Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba
Post Number: 4264 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 71.193.193.49
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 12:37 am: | |
Wonderful memories and wonderful ads from phone books and newspapers. Thanks. jjaba, see the USA in a Chevrolet. America is asking you to call... see the USA in your Chevrolet. America's the greatest land of all. Good night, Dinah Shore. |
Designut Member Username: Designut
Post Number: 80 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 69.246.46.45
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 1:05 am: | |
I've been trying to find info on the early dodge dealership at woodward and garfield (4454 woodward, soon to become MOCAD). I know from a map of the neighborhood, that was posted in a thread about the Garfield building, that it was definately a Dodge dealership in the (mid?) 20's. (I can't find that thread in the archives now) According to 56packman's earlier post listing detroit area dodge/plymouth dealers, by 1939 it was no longer a dodge dealer. anyone have any more info? official name? years of operation? -thanks in advance- |
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2
Post Number: 925 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 1:08 am: | |
In the "Kaiser-Frazer Sales and Service" ad above there is a "Harry Bennett Sales Inc" listed. Wasn't Henry Ford's Goon Patrol run by a guy named Harry Bennett? I wonder if this is the same Harry Bennett if that's the right name? And, if so why doesn't he have a Ford Dealership instead of a Kaiser-Frazer Dealership? Just wondering! Livedog2 |
Mikem Member Username: Mikem
Post Number: 2720 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 10:40 am: | |
What did Harry Bennett do after he left Ford? He lived another 30 years. If Ford fired him in 1945, would he have been set up with a K-F dealership as soon as 1946? Designut: https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/messages/62684/73785.html According the the 1921 map posted on the Garfield Building thread, the Dodge dealership was Thomas J. Doyle Dodge at 4462 Woodward, southeast corner of Woodward and Garfield: I have a 1925 business directory which shows that Thomas Doyle Dodge had since moved to 2270 E Jefferson. My 1935 directory lists the Woodward address as vacant. My 1940 directory also lists 4462 as vacant, but it now shows 4466 Woodward as the corner address, occupied by Rowley-Zimmermann Used Autos. My 1946 phone book lists neither a Rowley-Zimmermann dealership, nor a Doyle Dodge. Rowley-Zimmermann probably vanished into thin air like so many other small businesses. Doyle Dodge was still at 2270 E Jefferson in 1940, but by 1946 he is gone, and Ken Brown Dodge was established at 3131 E Jefferson, relatively close by, so maybe Doyle went out of business during the years of suspended auto production. |
The_rock Member Username: The_rock
Post Number: 1357 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.251.225
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 12:08 pm: | |
Mikem---Does your '46 phone book list a Conrad Ford on Harper? I believe it closed to make way for I-94, but I don't know if Conrad was at that location til later in the 40's or maybe even the early 50's. |
Mikem Member Username: Mikem
Post Number: 2721 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 12:12 pm: | |
Mark Conrad Ford 7935 Mack Ave at Van Dyke PLaza 8700 Sales - Service Bumping - Painting Towing Service |
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2
Post Number: 931 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 2:04 pm: | |
I've been looking through my old Memorabilia trying to find an old ashtray I had from the opening of that dealership on the corner of Jos Campau and Dearing, 2 blocks South of Davison back 57 or 58 years ago. I can remember that the Grand Opening date was on that ashtray, too. No luck so far but I'm still looking. I’ve been playing with addresses on Yahoo maps and the address of that dealership would have been either 13200 or 13300 Jos Campau. My best recollection is that it was a Ford Dealership but that’s not certain after all this time. But, then again I remembered Emma Schoknecht’s name from 1952, so, who knows? Livedog2 |
The_rock Member Username: The_rock
Post Number: 1358 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.251.225
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 2:22 pm: | |
Many thanks Mikem for your prompt service. So it was on Mack at VanDyke. How 'bout that? Mark Conrad was my dad's best friend, and I think my dad was listed on his paperwork as vice president of the agency. We had a lot of Ford's after the war. Mr. Conrad lived in Plymouth and so he had a pretty lengthy commute to work well before expressways were built. |
Douglasm Member Username: Douglasm
Post Number: 625 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.189.188.28
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 2:23 pm: | |
I'm trying for the life of me to place Russ Dawson Ford in Highland Park. "Across From Sears" is (was? It's been a long time) the Ford plant. Was the dealership north of the Detroit Terminal tracks? |
Designut Member Username: Designut
Post Number: 87 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 65.123.68.93
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 3:10 pm: | |
Mikem- thanks for all of your wonderful posts and for addressing my question so promptly. I am truely impressed with your damn-near encyclopedic knowledge on this subject. The clearly legable plan-view of the building is of particular of interest to me and I'm so glad you included it. I recently had the opportunity to get a tour of the building in its current state. Alot has changed, but (since it was recently gutted) alot remains the same. The hydrolic lift in the "auto repair shop" is still in place (soon to be removed though) Also intact is the original tile on the showroom-floor, which will clean up beautifully. There is also a massive fireplace in the SW corner of the building, an indication of how old this dealership truely is. Anyways, thanks again for all of the info, my curious mind can now take a break. (regarding this building anyway) keep up the good work! |
Mikem Member Username: Mikem
Post Number: 2724 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 3:19 pm: | |
Thanks Designut; glad to help. Douglasm, the Russ Dawson ad lists the address in small print as 16231 Woodward, H.P. (now a Powerhouse Gym), but the used car lot at 15000 Woodward, "Across from Sears". Must have been using some empty space at Ford. In 1946, his dealership was located at 4400 Cass. Livedog, in 1946 there was a Hamtramck Motor Sales at 12435 Jos Campau, listed under Ford dealers, but that sounds too far south and before your time. The 1967 Yellow Pages lists the following new car dealers on Jos Campau: Shore Chevrolet, 12240 Jos Campau; Garrity Dodge, 11500 Jos Campau; Edmond Olds, 12101 Jos Campau; Johhny Motor Sales, 11620 Jos Campau; Margolis Plymouth, 13921 & 13955 Jos Campau; Woody Pontiac, 12140 Jos Campau. That's it for 1967. Maybe by then the location had become a used car dealership or something else. No business listed there in 1940 either. |
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1420 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.19.21.194
