Funston Chevrolet in Detroit

[COPO PETE]

Does anyone have any info on this dealer?????? Does anyone have a COPO car that was sold there????
Does it still exist and operate?????? Was located on 12668 Gratiot Ave.
Peter

[68l30]

Funston Chevrolet,Bob Hirsch was the general sales manager,and Joe Clark was the Performance sales manager.They had a special performance shop across the street from the dealer called "The Pit Stop".They sold 22 performance cars per month,roughly 14% of total dealer sales in 69.They sold roughly 8 used performance cars per month.Funston had three top performance technians,and did up to 15 area racing events per year.Their performance lot would hold 30-35 performance cars,and the Pit Stop showroom would hold 2.Does this help...... /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif


Steve

[68l30]

Whoops,forgot Bill Barnwell was one of the 3 salesmen at the Pit Stop...........

Steve

[COPO PETE]

Wow, cool picture! Is this dealership still open???? And if not , do you know if any of the original salsemen kept there salsemen copy of the bills of sales???? Turns out my white COPO was sold new there, so I'm trying to find all the info I can. Any other pixs Steve??? Thanks again!
Peter

[Mr70]

Steve
Great picture!
I recognize that from the Chevrolet Communication kit booklet Central.I was just watching mine the other day.Is that Bill Barnwell in the PitStop picture?

[68l30]

Yep,thats Bill.I was just reading that article yesterday.I go to the board and Pete is looking for info.Pretty ironic /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif .How many films do you have in your kit? I have one and a record.Is this correct?


Steve

[Mr70]

Yes,just one record and one film strip for the January 1970 kit.I love that picture of that Chevelle,as well as the Lustine "Price Fighter".
I have the kits from 1968-1971 and the materials these kits show is incredible.The film strips alone are like traveling back in time.

[68l30]

Notice the Lustine COPO in the backround? Any ideas if it is a ZL-1 or not?

Steve

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I think that's where Malcolm Durham's ZL1 was sold new, and Lustine also sold a few Yenko Deuces.

[68l30]

Here is the Lustine photo,Bill Breen,Vince Koehle,and Archie Landen in photo.Car was powered by a 427-550HP and ran 11.3 in SS/E.Dark colored COPO in the backround......

Steve

[COPO PETE]

So......... is this dealership still operating????????????????
Peter

[TDW]

I live 60 miles North of Detroit. I just called directory assistance to check for phone number. No listing for Funston.....Tony

[68l30]

I have no idea.I'm using 30 yr. old material for referance........

Steve

[COPO PETE]

Tony.... Thanks for your time and effort, I appreciate it!
Peter

[TDW]

Your'e welcome. Wish I could have helped.......Tony

[Jim Mattison]

Pete-

Jim Funston Chevrolet closed their doors in the late 70s. They were only three miles away from Merolis Chevrolet, a much larger dealer.....and on the same street as Funston Chev.

I'm reasonibly sure that the Funston building is still standing, but it is not in one of the better areas on the east side of Detroit. Merolis Chevrolet, who sold quite a few COPO cars, is still in business today.

Jim Mattison

[COPO PETE]

Thanks for the info Jim. Now for the shot in the dark........... anyone have a dealer emblem, or know what one looked like?????? Oh and by the way Jim. If you get the GM historical records so that you are ready to see how your system is working to look up info, feel free to use my vin off my white car for test purposes.... just trying to help out!!! /ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif
Peter

[1967Z28]

I'm doing research on 1967 Z28s and Funston Chevrolet got car #25 of the first 25 Z28s built. The car would have been delivered in January of '67. Does anybody know the history of this particular car or if Funston received any other Z28s in 1967? I know the history of the majority of the first 25 Z28s built but would like to be able to add the Funston car to the list. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
-Jon

1967 Z28 street car
1967 Z28 Trans Am race car
1967 Z28 Registry

[Charley Lillard]

Pete.. I have a Hugger Orange COPO that was sold new there on June 25th , 69.

[Charley Lillard]

Protectoplate

[COPO PETE]

Great looking car Charley. Automatic as well I see. Any other options like gauges????
Peter /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
Oh ya.... you got mail.

[Jeff H]

Now what are you going to do with that Orange piece of junk? I think it wants to share the garage next to a certain Orange JL8. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Charley Lillard]

No Guages but it does have a console with floor shift. 30K miles car with orig. engine , trans and rear. Car was taken apart in the late 80's to replace the 1/4's that had been cut on. Has been in dry storage since. very nice overall condition. Firewall still has crayon ORNG .

[Stefano]

Looks like the original wire Channel bolt is there too!