Rosenthal Chevrolet Arlington, VA

[VetteSpaz]

Good Morning Guys,

Still new to Yenko.net so bear with me. I was just viewing the previous threads about Rosenthal Chevrolet and the ones I found all seemed to fizzle out about 2015.

I wanted to resurrect a thread here to share some of the memorabilia that I've gathered through the years from there. My other Corvette was sold new from there back in '65. I'm the proud second owner.

I don't have tons but what I do have I'll share here. Enjoy, Mike

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[VetteSpaz]

Dealership Closing Info...Mike

[VetteSpaz]

Hi Guys,

A very cool comparison between these two attachments. Gives you a feel of what the dealership looked like back in the day.

Here's an employee posing with Rosenthal Chevrolet in the background. The corner of 3400 Columbia Pike & Glebe Road. Looks like the mid-1960s. Jives nicely with this 1964 sales invoice letterhead from there. Mike

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[VetteSpaz]

Here's an email with attachments I got a while back from a good buddy of mine who's a total NASCAR fan. I've known him since he was 18. He was with me when I bought and trailered my '65 home from the original owner's place that day way back when. "HO" is the name of my 1965 Vette's original owner who bought the car new from Rosenthal Chevrolet.

Cool stuff here! Bob Rosenthal sponsored various Chevrolet racing teams through the years. Here's his hands in on NASCAR from those days back in '65!

[William]

Selling dealer for ZL-1 #8, silver auto. Probably still exists, not certain.

[VetteSpaz]

William,

I'd surely like to see that Rosenthal ZL-1. A true example of Chevrolet history!


Hey Everybody,

For those of you who grew up during the '50s-'60s you may recall this catchphrase that was used at Cape Canaveral during the Gemini space program years. "All Systems GO!" was used just before the final countdown to rocket launch.

Check out this Rosenthal Chevrolet wall poster that hung there in 1965. This first photo shows three auto salesmen standing by the poster. The guy on the far right is Hugh Lowe. The salesman who sold my '65 Vette to her original owner there in April, 1965. The next photo is of Bob Rosenthal with Hugh Lowe in front of the poster. The poster read as follows:

GOOD MORNING
WORLDS TOP AUTO DEALER
7200 NEW UNITS IN '65
ALL SYSTEMS GO IN '65

[VetteSpaz]

Here's a 1964 Sales Invoice from Rosenthal. What I wouldn't do to have my '65 Vette's pink slip from there. The original owner can't find this precious document. But I did get the original '65 Warranty Booklet with the Protect-O-Plate from there. I'm grateful for that.

[450hp]

Nice to see old Dealer things. My LS6 came from there, in February of 1970. I've had it since 1984, always looking for Dealership pieces. Thanks for sharing.

[VetteSpaz]

I've got more to share here but it leans towards Corvettes. Bob Rosenthal was BIG into Corvettes. I wasn't sure how Corvette stuff would be received here. Trying to keep it generic to Chevrolet.

Let me know. I'll post some very cool Corvette stuff about Bob Rosenthal's involvement with the Corvette.

Glad you've enjoyed what I've posted so far.

Cheers, Mike

[VetteSpaz]

I was very fortunate to personally meet the salesman who sold my '65 Corvette to her original owner. Hugh Lowe was very generous to share these historic photos from within Rosenthal Chevrolet with me. These were his personal photos of his years working for Mr. Rosenthal. Hugh had nothing but good things to say about his boss and friend Bob Rosenthal.

Hugh Lowe went on to own and operate Lowe Chevrolet in Upper Marlboro, MD. Just down Blue Star Memorial Highway from Marlboro Raceway. Talk about racing history!

Hugh told me that Bob Rosenthal was an excellent manager who cared for his employees. Here's a shot of him rewarding one of his top sellers a brand new Corvair Monza convertible. This was in the early half of the 1960's. Hugh Lowe is just to the right of the winner.

