Im (attempting) to do some research on Harry Mann Chevrolet, and i cannot find anything anywhere, does anyone out there have any info (opening/closing dates) pictures, cars that were purchased there etc.... my friend has a '72 camaro rs that came with harry mann frames on the plates and we just got curious about the history of the place any info pics or rides that have come from there would be cool as hell.! thanks
First thing you'll want to do is find out where exactly the dealership was located. After that, start looking through the phone books and newspapers for that town, starting in 1972 (the one year you know the dealership was in existence) and working your way both forward and backward. Google the crap out of any tidbits of information you find: addresses, names, etc. dan
I can tell you a little about Harry Mann Chevrolet. HMC was located on Crenshaw Bl., near Slauson ave. in L. A. I know they were at that location from the 1950's- 1970+. Maybe earlier/later. Saturday mornings, about 8:00 it was THE place to see Corvette's. Sometimes as many as 25+ were lined up on Cranshaw waiting for the service dept. to open. I know, I was there, drooling. I have seen Harry Mann Chevrolet license plate frames for sale, but not often. Hope this helps, Michael
I worked at Harry Mann for years. I specialized in Corvette electrical. There were two facilities. The body shop was on West Boulevard near Florence and the dealership was on Crenshaw just north of Slauson, in Los Angeles. The mechanics I remember were: Clarence Clark (front end and brake), Walt Dudley (light line-committed suicide), Bud Clark (tune-up), Clyde (heavy line), Walt Padgett (new car get ready), Willie Childress (service advisor) The G.M. now is G.M. at a Chevrolet Dealership in Long Beach. The owner at the time was Frank Milne. Hope this helps
I am also looking for info on Harry Mann Chevrolet. Especially 1969 for info on a car we own. Would really like to contact someone who worked there in 1969. Thanks GARY
I LOVE those old wreckers... When I was about (13) years old a local garage had two of them similar to that... Drooled every time I went by that station.. Thanks for bringing back the memories.. Cheers..
Frank Milne was my neighbor, I owned a 75 Roadster that was serviced at Harry Mann. Kenny Norton the Boxer also was our neighbor as he also had a custom Vette with Ruffo rear wheel flares. Frank had two custom Vettes that were just perfect. He closed up and moved to Ojai, Ca some 25 years ago....
As soon as the HotRod magazine featuring the '62 Corvette "fuelies" came out, my partner at Go Power and I "needed" them. Dealers in the San Franscisco Bay Area were of no help, but when I called Harry Mann, Mr Milne wanted to know "What color?" so I said "one Honduras Maroon, one Fawn Beige, four speed close ratio, big brakes, 4.10 rear end, posi". He said "In stock" so we hopped on a plane and picked them up the next morning. Great company cars for a couple of 22 year olds!
They sponsered a lot of race cars and were in competition with Clippenger Chevrolet. Oh yeah, he said "hairy man", heh, heh. Sorry, couldn't resist.
My friend Dale has a complete collection of Harry Mann memorabilia that he has collected for many years. He can tell you and show you anything you would like to know about Harry Mann. PM for his number. He does sell some license plate frames. Lynn
I have a 1937 photo in front of Harry Mann Chevrolet where my mom was office manager and all the employees are there. Possibly someone is interested in viewing this old relic. Here is an old photo my mom had from her employment at Harry Mann.
Joe Papile, a close friend of mine moved from Massachusetts to LA primarily to go to work for Harry Mann Chevrolet. Joe was a complete Corvette fanatic and served some years at HMC before opening up his own Corvette race shop many years later. Still Joe speaks volumes about his time spent there and the 59 and 65 Corvettes he drove daily while working there.
Frank Milne passed away June 16, 2008 in Ojai at 97 years old. I too am interested in the Customized Corvettes they put out if anyone has info, especially the early '70's cars.
All I remember is the 61-67's got a 3rd tail light and it seemed like it was all of them. I also believe JimVedenoff (sp) worked there specializing on Fuel Injection units. He did it on the side at home in his garage in Hawthorne Ca. That's where he would check out mine, the one I had installed on my 53 210 hardtop 283, 4 speed. (Yes 53)
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