jtranger

I just received my NCRS shipping report. My '65 took delivery to Dick Fencl Chevy in Oak Park, Illinois. Does anyone have any information on this dealer or history, Etc? Thanks

RMBLROAR

Bought my first new car from them in '65. An Impala 2dr HT, 300HP 327, glider. Paid $3200 for it. They did a lot of business in the Western Suburbs of Chicago.....

65specialk

According to my NCRS report my car also came from them. 1965/350HP Glen Green Coupe#113575. Google Dick Fencl. Gives the whole story.

Dave

65specialk

Found this on a previous thread. Dave


Dick Fencl started with Fencl Chevrolet in the 50's, then he brought in a partner by the Name of Pierce when he took a position with Greyhound Corporation. When he left Greyhound and bought out Pierce and Ralph Bogan, one of the founders of Greyhound joined him in the new partnership. Dick Fencl later bought out Bogan and then the store was named Dick Fencl Chevrolet. He also put his brother Ray in business with a Ford Dealership and his brother in law in business with Dick Z. Lincoln Mercury. During the 60's Dick Fencl Chevy was the number one seller of Corvettes in the Chicago Zone. As far as total sales, the Number 1 spot was rotated between Z-Frank, Brigance, Fencl and Nickey. They were the top Chevy dealers in the Chicago Zone. Z Frank did some Hi-Pro sales and Nickey, of course, the "The Purple People Eaters" that raced at Road America and Meadow Dale Raceway.

At this time Maury Ettleson was the Office Manager of Dick Fencl Chevy and Al Piemonte was the New Car Manager. Maury and Al left to buy Glenbrook Ford in Libertyvile. Then Al and Maury sold Glenbrook Ford and opened Al Piemonte Ford in Melrose Park.

Maury Ettleson wanted to get back in the Chevy business and he purchased a Chevy store in Elmhurst along with Dick Fencl and Nick Celozzi, who was the New Car Sales Manager at Al Piemonte Ford. That, of course, became Celozzi-Ettleson Chevrolet.

Johny Tufo was the Used Car Manager at Dick Fencl Chevrolet and he partnered with Dick Fencl to start Fencl-Tufo Chevrolet in Glendale. Johny brought several salesmen from Brigance Chevrolet and got into the high performance business.

After the riots in 1968, business slowed down for both Brigance and Dick Fencl in Oak Park and in 1969 Dick Fencl closed his Madison Ave. Store and Brigance lasted another year or so.

65specialk

Hope this helps.

tommyn

My 66 came from Fencl Chevy. Al Piemonte is still in business in Melrose Park. I was thinking of sending him a letter to see if he had any old photos of Fencl from back in the day. I also would like to find the time to get to Oak Park and see if they have any historical info on Fencl.

jtranger

Thanks Guys. Tommy, that is great that you still have the invoice! Al Piemonte used to be a salesman for Dick Fencl. Al Piemonte still has several dealers in the Chicago area, including a Chevy dealer in Dundee. I am originally form the Chicago suburbs, so this is very ironic. If you guys get anymore info please pass it on and I will do the same!

oneragtop

In 1965 I stopped in at Dick Fencl to Check out a dark blue coupe, Black interior, 327-375, A/C. THOUGHT about it for a day or so. Went back to 'do the deal.' Guess what ? It was GONE !! You wonder if that car still exists and if it does, what it would value at.

rayfencl

We delivered about 15-20 cars a day in the mid-60's. We had a lot of come back and their car was sold.

I wish we had kept a few in storage. They would be worth a lot today.

Ray Fencl

rayfencl

I saw the business card from Fritz Meder. We had two salesmen that had lost one of their legs during WWII, Gene Gresko and Fritz Meder. They both lost their legs in the same battle. Gene was in the US Army and Fritz was in the Wehrmacht. They became very good friends.

I am sorry, but I don't have pictures of the dealership.

Ray Fencl

MGbyGM

In 1957 I purchased from Fencl Chevrolet a 1957 Bel-Air 2dr sedan. V8 with stick shift. Fast car in those days, That was the start of my love affair with Chevrolet.


I have owned several Corvettes since that day. 1958 C1, 1965 C2, 1968 Stingray (425/435 beast) C3 and lastly 1985 C4.

Great memories for sure.

gpm6367

I just got my shipping report as well for my 1968 L71 and it was sold there too.

Has anyone done any research into the individuals?

Is anyone still around that was there back then?

Any chance any documentation or dealership memorabilia exists?

I saw a post on Ancestry.com from Richard Fenci's son, Ray...might he have any info?

jtranger

I have contacted Ray. All the information he has is in this post. You may want to try and contact him personally. My '65 came from there also.