that is him. That would make him 40 years old in 1953.

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

Story:
4 of us Texans are playing golf with friends in Florida last week. We're out one night at the beach and see a '77 with an '80 rear spoiler and a red/white paint scheme. Two of the guys are convinced it is a '68/'69 Stingray---of course I counter, but again, to little avail.

Later one of the guys tells me his dad owned a "new" '53, Blue with Tan interior---again I counter, offering that maybe it was a dealer prepped option, again, with little avail.

Today my buddy calls with the "rest of the story".

Seems his dad, Eddie Laviolette Jr. was/is good friends with Kevin King Jr, son of the owner of King Motors in Exetor, N.J..
Story is that Kevin King purchased three 1953 "concept" or "Motorama" cars, one Red, one White, and one Blue---Kevin King ending up with the White one, Kevin King Jr. with the Red one, and Eddie with the Blue one.

Would love to hear from anyone who knew of King Motors, these cars, and where these cars may be today.

My buddy wants to get me together with his dad to discuss these cars, King Motors, and names like Wally Bowman.

My friend has some photos, and he is sure his dad has more, but the photos are in black and white. His dad is going to look for any paper work.

Thanks,
George

I beleive I have a picture of a 53 to 55 ( white )..with Exeter, NH and a dealer name printed in bold labels on the car. If I can find it, I will post it. Sounds like there is something to the story.

Joe Trybulec

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

I beleive I have a picture of a 53 to 55 ( white )..with Exeter, NH and a dealer name printed in bold labels on the car. If I can find it, I will post it. Sounds like there is something to the story.

Joe Trybulec

From memory..there may be a second car ( dark color ) also in the picture..not sure...need to check.

Joe

[George W.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

Is it Exeter, NH or NJ? You have both states in your message.
There is a Kevin King who is 96 years old in NH. Maybe that is him. That would make him 40 years old in 1953.

Sorry---typo---N.H. is correct.
I'll see what photos are available and post.
I suspect that memories are failing and that the car(s) in question are 54's, but.......

[John N.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

Joe
Memory may be dangerous, but it may be a Sebring Bill furnished picture.
Regards

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

Joe
Memory may be dangerous, but it may be a Sebring Bill furnished picture.
Regards

John

Thats the one. I just don't have it with me to post. I think they are 54's.

Joe

[Thomas N.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

I bought a minivan from the son a couple of years back, and he showed me a picture of the old car dealership his dad had. It resided where the new Stop and Shop is in Exeter. Also, if I remember correctly, the son also had a low mileage pace car or silver anniversary.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exeter, N.H.

Must have been an older dealership. I've been living in the town next to Exeter for 13 years and do not recall the dealership.

[George W.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

Photos are "filed" and may be a while before they are dug out.
Sorry.

[Russ U.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

I have a couple of King Chevrolet pics showing early corvettes on my hard drive. I am pretty sure I "borrowed" these pics from a prior NCRS chat thread.

Comparing the pics, I suspect that the photos show the same car. And based on the tail pipe extensions, I bet the car is a mid to late 54.

Russ

[Ray G.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

I have a couple of King Chevrolet pics showing early corvettes on my hard drive. I am pretty sure I "borrowed" these pics from a prior NCRS chat thread.

Comparing the pics, I suspect that the photos show the same car. And based on the tail pipe extensions, I bet the car is a mid to late 54.

Russ

Hello;
The background cars are interesting.
Ray

[Russ U.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

Hello;
The background cars are interesting.
Ray

Good point, Ray. I looked closer at the pics after reading your post.

Take a close look at the rear of the blue 54 Corvette. We might be looking at the very first Corvette to wear trailer hitch.

Russ

[Steven B.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

Good point, Ray. I looked closer at the pics after reading your post.

Take a close look at the rear of the blue 54 Corvette. We might be looking at the very first Corvette to wear trailer hitch.

Russ

I wondered if that was a hitch or ???. The instrument panel face on that car appears to be blue. Were factoryPennant Blue '54 car instrument panel faces beige or blue--or both

Steve

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1953 Motorama/concept--King Motors, Exetor, N.H.

I wondered if that was a hitch or ???. The instrument panel face on that car appears to be blue. Were factoryPennant Blue '54 car instrument panel faces beige or blue--or both

Steve

Mine was beige!