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Can anyone remember the name of the Chevy dealer on Chestnut Street back in the 50's? I was taken over by Penske sometime in early 60's I believe. I can see the sign I just can't say it. Hundreds of times I drove past this dealer with my Father. For some reason I can't seem to come up with the answer doing a Google search.
Thanks for your replies.
Dennis
Penske went to work there around 63, and bought it a couple years.
From what I remember of the story, Roger Penske met George McKean through the Philadelphia Region of the Sports Car Club of America. Penske was still racing at the time, and active in the local SCCA. McKean was a car guy and also active in the SCCA.
McKean offered Roger a job as the dealership's General Manager, and within about two years, he'd bought the dealership. A combination of pressure from his investors and from Chevrolet, along with issues getting health and life insurances, caused Penske to give up racing as a driver. In 66, he stopped racing as a driver, and started his racing team in near by Newtown Square PA. Penske wasn't even 30 at the time he bought the dealership.
The former McKean Chevrolet, Penske-McKean Chevrolet and Penske Chevrolet were located at 48th and Chestnut, in Philadelphia. Today there's a Toyota dealership at that location, or at least the last time I was out that way, it was a Toyota store.
I just found a website that can provide me with info on where my car was originally sold (Chevy Muscle). It was the Penske-McKean dealership. Is there any way to get records from this dealership of who my Camaro was sold to? Kurt
Penske went to work there around 63, and bought it a couple years.
From what I remember of the story, Roger Penske met George McKean through the Philadelphia Region of the Sports Car Club of America. Penske was still racing at the time, and active in the local SCCA. McKean was a car guy and also active in the SCCA.
McKean offered Roger a job as the dealership's General Manager, and within about two years, he'd bought the dealership. A combination of pressure from his investors and from Chevrolet, along with issues getting health and life insurances, caused Penske to give up racing as a driver. In 66, he stopped racing as a driver, and started his racing team in near by Newtown Square PA. Penske wasn't even 30 at the time he bought the dealership.
The former McKean Chevrolet, Penske-McKean Chevrolet and Penske Chevrolet were located at 48th and Chestnut, in Philadelphia. Today there's a Toyota dealership at that location, or at least the last time I was out that way, it was a Toyota store.
That's Grant Sport 002 which Duntov sneaked out of Chevrolet and sold to John Mecum in late 65, along with GS 001. Mecum turned around and sold both of them to Penske. Penske kept 001 and raced it at Daytona and Sebring in 66 and sold 002 to George Wintersteen. Wintersteen raced the car a year or two and put it up for sale. The car has been through a number of owners over the years, but was never repainted or modified in any way. Today the car is part of the Simeone Museum collection of old race cars in Philadelphia, and is still in it's original, unrestored condition. George still lives in the Philadelphia/Newtown Square area, and on occasion has shown up at the Simeone Museum to drive GS 002 on one of their Demo Days.
That's Grant Sport 002 which Duntov sneaked out of Chevrolet and sold to John Mecum in late 65, along with GS 001. Mecum turned around and sold both of them to Penske. Penske kept 001 and raced it at Daytona and Sebring in 66 and sold 002 to George Wintersteen. Wintersteen raced the car a year or two and put it up for sale. The car has been through a number of owners over the years, but was never repainted or modified in any way. Today the car is part of the Simeone Museum collection of old race cars in Philadelphia, and is still in it's original, unrestored condition. George still lives in the Philadelphia/Newtown Square area, and on occasion has shown up at the Simeone Museum to drive GS 002 on one of their Demo Days.
I pulled that pic from the GS site on FB It also mentions that Mark Donahue lived in the apartment above the shop . This is the shop now
I don't know how long it lasted but Penske also was in business with Andy Scott in Allentown. Scott/Penske Chevrolet. The dealership is still there in the same place but just Scott Chevy.
I was in Reedman Chevrolet in Langhorne in Aug 1966 sitting in the showroom while my Dad was negotiating with his buddy Reedman over an Impala station wagon. Of course I was looking at the Corvette brochure planning my ultimate C2. Years and years later I got it FINALLY: 1966 327 300hp 34,000 original miles
I don't know how long it lasted but Penske also was in business with Andy Scott in Allentown. Scott/Penske Chevrolet. The dealership is still there in the same place but just Scott Chevy.
I'm not familiar with Scott or Scott/Penske Chevrolet, but it's it possible it was David Penske, and not Roger, who was involved in Scott Chevrolet? David has been involved it the auto business around eastern PA for years. David worked for Roger at the original Roger Penske Chevrolet on Chestnut Street in Philly, and I think ended up buying the dealership from Roger in the early 70's. For years David had David Penske Chevrolet in King of Prussia Pa, and now has a Buick/GMC store out around Reading.
Originally Posted by Bowtyeguy
I pulled that pic from the GS site on FB It also mentions that Mark Donahue lived in the apartment above the shop . This is the shop now
I've seen pictures of the building when it was Penske Racing, but have never been past it. I worked for a Trans Am team in the 80's and use to go out to Reading to pick up race tires from Competition East, Penske's Goodyear racing tire business. The Indycar race shop, along with Penske Shocks, were all together on Riverfront Dr along the Schuylkill River back then. They've since moved the race shop to Arizona, but I was able to get in to see it once when it was still in Reading, when we went out to pick up tires.
By the way Mark Donohue's name was spelled with two "o"s, not an "o" and an "a". I was a big Donohue fan and have quite a bit of Donohue/Penske memorabilia, including original Sunoco promotional things. A friend's father worked for Sunoco, and one of his jobs was as the Sunoco contact for Penske, so he always had a lot of Sunoco posters, etc, and passed a few things on to me.
Jim I did back then short 1500 and I would have owned it. Thanks for reminding me !!! I lived about 8 miles from the Penske/Wintersteen garages back then !! --- Ken
11-29-2014, 02:07 PM
1950's CHEVROLET DEALER PHILADELPHIA