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 3:43 pm: | |
Now you know the reason why I try to put any identifiable buildings/businesses into the crop for a specific building, in these old maps. One never knows what might come of it. |
Eric_c Member Username: Eric_c
Post Number: 824 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.76.202.10
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 3:44 pm: | |
What about Krajenke? |
Mikem Member Username: Mikem
Post Number: 2727 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 3:51 pm: | |
I listed Krajenke and Coogan earlier in the thread, but Livedog shot those down as possibilities. |
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1422 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.19.18.72
| Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 8:09 pm: | |
This photo was taken in front of Hettche Ford for some News story about Nathan Conyers. Nathan Conyers Bio |
Designut Member Username: Designut
Post Number: 88 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 69.246.46.45
| Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 9:59 pm: | |
quote: "Now you know the reason why I try to put any identifiable buildings/businesses into the crop for a specific building, in these old maps. One never knows what might come of it." indeed thanks Hornwrecker
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Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 1 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 68.41.154.161
| Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 6:59 am: | |
I collect car stuff, I have older Keychains from Dick Harris Cadillac on Livernois in Detroit, Key Olds in Warren, a 1960s Al Long Ford Keychain, Business card from Eastland AMC Renault, and a matchbook for the new '57 Chevy's from a Howell MI dealer. I buy / sell trade these items if there's any interest. |
The_rock Member Username: The_rock
Post Number: 1365 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.251.225
| Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 9:31 am: | |
Cambrian---Is the matchbook/Chevy dealership in Howell VanCamp Chevrolet?? |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 6 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 68.41.154.161
| Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 5:08 pm: | |
The '57 Chevy Dealership in Howell is called Quality Chevrolet. Mikem: Loved that Highland Nash ad. Ran accross my mom's birth certificate last year while I was at their house looking for one of my car titles. It listed my grandfather's place of employment 9/26/47 as Highland Nash. He was a bump and paint man. The original building is gone now, in its place is an Auto zone. Also I found a Lou Lariche Chevy matchbook in my collection. |
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1451 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.157.64.108
| Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 9:03 pm: | |
The interior of the Grosse Pointe Packard dealer.
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Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1461 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 12.64.90.226
| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 8:48 pm: | |
While this is in Plymouth, Beglinger Oldsmobile/Cadillac, 705 Main St, the photos are too good not to post. I especially like this one taken during the grand opening.
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Psip
Member Username: Psip
Post Number: 1127 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 68.60.45.70
| Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 9:39 pm: | |
Hard to find good service technicans now-a-days :-) |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 19 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 75.10.91.78
| Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 11:54 am: | |
This is a cool thread! Hopefully the interest is there to keep it alive. I'm not quite old enough to recall the 60s and previous dealerships, but love seeing the info on 'em. Anyone remember the Merollis Chevy dealer's jingle from the 70s? "Gene Merollis, What a greeat great guuyyyy"! And of course the "Hear dawg come on dawg..."one some one recalled earlier. Anyone else care to share more catchy jingles they remember? |
Hornist9 Member Username: Hornist9
Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 24.192.182.223
| Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 3:04 pm: | |
This is a great thread. I have enjoyed reading all of the posts, and thanks for the information on at least one of the Dealerships in South Warren. There also were a couple besides what the Rinke family owns in Center Line. I can remember there was a Chrysler/Plymouth Dealer on the Corner of Van Dyke and Ten Mile. Previous to that, it was Grissom's Studebaker Dealership. I am old enough to remember when Rinke Pontiac/Cadillac was at Van Dyke and Engleman. They moved to their present location at Van Dyke and I696 in the mid Sixties. The store at Engleman and Van Dyke is now the Rinke Toyota store. The photo is of the Studebaker used car lot... |
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72
Post Number: 141 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 66.184.3.44
| Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 3:52 pm: | |
Anyone remember the goofy jingle "Walt Lazar, Chev ro let is the super super dealer"? |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 21 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 141.209.84.222
| Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 4:34 pm: | |
Yes! Was kinda like "Mel Farr, Superstar for a Farr better deal" |
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1502 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 65.140.157.228
| Posted on Sunday, August 27, 2006 - 11:27 am: | |
I haven't found any more car dealer photos online yet, but I did come across the "new" International Harvester truck dealership in Detroit. I have no idea where this was, or if the building still exists. Looks like the photo was taken in the late 1920s/early 30s. wsu/vmc |
Mikem Member Username: Mikem
Post Number: 2770 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105
| Posted on Sunday, August 27, 2006 - 9:19 pm: | |
International Harvester 1925: 1734 Lafayette (E or W?) 1935: 5915 W Warren 1940: 5915 W Warren 1946: 5915 W Warren & 7079 Gratiot |
31ford
Member Username: 31ford
Post Number: 277 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 65.35.101.203
| Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 2:59 pm: | |
Livedog2- Harry Bennett went out west(CA & NV) following his departure from Ford. He only returned to the Detroit area in 1951 for a court hearing. To my knowledge & files he never owned any Dealerships. |
Mikem Member Username: Mikem
Post Number: 2776 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105
| Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 4:58 pm: | |
Thanks 31 Ford! '67 Scout dealers: '67 Willys dealers: '46 Jeep Another Rambler dealer: '67 imports: Get ready for global warming:
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Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1512 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.144
| Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 8:06 pm: | |
From 1917 on Grand River near Lahser, is the RedFord dealership.
