Vintage Chrysler Corp dealership pics

[amazinblue82]

Need some help with this one from our middle new york members.

EJ Arnstine Desoto, 737 W. Genesee, Syracuse NY.

Mid 1950's.

2015. This building has been heavily remodeled as an Acura dealer -- but still has fire hydrant out front in same place, approximate street set back as old building, curb cut same place, approximate buildings dimensions too, etc. ...but here's where the FCBO Syracuse contingent can help?

 

[Big_John]

Syracuse guy here! All my life too. I'm not sure what you want to know.

That area is called "automobile row" for all the car dealers that are along there.

I don't believe the address is correct. I looked it up and 917 is where the Lewis Goodman Chrysler-Plymouth-Imperial dealer was. They opened in 1960 and got their franchise pulled in 2009 after the government deal. Goodman Service: A spark from the glory years on Automobile Row

Goodman's store was Rusterholtz-Rusell and they sold Chrysler, Plymouth, Willys and even Franklins. BTW, Franklins were built about a mile from that dealership.

 

[Big_John]

 

[amazinblue82]

Syracuse guy here! All my life too. I'm not sure what you want to know.

That area is called "automobile row" for all the car dealers that are along there.

I don't believe the address is correct. I looked it up and 917 is where the Lewis Goodman Chrysler-Plymouth-Imperial dealer was. They opened in 1960 and got their franchise pulled in 2009 after the government deal. Goodman Service: A spark from the glory years on Automobile Row

Goodman's store was Rusterholtz-Rusell and they sold Chrysler, Plymouth, Willys and even Franklins. BTW, Franklins were built about a mile from that dealership.

i edited my post while you were replying to it i think.

Goodman Service: A spark from the glory years on Automobile Row

i found arnstine dealer photo in an article written by Goodman's widow in link above ...that Goodman's dealership was at 917 W .Genessee. the building at 917 today was sorta like the old photo but not quite...thats why i asked for help intially.

917 W Genessee, Syracuse

in meantime i googled arnstine and found collectibles on Ebay that gave his address as 737 W. Genessee. so thats where i found the acura dealer photo and saw a reasonable similarity to arnstine's 1950's building -- heavily remodeled.

 

[Big_John]

The Acura dealer is Crest Acura is right next door to Crest Cadillac/GMC. Crest Cadillac used to be Spector Cadillac.

Just up the street was Pepper Plymouth and that morphed over the years into Lowery Jeep. Up the street (786) a little more and there was Sam Dell Dodge. That was next door to Goodman's. Dell was a big dealership and it was well known that he owned all the inventory.... Not the bank... Sam Dell was actually Salvatore Dellano or something like that... and mob connected. By the time the third generation of Dells came around, there was a lot of cocaine that went up some Dell noses and the Dealership was gone pretty much overnight. They even bulldozed the place.

 

[1970cat]

Number 13. Hodges Auto Sales (Dodge), Ferndale MI. Founded 1925.

Hodges Dodge 1950
View attachment 82439

Hodges Dodge, this photo already in post #31 above, mid 1960's, apparently some connection to the famous "Ramchargers" racing outfit?

View attachment 82437

Today, its Hodges Subaru
View attachment 82438



'

hodges dodges was one of the original ramchargers.

 

[1970cat]

no info, found it while looking at hodges pictures

 

[MrMoparCHP]

no info, found it while looking at hodges pictures

Took some work but I found it.
Google Maps


Alan

 

[65 500]

The Acura dealer is Crest Acura is right next door to Crest Cadillac/GMC. Crest Cadillac used to be Spector Cadillac.

Just up the street was Pepper Plymouth and that morphed over the years into Lowery Jeep. Up the street (786) a little more and there was Sam Dell Dodge. That was next door to Goodman's. Dell was a big dealership and it was well known that he owned all the inventory.... Not the bank... Sam Dell was actually Salvatore Dellano or something like that... and mob connected. By the time the third generation of Dells came around, there was a lot of cocaine that went up some Dell noses and the Dealership was gone pretty much overnight. They even bulldozed the place.

There was a Sam Dell Chrysler-Plymouth in Richmond Va., they closed probably in the late '80's or early '90's. I don't know if there was any connection with Sam Dell Dodge.

 

[amazinblue82]

Walton Motors, 2301 South Michigan, Chicago Ill. Advertised as largest Chrysler dealer in the world from 1953 to 1960 in obit of owner Joseph Levy.

1945 Post Card

Same Corner Today - nice building

 

[Big_John]

There was a Sam Dell Chrysler-Plymouth in Richmond Va., they closed probably in the late '80's or early '90's. I don't know if there was any connection with Sam Dell Dodge.

I'm sure that was the same, there was a bunch of dealerships and they owned a ton of commercial real estate around here. They started with the Syracuse dealership though and it was the last to close in 2008.

