Remember Walt Zoern??

[Steven B.]

I was going through my "library" getting ready for a move and came across an envelope form Walter C. Zoern, 1295 Talbot Rd., Windsor 42, Ontario. The letter is postmarked Michigan and has a US stamp on it "LOVE", 8 cents. Walt sent me a sample of 1956-57 beige waffle pattern upholstery. The envelope is dated march 27, 1973. (I keep stuff.) I believe I got his information from my '53-'55 Corvette Club magazine or maybe from Frank Milne or the turkey farmer. Anyone remember Walt?

Steve

[Mike M.]

Re: Remember Walt Zoern??

i remember walt. he was the only source for waffle pattern 56-7 upholstery back then. mike

[Brian T.]

Re: Remember Walt Zoern??

Was he the guy who had All-Tru?

[Steven B.]

Re: Remember Walt Zoern??

Walt may have been All-Tru or supplied All-Tru. In the last half of '76 I bought red waffle seat upholstery from Crumback-Symons Chevrolet in New Haven, IN. Steve, the Corvette parts guru there at the time, told me he got it from Michaelis. When I initially searched for the upholstery in the early 70's Walt was the only game in town as I recall. I can't recall when I first heard of All-Tru but it was decades ago. I should look through my magazines. The upholstery is still in the car.

[Jim P.]

Re: Remember Walt Zoern??

I too have an envelope from Walt Zoern, but mine is dated Sep. 1, 1973. In it is one swatch of '53-'55 upholstery material along with a single sheet of paper advising of their items for sale and their pricing. Seems like everyone remembers Walt but he was in business with Bob Chauvin and together they were Al-Tru. I'm sure I heard of them thru the Classic Corvette Club '53-'55, and I know I met them at probably one of their meets in the early-mid 70's. Don't know what happened to them, just that after a while they didn't advertise any more.

[Scott S.]

Re: Remember Walt Zoern??

Walt and Connie Zoern, Last resided on Huron-Church Road in Windsor. Walt passed on and Connie met a widower that was into Nomads. I see them on a regular basis at the Fleetwood Country Cruizin held at Steve Plunkett's home in London, Ontario.
Scott

[Steven B.]

Re: Remember Walt Zoern??

Scott, Walt was very helpful to me. Please tell Connie I appreciate him going the extra mile to explain to me the upholstery and that it is still in the car, just like new. Hard to believe looking at the envelope and sample it has been 40 years. Funny how the cars get old and we don't. Steve

[Cecil L.]

Re: Remember Walt Zoern??

I bought enough waffle and vinyl from Walt in 73 to do my 56. Sold the car before I ever used it and still have the material.

[Jerry S.]

Re: Remember Walt Zoern??

Walt and Bob sold me a set of seat covers for my 55 Nomad in the mid 70's. The Nomads used the same waffle pattern as the Corvettes and they had the market covered. Somewhere I have their very early brochure. The thing I remember most about the purchase is they contacted me after I received the covers to tell me that they had made a mistake in construction. They sent me replacement pieces before I even knew there was a problem! Hard to find that kind of customer service these days.