This popped up just now in the AACA facebook group. It was in Queens, NY Northern Blvd and 46th St.
2018 picture.
2018 picture.
Photos of Vintage Auto Dealerships, Repair Shops, and Gas Stations
- Thread starter ayilar
- Start date
That's what Chrysler's Market Representation Program was for. It looked at whole markets and reorganized them by placing new, big dealerships in the suburbs, away from the downtown auto row. The first market to undergo this treatment was Miami (summer of 1961).
In Detroit Northland Chrysler-Plymouth was a product of this approach, see post #37 in the Exclusive Plymouth Dealers thread.
68 4spd Fury
Senior Member
I'd hope the Sears building gets repurposed. I see trees growing out the roof now.
So who is this Albert Kahn fellow and why do some of us keep mentioning him? Prolific architect .. we could do a thread on Albert alone -- but not this thread.
I am sure we'll see him again tho in this thread in other posts.
@Big_John put the link in to info but you can kinda summarize him this way.
Kahn immigrated to US (Detroit) from Prussia with family in 1881 when he was 12. Didn't speak English but learned of course and graduated from Detroit public schools.
He learned to be an architect during an "apprenticeship" at a Detroit firm. He started his own firm in 1902 and formed a partnership with his brother Julius who himself was a civil engineer and inventor.
Julius invented and patented a way (The Kahn_System) to reinforce concrete in 1903 and left Albert's firm to start "Truscon""to market the invention.
Compared to wood, the patented method was structurally stronger and without the fire risk, and was cheaper than steel frame construction of equivalent size.
Exactly the right product when a WHOLE country was "industrializing". Right in Kahn brothers backyard was the burgeoning auto industry and their suppliers.
See Packard example below, before Kahn and then after Kahn. For the way car and parts were being built, with the innovation of the assembly line, the design of factory was a key enabler. You couldn't physically build a plant out of wood this way, and for cost reasons you wouldn't build it out of steel.
source of the above if you wanna nerd out on Truscon and Albert: https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bits...edlar_Engineering_Industrial_Architecture.pdf
An architect with the "hookup" to the best construction technique for big, stronger, open-floorplan factories.
GM (and many of the individual car companies that eventually became GM under William Durant - Cadillac, Fisher Body, Chevrolet, Buick, Oakland, etc.,) Ford, Packard and dozens of component suppliers were lined up outside Kahn Brothers' firms.
By 1937, Albert Kahn designed almost 20% of all the factories in the United States. In 1929 he went global and exported his methods to the Soviet Union, and the Stalingrad Tractor Factory is a Kahn design
His designs are all over Detroit (over 900 buildings) and hundreds more across the US. And for many different businesses other than automobile factories. Even in houses for the uber-rich of the era. Edsel (Henry Ford's son) and Eleanor Ford
Albert's own house built in 1906 (and in which he lived until he died in 1942) is still standing, and now is the headquarters of the Detroit Urban League, 208 Mack Avenue
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The Packard Plant.
Albert Kahn-designed industrial complex, and includes Pakard Plant 10 (see post #44 about the Kahn System) in 1905 -- his first reinforced concrete factory that dominated US factory construction for next 30 years.
This depresses me and I don't post it (as is done many times) to bash Detroit. But you cant tell the architectural story of the automotive industry without talking about it.
A five minute video gives the gist of things ....
Albert Kahn-designed industrial complex, and includes Pakard Plant 10 (see post #44 about the Kahn System) in 1905 -- his first reinforced concrete factory that dominated US factory construction for next 30 years.
This depresses me and I don't post it (as is done many times) to bash Detroit. But you cant tell the architectural story of the automotive industry without talking about it.
A five minute video gives the gist of things ....
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source: Fisher Body - Wikipedia
Headed for the home-stretch.
Fisher Body founded in 1908 was GM's preferred supplier of car bodies, until GM bought it in 1919 for about $27 million. Actually they bought 60% of it which would imply it was worth $45 million.
For magnitude, $45 Million in today's money is about $770 Million, so 60% was $480 million in cash. The Fishers were rollin' in dough in the roaring 20's AND they still owned 40% of the company.
Fisher had a considerable business outside of GM, but also a big business with the companies that eventually become GM (Caddie, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Oakland (Pontiac). They had 40 plants and business was booming. So, where did they go to design new plants?
Albert Kahn - who else?
Some of those plants are still around. Fisher Body# 21 built in 1919. built with the Kahn System darn thing will stand for 1,000 years, it fell into disrepair as GM contracted, and become a hulking Detroit eyesore for decades.
