Concours Dealer Super Car Class At The Concours d'Elegance of America
Company press release.
WHAT IS A 'DEALER SUPER CAR?'
In the muscle car world, the term 'Dealer Super Car' has specific and very important meaning. There are basically two distinct types, one considerably more valuable and desirable.
Original Dealer Built Super Cars: The cream of the crop built to order for a customer through a new car dealership and sold new. Yenko Chevrolet, Nickey Chevrolet, Mr. Norms Grand Spaulding Dodge, Baldwin-Motion and Royal Pontiac are some of the most recognized.
Dealer Modified Super Cars: Generally cars that were altered after purchase, and although can be valuable with dealer documentation, are not as desirable or valuable as the Original Dealer Built Super Cars
Starting in 1966, Don Yenko produced through his dealership in Canonsburg, PA, a limited series of race ready Corvairs, with several packages and options that they would install. The basic packages created a somewhat race ready car for SCCA competition, available right off the showroom floor.
In 1967, with the introduction of the Camaro, Nickey Chevrolet in Chicago, and Bill Thomas Chevrolet in Anaheim, CA, joined forces to install the larger cube 427 engines into the new Camaro. Soon after, Yenko Chevrolet and others saw the potential and created their own packages and conversions.
In 1968, 'Mr. Norm' Kraus of Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago, tried to convince Chrysler to install the 440 engine into the Dodge Dart, but was told it could not be done. Frustrated, he went back to his head mechanic to see why, and was told it would be no problem. Soon after, Norm drove a 1968 440 equipped Dodge Dart to Highland Park to show engineering what his mechanic did, much to their surprise. In 1969, Dodge would offer a limited amount of 440 Darts directly to Grand Spaulding Dodge exclusively, which he promoted extensively, along with a variety of high performance packages, which he would happily add to your finance agreement.
In New York, a creative speed shop owner by the name of Joel Rosen would join forces with a Long Island Chevrolet dealer, (Baldwin Chevrolet) to build made to order performance cars for their customers. Again, they were happy to finance the entire purchase. Some of the most unusual Dealer Super Cars would come out of this marriage. An outrageous national ad campaign brought national attention to this team.
In 1969, GM would recognize the opportunity to sell 'race on Sunday/sell on Monday' engines and options to a select group of young buyers. Dealers like Fred Gibb in rural Illinois took advantage of this and used loopholes in the ordering system to create all out street legal drag cars, such as the limited production ZL1s. They would also work directly with GM to create special limited edition performance packages, offered to those 'in the know.'
Trending News• RM Sotheby's Announces Further Incredible Competiton And Rally Greats Coming To Monaco On 10 And 11 May
• BONHAMS|CARS SPRING STAFFORD MOTORCYCLE SALE ACHIEVES £3 MILLION WITH AN INDUSTRY-LEADING 95% SELL THROUGH RATE
• VinFast officially signs agreements with 12 new dealers in the US
• Niki Lauda's Nürburgring Helmet – A Symbol Of Sporting Bravery And Determination – Comes To Bonhams|Cars Miami Auction
• Enhanced Audi A3 Sportback and Saloon: UK pricing and specification
The Dealer built Super Car would last into the 70s, but emission standards and insurance regulations would eventually kill off the market for these cars. Today, real documented Dealer Super Cars with provenance are among the most sought after and valuable American Muscle Cars ever built, trading among collectors regularly for hundreds of thousands of dollars. With the ups and downs of the collector car market, documented Dealer Super Cars have in most cases continued to increase in value and desirability and are considered among the best automotive investments.
