Yes, J.C. Penny used to sell speed equipment at one time. This is from an old Car Craft ad but I also have a 1970-71 J.C. Penny catalog and the speed equipment was in there also-about 10-12 pages. For you younger guys Pennie's used to have autoservice centers and they would install the speed parts for you. In the ad it says "drive in and charge it" Looks like they stocked all the Edelbrock, Hurst etc.
I also have alisting of the JCPenny speed shops and most were in hardcore car areas, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Dayton Ohio, Cleveland/Youngstown, New York Burroughs etc
In my area there was a store called Harts. Kinda like a Ames etc. and they also had an autoservice center which sold a bunch of speed equipment in my area cira early '70's. Stuff like intakes, wheels, shifters, gauges etc. Right after checking out the new model cars I would run over to the automobiles section and checkout the speed equipment. They shut down the service center in mid '70's to expand into groceries and they literaly gave away all of the speed equipment at rock bottom prices. My brother bought thrush mufflers at this sale for something like $2.00 each.
I also remember the local Nationwise auto parts had a section within their store called "The Rod Shop" Also sold a bunch of speed equipment. Matter of fact much of the speed goodies on my car came from there.
I've been to the new Summit retail store but it is nothing like the old days IMO.
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