Located on Piquette @ Hastings in Detroit
But there is a happy ending -- hopefully.
Coming soon, 400 unit apartment building and retail. $135 milion and the "Fisher 21 Lofts" coming in 2025 was announced March this year. Great reuse for this property -- hope "Lucy doesn't move the football".
source: Detroit's abandoned Fisher Body Plant No. 21 to become housing
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By the way, what did the Fisher Family do with their windfall? Built stuff, gave away stuff, and still lived large.
This is the Fisher Building. 3011 West Grand Blvd, Detroit, cata-corner from the old GM Building. 30 stories, an award-winning art-deco masterpiece, it was completed in 1928.
Albert Kahn-designed, the Fishers used some of their GM money to build this skyscraper to help develop the area of their new BFF's HQ.
source: Fisher Building - Wikipedia
Oh yeah, they also built some of the finest, stately mansions in the country. This is one of several, in the Palmer Woods area (and now owned by a Stellantis executive. sold to him by the recently-departed President of GM, btw).
source: A Look Inside The Recently Sold Fisher Mansion - Hour Detroit Magazine
This is the Fisher Building. 3011 West Grand Blvd, Detroit, cata-corner from the old GM Building. 30 stories, an award-winning art-deco masterpiece, it was completed in 1928.
Albert Kahn-designed, the Fishers used some of their GM money to build this skyscraper to help develop the area of their new BFF's HQ.
source: Fisher Building - Wikipedia
Oh yeah, they also built some of the finest, stately mansions in the country. This is one of several, in the Palmer Woods area (and now owned by a Stellantis executive. sold to him by the recently-departed President of GM, btw).
source: A Look Inside The Recently Sold Fisher Mansion - Hour Detroit Magazine
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What about Chrysler?
The Jefferson Avenue plant, (the old one, closed in 1990, and demolished to build the new Jefferson Ave. plant) built in 1908, 12200 E. Jefferson, in Detroit was an early reinforced concrete construction.
Designed by whom did you say? Need you ask?
Look at ALL these plants -- you can see the Kahn "family resemblance"; Kahn did NOT design the office building though the plant itself kinda resembles the GM HQ with is connected "wings".
The plant was actually built by Chalmers Motors Company. A giant place, and Chalmers' cars didnt sell very well, so they leased part of the plant to Maxwell Motors. They didn't fare much better together and nearly went bankrupt.
Their creditors appointed one Walter P. Chrysler to take over. He did, killed the Chalmers and Maxwell brands, and formed the Chrysler Corporation in 1925.
Plymouths, DeSotos, Dodges, Imperials (until some of those brands got their own plants) up to Dodge Omni were built at the old Jefferson Ave plant .. again long gone.
source: Chrysler Jefferson Avenue plant | Historic Detroit
The Jefferson Avenue plant, (the old one, closed in 1990, and demolished to build the new Jefferson Ave. plant) built in 1908, 12200 E. Jefferson, in Detroit was an early reinforced concrete construction.
Designed by whom did you say? Need you ask?
Look at ALL these plants -- you can see the Kahn "family resemblance"; Kahn did NOT design the office building though the plant itself kinda resembles the GM HQ with is connected "wings".
The plant was actually built by Chalmers Motors Company. A giant place, and Chalmers' cars didnt sell very well, so they leased part of the plant to Maxwell Motors. They didn't fare much better together and nearly went bankrupt.
Their creditors appointed one Walter P. Chrysler to take over. He did, killed the Chalmers and Maxwell brands, and formed the Chrysler Corporation in 1925.
Plymouths, DeSotos, Dodges, Imperials (until some of those brands got their own plants) up to Dodge Omni were built at the old Jefferson Ave plant .. again long gone.
source: Chrysler Jefferson Avenue plant | Historic Detroit
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Packard Plant #22.
Significance? It was built by Packard to manufacture the Rolls Royce Merlin engine, under license, for the P-51 Mustang in WWII.
Located at 6235 Concord @ I-94 Service Drive in Detroit. Built in 1939, its got 255,000 sq. ft.
You wouldnt recognize it as it has been several other things before it was bought, refurbished and reused by a Detroit company (called The Display Group) in the event planning business in 2015. Still going strong.
It's STILL connected to a dilapidated section of the Packard complex that City of Detroit has hopes for.
source: Renovation of a Packard Plant building underway
1942
About 2014 -- you could see this part from I-94 and you would not have thought it was part of Packard complex.
