Weekend find - Chevy auto show sign

[scuncio]

Hey folks,

Ran across this cool sign and had to have it. It’s about 98” by 22” and I was told it was from the Chevrolet display in the Detroit auto show sometime in the late 1970s. Based on the graphic, does that sound right to you guys?

Thanks!

[AnthonyS]

Nice!

[MosportGreen66]

Cool find! Would love to have it

[70 copo]

IMO...

It looks very much like one of the batch of reproductions that were being sold at Fall Carlisle buy a guy who said he bought out the MFG after he went out of business.

Reason: The case it is in is the same case used on the Repops that were for sale.

Selling for $200.00 per sign at Carlisle this past weekend.

[scuncio]

Thanks, interesting! I would be amazed if this were a repop - it weighs about 80-90lb and was covered in filth when I got it, and definitely has its share of 'shelf wear.' There was a complementary 'TRUCKS' sign that was offered to me but I passed on it. The 'TRUCKS' sign had an inlet plug and outlet plug and was designed to gang together with the other three 'CHEVROLET' and 'TRUCKS' signs to create a four-sided display.

[HuggerSS]

Defiantly original... I would guess very early 70’s

[HuggerSS]

By the way, very cool!

[Mr. Chevy]

Yeah that's NO RE POP.. Cool Piece... Nice Find..

Rich

[70 copo]

One sure way to find out what you have there. Unscrew the case and look inside. I collect vintage lighted signs and they are graded by value based upon originality. Many originals being sold have refurbished light bulbs starters, cords, and on some light units the entire display fascia is replaced.

Originals will typically have a UL (underwriters laboratory) tag inside.

Without taking it apart, If it is all original and vintage it should have a slow non electronic starter inside. One way to check without disassembly is to closely observe when you light it. When voltage is applied there will be a slight delay followed by a flash or two and you will hear a "dink-dink" noise from inside the unit.

[scuncio]

Sure, I'll pull the cover off and see.

I know it's tough to convey in pictures, but there's no doubt in my mind that this sign is at least a few decades old. It does have the old-time ballast that takes a few seconds to energize all the bulbs. There are a couple maker's labels on the case but they are too hard to read due to wear.

I'm not really concerned about value - for what I paid for it, I felt it was worth it regardless of its origin.

[Lynn]

Great sign, and nice score Tony.

[Mr70]

..It’s about 98” by 22”..
Tony can you confirm the actual length & height again?
Based on that photo,doesn't look 98" long X 22" tall.

[scuncio]

Rick, it is 98.5" x 22".

[Mr70]

Interesting vintage sign,I don't think it's something that someone made up recently at all.It looks like an authentic Chevrolet auto show piece,judging by the series plug connections and the box & lettering design,probably mid to late 1970s.
I have many vintage Chevrolet lighted sign catalogs,and don't see that design in any of them.It might have been part of a generic truck show display package used at the Bottlers' Convention,or other similar trade shows.
I also looked through my limited amount of 1960'-70's-80's auto show photos and didn't see anything like it among the other sign lights.
Very cool!

[70 copo]

Rick,

I thought the GM specification called for a ribbed face for durability

Pretty much standard for brand signage and OK signs. Comments?

[70 copo]

Campbell Ewald was the vendor supplier to GM for these signs.

[Mr70]

Companies taped by GM all had their own design ideas,so there really wasn't one specific template.Some outdoor Chevrolet signs in the early to mid 1960s were ribbed,but not all were as ribbing wasn't a requirement by anyone.
Dealer showroom signage,both outdoor and indoor,was handled by GM Photographic.
Auto show signs were designed and made by the Chevrolet Show & Display group,for which outdoor durability wasn't usually a design factor.All signs were of course,subject to Chevrolet Sales Dept. approval.They had the final say.
Hanover Mfr. was also a sign company that GM used to make their indoor signs,clocks etc.Campbell-Ewald wasn't involved with any lighted signs,they only got involved with lengthy advertising copy such as descriptive paragraphs on displays that needed to be written.

[70 copo]

Rick.

What I am saying is that as the vendor supplier to Chevrolet- Campbell Ewald managed the advertising campaign and the design specifications for GM logo specification to the subcontract manufacturers,- one of which was Hanover for signs. There were other vendors as well including trade show display subs.

It was my understanding that Chevy Show and display worked in close coordination with Campbell. Is this incorrect?

As one example even pace car decals were sourced for production through Campbell Ewald by Chevrolet.