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Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1550 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.19.24.84
| Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 9:33 pm: | |
From a sign painted on the side of building on E Jefferon, 1950s. I've run out of material, so if nobody's searching for things, this thread is going to die soon. |
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 255 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 12:38 am: | |
Here is a 1961 advertisement for O'Green Ford on East Seven Mile in Detroit. I noticed an earlier posting for O'Green Ford in Farmington. Perhaps they started out on East Seven Mile and later moved to Farmington?
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Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 256 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 12:45 am: | |
Here are some more car dealer ads from the 1961 Center Line, MI "Silver Jubilee Souvenir Remembrance" booklet.
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Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 257 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244
| Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 12:31 pm: | |
More car dealer ads - these are from the 1976 Center Line, MI Bicentennial Magazine.
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Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 258 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244
| Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 1:23 pm: | |
Hornist9 on Aug. 12th in this thread wrote, "Does anyone remember the names of the two dealerships on Van Dyke two blocks south of Stephens Drive in South Warren? The one on the West Side of Van Dyke was in it's final days as a car store was called "Rancho Rambler", but I can't remember the name of the dealer ship on the east side." We now have two ads in this thread which indicate that the one on the west side was Eastland Rambler (later Eastland AMC-Jeep) at 23677 Van Dyke Ave. (see Mikem's August 13, 2006 - 10:57 pm posting and my posting immediately above this one). Because Eastland Rambler became an AMC dealer, the Rancho Rambler ownership must have preceded the Eastland ownership. On Aug. 14th at 9:56 pm, Mikem posted a listing of Detroit area Hudson dealers, which included Mantel Motor Sales at 23650 Van Dyke Ave. in Van Dyke, Mich. That address places it on the east side of Van Dyke Ave. at Jewett St., directly across the street from the future Eastland Rambler dealership. I delivered newspapers on the west side of Van Dyke in this area during the mid-1960s and I do not remember a car dealership on the east side of Van Dyke in this vicinity. Therefore I do not know what - or if any - other dealership may have occupied that site after the Hudson dealer. |
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 259 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244
| Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 7:01 pm: | |
August 1974 newspaper ads
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Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 260 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244
| Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 7:21 pm: | |
Article about Trumbull Chevrolet headlined "Inner City Dealer Still Going, Growing" (Detroit News, Thursday, Aug. 8, 1974: "Motor World" Section D, page 1) Aug. 1974 ad for Jefferson Chevrolet - "Trader Ray" Tessmer Aug. 1974 ad for Ver Hoven Chevrolet
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Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 261 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244
| Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 7:44 pm: | |
Accordiing to the above article, Trumbull Chevrolet's sales were down 18% in 1974 compared to the previous year. The automakers and their dealers were still suffering from the effects of the October 1973 Oil Crisis. People still remembered the long lines for gas during the previous fall and winter. The manufacturers were busy designing smaller and lighter vehicles that would deliver better gas mileage, but they wouldn't be ready for market for another 2 years. That August saw the dealers desperately trying to clear their lots and hoping for better sales in the 1975 model year. Here is an Aug. 1974 ad for Bernie Hout Chevrolet in Clinton Township.
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Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 262 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244
| Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 7:54 pm: | |
Here are ads from Aug. 1974 for six Chrysler-Plymouth dealers and one Dodge dealer .
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Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 263 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244
| Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 8:02 pm: | |
Here are the rest of the car dealer ads I have from Aug. 1974.
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Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1591 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.19.17.84
| Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 8:57 pm: | |
Nice finds Mikeg.
