GM Dealer - South Tacoma Motor Co (Washington)

**CamaroNOS** · #1 01-04-2016, 02:54 AM

Need some help here guys.

I recently purchased a 1969 Camaro SS 350/300 HP Hugger Orange survivor (Van Nuys build) and was lucky enough to get the Protect-O-Plate indicating that the selling dealer was the South Tacoma Motor Company located in Tacoma Washington. The car was sold on July 10, 1969.

I am looking for any info. regarding this dealership, such as was this a well known high profile dealer, does anybody on the site have any cars from this dealership, does anybody know anyone that might have worked there, etc?

I would also like to inquire about the history of this car. Is there a source for that type of info? I did contact the DMV from the state of Washington and came up empty.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Any sort of help/leads would be appreciated.</span>

Below is a link (hope it works) to the Tacoma Public Library showing some really cool pictures of the dealership in it's day, with great shots of the showroom with 68 Novas, 68 Camaros, 69 Chevelles in it, salesmen from that era, the parts counter, etc.

South Tacoma Chevrolet

Thanks,

Paul

**CamaroNOS** · #2 01-04-2016, 03:02 AM

Cannot seem to get the original link to work.....hope this will work???

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.or...axfiles=]South Tacoma Chevrolet

Paul

**169indy** · #3 01-04-2016, 04:58 AM

Oh Ya

NWYENKO · #4 01-04-2016, 01:46 PM

Located at 56th & South Tacoma way, now the home Walt Austins parts, engine work and classic car sales. Chevrolet dealership was owned by the Wallerich family who also owned North Pacific bank across the street. The dealership was managed by John Wallerich who had a number of personal classics. When new Chevys came out in September it was the place to go see the new cars. I remember sitting in a '66 Nova 4 speed on the showroom floor.

NWYENKO · #5 01-04-2016, 01:52 PM

Dealership later became Gilchrest Chevrolet, operated by John Gilchrest who also has a nice collection of classic Chevrolets

**69SSZL1** · #6 01-04-2016, 02:29 PM

That sure sounds like my old car. How many survivor Hugger Orange SS 350 from South Tacoma can there be? I have complete history of the car, I was the 3rd owner.
PM sent

**RPOLS3** · #7 01-04-2016, 04:08 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69SSZL1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That sure sounds like my old car. How many survivor Hugger Orange SS 350 from South Tacoma can there be? I have complete history of the car, I was the 3rd owner.
PM sent </div></div>

Here is the link to the original ad - forgot what a stunning car this was/is.

Survivor RS/SS 350 w/ZL-1

NWYENKO · #8 01-04-2016, 04:49 PM

My guess would be that original owner was military based on the Bridgeport Way address which is just down the road from Fort Lewis. Due to date of purchase I would bet he was returning Army from Viet Nam. Just guessing! I was stationed at Ft Lewis from July-Dec '69 and drove Bridgeport Way daily commuting to Bremerton, WA.

**69SSZL1** · #9 01-04-2016, 06:14 PM

I dug up my old paperwork and the sales contract says June 28, 1969, so, NOT my old car.
SO WE NEED TO SEE SOME PHOTOS OF YOUR CAR!

**CamaroNOS** · #10 01-04-2016, 10:37 PM

That was quick....thanks guys.

Here are some pics of the car as it is today. The only change I made was throw on a set of 15" SS wheels with some Goodyear Polyglas just to dress it up. The original 14" XT rims are resting in the corner with the twelve year old Firestone tires.

If this car rings a bell with anybody, I would like to talk to you.

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.