Vandeveer Plymouth

DaJudge · #1 08-17-2007, 09:36 PM

Does anyone have any pictures or memorabilia from Vandeveer Plymouth out of Evansville, Indiana? Thanks in advance

Mike

**mockingbird812** · #2 08-17-2007, 09:41 PM

I 'spect that's where your new acquisition came from? Are they still in business? And finally, did you get your photos and story into Bruce for MR?

Good luck.

P.S. Our very own "Dreemz" has a beautiful '70 E body with the rare N96 option...

Steviej70 · #3 08-20-2007, 07:51 PM

Vandeveer went out of business many years ago (Maybe 20 or 25 years?). I know several of the Vandeveers...Are you looking for anything specific? I'm not for sure if they'll have anything to give up, but I will ask.

DaJudge · #4 08-20-2007, 09:23 PM

I spoke with Steve Vandeveer on the phone. Super nice person. They stopped selling Plymouth's back in 59 or 60. He stated that the car was probably sold as a used unit. So I did more detective work and contacted the second or third owner. They told me the car was sold new out of KEM Motors, Inc in Evansville. Steve Vandeveer said it was probably sold new out of KEM as well. So if anyone has any info on KEM I would really appreciate it. I beleive KEM was owned by the O'Daniel family.

Steviej70 · #5 08-20-2007, 10:35 PM

The O'Daniels are still around. I'm pretty sure the family still owns D-Patrick (Ford and many other imports). O'Daniel-Raines is another dealership they owned. My wife taught several of the O'Daniels (probably grandkids of who you want to talk to). I'm not familiar with KEM, but I will make some calls and see what I come up with. Do you have an address for KEM?

Steviej70 · #6 08-20-2007, 10:46 PM

Here is some history...

http://www.dpat.com/about/history.htm

I think it is KEY Motors you're looking for, not KEM? Anyway, if you would like to dig deeper...my wife is friends with the Farabaughs (Ray is president of import dealership).

Good luck.

DaJudge · #7 08-21-2007, 12:09 AM

Here's the address as provided to me.

KEM MOTORS INC
206 SE EIGHTH STREET
EVANSVILLE IN 47713
dest code: 109

DaJudge · #8 08-21-2007, 06:29 AM

It was definitely KEM Motors.Went out of business in the mid to late 70's. I just got off the phone with Randy O'Daniel. He was the nephew of the gentleman who owned KEM. The O'Daniels are still in the automobile business and Randy collects musclecars and owns a restoration shop as well as multiple dealership locations.