Gerald “Jerry” Kohn, founder of Corvette Central, passed away on Friday, September 8, 2023 at the age of 79. Jerry passed away at his home in Three Oaks, Michigan, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 14 at the Lake Michigan Christian Center in Bridgman MI. The family will be receiving friends and family from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, September 13 at the Pike Funeral and Cremation Serices and The Boyd Chapel in Bridgman, MI.
Jerry’s first Corvette was a Silver Blue 1964 Coupe and he didn’t have it all that long due the demands of a family and his tooling and casting business. The local guy he sold the car to still owns it this day.
Several years later, the Corvette itch needed to be scratched a second time, and a worn 1958 was purchased with the plan to do a complete restoration. However, parts were not plentiful like they are today. His car needed new grille teeth and unable to find any that were good quality, he set out to make his own. He was soon joined by his teenage son Scott as they traveled to swap meets and shows, selling his parts out of the trunk of his car.
His first company Reproductions LTD soon became known at Corvette Central and it would go on to become one of the most successful Corvette parts companies in the hobby, serving Corvette enthusiasts worldwide with both parts manufactured by the company’s facility in Michigan and reselling others. In 2022, the company was sold to Legendary Companies, which also owns Coker Tire and Zip Corvette. Jerry’s son Scott and daughter Sara continue to work at Corvette Central.
In 2012, Jerry was inducted into Bloomington Gold’s Great Hall as one of 50 Corvette Enthusiast Innovators and Pioneers. He also held the number 11 membership at the National Corvette Museum.
On his Bloomington Gold Great Hall profile, Jerry is quoted as saying, “Success has been dependent on the right combination of passionate Corvette enthusiasts, quality parts at a fair price, loyal staff, and my family there every step of the way.”
CorvetteBlogger offers our condolences to Scott and Sara, and all those touched by the life of Jerry Kohn.
Source:
Legacy.com
Related:
Corvette Central is Making its 41st Appearance at Corvettes at Carlisle
Legendary Companies Expands its Corvette Portfolio with the Acquisition of Corvette Central
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Paying my respects to Jerry Kohn.
Now more than ever I fully appreciate the business and technical complexities resolved by this great company which keeps previous generation vettes actually driving on the roads spread in the four corners of the globe.
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