Ok, so I'm sitting at home with a cold, spending way too much time on the H.A.M.B., cleaning up some stuff on the computer, including a bunch of pictures and came across these. Quick story: I went up to Illinois last summer to get some body parts from a fellow HAMBer, traveled through southern Indiana to get there and in the middle of nowhere came across this dealership. It was a beautiful, sunny, late summer day and this place just grabbed me. (southern Indiana is beautiful anytime, but thats another story) I know, I know, This subject has been covered here before..sort of, but most of what I've seen has been old pictures, not new pictures of old places, and still in operation. Except for the late models and satellite dish, it could have been taken 50 years ago. These old places really intrigue me. Anybody recognize this place?, or have any pictures they would like to share?
Here is one for sale in Franklin, NJ.....if I won the lottery I would buy this and turn it into a dealership/restoration shop for Dodge Pickups from 1958-1979. http://www.homes.com/listing/104296341/413_Route_23_FRANKLIN_NJ_07416 $1,250,000.00
'Wonder how an active dealer has avoided the typical pressure from G.M. (or any other brand for that matter) to up-date and modernize. A lot of old time dealers were bankrupted by having to take on an unbearable debt in order to satisfy "headquarters".
This is Northern NJ my friend. Land is at a premium here. 6250 sq ft building in fantastic location. Previously an auto dealership. 361 ft of road frontage on a busy highway, 1.24 acre lot. Parking for 54 cars. Property offers many possibilities!!!
Yep. I'm guessing most of the ones that missed were in small towns or fairly small volume dealers. I'm aware of one in Holton, KS, (Clark Chevrolet) that is still in its old Downtown brick building. When you're tracing the downfall of the Big Three, this is a chapter that should be written.
Good questions to ponder, maybe the big guys from headquarters that came to inspect this one saw the "cool" factor of the history this place obviously had/has and let it slide?
lets keep how nice southern Indiana is a bit of a secret we dont want all those folks that hate California moving back(ha ha).
Great idea Bill, I lived there 10 years and now I'm just across the muddy water, I won't tell a soul, and one day WILL be back
There is a really cool OLD looking Ford dealer in western NY. Kelly Motor Corp in Perry NY on Rt 20A. I p*** it every time I go to Ford tech training in Buffalo. Been meaning get a picture, wish I had it now!
Here's the west 1/2 of mine. It probably would take but a million or so to turn it into a neat old building. Larry T
This is the Ford dealer in my home town (I apologize for the ****py pic from Google street view.) Outside of the new style Ford sign out in front, the place is essentially unchanged from the day it was built; I'm not sure just how old it is but it dates to at least the 1940s.
Our Local Chevrolet Dealership has been around in its current spot since the late 40's, it was resently remodel to pre 60's configuration. Pretty cool looking spot, but doesnt make me wanna buy a new Chev any more that before.
Weird Pic of Hammer Chevrolet in Sheridan... google maps street view, go figure why the pic is melting.
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