From the Desk Of Vince Piggins

[Mr70]

Last month while displaying some Vintage Dealership Chevrolet Memorabila,"Chevrobilia" as it's now called,at Chicagos VetteFest,an elderly man walked up to me and introduced himself.We sat down & he wanted to talk about the Chevrolet items he has collected over the years,& what I have collected as well.He said he didn't know if anyone else was as interested in this stuff like he was.I told him I most certainly was,& we struck up a very nice respect for one another,as well as he had me riveted on every word he said.Although he was tired,his memory was fairly sharp that day for remembering back 35+ years ago.After a few hours,which felt like minutes to me,he decided it was time to go about his way,but asked if he could send me some items I might appreciate.I graciously begged him to do that,& told him I would gladly reciprocate.We exchanged contact info.
One of the items he sent me recently,was an Official copy of a Chevrolet letter he wrote to Vince Piggins himself.On Chevrolet Stationary,he kept it after all these years,still in the return Chevrolet Division Post marked envelope he received it in.
I find it VERY interesting,& wanted to share it here.

On July 17,1968 he writes.
To: Mr. Vince Piggins-
Product Performance Office
Chevrolet Motor Division

Dear Mr. Piggins
Being Associated with a local Chevrolet Dealer,I was very interested in reading of a recent Performance Clinic (Strickler-Jenkins,Ammon R. Smith).I would like to know who could be contacted to discuss arrangements for just such a Clinic.
I'm sure I needn't remind you that the High Performance Car constitutes a worthwhile segment of the Market.I am consequently dismayed that in locally long time "Chevy Country",the Road runner and GTO are rapidly becoming the "in" car.I feel Chevrolet can and should Stop this Migration through production of better High Performance showroom stock cars,better quality control,and an open interest in organized Drag Racing and the above mentioned performance car-consumer contact.

Respectfully Mr. .......



On August 16,1968 Mr. Vince Piggins sent a personal letter back to him stating..
Dear Mr.
Your personal interest in the Chevrolet image is sincerely appreciated.
My personal feelings are in agreement with yours on the benefits of a High Performance Clinic such as being conducted by Chrysler Plymouth and others.
Under our present policy it is impossible for any Division of General Motors to directly or indirectly participate in racing or race orientated activity.It thus would be out of the question for anyone in Chevrolet to underwrite an activity of this nature.
We at Chevrolet Engineering are quite cognizant of our performance image and the necessity of ever improving our stock performance vehicles.I can assure you that we have no intention of letting you down in this area.
Any clinic for your dealership would have to be an Independent endeavour.I am sure ,however,that Chevrolet boosters such as Mr. Bill Jenkins would be happy to discuss this activity and possibly assist you to bring this about at your location.

Sincerely Vince W. Piggins
Product Performance

[Belair62]

Great score Rick...mentioning Jenkins is pretty damn cool...

[DarrenX33]

I guess I was wrong. You didn't spend the whole time at the wig stand. Very cool.

[Verne_Frantz]

Well Rick,

That got MY attention!!!!!

VERY neat stuff!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing.

Glad you didn't spend the whole day polishing "your" sign...........

Verne

[Seattle Sam]

Very cool stuff, Rick, and interesting coming just before the 1969 model year release.

[COPO PETE]

How cool is that????? Be interesting to see what else he digs up! Keep us posted.
Peter