Chevrolet Sports Dept. Information?
 

Hello!

I'm interested in learning more about what logos were used for the different years of the Chevrolet Sports Department, which I believe was from 1968-76.

Here's my best guesses so far-
1968/69
https://i.imgur.com/NkVnv6p.jpg

1970/71
https://i.imgur.com/4gdti2o.jpg

1971/72
https://i.imgur.com/1yfGERp.jpg

1972 Variant?
https://i.imgur.com/KanX1ZIm.jpg

1973-76?
https://i.imgur.com/S8UptAX.jpg


I've seen the Sports Department mentioned in a few different ads and brochures but would greatly appreciate any further information anyone can provide!

Man, I could have used your help when I was writing my book! For the biggest marque out there, info on this stuff is quite scant.

Ha! I don't know too much, just trying to piece together information! I completely agree though, it's quite difficult to find details on this "department".

Sports department
 

If you search on this site there are many threads relating to this subject

Paul

Thanks for the heads up! I've found a handful of different threads but nothing exactly stating which logos were used when.
I know there's some very knowledgeable individuals on this site that can help clarify!

Anyone else have any further information? Really looking to clarify the details here!

I think you need to be careful using patches as your basis of reference as those get reproduced. Use logos from original Chevrolet literature or other sources that you are sure are from the era. Case in point, the patch below with the gold border, red "Chevrolet Sports Department", white bowtie instead of blue, and backwards checkerboard pattern, all make me very suspicious. I have never seen the Sports Department logo outlined in gold when seen in print. Also, note the '72 logo is different in print that what your patches show.

The patches with gold border were used on the original sports dept jackets. 100% legit.

Do you have any original literature showing the Sports Department jacket with the patch? Even if in black and white, the differences I pointed out would be evident.

From my apparel collection...I see what Jon is making reference to, but the jacket patch is 100% original.

Thanks Phil.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...XpNGFWj-X2.jpg

From D Yenko....

BIG

Chevrolet is not in the patch making business. Chevrolet licenses others to produce patches and other apparel items. I don't believe these gold outlined logos with red letters, a white bowtie, and backward pattern checkerboard were put in Chevrolet literature or ads from the era but would like to see some examples if there were any.

Below is a sports department jacket with a red outline patch on it. The gold outline patches look nice and do seem to be from the era but also seem to be somewhat "off script" from what Chevrolet was using for promotion in its literature. This is why I feel if you're going to ask what logo was used when, don't go by the patch, go by what is in official Chevrolet advertising materials.

There were far more Sports Dept. jackets with gold edged patches than red. I thought the red edged ones were actually freebies that came in a model car kit from the day, and I'm not sure many were ever actually used on the jackets. Apparently a few jackets had the red edged ones, but gold edged ones are definitely legit, and from my experience are more often seen on the original jackets. I swear there is a black and white promo ad for the jackets somewhere.. I just have no idea where, and if it's a piece of literature I own, or something I saw posted somewhere. No idea where to even look. maybe in the back of a communication kit?

I’ve always felt the color difference was due to a sales award. More of a top seller. Remember a lot of these were given out as awards to salesmen. One of my childhood friends father was a salesman for Chevrolet. My first recollection of these jackets was because of him. He wore them day in and out to work. His demos were Camaros, he drove Corvettes. JMHO.... Here’s some more SD....

BIG

Lots of great information here!

Does anyone have any sort of Sports Department merchandise catalog?
I'm sure there had to be one at some point. There's so many items (even shown in this thread) of hats, jackets, posters, patches, stickers, etc that I'm sure there is brochure advertising all of these. Probably something that came out in early 1970?

That's a great point, patches don't seem like the most consistent as there are so many variants I've seen.

I have the red trim patches, but I always thought those were over the counter sales as part of the ID "official emblem" series.

As far as I know the 1970 Sports dept coat of arms was offered as a decal with the promo, a patch as part of ID Official Emblem in a blister pack, a cheap iron on transfer for hats, a round patch variant, and a premium gold trim patch on the famous blue jacket.

Here is the guy from the 70 ad. I see red on the jacket stripe but no red trim at all on the patch.

I appreciate getting to know more about those gold outline patches as I have passed on a few that I have seen on ebay over the years. If anyone comes across an ad for the SD jackets it would be great to see it get posted here.

Here is the better group picture. Looks very much like blue was touched in here on the border of the patch to match the jacket.

Here is a good view of the thick red border on a real patch.

'
:beers:
~ Pete

.

I think Jon's point is the logos need to be split into two groups.
Patches and literature. It looks like the two were separate but related logos.

If you'll note, the red bordered patches aren't even the same shape as the gold trimmed ones.

Yes.. Gold trim is fat and stubby at the bottom- it's obvious that the vendor had the set up a little off between the two renderings.

The flags look to be exactly the same however.

Good point. Let's try this again with the logos from signs and advertising brochures, not patches.

Again, please feel free to help me lock down more accurate dates if you can! The dates listed below are just my best guess.

1968/69
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoPtJ-sDA...00/eurtygu.JPG

1970/71
https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1554903304

1972
https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1554903465

1973-76
https://www.yenko.net/forum/attachme...1&d=1554903635

Patches or no patches I think your dates are pretty close.

Has anyone seen this binder?
Brian

Yes,I own a few of those Brian,as well as all the years prior.

Very cool binder.
What's inside? Do you have any pictures?

This is what was inside when I found it.
Brian

That's not what's supposed to be inside it.
It originally had pages of Sports Dept. marketing materials & advertisements.

FYI, there are a few Chevrolet Sports Department items among the many other pieces of memorabilia that are in the Steven Juliano Collection Mecum Road Art auction.

The online bidding will start Monday, 4-15.

Bashton

I never claimed it was supposed to be in there. This is how it came to me. Please post pictures of yours.
ThanX
Brian

Great thread everyone !! Rob

Here's a sample of what's originally inside them.

.

..

Very cool! Thanks so much for the pictures. Very informative!

Like a lot of guys on this board, I collect Chevrolet dealership merchandise and really like the Sports Department stuff.
From what I've been able to collect and research Chevy included the 69 Sports Department stuff in their showroom merchandising album. This included the lighted sign, banner, door posters, baseball cap, golf balls, playing cards, golf or sports towel, and keychain.
Chevy really expanded the program in 70 and produced at least 2 specific albums devoted to just Sports Department stuff.
Then there's the 71 version that Rick Mr70 posted. That one did not have the signs , displays and other things in them as it seemed Chevy was winding down on the showroom advertising by then.
My take on the Jackets is there were 2 different vendors producing these for Chevy and the ones I have and have had with the red outlined patches were made by the Great Lakes jacket company whereas the ones that had the gold outlined patches were made by the Crown Company of California.

Wanted to revive this and share a 1970 Chevrolet "Hot-Line" article that seems to highlight the Sports Dept, showing advertising and promotional material that dealerships could order.

Unfortunately these are all the pictures I have. If anyone has more information or pictures, please feel free to share!

https://i.imgur.com/sSWnPZr.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7M3pv75.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/r4tY0sW.jpg