My visit to COLONIAL Chevrolet in Norfolk, VA

[Supercar_Kid]

I was in Richmond this week on business, and decided to kill an evening by driving the 2 hours to Norfolk to visit Colonial Chevrolet, the largest Yenko SPAN network dealer in VA back in the day. My brother's Deuce sold new from there, and I think there are several members here who own Colonial cars so I thought this thread might be appreciated.

Today the place is owned by Rick Hendrick of Nascar fame, and it's an entirely new and beautiful place. I was hoping to find the original 60's building surviving, but I was told it had been demolished years ago to build the current place's parking lot up the road.

It's definitely still a performance oriented dealer with many new Corvettes in stock as well as local cruiser's 69 RS/SS 427 phantom Camaro that was roped off in the showroom next to a chromed out GM performance small block crate motor on a stand.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223868-DSC00077.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223868-DSC00062.JPG

[Supercar_Kid]

Front of current dealership
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223869-DSC00053.JPG

[Supercar_Kid]

Pick your poison, I'll take mine in a black 6 speed coupe w/ red guts.
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223870-DSC00049.JPG

[Supercar_Kid]

The used car place next to the new dealership has an older feel.
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223871-DSC00044.JPG

[Supercar_Kid]

This would look cool in my garage. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/Can-I-Have-It.gif
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223872-DSC00041copy.JPG

[Supercar_Kid]

front
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223873-DSC00038.JPG

[Supercar_Kid]

Now for the cool stuff...inside they have many framed photos celebrating their long history of selling Chevrolets.
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223874-DSC00063.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223874-DSC00065.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223874-DSC00069.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223874-DSC00070.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223874-DSC00071.JPG

[Supercar_Kid]

An old invoice from a deal back in '55 was framed and hanging on the wall. Unfortunately that's the only stitch of old paperwork Colonial has. The sales manager told me they keep records around 7-9 years and that's about it. Nothing remains of the Yenko cars. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223876-DSC00073.JPG

[Supercar_Kid]

Some of the cool COLONIAL signage
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223877-DSC00060.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223877-DSC00052.JPG

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223877-DSC00048.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223877-DSC00043.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223877-DSC00051.JPG http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223877-DSC00081.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223877-DSC00079.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223877-DSC00037.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/223877-DSC00042.JPG

[COPO]

Cool stuff! My 69 Yenko Camaro is from Colonial. Thanks for sharing. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[camarojoe]

Cool...Did you bring home any souvenirs? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[1970ChevelleSS]

Cool shorts.

[Supercar_Kid]

[ QUOTE ]
Cool...Did you bring home any souvenirs? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Just one. The folks at Colonial were kind enough to dig one out of the old used car lot's NOS inventory. I could only talk 'em out of one...so now all I need is a Colonial sold Yenko car to stick it on.
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/224043-DSC00086.JPG
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/224043-DSC00087.JPG

[bkhpah]

Great post as always...A TRUE sYc guy, not a BS pretender..BKH http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Mr. Chevy]

My 69 Chevelle SS 396/350HP Rag Top Car was sold new at Colonial in Norfolk, Va... I have been looking for an old Colonial Emblem, but in the meantime I had this dealer decal made up. I think it looks pretty cool....

Rich


http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj37/RICHRUTT/Picture3252.jpg

[mockingbird812]

Aw Rich - I just love the fanny view of a 'niner' 'velle!! And yours is particularly sweet in DY! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Mr. Chevy]

Calm down now Sam!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

Thank you Sir!!

Rich

[John]

Rich, send me a PM with your address.....I think I can get you the "COLONIAL" metal emblem that you are looking for.
Send me your address and I will get one to you...
....No Charge

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

[CC Rider]

Wow, six Vettes in stock! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Mr. Chevy]

John, PM sent.. Thank you Sir and Happy New Year!!

Rich