[olredalert]

I've got more to share here but it leans towards Corvettes. Bob Rosenthal was BIG into Corvettes. I wasn't sure how Corvette stuff would be received here. Trying to keep it generic to Chevrolet.

Let me know. I'll post some very cool Corvette stuff about Bob Rosenthal's involvement with the Corvette.

Glad you've enjoyed what I've posted so far.

Cheers, Mike

----Mike,,,What color is your LS6? I have a reason for asking.....Bill S

[VetteSpaz]

Nice to see old Dealer things. My LS6 came from there, in February of 1970. I've had it since 1984, always looking for Dealership pieces. Thanks for sharing.


Bill S,

The LS6 was mentioned as owned by 450hp. I WISH I OWNED AN LS6!

Mike Browning (VetteSpaz)

[William]

Hugh Lowe went on to own and operate Lowe Chevrolet in Upper Marlboro, MD. Just down Blue Star Memorial Highway from Marlboro Raceway. Talk about racing history!



Great minds do think alike. Lowe was the selling dealer for ZL-1 #56, still exists.

[VetteSpaz]

Good Evening Guys,

Check out this awesome artist's sketch of 1959 Impalas. I've never seen this before. Just stumbled upon it online. Looks like a Chevrolet drawing. There's something about the '59 Cadillacs and Impalas. Gotta love those tailfins!

When America reigned supreme in all that she did. Especially the automobile industry. And I'm sure Rosenthal Chevrolet sold their share of these beautiful Impalas!

Mike

[VetteSpaz]

William,

I'm sure Hugh Lowe sold some very historic Chevys from Lowe Chevrolet. I'd love to see ZL-1 #56 up close.

He was such a great guy. He even let me come out to his home back in the late '90s. That's when he shared these historic Rosenthal photos with me. He trusted me enough to loan them to me so I could make copies for my archives. I was stationed at Andrews AFB then and lived in Upper Marlboro very close to his dealership. I'm getting older now. I figured it was time to share them with you all.

Here's an entry from Hugh's obituary. Sadly, he passed away in 2010. I'll also include a very early Lowe Chevrolet business card. Hugh opened Lowe Chevrolet in September 1967 after many faithful years at Rosenthal Chevrolet.

Mike

[Crush]

William,

I'm sure Hugh Lowe sold some very historic Chevys from Lowe Chevrolet. I'd love to see ZL-1 #56 up close.

He was such a great guy. He even let me come out to his home back in the late '90s. That's when he shared these historic Rosenthal photos with me. He trusted me enough to loan them to me so I could make copies for my archives. I was stationed at Andrews AFB then and lived in Upper Marlboro very close to his dealership. I'm getting older now. I figured it was time to share them with you all.

Here's an entry from Hugh's obituary. Sadly, he passed away in 2010. I'll also include a very early Lowe Chevrolet business card. Hugh opened Lowe Chevrolet in September 1967 after many faithful years at Rosenthal Chevrolet.

Mike


“Your transportation counselor” that’s cool!!

[VetteSpaz]

Good Evening Guys,

Just ran this Lowe Chevrolet business card through my photoshop. Came out pretty good if I don't say so myself. Good enough to hang on my shop wall. Think I will!

Gotta love the reference to Chevy II cars. Those were the good old days!

Mike

[VetteSpaz]

Just found this one again. Shoulda been my first post. 1954 Groundbreaking.
Where it all began!

[JoeC]

early ad

[VetteSpaz]

Thanks JoeC. You've opened the door for a little Rosenthal Corvette history!

Hey Everyone,

About a year ago I contacted a gentleman out in Tulsa, OK who owns a historic 1957 Corvette racer that was sponsored that racing year by Bob Rosenthal. Once I began reading about this very successful 1957 fuelie racer I realized that I had an important photograph of the car. It was given to me by Hugh Lowe, owner of Lowe Chevrolet many years earlier. I wanted to send a copy to it's rightful owner.

