Your donations help keep this valuable resource free and growing. Thank you.
|
EPHRATA, PA DEALERS |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
kcsamc
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/03/2011 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 1974 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: Jan/05/2014 at 9:02pm |
TABLE
OF CONTENTS Posting #1: Preface: Ephrata, PA Dealers Story Posting #2: Tale of Two Dealers
(reprint from 1994 Event Program) Posting #3: Epilogue: Ephrata, PA Dealers Story Posting #4: 1953 Side by Side
Newspaper Advertisements Posting #5: Huber Motors
Dealership Photographs Posting #6: Huber Motors
Memorabilia Posting #7: Nash – Miss America
1954 – Huber Nash Connection Posting #8: Ephrata
Hudson/Rambler/Wissler’s American Dealership Photographs Posting #9: Ephrata
Hudson/Rambler/Wissler’s American Memorabilia Edited by kcsamc - Jan/05/2014 at 10:19pm |
|
kcsamc
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/03/2011 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 1974 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
POSTING
#1 PREFACE:
Ephrata, PA Dealers Story The posts that follow document the stories of two
dealerships in just one small town in Lancaster, Co. PA. Had it not been for the longevity of their
service to the community or for the fateful day that two car companies merged
in 1954, their stories would have been nothing more than a footnote in
history. Thankfully, due to the ability to collect the information
before it was lost to history, and also for the dedicated efforts of several
avid AMC fans to preserve what we could of their history, we have a story to
tell, and interesting documentation to fill in the blanks. A special thanks to the following individuals that
contributed information, and documentation of elements that have created the
postings in this story line: Bruce
Wanner: facts, photos, and
memorabilia documentation for Wissler’s Jim
Myers: facts, and photos from Wissler’s Chris
Zinn II: Huber Motors photos and all Miss America photos Kevin
Shope: story and memorabilia collection items from both dealerships Over
time, additional photographs and items may come along to add to this story line
and fill in current gaps. We will edit
existing postings based on their topics as any additional items come up. Below is a map look at the street locations of the two dealerships. Just 0.2 miles apart, or a 5 minute walk from each other. The old Huber building is still showing, a paved parking lot marks the location of Wissler’s. The first image shows the size of Ephrata in total, the second image is just a close-up of the distance between the two locations. |
|
kcsamc
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/03/2011 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 1974 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
POSTING #2 TALE OF TWO DEALERS (reprinted from Pages 30 – 32, in the 1994 AMO-AMCRC-NAMDRA National Event Program) As
the memories of our local, hometown American Motors dealerships slowly start to
dim, and fade into the past, it is nice to reflect on what we remember most
about that brick and glass front building on the corner of “Main St.” For a number of us, those buildings are
completely gone, fallen victim to time or just “progress”. For others, the business has been
reincarnated into something much different under the Chrysler marque. South-central
Pennsylvania in the ‘60s and ‘70s, was a fertile area for AMC and their basic,
no thrills vehicles. Considered to be an
area of predominately conservative people, conservative little AMC seemed to
fit right in. The number of thriving
dealerships showed proof of this favoritism. Few
stories, in this region, however, are quite as unique and interesting as the
one that developed during the mid-50’s through the early ‘80’s in Ephrata, just
five miles south of the show site on Rt. 272.
As Nash and Hudson merged in May, 1954, these two companies were not the
only ones involved in the head on collision; successful local dealerships from
both companies in small town America now faced a new problem: they were now
selling the exact same car. They had
been used to the uphill battle of competing with the local Big Three
dealerships for car sales, but what could they do about that other
once-friendly independent car dealer, now turned arch rival? For the most part, those small towns that
once played host to both Hudson and Nash dealers, soon found themselves without
one of these dealerships; usually the Hudson dealer, since his sales had been
slipping for several years, while Nash dealers were starting to hit stride with
the new Rambler. Big cities were, for
the most part, able to find room in the car market for two AMC dealerships,
especially if they were across town from one another. For
this reason, many find it quite unique as well as unusual to find out that
Ephrata, a small town of just 7700 people in 1960, with a Hudson dealer located
just ONE block from the well established Nash dealer, could still be able to
support both AMC dealers until practically the end in 1987. Huber Nash, established in 1928, became Huber
Rambler in 1958, and later, in 1970 was renamed Huber Motors. They sold and serviced Nash/Rambler/AMC new
cars up to the end of AMC in 1987, and continued to sell and service used AMC
cars until December 24, 1992. Ephrata
Hudson Co., was established in the early 1930s, became Ephrata Rambler Co. in
1958, then Wissler’s American in 1970.
