Vintage dealerships

I love the old two story dealership!

 

The Dodge dealer here in Everett, until about 15 years ago, was a two-story, where the shops were on the second story, sales, parts and quick service on the bottom. The guy that owned it, I went to school with one of his sons, and after his dad passed, they sold that building, took over another lot south of downtown, and started construction on a new location on the South end of town. The only things they kept from the original dealership were the car rotisseries and the flashing neon "DODGE" signs.

 

Back in the '60's and '70's when I needed parts for my Chevy, I had to climb stairs to the 2nd Floor.

It was well worth the trip, lol.

 

I know most dealerships these days are having to conform to the standards handed down from HQ so it's not surprising that old family owned outfits are moving to knew locations. It's a shame, but just part of the evolution of the modern American retail machine.
I suppose that's one of the reasons we tend to like these type of photos. They're nostalgic.

 

There's another example of corporate conformity; google "Clyde Revord Motors mural images" and it shows murals at Clyde Revord Buick that a local painter would do, which now isn't done anymore because GM required them to change the dealer building facade in order to keep their GM franchise.

 

I looked into the window paintings Andrew. It's a shame that they were forced to conform.

 

This one's my most favorite...here, it's painted on the side of a parts delivery van:



It was originally painted right after the death of Christopher Reeve.

 

Sunshine Motors Inc. was located at 200 South Tampa Street, Tampa Florida.