Check out this photo. It places the car at Rosenthal Chevrolet circa 1957-1959 with Bob Rosenthal to the left, an unknown gent in the middle and Hugh Lowe to the right. Most of the racer isn't visible but you can make out the #114 on the rear fender. Such a cool photo.

The owner was very thankful and sent me the following articles, ads and photos. He was a personal acquaintance of Bob Rosenthal and during one of his visits Bob posed again for a "before & after" photo shoot of him sitting on the #114 racer as shown in the old 1959 "Corvette Chief" ad included here. Can't get much cooler than this!

Enjoy, Mike

[JoeC]

you probably saw this youtube of the 1957 National SCCA Race including Corvettes at Cumberland

This Rosenthal Corvette is in the race along with Don Yenko and Carroll Shelby both driving 1957 FI Corvettes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akiMAGUakRQ

[VetteSpaz]

JoeC,

Thanks for sharing the YouTube video link. No, that's the first time I'd seen it. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it!

Earlier in this thread I mentioned a guy I've known for years from Upper Marlboro, MD. He's the one who sent me those '65 Daytona Impala shots. Well, he and I and other Corvette & Chevy enthusiasts would hang out in this local shop during the weekends to work on our cars. Back in the 1990's. Not far from old Marlboro Raceway and Lowe Chevrolet.

Just across the street was his dad's house. Guess who his dad's personal dentist was for decades? Dr. Dick Thompson. I kid you not!

Mike

[VetteSpaz]

Good Morning Guys,

I've enjoyed sharing my best Rosenthal Chevrolet memorabilia with you all. I was hoping that anyone with any other Rosenthal stuff would post it here. It would be great to see a shot of your Chevrolet muscle car sold from there too. I'd enjoy seeing anything you have to share. Hopefully I've added to your collections.

Bob Rosenthal also liked the Corvette and always had a fine stock on hand. Many high performance Corvettes came from this dealership. Here's a very clear version of a 1965 sales poster from there. Check out this list of high redline screamers!

(8) 365HP and (5) 375HP "Fuelies." All highly sought after cars now.

Enjoy,
Mike

[TimG]

Tons of Corvettes.

[olredalert]

Tons of Corvettes.

----10 solid lifter cars. WOW! 4 of them fuelie's. Early in the model year as there are no 396's. I'll bet they received several of them when they became available....Bill S

[JoeC]

according this article on the 1967 L-88s

The first L-88 was delivered to Rosenthal Chevrolet

2nd L-88 to Yenko, 3rd L-88 to Dana

[VetteSpaz]

JoeC,

Excellent Info! Just what the doctor ordered. In all my years of digging I never knew that Rosenthal Chevrolet ordered the 1st '67 L88 Corvette. My buddies are gonna eat this up! The power of Yenko.net. You guys are very knowledgeable!

Okay, I'll kick it off. Anybody with a Camaro, Chevelle, Impala, Nova, Corvette, what have you please post a shot of your classic '50s, '60s or '70s Chevrolet car here just as long as it was sold new from Rosenthal Chevrolet Co. Any car photos, documents and stories you'd care to share.

I'd get a kick out of seeing your ride. Here's mine. 2 owner 1965 Corvette 327/350HP/transistorized ignition with 3.55 posi and Muncie 4 Speed close ratio tranny. All original numbers. She's a blast to drive!

Mike

[JoeC]

66 Chevelle drag car sponsored by Rosenthal

[VetteSpaz]

Good Morning Guys,

Here's another shot I just found of the 1965 427 Impala NASCAR grand national stock car I'd posted early on. Compare this photo to those on page one, post #4.

Mike

[VetteSpaz]

Don't know if the garage shot car is the real deal or a clone? But just the same she's bad to the bone!

A black and white shot from back in the day.

Mike

[VetteSpaz]

This sure brings back 10th grade memories! When the local Chevrolet dealerships provided cars to area high school Driver's Ed. classes!

[VetteSpaz]

A recently acquired nugget from Rosenthal Chevrolet Co. from back in the day. Very cool little technician patch from there.

Mike

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