History Nationwide/Nationwise Rod Shop????

This is my first time to ask a question. I'm just wondering if anyone has any information on the old Nationwide/Nationwise (?) Auto Parts Stores? I'm looking for some information on valve covers that I have, they have NRS stamped into them. Told that it means Nationwide Rod Shop, from the late 60's early 70's. Wondering how to find out how old that they really are? I've had them for almost 20 years now. Was it actually a rod shop, or parts store. Heard that there used to be one in Columbus, Ohio. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Bill
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It is Nationwise Auto Parts. I worked there in the 80's and still have some Rod Shop stuff (posters, handouts, etc).

"The Rod Shop" was a actual race team out of Ohio and Nationwise Auto Parts was a sponsor. Natinwise got to use the cars for promotions and to help sell speed equipment. We had a wall in the store with various speed and chrome parts for customers to dream on. It had a banner above it that said "The Rod Shop" hence the tie in to to the actual race team.

I have seen the valve covers in both SBC (staggered and straight hole) and BBC. They must be from the late 60's to early 70's just by the style of the NRS logo on the top.

Nationwise also sponsored some NASCAR teams in the early 80's. I still have a model kit somewhere in the closet.

Here is a pic of one of the last cars to carry the Rod Shop / Nationwise logos.



and one from the early 70's

 

Bill, The valve covers that you have were sold through the Nationwise Auto Parts stores in 1975-76. They were produced for Chevy's, Ford's, Pontiacs, and about every other V8 engine. The Chevy's and Fords are the most common these days. I've got a set for the Small Block and Big Block Chevy and a buddy of mine has a set for a Small Block Ford. Nationwise and The Rod Shop joined together around 1974 and parted ways around 1987. Hope this helps some, Steve

 

Bill, The Rod Shop and the Nationwise Auto Parts Headquarters were both located in Columbus Ohio. Ohio had the most stores and all stores were on the East Coast. There were quite a few in Columbus, Dayton, Heath, Delaware, and Cincinnati Ohio. Nationwise was founded in (I believe) 1964 and closed all stores at 3:00 PM, Sunday October 15, 1995.

 

Thanks for the information to both of you, it's been alot of help and very interesting also. I remember the Nationwise Auto Parts, we had 2 here in Zanesville. The buddy of mine that I bought them off of remembers buying them in Columbus and he thinks that they had a shop out back that actually installed parts.(?). Kinda like a small Jeggs. After I bought them I thought that I was the only one in this area that had a set of them, until another buddy liked mine and found a set for a small block Ford that he put on his 302 in his 1970 Ford F100. Steve: I really liked your decal behind your valve cover picture and the way that you put it on your car, all of my windows in my garage are covered with decals. Thanks again, Bill Any more info is appreciated, I like the history of it all.

 

Bill, by your hamb name, it may interset you to know that they (Rod Shop) also campaigned a 23T with a Hemi in it. In reality, it was a pro stock 23T roadster. I actually owned the car for a year or two around 1978-79? I sold it to someone who I believe was from Houston or Dallas. I'd like to know what happened to it.

Good info rodshop57, nice car also!

 

Anymore info on the roadster?? Any pics???

 

Man, THAT is an old pic of Bandimere's...what...??? Late '70's...???

R-

 

For some reason I'm flashing on some names like DeSantis and Krider for this car when it was run under the NRS banner. Car was candy apple red??? Maybe run as an A/SR???

Think NRS also had a hand in a Tommy Ivo T/F and/or F/C.

 

this is all i have of the roadster. Anyone have anymore of it?? who it is??

 

Couple more shots of Ivo's Rod Shop cars. Thought I remembered both T/f and F/C.

 

anyone??

 

I have a Hot Rod article on the roadster, I will dig it out tonight and post it. P/S hemi and lenco IIRC.

 

I watched that 23T with the Hemi run at one of the Ohio tracks back then. When that thing left the line it made you feel real "funny" about 10" below your bellybutton.

Frank

 

Yep, that's the roadster I owned for a year or two. I painted it candy apple green with panels/striping. I do have pictures of when I owned it but I will have to dust off my scanner and see what I can do to get them on here. The hemi and Lenco were long gone by the time I got it and the previous owner ran a 277 or 331 Booth Arons engine with a 'glide.

 

so this is the roadster?

 

Wasn't the jingle something like "Nationwise, you low price, good advice auto parts store"?

 

Yes it is. The bump in the hood on the passenger side is to clear the hemi distributor. By the time I got the car it had more of a funny car cage to it and was difficult for me to fit into because I'm 6'3".

 

Don't know if you give a rats butt or not but I still have a couple of decals from the local Nationwise Auto Store that we had here. It is a wheelstanding drag car. A Chrysler, I think. I'll have to drag them out and look at them.

 

thats cool. post some pics

 

there's a page on Facebook for former Nationwise Auto Parts employees - just found it today. Somebody there posted Rod Shop also has a FB page. I'm sure some of the guys on there can answer your question. The Rod Shop was owned by Gil (Gilman) Kirk of New Albany, Ohio and was located in a rear shop at Livingston Avenue and I-70 on the east side of Columbus. Nationwise was the main sponsor of the race team.

 

http://www.facebook.com/groups/104532049634533/

 

I built one er two of the model kits back in them dayz!.... I think one of those kits was a Dodge Charger.. I don't remember the model year though..

 

i think 71

 

does anyone have anymore pictures of the rod shop cars some of the greatest drivers in history have raced for them from Ronnie Sox to Mike Fons to Gene Dunlap to Don Carlton

 

i Have tons for pics. If your on facebook i made a Rod Shop page on there..

http://www.facebook.com/groups/104532049634533/

 

We had Nationwise auto parts here in Ga. I think they were bought out by one of the big chains.