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While I was at my Chevy dealer picking up my new 2015 2500HD Silverado, I found some pretty exciting things. Keep in mind the dealership has been around since the 40's and the current owner (son of the founder) has been there since 1965.
He has a lot of C7's and C7 Z06's, especially for a small town operation like his dealership.
Anyways one thing led to another and before I knew I was standing next to some pretty cool stuff!
my new 2015, former 2004
My 2004 Silverado that I traded in, only had 81,500 miles.
But that is not the cool stuff...
Here are some pictures of what I found out back!
Several C3's from 1968-1982. Everything had layers of dust on it, some pictures depict that better than others.
1963 SWC, still tagged from 1963. It has been with the dealer since new. It has just over 1,000 original miles.
Here is the original 1963 Texas inspection sticker!
Very awesome '63 SWC.
Numbers matching.
Hard to see, but it read just over 1,000 original miles. The current owner of the dealership began working there with his dad in '65, so he vouches that it has never left their inventory.
1967
1961.
1960
orange 1975 convertible next to a green '71
Most cars have not been inspected since before 2000.
Sweet '61!
One wing of the barn. Yes, it is a true barn that these cars are in.
The red 1965 is a rare C2! Red with white interior, automatic, power brakes, and factory AC! What an odd find!
1960
Low mileage, never sold '95 C4.
Asked about why it was labeled junk, said the grandkids come and write things from time to time in the dust.
1970 Chevelle with a 307. This clearly had not been moved in a very long time.
1955 Chevy.
1968
Last edited by Brandons72vette; Mar 30, 2015 at 08:57 PM.
I've spent the better part of the day cleaning the garage and hoisting kayaks/fishing gear up in the air, so I can fit our 1981 Corvette in the garage once it leaves my father's from having some minor work being completed.
There were more, these were just the ones I was allowed to photograph.
Hope that y'all enjoyed the pictures, as I enjoyed looking at them. They don't get driven, and they are not on display for the public.
IF you know the dealership, that is cool! IF you don't, please don't ask. Although it would bring them a lot of attention if their private collection of cars (like that one dealership that went public and had an auction) went public, they would rather have them safe and sound than to have people all over the world know about the dealership and it's belongings.
I will say that the dealership is in Texas, in the backwoods. I am not really supposed to share my findings, (owner is paranoid somebody is going to come in and steal all of the cars and trucks) so PLEASE tread lightly when sharing. Thank you.
Last edited by Brandons72vette; Mar 29, 2015 at 02:02 AM.
What an awesome experience for you! I was taken just looking at the pictures. Must have really been something to have been there in person. Thanks for sharing with us.
That must have been an exciting surprise for you to be able to see all of the cars and trucks. The pictures were great. One can only wonder what else is there that could not be photographed. Thanks for sharing................................. ................
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I was thinking that it was amazing that they let you back to look at these relics. Excellent view of an amazing collection. Thanks for sharing. Mumms the word on this side.
That must have been an exciting surprise for you to be able to see all of the cars and trucks. The pictures were great. One can only wonder what else is there that could not be photographed. Thanks for sharing................................. ................
r
....Try to imagine yourself letting go of a truck, a 2004 Chevy Silverado that you have had since new. It has traveled from border to border, coast to coast, been out in Hawaii, and on top of Mauna Kea (worlds tallest mountain from sea floor to the peak, and yes it snows there), and has just been there for me like you wouldn't believe. I was (still am) sad to let Big Red (Sr.) slip through my fingers and into the hands of a stranger.
BUT.....I was over the top excited to get my new 2015 2500HD Silverado LTZ (Big Red Jr) that I had custom ordered for myself. Try to wait 60 days for it to be built. The excitement, the anxiety, and the dreaming can be overwhelming. In stead of taking 60 plus days to build, GM built my truck in under 40 days. Which was awesome in itself, as the dealer said that he hasn't seen GM build a custom order so fast (lately).
Ok, now try to imagine the bittersweet feelings clashing together as you are looking at both trucks next to each other. You're jumping up and down one second and the next you're about to tear up. That is when the dealer mentioned that he had some C7's he wanted to show us. In his showroom he used to keep a C1 in it, so we knew that he had a classic Vette or two. What we did not know was that he had more than that. We looked at the C7s, very pretty. He had a white C7 with a blue top that was stunning.
So while looking at the new Vettes, we asked about his C1's and he laughed and said that we could go see them. So we went to an undisclosed barn and I will be honest, I was not expecting to see what all I saw. I was when I first walked in. Then I learned that there were more wings to the barn full of "gold" (might as well be).
The '63 with just over 1,000 miles, while that is mind blowingly cool, he had...stuff..that could "top that".....
This guy does it right, if I were dealer, that is how I would do it.
I will just say that since he personally started working there, he has kept the cool cars that they had for sale both new and used. When somebody traded a cool car, he didn't sell it, he just put it in his private collection. Think about what a private collection of 50 years and counting looks like. Imagine the cars that have been traded in, never sold (as in still brand new), along with all types of rare parts, automotive history, and memorabilia.
Now just try to remember how I was feeling about my trucks, and then go into it thinking I was just going to see 3 or 4 Vettes. Then to see what I saw, which just got even more exciting the deeper and deeper we progressed through the barn. MAN!!!! I am not sure that you can really understand just how much excitement was truly being experienced.
All I can say, is that I understand the concerns with letting it go viral. In a way, I am having second thoughts of sharing what I have, but I am trying to be careful with what I say. Everyone should go look at the collection, but then it would be in danger. Anyways, that guy has got to live the dream.
He got to drive (and keep) a lot of Corvettes and classics from each year (think of Peter Max's collection). Ok, I will shut up now.
Last edited by Brandons72vette; Mar 29, 2015 at 11:26 AM.
Reason: typo
very cool, I,m envious of both you for getting to see collection and him for owning it! Watching your expression was probably as much fun for him as it was for you to see it.
very cool, I,m envious of both you for getting to see collection and him for owning it! Watching your expression was probably as much fun for him as it was for you to see it.
I would agree, I wish I could have his collection.
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Look What I found Outback!
The excitement, the anxiety, and the dreaming can be overwhelming. In stead of taking 60 plus days to build, GM built my truck in under 40 days. Which was awesome in itself, as the dealer said that he hasn't seen GM build a custom order so fast (lately). 
when I first walked in. Then I learned that there were more wings to the barn full of "gold" (might as well be). 
. Thanks for sharing. They really should turn that place into a Museum and share it with the public.