How it looks in 2022 before/after some window remodeling since 2015. The orange box is the OLD Packard site that still needs development or demolition. The right side (east) of the aerial photo is Concord St.
where refurbished section is still connected to the old Packard complex (east side)
west side showing connection to older Packard buildings.
Significance? It was built by Packard to manufacture the Rolls Royce Merlin engine, under license, for the P-51 Mustang in WWII.
Located at 6235 Concord @ I-94 Service Drive in Detroit. Built in 1939, its got 255,000 sq. ft.
You wouldnt recognize it as it has been several other things before it was bought, refurbished and reused by a Detroit company (called The Display Group) in the event planning business in 2015. Still going strong.
It's STILL connected to a dilapidated section of the Packard complex that City of Detroit has hopes for.
source: Renovation of a Packard Plant building underway
1942
About 2014 -- you could see this part from I-94 and you would not have thought it was part of Packard complex.
How it looks in 2022 before/after some window remodeling since 2015. The orange box is the OLD Packard site that still needs development or demolition. The right side (east) of the aerial photo is Concord St.
where refurbished section is still connected to the old Packard complex (east side)
west side showing connection to older Packard buildings.
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Detroit wasnt having all the fun.
Studebaker Building 84, 635 S Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN.
800,000 square feet, six stories, reinforced concrete structure, and designed by -- drum roll -- Albert Kahn. Again - just look at the architecture as it screams of Kahn design.
Getting a major reuse project "facelift". Buildings 84 (and buldings 112 & 113) are being transformed into a mixed-use technology center and is currently home to South Bend City Church, enFocus, South Bend Code School, and Purdue Polytechnic.
Versus a dealership or a gas station, the old factories have the "bones" and "footprint" to make a major impact to a city IF they can be transformed
sources: On the Grid : Studebaker Building 84, Renaissance District - Home, Studebaker Assembly 84 | Discover Indiana.
Built in 1923, and closed in 1966
2017 Vision
Progress - it might be done by now. Maybe a local can weigh in?
Studebaker Building 84, 635 S Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN.
800,000 square feet, six stories, reinforced concrete structure, and designed by -- drum roll -- Albert Kahn. Again - just look at the architecture as it screams of Kahn design.
Getting a major reuse project "facelift". Buildings 84 (and buldings 112 & 113) are being transformed into a mixed-use technology center and is currently home to South Bend City Church, enFocus, South Bend Code School, and Purdue Polytechnic.
Versus a dealership or a gas station, the old factories have the "bones" and "footprint" to make a major impact to a city IF they can be transformed
sources: On the Grid : Studebaker Building 84, Renaissance District - Home, Studebaker Assembly 84 | Discover Indiana.
Built in 1923, and closed in 1966
2017 Vision
Progress - it might be done by now. Maybe a local can weigh in?
Converted dealerships only in Cape Girardeau MO (on the Mississippi about 100 miles south of St. Louis).
Again, these converted dealerships are EVERYWHERE.
There are about 20.000 NEW car dealers today, and maybe twice that many years ago. Many of these folks are new to the business, but many more used to be in one/more OTHER buildings in their history.
That means everywhere you look, some of those OTHER buildings may still be around .. some serving as USED car dealerships (there are about 30,000 of them today), other buildings are vacant/turned into something else.
source: CC Architecture: Recycled Automobile Dealership Buildings
The former Van Matre Buick
The former Jim Bishop Chevrolet
The former Town & Country Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge
The former Cape Toyota dealership
Author believed this to be a former Studebaker dealership but wasn't sure
Again, these converted dealerships are EVERYWHERE.
There are about 20.000 NEW car dealers today, and maybe twice that many years ago. Many of these folks are new to the business, but many more used to be in one/more OTHER buildings in their history.
That means everywhere you look, some of those OTHER buildings may still be around .. some serving as USED car dealerships (there are about 30,000 of them today), other buildings are vacant/turned into something else.
source: CC Architecture: Recycled Automobile Dealership Buildings
The former Van Matre Buick
The former Jim Bishop Chevrolet
The former Town & Country Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge
The former Cape Toyota dealership
Author believed this to be a former Studebaker dealership but wasn't sure
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LocuMob
Fluid Technician with a hat
I wish I could show some old dealerships from my youth. Sadly, they have all been torn down. Hopkins, MN had dealers up and down Main St, I remember being in some of the older ones before there met their demise.