Wissler’s sold and serviced new Hudson/Rambler/AMC cars until 1982, and
continued to sell used cars, and proved general service at their Locust St.
location until June 1991. At that time,
a new facility was constructed just a few miles south of the show site in
Reamstown, where they continue to provide the service they have been known for,
and diehard AMC owners continue to frequent when problems arise. Looking
back, it seems incredible that these two small, one-car showroom dealerships
were able to survive the lean years with AMC, let alone the fact that they were
competing for the same business. Imagine
being an AMC fan in a town where you could price shop your favorite make of car
by walking around the corner to the next dealer. It was great for the buyer in those
days. In fact, it may have come down to
the simple decision of which owner treated him the best when he walked in the
door. These two dealers however, were
placed in the unwanted position of competing against one another with the same
product line, similar reputations, and the same limited resources to provide
the customer with everything he demanded. Huber
Motors, and its owner, Clayton Huber had an interesting history. Mr. Huber was the one and only owner of the
business, and at the age of 25 in 1928, was the youngest ever Nash Dealer to sign
on with Nash. After one year in
the business, and just months before the Great Depression began, Mr. Huber
built a small building on the plot located at 227 N. State St., Ephrata in
1929. Surviving the depression, and
serving on the Ephrata Rationing Board during the war, Mr. Huber expanded the
original building to its current size shortly after the war. Because of housing shortages after WWII,
Huber Nash was required to add an apartment to the building plans above the new
showroom in order to obtain the building permit. From then to its closing at the end of 1992,
basically the only changes at the business was the new cars, and the names and
signs on the facade of the building. In
later years, as Mr. Huber got up in years, many AMC hobbyists found it
difficult to deal with him on his remaining new old stock inventory and small
collection of Nash-AMC autos. It may
have been due to his life long profession of selling these cars, coupled with
the inability to let go, or possibly it was because he never quit Nash-AMC,
even though they eventually quit him.
The cars, parts, and memorabilia surrounding him was all he had left
after the death of his wife (they had no children), and the death of AMC in
1987. Due to failing health in 1992, Mr.
Huber decided not to renew his two year business permit, and made plans to
close his used car dealership at year’s end.
At that time, several local AMCRC-AMO members were able to convince Mr.
Huber to sell a major portion of the remaining Nash-AMC memorabilia and
parts. A major portion of those
memorabilia items are displayed in the show memorabilia rooms. All of the remaining items in the building,
including the older cars were sold at auction on June 7, 1993. Mr.
Huber died on March 14, 1993 at age 90 of natural causes. In keeping with his life’s profession of
serving the community with quality cars and service, he traveled 10 miles to
Lititz, PA to install a new battery in an old customer’s car – just 10 days
prior to his passing. Like the cars he
sold, Clayton Huber was a true Nash/Rambler Ambassador. The special packs of matches in all
registered attendees’ packets was a donation to the clubs from Mr. Huber just
prior to his passing. But
Nash was just one side of the story. The
Hudson story is just as interesting.
Unlike Huber Motors, the Hudson dealership in Ephrata changed hands a
few times. The dealership was started by
Harry Keller in the early 1930s on South State St. In 1948, D.K. Wissler would buy the
dealership and move its location to 45 E. Locust St. Ephrata. Ephrata Hudson was a successful dealership in
town and enjoyed a local following, one that would prove vital during the AMC
years. When AMC started building
Ramblers exclusively in the late 50’s, it desired to have only one dealership
per town; and even tried to persuade one or the other dealers to build a new,
more modern facility to keep up with the growing sales and service. But the Ephrata dealers were a little
stubborn, and maybe a little sentimental about their little businesses and did
not care to leave them behind. This
decision would eventually prove fatal for one of the dealerships, when in 1982,
Mr. Wissler would pass away. Because the
franchise technically went back to AMC, they had the ability to choose the next
owner; in this case they had already decided that there would be no new owner
of the second AMC dealership in town.