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Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 264 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244
| Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 9:39 pm: | |
Thanks, Hornwrecker! I finally got my scanner hooked up again. Below is a 1930 photo of the new C & R Chevrolet showroom in Center Line, Michigan. It was located at 25317 Van Dyke Ave. across the street from St. Clement Church. C & R Chevrolet was formed in 1930 when Archie Clothier (a salesman at Highland Chevrolet in Highland Park, MI) and his friend Claude Roosevelt went into business together and opened a pair of Chevrolet Agencies in Center Line and Berkley, Michigan. Their Center Line salesroom was located in a narrow storefront in the Hoste Building and had a rickety old sheetmetal building in the rear that was used as their garage. Archie Clothier's first two hires at the Center Line C & R store were P.L. Grisson, a fellow salesman at Highland, and Ray Tessmer, a Center Line native who was recommended by their landlord for their mechanic position as "a young fellow who can make any car run". By 1931, business conditions were deteriorating and the Center Line dealership was moved to a building on Ten Mile, just east of Van Dyke. Archie and Claude soon dissolved their partnership and Archie took the Berkley store, while Claude kept the Center Line store, along with P.L. and Ray. In 1932, C & R moved from Center Line to a location in Detroit on West Fort Street at Livernois. By now, P.L. was the sales manager and when he and Claude had a falling-out over P.L.'s bloated trade-in inventory levels, Claude offered the business to P.L. if he could come up with $5,000 over the weekend. Somehow, he managed to borrow enough money to take the floundering business off of Claude's hands and make it all his own. Those who lent money to P.L. for the purchase of C & R included the young mechanic, Ray Tessmer, and the agency's bookkeeper, Rose Knauf. Ray and Rose would soon become husband and wife. P.L. managed to turn the C & R dealership around in short order and in 1934, he bought the Ideal Oldsmobile Agency on Fort Street and the next year he added a Pontiac franchise to his stable of holdings. In 1937, he changed the name of his original business to P.L. Grissom Chevrolet and also started a Packard sales and service agency. He picked up another Chevrolet dealership in 1942 when he bought Jefferson Chevrolet in Detroit. When the US entered WW II, P.L. formed "Quick Tool & Gage" and soon won a US Navy contract to produce ammunition, among other things. Over those first 10 years, Ray Tessmer had stayed with P.L. and had shown an aptitude for the sales end of the business. P.L. offered Ray a ownership stake in the Jefferson Chevrolet and after purchasing a 25% interest, Ray began working full time there developing the dealership into a successful franchise. In 1953, "Trader Ray" paid P.L. $1 million for sole ownership of Jefferson Chevrolet. P.L. Grissom, his three brothers, Art, Ernie and Thomas, and their progeny would eventually own numerous other auto dealerships in the Detroit area, but the rest of that story will have to wait for later. [summarized from the article "Four Brothers Came to Town", published in the 1961 "City of Center Line Silver Jubilee Souvenir Remembrance" magazine] (Message edited by Mikeg on September 12, 2006) (Message edited by Mikeg on September 12, 2006) |
Hornist9 Member Username: Hornist9
Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2005
| Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 7:16 pm: | |
MikeG! You found it! It was Taylor's Dodge. They occupied the building now owned by Riegel Tire. I can remember my Dad and Mother shopping for a new car, and he went to try a Dodge at Taylor's. What was so funny about it was this was a man that worked for Hydramatic in Yspi, and the only kind of car Dad drove in those days were Pontiacs. For some reason, he was responding to an advertisement. He went to Taylor's and later went to Ace Wilson Pontiac in Royal Oak and bought a bright red 1962 Pontiac. He didn't keep it very long, as it had the economy engine, and didn't have the power Dad was accustomed to having. I also remember seeing the Center Line 25th Anniversary booklet (and am wondering if my brother snagged it when my Mother passed away and we were dividing up her belongings. I can remember spending quite a bit of time reading and looking at that book when I was about 10 years old. Anyway, thanks for answering my questions. |
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 272 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 8:18 pm: | |
Hornist9, So now we know that the building at 23650 Van Dyke Ave. which originally housed the Mantel Motor Sales Hudson dealership is the one which later became Taylor's Dodge. The Taylor's Dodge ad I found did not give a street address and I did not remember a dealership on the east side of Van Dyke at that location. Here is a circa 1950 photo of the Center Line Motor Sales Studebaker dealership at the corner of Van Dyke Ave. and 10 Mile Road that was operated by the Grissom brothers. Here is a photo of their used car lot that was taken at the same time. As I mentioned in the posting about C & R Chevrolet and P.L. Grissom (above), there is more to the Grissom brothers story that I will summarize later on this thread when I can find a chunk of time to devote to it. In the meantime, here are some more old photos of places in Center Line. |
Hornist9 Member Username: Hornist9
Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2005
| Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 10:28 pm: | |
Thanks Mikeg, Those are great photographs. Thanks very much for posting the links. I have to look through some family photo albums and I will scan some pictures of the part of Center Line that I grew in on the Center Line Yahoo forum, (I'm a member there as well). |
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 282 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 5:25 pm: | |
Hey, Hornist9 - now I know who you are! Glad I could help on the Taylor's Dodge question. Do you remember when Fred Wolf of WXYZ-TV (Ch. 7) used to do live remotes from the Grissom used car lot on weekend afternoons? That would have probably been in the 1958-60 time frame. Yes, I'd like to see some old pics of that part of town. If you want to scan them at a high resolution, I can put them on my site since it has more storage space and then we can post a link to them with a message to the Yahoo Group. |
