GM Dealer - South Tacoma Motor Co (Washington)

[CamaroNOS]

Need some help here guys.

I recently purchased a 1969 Camaro SS 350/300 HP Hugger Orange survivor (Van Nuys build) and was lucky enough to get the Protect-O-Plate indicating that the selling dealer was the South Tacoma Motor Company located in Tacoma Washington. The car was sold on July 10, 1969.

I am looking for any info. regarding this dealership, such as was this a well known high profile dealer, does anybody on the site have any cars from this dealership, does anybody know anyone that might have worked there, etc?

I would also like to inquire about the history of this car. Is there a source for that type of info? I did contact the DMV from the state of Washington and came up empty.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Any sort of help/leads would be appreciated.</span>

Below is a link (hope it works) to the Tacoma Public Library showing some really cool pictures of the dealership in it's day, with great shots of the showroom with 68 Novas, 68 Camaros, 69 Chevelles in it, salesmen from that era, the parts counter, etc.

South Tacoma Chevrolet (http://http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images/dt6n.asp?un=5&amp;pg=1&amp;krequest=subjects+contains+Sout h+Tacoma+Motor+Co%2E+and+Tacoma+&amp;stemming=&amp;phonic= &amp;fuzzy=&amp;maxfiles=)

Thanks,

Paul

[CamaroNOS]

Cannot seem to get the original link to work.....hope this will work???

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images/dt6n.asp?un=5&amp;pg=1&amp;krequest=subjects+contains+Sout h+Tacoma+Motor+Co%2E+and+Tacoma+&amp;stemming=&amp;phonic= &amp;fuzzy=&amp;maxfiles=]South Tacoma Chevrolet

Paul

[169indy]

Oh Ya
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-304-36942-so_tacoma_chev.jpg

[NWYENKO]

Located at 56th &amp; South Tacoma way, now the home Walt Austins parts, engine work and classic car sales. Chevrolet dealership was owned by the Wallerich family who also owned North Pacific bank across the street. The dealership was managed by John Wallerich who had a number of personal classics. When new Chevys came out in September it was the place to go see the new cars. I remember sitting in a '66 Nova 4 speed on the showroom floor.

[NWYENKO]

Dealership later became Gilchrest Chevrolet, operated by John Gilchrest who also has a nice collection of classic Chevrolets

[69SSZL1]

That sure sounds like my old car. How many survivor Hugger Orange SS 350 from South Tacoma can there be? I have complete history of the car, I was the 3rd owner.
PM sent

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69SSZL1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That sure sounds like my old car. How many survivor Hugger Orange SS 350 from South Tacoma can there be? I have complete history of the car, I was the 3rd owner.
PM sent </div></div>

Here is the link to the original ad - forgot what a stunning car this was/is.

Survivor RS/SS 350 w/ZL-1 (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/535691/1)

[NWYENKO]

My guess would be that original owner was military based on the Bridgeport Way address which is just down the road from Fort Lewis. Due to date of purchase I would bet he was returning Army from Viet Nam. Just guessing! I was stationed at Ft Lewis from July-Dec '69 and drove Bridgeport Way daily commuting to Bremerton, WA.

[69SSZL1]

I dug up my old paperwork and the sales contract says June 28, 1969, so, NOT my old car.
SO WE NEED TO SEE SOME PHOTOS OF YOUR CAR!

[CamaroNOS]

That was quick....thanks guys.

Here are some pics of the car as it is today. The only change I made was throw on a set of 15&quot; SS wheels with some Goodyear Polyglas just to dress it up. The original 14&quot; XT rims are resting in the corner with the twelve year old Firestone tires.

If this car rings a bell with anybody, I would like to talk to you.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-2731-36972-69_ss_survivor_002.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-2731-36973-69_ss_survivor_005.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-2731-36974-camaro_ss_survivor_002.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-2731-36975-camaro_ss_survivor_056.jpg

[MosportGreen66]

nice... flat hood and no spoilers. refreshing

[my69rat]

WOW, What a nice freaking car.

[my69rat]

WOW, What a nice freaking car.

[69SSZL1]

Nice car!
Is that original paint? Wow it looks good.
If your gas tank has never been removed, then your Chassis Broadcast Copy (Build Sheet) WILL still be on top of the tank on the drivers side. If you look behind the rear tire on the drivers side to the top of the gas tank, you may see paper sticking out.
That makes 3 Hugger Orange SS survivors from that Dealership all sold around the same time period. Charlie had the SS 396 one.