Wissler’s American, as it was called from 1970 on, would not sell
another new AMC car after 1982. Huber
Motors had finally won the sole rights to new AMC car sales and service, by
default. It had basically come down to
which owner lived the longest, not which one went bankrupt first. After
the passing of D.K. Wissler, James D. Myers, a long time employee of Wissler’s
bought the business and continued used car, and repair service at the Locust
St. location under the Wissler’s American name.
It would remain as such, until the current owner, Roy Burd, the head
mechanic, would purchase the business and move into the new facilities in
Reamstown, in June 1991. Wissler’s
American is still considered the AMC repair shop of choice in the area, as you
can always see a number of ‘60s, 70s, and 80s AMC cars in the lot, and on the
lifts. Appalachian
Trail’s Bruce Wanner spent 27 years in the parts and service department at
Wissler’s from 1954 to 1982. Because of
the loss of the franchise, Bruce had to make the move to the Lancaster
dealership to stay in the AMC line of work.
His beautiful black 1963 American Convertible located on the AMCRC show
field, was his new car as ordered from Ephrata Rambler. Just as Wissler’s remained a loyal companion
to the weary, local AMCs, Bruce and his wife, Mildred remain devoted
enthusiasts to the Rambler hobby as very active members in Appalachian Trail
Chapter, AMCRC. Today,
the building at 45 E. Locust St., Ephrata, PA is gone. Only a parking lot serves as a distant
reminder of what used to reside there.
The Hudsons, the Ramblers, and the AMCs have all left. And there is a similar ending for the brick
building at 227 N. State St., Ephrata, PA.
After the passing of Mr. Huber, the property was sold at auction and was
renovated for Ephrata Social Services, and is now used to serve the community
in a very different way. Gone are the
Nashes, Ramblers, and AMCs. Gone are the
hallmark large glass paned facades.
Nostalgia, memorabilia, and pictures are all that remain of the unique
story that this little town holds in its history. A
large portion of the memorabilia that resided on display at the 1994 AMC
Nationals came from these two dealerships and a few other semi-local AMC
dealerships. If
you still have a small town (ex) AMC dealership in business in your area, try
to document its history. Even with the
people we had available to us to tell the story of each of these dealerships,
it was difficult getting all the facts.
If you don’t trace some of your dealer’s history, chances are no one
will. So before it’s too late, and all
you have are some fading memories of the brick building on the corner, spend
some time and write down what information you can gather up about it. It will be fun and rewarding, and who knows,
maybe someday, you will be hosting this event, and you’ll want to tell everyone
the story of what went on in your hometown. |
|
kcsamc
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/03/2011 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 1974 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
POSTING
#3 Epilogue:
Ephrata, PA Dealers Story Twenty years have gone by now since the publishing of the
above story and the 1994 Nationals. The
AMC nameplate in northern Lancaster Co. is now only seen in the personal
collections of a number of diehard Rambler-AMC fans that live in the area. Wissler’s American’s spare parts collection went to its
rightful place, to Wissler’s longtime parts manager, Bruce Wanner who has been
selling them as his part time hobby ever since.