RoadsideArchitecture.com has a number of photos of interesting-looking gas stations, dealerships, etc. Conveniently, like @amazinblue82 above, the author provides photos of the structures at various stages in their lives, as well as Google Maps links to check on the current status. Here are the gas stations:
I particularly like the Conoco dual-canopy stations -- many examples are provided here, showing the typical green tiles:
Vintage Gas Stations | RoadsideArchitecture.com
This section features photos and information about vintage gas stations in the United States and Canada. This includes all eras and brands including Shell, Standard Oil, Mobil, Phillips 66, Texaco, White Rose, Amoco, Citgo, Cities Service, D-X, Humble, Marathon, Magnolia, Gulf, Arco, Sinclair...
www.roadarch.com
I particularly like the Conoco dual-canopy stations -- many examples are provided here, showing the typical green tiles:
SGT FURY
Senior Member
In downtown healdsburg California there stood this very complete,but abandoned small vintage gas station.
I like to take pics of my vintage cars parked at such relic sites. I drove a 61 Plymouth there only to find that it had been recently demolished. The stuffed shirt city council could not wait to tear it down for years!!
I would have liked to have disassembled it and rebuilt it in my backyard. Not in California though.
To much red tape and roadblocks.
What some consider eyesores,others consider landmark treasures. The eyesore crowd in power always seems to win the battle.
I like to take pics of my vintage cars parked at such relic sites. I drove a 61 Plymouth there only to find that it had been recently demolished. The stuffed shirt city council could not wait to tear it down for years!!
I would have liked to have disassembled it and rebuilt it in my backyard. Not in California though.
To much red tape and roadblocks.
What some consider eyesores,others consider landmark treasures. The eyesore crowd in power always seems to win the battle.
Not a lot of architecture in this pic, but I thought it was a good one. Not a lot of pictures from the backside of the factories.
How about something changed into a car dealership? This place didn't last long... They used the old New York Central train station for a foreign car sales lot. The building still stands and now used by Spectrum Cable TV. BTW, the street out in front is Erie Blvd, once it was the Erie Canal.
I had to rack my brain on this one -- and then I couldnt remember name nor the exact location.
I am an undergrad alum of University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in there early 1980's ("amazinblue82"). There was a barbeque place we used to go to that used to be gas station.
Yeah, we joked about their "hi-octane" sauce option .. but it got me through four years of higher education. Seriously good barbeque.
Anyway, I finally googled my way back in time, and rolled forward till today.
DeLong's Barbeque, 314 Detroit Ave, Ann Arbor MI.
1968 - What it looked like when I got there a decade later. THere was an old article in the Ann Arbor News;
1992 . I was long gone, and my kids hadnt got there yet, it was still there and remodeled a bit more. Looking a lot less like a gas station. Then it closed in 2001 after 37 years.
2002-ish. A new teriyaki cuisine and another building update.
Today -- still a Japanese place -- frequented by my kids with my AMEX card it seems in the late 2000's when they were there, but nobody would ever know it began life as a gas station
I am an undergrad alum of University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in there early 1980's ("amazinblue82"). There was a barbeque place we used to go to that used to be gas station.
Yeah, we joked about their "hi-octane" sauce option .. but it got me through four years of higher education. Seriously good barbeque.
Anyway, I finally googled my way back in time, and rolled forward till today.
DeLong's Barbeque, 314 Detroit Ave, Ann Arbor MI.
1968 - What it looked like when I got there a decade later. THere was an old article in the Ann Arbor News;
1992 . I was long gone, and my kids hadnt got there yet, it was still there and remodeled a bit more. Looking a lot less like a gas station. Then it closed in 2001 after 37 years.
2002-ish. A new teriyaki cuisine and another building update.
Today -- still a Japanese place -- frequented by my kids with my AMEX card it seems in the late 2000's when they were there, but nobody would ever know it began life as a gas station
This one is in North Syracuse.
Started with this.
Torn down and replaced with this. For you guys that don't live in snow country, this is pretty typical snow every day around here.
Torn down again and replaced with this Gulf station, set back from the road. The house is still there!
Started with this.
Torn down and replaced with this. For you guys that don't live in snow country, this is pretty typical snow every day around here.
Torn down again and replaced with this Gulf station, set back from the road. The house is still there!
Former Rotary station. Now a Mexican restaurant. I knew the owner of the Rotary station... When they pulled out of the area, he moved across the street and opened a repair shop.
#2 was an improvement to my eyes, #3 was not…
