When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi guys,
Just a long shot, anybody out their have a corvette purchased from Indian River Chevrolet in Cocoa Florida in the 60s or any info on the dealership. Trying to track back records on my 67. The dealership is no longer there.
thanks paul
Paul,
I ordered my '66 coupe, which I still have, from Bob Dance who was their HP salesman. Ordered in early March, picked up June 23rd at 3:15 pm.
The car and I now live in NM, but on a trip East 5 years ago a brick distributor was on that location. I don't know any people still living in the area, so can offer no solution for you to find info, but good luck in your search and if you do stumble onto a source, please let me know. In my haste to drive away from the dealership, I ripped the window sticker off and threw it away. Please don't tell anyone that I did this though as I would hate for people to know how stupid I am!
Did you by chance work at the Cape during your time in Florida? Back to work! Bill
Bill, I was stationed at Cecil Field from 10/66 to 10/69(except for two trips to SE Asia, on the government, of course). Bob drag raced a 68 Corvette in D/SP, and had the first 180 degree firing order crank I had ever seen. I don't know if he is still around, but you might try to contact Bo Laws in the Orlando area. They were rivals of a sort, racing in the same class. I am pretty sure Bo is still in business.
My Dad sold and raced for I.R.C.,held SS title for 3 yrs (61-63)with the first 409 in Fl "NASCAR Champion" later it was the "Dixie Rebel" He also mentored Bob Dance and sold him his first race car.
Last edited by fisherbody; 05-07-2013 at 07:16 PM.
Not that many years ago there was a Bob Dance Dodge dealership in Kississimee and he did many of the TV commercials but I think he's since passed away and the dealership has changed names.
Off topic but I raced against Bob on several occasions and he was pretty much unbeatable in the stock classes. The first car of his I remember was a 61 or 62 Biscayne with a 409. He could actually lift the left front wheel coming off the line and my big heavy Ford Galaxie with a 406 tri-power was no match for him.
I remember several years later watching him turn 3 back to back 12.88 times with a 4 speed Camaro. I couldn't imagine being that consistent with a clutch and stick shift!
In any search for Indian River Chevrolet, Bob's name comes up. Seems he was the High Performance salesman at the dealership.
Being so close to Cape Canaveral, I can't, help but wonder if it was a military member or NASA employee who originally bought my car.
Hmmmm.....
You should try to research that. Look at all the astronaut cars that have shown up. What do you think the Grissom 67 will sell for? I've seen it at a few auctions, but a no sale.
I sent an e-mail off to the Cocoa Florida Corvette club. Asking to spread the word.
I can trace ownership of my car back to about 1986 when it was bought from a used car dealership in Central Florida. So maybe the original owners were not too transient.
Bob Dance has passed, Bernie Boniface also was salesman there, E. E. Maxwell believe was the general manager. Many friends purchased high performance cars there. My brother still lives in the area. Bob Dance raced believe 68 or 69, 400hp car and won NHRA nationals with it. Friend of mine ordered 375 horse black Nova, it came in with 350hp, he declined, remember looking at that car. While working at the rocket ranch, saw Grissoms 67 car often and was there when they towed it away, flares, blue, roll bar.
Hi , my car was sold at Salter Chevrolet , Pensacola fl. I was able to track down secretary , she said all records that are over 6 years old were thrown out , as the law only required 6 years of storage .
You wil find that to be true for most dealers even if they are still in business. Remember that paper took up space
like i said i was there when they towed Grissom's 67 away after the fire, from the O&C building. Lynndale blue, fender flares and a roll bar. that was January 1967. don't know what the trim said then but my guess is not red.
Hi guys,
Just a long shot, anybody out their have a corvette purchased from Indian River Chevrolet in Cocoa Florida in the 60s or any info on the dealership. Trying to track back records on my 67. The dealership is no longer there.
thanks paul
My Dad sold and raced for I.R.C.,held SS title for 3 yrs (61-63)with the first 409 in Fl "NASCAR Champion" later it was the "Dixie Rebel" He also mentored Bob Dance and sold him his first race car.
Hello Fisherbody,
I'm quite interested in your photos and information about Indian River Chevrolet drag racing that you mentioned. I'm a motorsports artist and this era S/S-F/S-Stock drag racing is my main focus. Please contact me here and via my private email <racenart@optonline.net> My website is www.JFNStudios.net and I can be found on Facebook for more art @ search: Joel Naprstek.
I have one poor quality xerox of the Pat Patterson '62 409. I'd like to learn and see more. Always looking for vintage 1960's auto racing photos/snapshots for my reference files.
Regards,
10-28-2007, 03:36 PM
Indian River Chevrolet Co