Hornist9 Member Username: Hornist9
Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2005
| Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 9:23 am: | |
Mikeg... I will look up what I have on Kramer Homes and will scan them at a high res. If I have some trouble, I'll call on Hornwrecker to give me some assistance. Fortunately, I literally live around the corner from him, so I think between the two of us, we'll get it done. I just have to look through a stack of photo albums. My Mom & Dad lived in Kramer from it's inception until my mother passed away in 1989. I can remember seeing photographs of the building we lived in when 10 Mile road was only two lanes. I remember Fred Wolf, but don't remember him broadcasting from Grissom's. I remember him hosting a bowling show on WXYZ Television on Sunday Mornings. My dad watched it every week, although he never went bowling. He liked watching it on TV. Ah, memories... |
Hornist9 Member Username: Hornist9
Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2005
| Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 9:49 am: | |
Mikeg... I will look up what I have on Kramer Homes and will scan them at a high res. If I have some trouble, I'll call on Hornwrecker to give me some assistance. Fortunately, I literally live around the corner from him, so I think between the two of us, we'll get it done. I just have to look through a stack of photo albums. My Mom & Dad lived in Kramer from it's inception until my mother passed away in 1989. I can remember seeing photographs of the building we lived in when 10 Mile road was only two lanes. I remember Fred Wolf, but don't remember him broadcasting from Grissom's. I remember him hosting a bowling show on WXYZ Television on Sunday Mornings. My dad watched it every week, although he never went bowling. He liked watching it on TV. Ah, memories... |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 148 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 - 12:19 pm: | |
Two separate Hudson Dealerships proudly peddeling the all new '53 Jet. They are both on E. Jefferson. The teacup test enabled you to see just how economical your new car was by visualizing the amount of fuel consumed while the car was running. |
Scofield Member Username: Scofield
Post Number: 41 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 - 3:51 pm: | |
Walt Lazar Chevrolet Closed, due to a very bad cave in, that happened in the new car, service area. I guess from what I'm told, a water man busted, and all the soil under the dealership basically got washed out. cause a major cave in, in the service bay area and the new car area lot. This cost walt lazar alot of money. and I'm told, when this happened. the owner, walt lazar, discovered that the dealership's insurance had not been paid up, it was quite a mess, I'm told, and walt lazar lost a big chunk of change as a result and sold the dealership. I don't know who bought it out... Scofield |
Chucktown_motown Member Username: Chucktown_motown
Post Number: 8 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 - 8:55 am: | |
Who remembers Bill Lee Oldsmobile. My grandfather who lived in Mt Clemens (Was a Macomb Co. Magistrate) always bought Olds. He would getthem from Bil Lee. He had a picture of him,. Bill Lee with a eyepatch. They were so clever, they were almost scaryyyyyyyyyyy.... |
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72
Post Number: 279 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 7:21 pm: | |
Nobody can match the man with the patch! Loved those signs along I-94. Detroitej72 |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 164 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 8:01 pm: | |
I noticed today the Pontiac dealer ship in Rochester Hills on Rochester Rd, N, of M 59 is no longer. Building is empty , weeds growing in the parking lots. Was a Ray Lathem? |
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 319 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Thursday, September 28, 2006 - 6:50 pm: | |
That used to be Pat Moran Olds-GMC. Their Olds franchise was terminated by GM when the brand was discontinued. Pat Moran then sold their GMC franchise and inventory to Russ Shelton Pontiac-Buick in June of 2005.
GM hopes to drive more customers to dealerships by combining brands. COPYRIGHT 2005 Detroit Free Press Byline: Jamie Butters Jun. 25--In the broiling sun and afternoon traffic Friday, white, black and gray Yukons and Sierras rolled by the dozen -- 300 in all -- up Rochester Road. For Russ Shelton, the second-generation Buick and Pontiac dealer who had just bought a GMC dealership from Pat Moran, just down the street from him in Rochester Hills, the convoys of Envoys represented a giant leap he hopes will double the size of the family business. It was also another step in General Motors Corp.'s plan to combine the three brands under one roof wherever possible... |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 167 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Friday, September 29, 2006 - 11:29 am: | |
Interesting, I caddied a few times for Dan Moran and Art Moran once. I was just surprised Rochester Hills would let the site get so ratty looking. |
Hornist9 Member Username: Hornist9
Post Number: 13 Registered: 05-2005
| Posted on Saturday, September 30, 2006 - 11:10 pm: | |
Cambrian, I agree with you! I have to pass by the old Pat Moran site twice a week, and it's sad to see. By the way, I used to be in the Avon Hills Lions club with Russ Shelton. He's a good guy. |
Psip
Member Username: Psip
Post Number: 1238 Registered: 04-2005
| Posted on Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 11:48 pm: | |
Dick Scott Dodge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =tQdaDkWTJCw |
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3115 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 11:23 pm: | |
...As Woody Pontiac fades into history... Great posts everybody. Wonderful! |
The_rock Member Username: The_rock
Post Number: 1410 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 6:56 pm: | |
All these talented Forumites and NOBODY could come up with a picture or even an advertisement from a Crosley Auto dealership which back in the late 40's meant a Crosley Appliance store from which you ordered your Crosley? Guess I am asking too much. |
Thnk2mch Member Username: Thnk2mch
Post Number: 475 Registered: 02-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 - 9:43 am: | |
What about a Tucker dealership? Any body?