An auction at the original dealership location in 1991 released other
minor items and remaining AMC related memorabilia, which for the most part has
found homes in local AMCer collections. Wissler’s American (at its new Reamstown location) serviced
all makes and models of cars up past the turn of the new millennium including
the dwindling remaining Concords, Spirits, and Eagles that used to run around
here, but ultimately closed its doors for good around 2006 ending the final
chapter of AMC history in northern Lancaster Co., PA. The property that used to house the Hudson’s and Ramblers
at 45 E. Locust St. still serves as a parking lot for downtown businesses and
the church that resides beside it. The Huber Motors building at 223 – 227 N. State street was eventually repurposed in the mid-1990s as the “Ephrata Area Social Services” center, and now provides those in need in the region with assistance, clothing, and food supplies (a fitting continuation to the history of service from this location over the years). The brick façade and showroom window are gone and replaced with a newer stucco finish, but still resembles the old building if you look closely. The old service bays out back now hold the inventory of clothing and food stock used to distribute to those in need. As mentioned in the main story of the two dealerships,
Mr. Huber passed away just 2 short months after closing the dealership, and any
remaining contents were sold at auction in June 1993. Prior to that time, a long time AMC parts
dealer had secured his parts inventory, and several local AMCers secured what
memorabilia he was willing to part with prior to his death. The dealership still housed a fair amount of
odds and ends, including about 15 or so cars, ranging from wrecked parts cars
to decent original AMC cars. The cars
included a 1926 Ajax, wrecked Marlin, a bubble fendered Javelin, Mr. Huber’s personal parade car – a 1967
Ambassador Convertible, and a 1987 Eagle sold from the showroom floor with just
11,000 miles on it (in 1993…). Auction
prices were high and gave most of us local AMCers at least a modest amount of
sticker shock for the time. |
|
kcsamc
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/03/2011 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 1974 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
POSTING
#4 1953
Side by Side Newspaper Advertisements As luck would have it, local AMC collector, Kevin Shope discovered complete sections of the local newspaper under old linoleum flooring at an older residence back in the 1990’s. It used to be common practice to use newspaper as an insulation of sorts for the cold linoleum floors. Of great interest in the well preserved newspapers, was a complete set of all the local dealerships’ advertisements for the 1953 new cars including our then Nash and Hudson dealers (of additional interest, there was a full article on the oldest Studebaker Dealership in the country – also in Ephrata, as part of the full newspaper stash). Shown below are the advertisements for Huber Nash and Ephrata Hudson, as captured just before they started to become cross-town rivals selling the same car: |
|
kcsamc
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/03/2011 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 1974 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
POSTING
#5 Huber
Motors Dealership Photographs No photographs from before the post-war dealership have surfaced to this point. Shortly after the war, Mr. Huber applied for a building permit to add a showroom to the front of the building. To receive the permit, he had to build a functioning second story apartment above the showroom. (The following four photos were obtained originally from Mr. Huber’s original collection). Entrance to the dealership showroom and the apartment where shared from the State St. door entrance. Shown below circa 1950: The dealership was located right in the middle of a residential area. The house to the immediate right was later purchased and removed by Mr. Huber and used for new / used car parking. Shown above is the fresh new dealership with standard late 40s early 50s large neon Nash signage, and smaller showroom window car model neons showing brightly. Above:
Straight-on shot from the street just prior to occupancy. The parts counter window (left) and narrow
car entrance (middle) can be seen through the window. Below:
Inside shot of the showroom. Only
“window” dressing changes would occur in this area over the next 42 years. Only the annual corporate displays would
change the look in the decades to come. Below: The refreshened rear service bays of Huber Nash as part of the front showroom addition upgrades. Only dirt, grime, and car/parts collection would change the look of this area also for the next 42 years. In fact, the brand new Kent-Moore workbench shown at right was in the same location when sold at auction in June 1993. Today, it resides in the hands of a local AMC collector (even the lighted service area signs remained in place until pulled down during the auction): Below: Another photograph from Mr. Huber’s personal collection. It must have been one of his favorites, as it was taped up multiple times in his dealership office, and was in need of a fair amount of repair due to age cracks, etc. The photograph had to be touched up quite a bit to make presentable here. The subject matter is the Grand Canyon Economy run and the 31.05 MPG of the 1953 Nash Rambler: In recent years, several zone manager’s photos from local
dealership showrooms have shown up on ebay for sale. Huber’s showroom is shown in some of the
offerings, as dated from the early 60s.