[CamaroNOS]

Thank you.

As far as it being a non D80 optioned car, yes it is refreshing. Although I am struggling with the spoilers not being there. But don't worry, I will not be picking up a drill anytime soon......lol.

The car is mostly original paint from what I am able to determine. I spent some time with a digital paint meter and was coming up with anywhere from 1.5 mm to 4 mm paint thickness. Even the hockey stick stripes don't line up all that well, just like they should.

And I am fortunate to have the Chassis Broadcast Sheet. When I purchased the Camaro, the story went like this......the gas tank was replaced many years ago and when it was done, the Broadcast Sheet was discovered. But what is interesting after detailing the car, I soon realized that the replacement tank was a GM tank, dated 6 - 69.

Yes, that is quite unique, three Hugger Orange SS Camaro's all from the same dealership and all still in tact. How weird or unique is that?

It would be cool to get all three of them side by side someday for a couple of photos.


Paul

PS - Charley.......do you still own the B/B SS?

[scott s]

This dealer loved orange ss cars.... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

[427TJ]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MosportGreen66</div><div class="ubbcode-body">nice... flat hood and no spoilers. refreshing </div></div>

I second that. &quot;Spoiler abuse&quot; infects the car hobby, not just 1st Gen Camaros.

Beautiful car!

[scott s]

maybe on the lot at the same time??

[69SSZL1]

Wow Scott, she looks good. Hows she run?

These cars may have been all on the lot at the same time. It would have been hard to chose just one:
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/OAKLYSS/361622-tn_026_zpskjtv0w5k.jpg (http://s145.photobucket.com/user/OAKLYSS/media/361622-tn_026_zpskjtv0w5k.jpg.html)
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/OAKLYSS/Camaro1_zpsakoqdhf6.jpg (http://s145.photobucket.com/user/OAKLYSS/media/Camaro1_zpsakoqdhf6.jpg.html)
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/OAKLYSS/full-2731-36975-camaro_ss_survivor_056_zpsmuofekak.jpg (http://s145.photobucket.com/user/OAKLYSS/media/full-2731-36975-camaro_ss_survivor_056_zpsmuofekak.jpg.html)

[169indy]

TRY South Tacoma!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-304-37072-100_5443.jpg

added the AHM (American Hobby Manufactures) or could have been Tyco? 1968 HO Scale 1:87th 1968 SSRS Camaro model from my Model Railroad stock pictured on the hood of the 1:1 scale car.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-304-37073-100_5444.jpg

[69SSZL1]

Here is the other thread with the RS SS 396


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&amp;Number=335001&amp;page=1

[CamaroNOS]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to thank everybody who participated in this topic. I talked to some pretty amazing people with some amazing stories.

It never ceases to surprise me the vast amount of information that is out there regarding these cars and how we all cherish them.

Thanks again,

Paul

[169indy]

So. Tacoma Chevrolet / SOUTH TACOMA MOTOR COMPANY
Chevrolet Dealer Code 379 in Zone 42
Washington Dealer Number 0199
5602 South Tacoma Way
TACOMA, WA. 98409
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/01/full-304-37924-100_5502.jpg

I found dealer plate at a local swap meet and grabbed the 1968 version with a issue letter &quot;J&quot; for JIM, not bad for $15. I am not sure How other states identified &quot;dealers&quot; assigned to one year use TEST DRIVE plates, but wash used a series of numbers assigned by application and the first three plates A,B &amp; C were included in the initial application then any additional letter plates were issued for additional fees, (Usually required for the bigger dealers) One interesting item was our local Performance independent dealer Leon &amp; Jim FOX applied for and received Washington State Dealer Number &quot;1320&quot; for obvious reasons.

JIM

[CamaroNOS]

Thanks Jim!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/02/full-2731-39581-100_8894.jpg

[DW31S]

Love this car!

[CamaroNOS]

Thanks Dave.

Paul

[enio45]

paul, that is a very nice looking car.....congrats on the acquisition!

[CamarosRus]

My 70 R/S Z-28 was sold new at South Tacoma Chevrolet.

I am wanting to buy any dealer literature, license frames, etc

[email protected]

[CamaroNOS]

Thank you Eddie.

Paul