The Supercar Registry - Tracing California Car History

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- - Tracing California Car History (https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=91339)

Re: Tracing California Car History

Scrounging through some old photos related to some of my past cars (this is from a 1966 Corvette) and came across another San Francisco dealership that might not have been mentioned earlier.

This window sticker was from George Olsen Chevrolet, Inc. which was on the corner of Van Ness and O'Farrell.

Re: Tracing California Car History

The window sticker didn't go with the car?

Jason

Re: Tracing California Car History

The window sticker most definitely went with the car (as they all should)......... This is just a photo of it I posted to show the dealership info.

Charlie

Re: Tracing California Car History

Cool, I was curious.

Jason

Re: Tracing California Car History

Hubleyman:

That is very interesting! George Olsen was a Cadillac dealership and I do not recall them actually being a Chevrolet dealership as well. Although your paperwork shows a "Chevrolet" sticker, it does not actually indicate on it that the Olsen dealership itself was a "Chevrolet" dealership.

Since they were a Caddy dealer, back then it would not have been a big deal for a GM dealer to obtain a different GM brand car for a customer. Perhaps the original owner was affiliated with Geo. Olsen in some way or just liked working with their dealership.

Thanks for sharing! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: Tracing California Car History

Well, I've always known them for being a Cadillac Dealership, but according to the POP for this particular Corvette, they were a Chevrolet Dealership at the time. Not sure if you can see it clearly, but it definitely says "George Olsen Chevrolet, Inc" on the ink stamped section.

The original owner was a doctor who lived in my neighborhood. I don't remember him ever having a Cadillac.......

Re: Tracing California Car History

Hi Ken what car do you have? I purchased my car from the original owner who lived in San Francisco. He purchased the car at Raines Chevrolet in Sunnyvale California in the Bay Area not far from San Francisco. Are you sure your car was purchased in the city? Also knowing which car you have might make it easier to narrow down the dealership as Copo's and other high performance models were more likely to come from dealerships that were known for selling those type of cars.

Re: Tracing California Car History

Wow! I guess the Protect-O-Plate documentation settles it.

I find it interesting that Ellis Brooks and Les Vogel, the two "established" Chevrolet dealers on Van Ness Ave. at the time, would "tolerate" a third Chevy dealership in such close proximity, esp. a couple of blocks from Ellis Brooks.

On the other hand, perhaps Ellis Brooks and Les Vogel were "latecomers" to the neighborhood, and maybe Geo. Olsen was always a Caddy/Chevy dealership that became a Cad dealership only as GM promoted the separation of GM brands into distinct brand dealerships. (Pure speculation on my part.) Who knows?

Again, thanks for sharing! Neat stuff!

Bryan

PS Attached a pic of my Les Vogel frame

i purchased a front engine dragster from a guy from gotelli speed shop that was called Gateway Cheverolet Special anyone hear of it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken_z (Post 894638)

I've had my car since 1983 and am finally getting around
to try and trace it's history. The story I got was it
was purchased in San Francisco and I picked it up in Santa
Rosa(Northern Ca for those who don't know). So it's been
in the SF bay area it's whole life.

I have a form from the CA DMV which looks like it could
do the trick. DMV form INF 70R. It is a request for VR/
Vessel Record Information. One of the choices is Ownership
History. Has anyone used this form? Had good luck with
it?

I was also trying to find out Chevy dealers in San Francisco
in 1969, but google can't seem to help(or I can't help
google :-)). I figured if I can get a list of dealers, I'd
start calling and see if there might be any records.

Would anyone have an idea on finding dealerships? I'll
start with the one dealer I know (Ellis Brooks) who has
been in business a long time.

Thanks
Ken

Hello Ken,
What 1969 Chevrolet model do you have?
There is some help with the NCRS shipping records for Corvettes, Camaros and Chevelles.
Let the reader know more about you car.
Regards,
Drew Papsun