At a future date, we hope to secure some of those and post here as
additional documentation. Below: Mr. Huber was active in the community. Shown below, Mr. Huber at far left, on December 29, 1971, giving away a 1972 Gremlin. Good publicity on the front page of the local newspaper. Also showing is the last signage change for Huber’s. The sign (showing below ) Huber Motor Co. is now in the hands of a local collector: Above: Last known photograph of Huber Motors while
still acting as a car business. A local
AMCer took this photo and another one at the soon to be demolished Wissler’s
American (see Posting #8) on the same day in late 1992. Seen here is the used AMC car lot, with the
nose of Mr. Huber’s two tone blue 1987 Eagle in the showroom. Mr. Huber continued to sell used AMCs up
until the last day of 1992, after having the dealership license removed from
him during the Chrysler takeover in 1988, however the Flag logo “Used Car” sign
still hung outside as seen in the far right of this photo. As can be seen, the buildings were starting
to look a little worse for wear by the time the end came around. |
|
kcsamc
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/03/2011 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 1974 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
POSTING
#6 Huber
Motors Dealership Memorabilia A fair amount of general AMC memorabilia from Huber Motors exists in the personal collections of several local AMCers, not shown here as they could have been found in any dealership across the country. Shown here are the unique items that come with the dealership name attached in some form. Above: An interesting piece of dealership paperwork
not often retained. Mr. Huber kept a
fair amount of paperwork including some of the franchise agreements. The above is a credit registration document
dated 1948. Below: Mr. Huber retained some interesting historical items in his personal office. One of them was this PA Temporary tag that his dealership had applied to a Nash in 1951. The tag is a very thick paper tag, of highest interest to the general collector, and obviously why Mr. Huber kept it, the “100-000” number on the tag. Above: A
name badge, most likely from a regional Nash-Rambler dealer convention that Mr.
Huber attended in the late 50s? Below: A lone remaining piece of Huber Nash stationary – a company issued envelope, two sided, with the full back being covered with a Nash image from the early 50s. (front and back combined photo) Below: a very nice leather key fob from the mid 50s from Huber Nash. Note the phone number! Above and Below: Mr. Huber must have given out Rambler calendars each year. Shown here are 1964 (mint condition with envelop) and a slightly worn 1966 version as commissioned by AMC with specific dealer contact info. Below: An award received by Huber’s – a brass plaque adorned clock. Photo below has a blown up view of the plaque on the bottom, but is still hard to read. It is engraved: “RAMBLER 1961 ATP DISCOVERY DRIVE SALES CAMPAIGN HUBER RAMBLER CO.” Below: An interesting day in the life look at Huber Motors and it’s used car selection, probably about 1970 given that the 69 SST was used at that point. The letterhead would have been 1969 vintage. Above: probably the most widely known Huber Motors
piece to the general AMC hobby. As
mentioned in the 1994 Event Program, Mr. Huber knew about the then being
planned 1994 event, and donated his remaining stock of matchbook give-a-ways to
us to give to all registered attendees.
Over 300 of these were given out at the 1994 AMC Nationals and can be
seen every now and again being offered for sale. This was the last thing Mr. Huber would
contribute to the history of AMC and to the hobby. |
|
kcsamc
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/03/2011 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 1974 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
POSTING
#7 NASH
– Miss America 1954 – Huber Nash Connection During a time period in the 1950s, Nash was active in
being a primary sponsor of the Miss America Pageant. Miss America would then spend time at special
ceremonies for Nash, and usually included major auto show appearances. In late 1953, northern Lancaster Co. was all aglow with
the crowning of the 1954 Miss America – Miss Evelyn Ay a native of Ephrata,
PA. Obviously, that made Mr. Huber very
proud on several accounts, having a local small town girl win, and also being
the local official representative of Nash.
