68 camaro L78 at St. Louis Raceway Park

[COPO]

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[/ QUOTE ] the car did have an alarm system and a chain and padalock wraped around the core support and attached to a bracket under the hood! Something was under that hood of value!! Who knows maybe the guy still has it

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I think that might have been more common than you think. In fact, I did the exact same thing in 1980 when I bought a '70 Z-28 as my first car.

It does sound like an interesting car and if it does in fact have a DH connection that would be awesome. Good luck with the search. The state DMV's are pretty tough now getting info. Several years back I did have luck with the Missouri DMV on a car I was researching.

[markjohnson]

Bill James Chevrolet(now gone) was another performance oriented dealership here in St. Louis. I used to know a mechanic that worked in the service department there in the sixties. He'd tell some great stories. Once told me he that the demand for 409 cars was so great, that they were converting six-cylinder cars off the lot into '09's. Want a car with air conditioning? Him and another mechanic could add that under-the-dash air conditioning unit in 45 minutes. This is the first I've heard of Harrell having a shop next to Bill James though. Anyway, I'm in St. Louis and actually work pretty close to the old dealership and anything I can do to help, just give a holler. By the way, there's a book out at the larger bookstores that specifically focuses on old Chevrolet dealership photos and there happens to be a great photo of the Bill James lot in the sixities.

[L34Pace]

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This is the first I've heard of Harrell having a shop next to Bill James though. By the way, there's a book out at the larger bookstores that specifically focuses on old Chevrolet dealership photos and there happens to be a great photo of the Bill James lot in the sixities.

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Sorry, I'm small town Harrells shop was nearby...maybe on Chippewa? I would like to know the author of that book if you know it? If you could circulate the Helmke name for me I'd appreciate it!

[markjohnson]

I'll ask around.

[L34Pace]

I just Googled a John A. Helmke who lives in St. Louis. He would be the right age. Could you see if he is listed Mark?

[markjohnson]

Just PM'd you a phone number.

[Mr70]

That Book is titled,"The American Car Dealership" by Robert Genat & is easy to find.
It was published in 1999 & is ISBN#0-7603-0639-7.
They show this used car lot for Bill James Chevrolet in 1963.

[markjohnson]

There must be two books then because that's not the photo I seen and the book I looked at was Chevrolet dealerships only.

[Mr70]

Please share that other book title.
I know it's not this one HERE ,and would like to see it.
Was it an interior or exterior shot?

[markjohnson]

Unfortunately I did not buy the book or I would remember the name. I really thought it was that Classic Chevrolet Dealerships book and I remember that the photo featured cars a little newer than the photo you posted. It was an exterior shot that showed the outside of their building. It's only been about 2 years since I seen the book at Barnes&Noble so it should still be out there. I really wish I could remember the exact book now.