The whole "empire" had collapsed by then. Dell Jr. had made a lot of bad business and personal decisions and pretty much screwed the 3rd generation of Dells over in many ways. Dell Sr. had died back in 1989 and that's when it all started downhill.

 

[amazinblue82]

I have tried all morning and gotta give up for now to try to find a vintage photo of the dealership

Rollie Barrett Chrysler Plymouth, 13055 Grand River, Detroit, MI.

A couple Barrett (coincidence ?)-Jackson type cars were sold here. Buncha Hemi cars, and of course C-bodies, among several people still own, can be found too today.

Small world. Remember this one? Apparently it was tossed around last year here in a thread commando1 started.

For Sale - 1965 Chrysler Newport 4-Dr– Only 15K Original Miles – All Original - Mint!

Something random on the Internet is the only "vintage" photo I could find

Apparently he was still there in 1971, but given how fast this neighborhood changed, I doubt the 1980's dawned with him or very many other new car dealers still around those parts.

2013 .. this is a bad part of town sadly. 12 ft tall grafitti a dead giveaway too .. takes time and very little intervention potential for the "artists" to do all that

The ubiquitous bricked-over (maybe just boarded over because its vacant) showroom windows, but the unmistakeable dealer building vibe (a big vacant lot to the right - North - of this building was part of Rollie Barrett's operation is also still there).

Hope we can find a vintage photo of Rollie Barrett's Detroit dealership in his heyday (1950 to probably 1973 or so).

 

[amazinblue82]

Normandin Chrysler Plymouth Imperial. Two locations 900 West Capital Expressway (still there), and 405 Santa Clara (gone), San Jose CA

Unknown year, probably before 1964 on Santa Clara

1964, on Santa Clara (Courtesy Alden Jewell)

1970, West Capital Expressway location. Nice Imp huh?

Today, West Capital Expressway Store is still there.

 

[amazinblue82]

Bill Henderson Chrysler Plymouth Imperial, 25800 Gratiot, Roseville MI

Mid 1960's (courtesy Alden Jewell)

Today, Roseville Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep

 

[amazinblue82]

Mr. Alden Jewell has done us a great service. As i tap out of this thread for now, here's a few more. Any of you near them with interest, can let us know what's there today

Car Dealerships Set 3

Early 1960's, Fretwell's Chrysler Plymouth, 2815 N. May, OK City OK

1959, Vance Motors Chrysler Plymouth, 1355 E. 11th, Tulsa OK

1978, San Leandro Chrysler Plymouth, 232 East 14th, San Leandro CA

1965, King Solomon Motors, Plymouth only, 304 East Main St, Morristown TN

1963, Ciesars Chrysler Plymouth, 1939 Indianapolis Blvd, Whiting, IN

For our Canadian members, 1955. Verdun Motors, 3180 Rue Wellington, Verdun Quebec Canada

Cooper Motors Chrysler Plymouth, 25601 Mission Blvd, Hayward, CA

 

[65 500]

Dell Sr. had died back in 1989

That's how it usually starts.
Interesting connection though.

 

[300rag]

Normandin Chrysler Plymouth Imperial. T


1964, on Santa Clara (Courtesy Alden Jewell) View attachment 82921

1978, San Leandro Chrysler Plymouth, 232 East 14th, San Leandro CA
View attachment 82934

According to the dealer code on my Chrysler Historical info, my 300 was shipped to Normandin,

but when I got it, there were San Leandro frames on my plates.

 

[amazinblue82]

According to the dealer code on my Chrysler Historical info, my 300 was shipped to Normandin,

but when I got it, there were San Leandro frames on my plates.

View attachment 82950

about 35 miles apart .. seems your 300 never got too far away from its immediate area? one owner car before you?

 

[300rag]

about 35 miles apart .. seems your 300 never got too far away from its immediate area? one owner car before you?

I bought it in Danville. Two owner, according to the guy I bought it from. He said he bought it from the son of a dealer principle. Maybe the car was a dealer trade. Normandin was unable to give me any help, as the dealership changed hands and they no longer had the old records. Maybe I should contact San Leandro and check with them.

 

[amazinblue82]

I bought it in Danville. Two owner, according to the guy I bought it from. He said he bought it from the son of a dealer principle. Maybe the car was a dealer trade. Normandin was unable to give me any help, as the dealership changed hands and they no longer had the old records. Maybe I should contact San Leandro and check with them.

in additional to physical evidence, a dealer swap to san leandro from normandin idea has geography on its side too...danville area is 20 miles closer to san leandro than san jose.

presuming the original owner was nearer to san leandro too - he/she would pass a lotta dealers to go all the way to san jose .. hayward and fremont in particular were big enough cities to have a few dealers..more logic to support the swap theory.

"break a leg" with the search for info from san leandro