(Message approved by admin) |
Michigandriveins Member Username: Michigandriveins
Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006 - 11:02 am: | |
I'm looking for any photos of Ford dealers, 1950's and up. Here's Stark Hickey....
(Message approved by admin) |
Michigandriveins Member Username: Michigandriveins
Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006 - 10:11 pm: | |
Bob Ford 1950's....... The original Bob Ford Thunderbolt masterfully restored by Dennis K.......
(Message approved by admin) |
Beadgrl Member Username: Beadgrl
Post Number: 106 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - 2:00 pm: | |
Great stuff! Thanks for posting all the pics and ads. |
Kfcoupe Member Username: Kfcoupe
Post Number: 2 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 9:48 pm: | |
Hi, Would the group be interested in pictures of Kaiser-Frazer dealers in the detroit area back in the 1940's-early 1950's? I even have a pic or two from Clem Rinke's time as a K-F store. Also, would anyone be interested in trying to help me determine the approximate address of where a picture was taken based on background? I think I have a great story to tell about a particular Detroit new car dealership in the decade after World War II. Please let me know at kfcoupe@scrtc.com if there is interest. I am new to the group and don't want to post anything not wanted. |
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 2158 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Sunday, April 01, 2007 - 9:04 am: | |
This might be of interest to some folks: Clinton-Macomb Public Library: "The History of Macomb County Car Dealerships," historical film documentary, presented by Macomb County historians Don Green and Cindy Sue Donohue. 7 p.m. April 9. 40900 Romeo Plank, Clinton Twp. 586-226-5000. Free; refreshments. As I understand it, although its focus is Macomb County, the documentary does touch on the history of early auto dealerships and automobiles in general. |
Frankg Member Username: Frankg
Post Number: 5 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Sunday, August 05, 2007 - 3:32 pm: | |
Here is a fairly recent photo of Decker Buick at 8740 Mack Avenue. My grandpa used to own this building and used it as a paint store/factory (Erie Paint) in the 1960's. The rest of the businesses along this stretch of Mack are all torn now, and this one remains, probably because of the thick concrete used for the floor of the upper-level to support cars.
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Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni
Post Number: 507 Registered: 05-2007
| Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 10:10 am: | |
Here are a few (former) far Northwest Detroit car dealerships that were listed in the 1975 Redford High School yearbook (The Blazer):
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Jgavrile Member Username: Jgavrile
Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 - 10:12 am: | |
Russ Dawson Ford had several locations over the years At first he was hooked up with Al Long Ford on Lynwood. Called Dawson -Long Ford. Then he was in Highland Park at Glendale and Woodward. Then he moved North to Puritan and Woodward For a time he had the used cars in front of the Old Ford Plant in Highland Park. By the way this was also the location of Park Motors Lincoln Mercury. They were the worlds first Mercury Dealer. They occupied the old power house from the Ford plant in Highland Park.They are still in business opposite Palmer Park on Woodward. |
Jaja Member Username: Jaja
Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 8:12 pm: | |
Last year the Hungry Howies on Rochester Rd just north of University was getting a facelift and the front siding was removed, only to reveal " STUDEBAKER" underneath.... anyone remember that dealership??? |
Jaja Member Username: Jaja
Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 8:09 pm: | |
Just found this thread.... great.... MikeG saw the Thibodeau ad above, I seem to remember that he was originally at VanDyke and 13 mile road before moving 'south'... I bough my fist car from MC Coullagh (spelling?) chevvy on Harper... later became Shalla Chev. |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 148 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2007 - 3:12 am: | |
found this thread a little late, went to an estate sale picked up a few items. one an emmert chevy yardstick, and two a few items/rewards for the lincoln/mercury 200 club. remember the old geo matick chevy on joy rd, dexter on 8mi, and trumbull chevy. stark hickey ford, etc. i love this site need to send santa to lowells house. |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 237 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 4:31 am: | |
while looking through te ford ads in the freep i noticed that stark hickey ford was gone drove by it on my first real visit to the redford theatre. yep it s sad to see another dealer ship close. especialy one as old as stark hickeys. |
Jgavrile Member Username: Jgavrile
Post Number: 75 Registered: 09-2005
| Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 4:25 pm: | |
Couple things in my memory from when I was a kid. The first was that my dad always bought Mercury cars and usually from Park Motors in Highland Park. For some reason, I remember him buying his 1954 Mercury from Taylor Dodge,on Livernois, who had a whole lot full of brand new 1954 Mercury's and was selling them?? I can't remember what was going on then that they were able to do this?? Some kind of maverick sales thing going on?? The second thing I remember is that there was a Kaiser- Frazer dealer on W. McNichols ,just west of Shaefer,which then turned into a Studebaker salesroom. It was right across from Margolis Furniture. Can't remember the names of the dealerships?? |
56packman Member Username: 56packman
Post Number: 2232 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 4:27 pm: | |
Here is another scan, a better scan of Haney Buick on Grand River, and a great night time shot of the neon all lit up.
