Jim Rathman Dies

[lineman]

Jim Rathman was a staple in MuscleCar Dealers in Fla. He sold COPO's.ZL1's,many Musclecars in the day at Jim Rathman Chevrolet in Melbourne,Fla.

Jim Rathman

[olredalert]

----Sorry to hear this. In 1966 I had to go to his Chevy dealer during spring break and get a broken valve-spring replaced. It was his mechanic that recommended that I replace all the valve-springs as he felt the original L-72 springs were suspect. I never broke another spring.....Bill S

[TimG]

I know he drove the 1969 Indy Pace Car for the race. This is my all time favorite Pace Car.

[Vettefinderjim]

Corvette and Nascar fans recognize Jim’s connection with Chevrolet as the go to guy in the 50's and 60's. He was the CEO of SEDCO in Atlanta, where many DAYTON BEACH and SEBRING race Chevrolet Corvettes and passenger cars were prepared for the races. Someone has to write the book of history about this time and people. Jim was a major player..........

Good friend Ralph Kramer adds
" One story I remember. Duntov and Bob Lund,who was then just a Chevy sales dept. operative, set up shop in Rathmann’s dealership to secretly funnel cars and equipment to NASCAR racers. Had 3 phones. Rathmann would make a call, initiate conversation. Zora and Bob would listen in. They’d hand signal each other, thumbs up, thumbs down, if a racer seemed like a keeper. Then, Zora would chime in about what Chevy could offer. A car, an engine, etc.”

AHHH…..The good old days