Nischan-Spalding Chevrolet, Grand Rapids, Mich

[bergy]

I just registered my '69 Camaro double COPO. My POP lists Nischan-Spalding in Grand Rapids as the selling dealer. I noticed that this dealership is not listed on the registry. Possibly this car was acquired in a dealer trade from Berger? Can anyone give me any insight?

[COPO_Anders]

I believe we would all love to see some pics of the car !

Welcome http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Anders

[ANDY M]

Ed Cunneen lists a Fathom Green car from that dealer, but you would have to ask him if it was a dealer trade.
Emmert Chevrolet was also a known COPO dealer in that area, and there was no know connection with Berger.
Check with Kurt at the CRG site. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
And post some photos.
Andy

[Stefano]

I believe Nischan-Spalding ordered two Copo Camaros and one COPO Chevelle per customer requests. One of the board members who owns the Green COPO knows the details, hopefully he'll chime in.

Emmert had a direct conection to someone at the Central Office, maybe he can chime in too?

My understanding is that both of these individuals have first hand knowledge of the events.

[Chevy454]

Rattle their cages, Stefano...I'd like to hear the stories!

[Stefano]

I'm try'in.

[Jim Mattison]

Yes, as previously reported, I was the one who ordered all of the COPO cars that went to Emmert Chevrolet, in Detroit. It was also during the time that I was working in the Fleet & Special Order Dept. (C.O.P.O.), at Chevrolet Central Office.

Emmert was an aggressive dealer, located on the west side of Detroit. They were interested in the youth performance image that had become so popular. I got to know Stan Emmert, the dealer, through his daughter, who I ran around with briefly. When he heard about the "special" Camaros that we were building, Stan asked me to order some for his dealership.

We ordered a total of thirty cars (20 Camaros and 10 Chevelles) for the dealership, as I recall. It was a mix of about 1/3 automatics and 2/3 4-spds. I also ordered several cars with the Rally Sport option. Some of these cars were also ordered with "special paint". I also ordered my personal COPO Camaro through Emmert Chevrolet. I wish that I still had that car, too!!!

Jim Mattison

[JChlupsa]

OK JIM get with John Z and write your tell all about how the cars were ordered and built. A book written by two guys that worked in the positions that both of you were at during the timeframe would sell sell sell!!!!

[Belair62]

I think Jiom is too busy playing around at Trans Am tracks to be writing books !!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Stefano]

Jim,
Thanks for the info. It is always good to hear it first hand. Have any of the Emmert COPO Chevelles been found?

[Jim Mattison]

To the best of my knowledge none of the COPO Chevelles from Emmert Chevrolet have ever surfaced. However, they should be easy to spot, as all of them also came with the "Sportscar Conversion Package", in addition to the 427 engine, just like a Yenko Chevelle, but without a decals and badges.

Only two of the Emmert COPO Camaros have surfaced, the rest are still unaccounted for. All of the Camaros that I ordered for Emmert had the "Sportscar Conversion Package". One is currently up in Canada and it is a nice car. The other is a rusted-out mess that is cobbled-up and missing pretty much everything.

Jim Mattison

[sYc]

Hey Jim, thanks for the info. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

And look, you are not a newbie now. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Belair62]

He FINALLY got a promotion...sorry...now you are an outsourcing target !!!

[bergy]

Hi again - sorry that it took so long for me to respond to all of the info on my Nischan Spalding copo Camaro. I spoke to the original (owned it 30+ years) son who told me that his dad never took it out in the rain since new. So, it's got a great original body. Lots of original paint even! Tons of docs including the original POP. I've registered the car and will post photos when I can figure out how to do it! This is a great site - thanks so much to those responsible.

[Mr. T]

[ QUOTE ]
I've registered the car and will post photos when I can figure out how to do it! This is a great site - thanks so much to those responsible.

[/ QUOTE ]

I will post them for ya, just email the photos to me. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[bergy]

Hey Andy - you indicated that Ed lists one green copo from Nischan Spalding Chevrolet. Another posting says that one of the board members has that car. I also have a green copo from Nischan Spalding (with POP and all owners). Any idea how we could both have green copos from Nischan when Ed indicates that there was only one? Regards, Bruce

[ANDY M]

I only know what I read, Bruce.
Have you asked Ed?
Andy

[Belair62]

Maybe there were 2 !

[Mr. T]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi again - sorry that it took so long for me to respond to all of the info on my Nischan Spalding copo Camaro. I spoke to the original (owned it 30+ years) son who told me that his dad never took it out in the rain since new. So, it's got a great original body. Lots of original paint even! Tons of docs including the original POP. I've registered the car and will post photos when I can figure out how to do it! This is a great site - thanks so much to those responsible.

[/ QUOTE ]

I promised Bruce, (Bergy)if he emailed me some pictures of his 69 COPO Camaro 9561/9737 I would post them for him. Well, I received an email from Bruce today, including some great exterior shots of his car. As soon as it warms up and Bruce takes his car outside, he will be sharing some interior shots as well.
Thanks for sharing Bruce! By the way, I am really jealous! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Nothing like a brand new 69 Camaro Double COPO 9561/9737. Picture taken in Jan. of 1970.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/mistermister1/copo02.jpg

Present day
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/mistermister1/copo01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/mistermister1/copo03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/mistermister1/copo04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/mistermister1/copo05.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[hvychev]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif COOL! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[DarrenX33]

Man is that vintage pic cool! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[firstgenaddict]

Like the white pinstripes accenting the breaklines... don't think that I have ever seen that on a COPO before.

[ANDY M]

If that first shot was taken in Jan of 70, why is there no snow, and why are the trees all green? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I'd bet that picture was taken in '69, but the roll of film wasn't developed until Jan. I had the same problem. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
Andy

[68l30]

Is that a dealer badge on the rear panel,shown in the vintage pic? Looks great!


Steve

[Mr70]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/spalding.jpg

[68l30]

Is that a "ten gallon" dealer badge... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

Thanks..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif


Steve

[elcamino]

[ QUOTE ]
Nischan-Spalding in Grand Rapids

[/ QUOTE ]

I was living and working in the Grand Rapids area in 1972 and never came upon that dealer. I got 2 new cars in GR, a 1972 El Camino SS350 and a 1973 Chevelle SS350. I cruzed all the GM dealers and only recall Berger and C. Bell. C. Bell was a new dealership in 1972 (where I got my cars) and maybe was the old Nischan-Spalding.