this is looking west on Grand River
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Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 268 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 3:49 am: | |
cool pix packman,not only cause i drive a buick but its good to see photos of when dealerships looked different then outher dealers. |
Bunkster Member Username: Bunkster
Post Number: 11 Registered: 02-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 12:58 am: | |
I don't get into the site enough. Mike G if you are still around I'd love to here the story on the Grissoms. I worked at Al Long Ford for about 1 year in mid 80's and then moved to Wood Motors for about 4 years before going back to college. I still have a bunch of Wood Motors stuff. Not sure how Don Wood Sr. is doing but he was always a stand up guy to me. |
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 1768 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 9:06 am: | |
Here's the story about the Grissoms. |
Bunkster Member Username: Bunkster
Post Number: 12 Registered: 02-2006
| Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 5:49 pm: | |
Didn't that Packard dealer on Jefferson go through a bunch of changes and eventually become an extension of Jefferson Chevrolet? Also I think the Ahees jewelry store on Mack in Grosse Pointe Woods was once a dealership? |
Bunkster Member Username: Bunkster
Post Number: 14 Registered: 02-2006
| Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 9:31 pm: | |
You know you are from Detroit/Michigan if: Sports: You think Bill Lambier and Rick Mahorn were good guys You know who The Georgia Peach was or Zeek is You know Maize is a color and a edible corn product You get extremely depressed when the color Honolulu Blue is mentioned You know the difference between a production line and The Production Line To you Olympia can mean: A beer, city or an Arena where hockey is played You know what an ole English D looks like You know that Detroit was the original City of Champions 1968 means the year the Tigers won the World Series not just the year of the riots You might know who Wayno is You know that COBO was/is not just for a car show You know Joe Louis had ties with Detroit You can name most of the Fab Five You assume Probie is not a Navy Seal recruit You remember Prince Fielder as a kid You know what The Original Six means and can name most of the teams You think of Alex Karras as a football player not an actor You know what bless you boys means You know how the Tigers started out the 1984 season You don't think of Sparky Anderson and Billy Martin as managers of the Reds or Yankees No matter how hard you try it's difficult to say something nice about Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, how about Claude Lemieux You might know what 3-2 pitch baseball is If someone asks you to name a famous Canjun you would likely say Bobby Hebert not Brett Farve You know who The King and His Court are and likely watched Little Ceasars professional softball and..... You don't know what a Buckeye is but sure as heck know that Spartans and Wolverines are tougher than some type of nut |
Living_in_the_d Member Username: Living_in_the_d
Post Number: 287 Registered: 01-2008
| Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 1:28 pm: | |
Yeah, Don Sr. was a stand up guy Bunkster, He passed away this year. But the dynasty still lives on with Chuck and the other Woods. |
Bunkster Member Username: Bunkster
Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2006
| Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 4:42 pm: | |
Mikeg: Thanks so much. Pretty cool stuff. When was the last Grissom dealer around? I've heard that one of the sons passed recently but up to that time he was a GM car salesperson? Thanks again. It's great to be able to live some of my past through the site. Also when I was a kid I used to wash cars at Merollis Chevrolet in East Detroit. I can't remember the "super" sales person there that was always giving out bird dog fees but he always would come up to us and ask us if our parents needed a new car. The Merollis dealer has their body shop across the street next to SK Shultz funeral home and we always wanted to take a picture of the body shop sign right next to the funeral home sign. Merollis now owns the whole block of Gratiot and Toepher which just happens to be where the Milroys fish and chips was along with Henderson florist and Baldo's party store. |
Turkeycall Member Username: Turkeycall
Post Number: 18 Registered: 09-2008
| Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 9:39 pm: | |
My dad bought his first brand new car the year I was born - 1950. It was a 1950 Plymouth, 2-door DeLuxe. It didn't have a radio but it did have a heater and defroster. He bought it at Fisher-Record Chrysler Plymouth on Kercheval. He also bought a 1956 Plymouth Savoy 4-door from them. I think Fisher-record was still in business when he bought his 1961 Chrysler Newport, arguably the ugliest car one could lay eyes on. |
Denbytar64 Member Username: Denbytar64
Post Number: 25 Registered: 03-2008
| Posted on Monday, September 15, 2008 - 4:41 pm: | |
Lets not forget about Raynal Brothers Chrysler on the east side...Chalmers and Hampshire |
12468_laing Member Username: 12468_laing
Post Number: 191 Registered: 07-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - 11:37 pm: | |
my favorite story - wanted to buy a chrysler cordoba from lochmoor chrysler on mack in 1980. back them chrysler was in bad straits - times change? anyway, i walk in with 7K to put down on a new car, and you would think i was looked on like a millionaire! thank you lee iaococca! |
Kensingtony Member Username: Kensingtony
Post Number: 14 Registered: 09-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 3:53 pm: | |
There are only nine car dealerships left in the city of Detroit boundaries-Jorgenson Ford,the two Bob Maxey stores,Dalgleish Cadillac,Jefferson Chevrolet,James-Martin Chevrolet,Laethem Pontiac,Meade Dodge,and Lochmoor Chrysler-Jeep. I can remember so many dealerships on the east side near where I grew up that are now gone.Williams Motor Sales sold Ramblers,Kotcher Cadillac became Paul McGlone.There was a Rambler dealer at 14811 Kercheval(which later was my Dad's collision shop),Turner Buick(which was later Rousseau,then Richard)at 15103 Kercheval(where my Dad and grandfather worked),Ray Whyte Chevrolet and Olds(later Tessier then Patmon Olds),a Cadillac dealer on Jefferson in Grosse Pointe out by Lakeshore,Grosse Pointe AMC/Jeep,Ewald Chevrolet,Steiner Ford(now Maxey Mercury),Stotts & Murphy Ford(which became Don Murphy Chevrolet),Causley Pontiac started on Mack where Detoit Automotive Parts was later,Shalla/Ritter/Crispin Chevy on Harper(where Richard Buick moved into in 1977,then became Mickowski Buick).I'm sure there's many more that I've forgotten,too. |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 612 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 3:49 am: | |
Hey isnt Massey Cadillac still in the round showroom at 7/Grand River? |
Kensingtony Member Username: Kensingtony
Post Number: 18 Registered: 09-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - 4:56 pm: | |
You are probably correct,Reddog.As a forever east sider I tend to forget about the dealerships on the other side of town. |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 616 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 3:19 am: | |
Kensingtony,Paul McGlone wasn,t he a Chevy dealer on Joy Rd on the west side also? Later Matick Chevy. Heard today that 1 in 5 dealerships could close, Sad times indeed.I remember way back when a buddy of mine now a FORD exect, bought a Chevy Cavailer in Grose Pointe? just to get the uppity dealer tag. |
Kensingtony Member Username: Kensingtony
Post Number: 25 Registered: 09-2008
| Posted on Friday, October 31, 2008 - 2:29 pm: | |
Reddog,McGlone may have been selling Chevies before he became a Caddy dealer.I don't know if he was a dealer principle then or just a salesman. If 20% percent of the dealerships close that would suit the Big 3(or maybe now 2)just fine.This area had many more dealerships than any other metro area of equivalent size.I'd hate for the dealership where I work to be one of the ones closing but,being a Buick dealer,it doesn't look promising.GM's goal is for Buick,Pontiac,and GMC to be combined. |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 675 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 3:09 am: | |
Glad i checked this thread when i did, Massey Cadillac is still in the round showroom at 7/grand. My Dad is a Buick guy {who drives an Acura] GO FIGURE. Driving around I noticed that I dont see a Tammeroff Buick, AND Bill Cook ain,t dealing either. I live in Wayne and can remember Dietrich Buick later John Rogin who moved to Livonia. Seeing dealers like Bob Sellers and Bob Jennotte on the westside with the Pontiac, GMC and Buick deal going , made me aware of the stand alone Buick dealer going by the wayside. |
Lovefords Member Username: Lovefords
Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2008
| Posted on Monday, November 03, 2008 - 5:34 pm: | |
Russ Dawson Ford was located at the intersection of James Couzens and Nine Mile. There is a Wendy's there now. My father was a Ford dealer at one time. I really like to read these dealer-information posts even though I live in a different state. |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 705 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 2:29 am: | |
Lovefords, Which Ford dealership did your Dad own?.One dealership that I was surpised to see fall apart was Stu Evens. That was a big deal when they closed up/sold out. |
70l34 Member Username: 70l34
Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2008
| Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 9:46 am: | |
I've been looking for information on Merollis and Funston Chevrolet and came across this thread. I have an orange 1969 427/425 Chevelle that was purchased at one of these dealerships and would love to get more information about either dealer to help narrow down which one sold my car. Thanks! Tony |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 720 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 5:08 am: | |
Well which Merrolis Chev do you think its from? Garden City or on the Eastside? |
70l34 Member Username: 70l34
Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2008
| Posted on Monday, November 24, 2008 - 10:21 am: | |
I am guessing Eastside. Do you know if both locations were around in 1969? |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 729 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 3:35 am: | |
My moms 67 Camaro came from Gene Merollis Chevy in Garden City, They were around till the 80,s I belive. I went to school with the Merrolis kids,I,m not so sure about the Eastside location. I see ads for them on TV quite alot lately. |
Zitro Member Username: Zitro
Post Number: 2536 Registered: 04-2008
| Posted on Monday, December 22, 2008 - 1:32 pm: | |
quote:I am guessing Eastside. Do you know if both locations were around in 1969? This ad was taken from a 1967 yearbook.
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Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 825 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 1:24 am: | |
I need to ask my Mom about the Camaro, As far as I know Merrolis in Garden City sold my folks the car in 67. |
Tsomyak Member Username: Tsomyak
Post Number: 58 Registered: 04-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 7:44 pm: | |
Thanks for remembering Raynal Bros, denbytar64. My dad worked there for over 35 years, I spent a few summers there myself jockeying and cleaning cars. A lot of great memories there. They closed in the early 80's. Does anyone know what shape the property is currently in? At one time I think the Dodge building was being used by Focus:Hope. |
Tsomyak Member Username: Tsomyak
Post Number: 61 Registered: 04-2008
| Posted on Friday, January 02, 2009 - 5:27 pm: | |
Speaking of Raynal Bros, I just found these pics on ebay. (No. I'm not promoting the sale, but I wanted to post these because I had never seen one of these before.) They are of a key tag for your car keys. Evidently if your keys are lost, the finder would return them to the dealer, where they would have a record of the owner based off the registration number.)
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