As evidence of his pride, Mr. Huber held tightly onto his collection of
Miss America memorabilia to the very end; the collection had to be purchased at
auction by one of our local AMCers after Mr. Huber’s passing. All the photos below came from Mr. Huber’s personal collection: Above (1) and Below (2) photos: most likely commissioned officially by Nash. The back of each of these photos are stamped with the following image: “Photograph by Tommy Weber 202 East 39th Street New York 16, N.Y Murray Hill 5-5151” Below (2): Chicago Auto Show 1954 in March. Evelyn Ay participates in the unveiling of the brand new Nash Metropolitan, and plays host to the Nash exhibit during the event: Below (3): Back at home in late 1953, Mr. Huber takes care of all the details of preparing a special Nash Rambler Convertible for the local fall fair parade season in Lancaster Co. Each fall, (3) parades over a (4) week period occur in conjunction with the local fairs. Ephrata’s Fair and parade is one of the largest and longest running in the state. Shown here is the parade car prepped and ready in the Huber Nash showroom, and the third photo of Evelyn in the Ephrata Parade in her hometown. Mr. Huber kept all of the official Miss America flags and door logo from this event. The car most likely stayed in the showroom in decoration throughout the mid-September to early October timeframe that year. Below: As part of Mr. Huber’s honorary duties, Clayton (standing below) was able to represent Nash in giving Evelyn her own Nash, a new Metropolitan. Evelyn as she got her keys here in Ephrata, PA: |
|
kcsamc
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/03/2011 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 1974 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
POSTING
#8 Ephrata
Hudson / Rambler/ Wissler’s American Dealership Photographs No photographs from Ephrata Hudson’s first shop location or from the 50s have surfaced up to this point. We do know that about the same time that Huber Nash was expanding its dealership, that the new Ephrata Hudson owner moved to its 45 E. Locust St. showroom and service shop. Based on the age of the building at that time, most likely little more than minor facelifts occurred through the time of leading up to the photos included here. Above: The front façade of the Ephrata Rambler Co.
dealership in the late 60s. Note the
Javelin lighted sign in the showroom window and the awesome Rambler neon sign
hanging overhead. Below: Slightly different angle of the front of the building; photo taken in the summer of 1969. Parts Manager, Bruce Wanner’s black 1963 American convertible sits parked along the curb (Bruce still owns the car today) Below: Close-up photo of that great looking Rambler neon sign (whereabouts unknown…), and the street in front of the car lot. Below: Inside, a rare photo of the sales desk area in late 1968 or so. Neat ’68 American wall display items are now long gone… Above: Outside during the very early 1970’s – barely
visible are the showroom posters advertising the Javelin and Gremlins of the
time (the Mustang looks out of place here).
Also note the change in sign out front to the vertical flag logo,
replacing the “Ephrata Rambler Co.” horizontal sign shown above in 1969. The Wissler’s American sign above the door
had not yet been installed. Below: The used car lot in the early 1970’s. Spotted on the lot are a ’66 Ambassador, 60s Camaro, ’64 American wagon, mid-50s Hash, a GoPac AMX, plus others Below (2): Several shots of the shop’s old reliable service truck – the Hudson pickup. By this time, nearly 23 or so years old, it was holding up pretty well. Notice the late 60’s service banner hanging overhead. Below: Rear entrance sign and clock above the door from the 70’s Note the Hornet logo as part of the sign image. Above: Wissler’s American during the 80’s. Now an ex-AMC dealership, and selling only
used AMC cars and service, you can see the elimination of the flag logo on the
vertical sign out front. Below: Street view of Wissler’s showing the old 60s
Rambler Select used car sign with “Rambler” blocked out across the top. Below: Taking a break outside the service bays, most likely in the early 80s. Note the 66 American just inside the garage bay. Below: Horse and buggies still dot the landscape here in Amish – Mennonite Lancaster Co. A 1980s photo of some horses out in the side lot with one of the Wissler’s shop cars (a Gremlin) complete with a magnetic dealership sign. Below (2): The end at 45 E. Locust St. Following the auction in 1991, and the condemned status of the building, photos were taken just prior to its razing in 1992. (Taken on the same day as the photo of Huber Motors in 1992). Wissler’s American would move to a new building in Reamstown (about 5 miles north) and this space would become a parking lot. Edited by kcsamc - Jan/05/2014 at 10:22pm |
|
kcsamc
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/03/2011 Location: Denver, PA Status: Offline Points: 1974 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
POSTING
#9 Ephrata
Hudson / Rambler/ Wissler’s American Dealership Memorabilia A fair amount of general AMC memorabilia from Ephrata Rambler/Wissler’s American exists in the personal collections of several local AMCers, not shown here as they could have been found in any dealership across the country. Shown here are the unique items that come with the dealership name attached in some form. Above: A rare and interesting piece, an order book
for taking notes, etc. by the salesman.
Probably very late 50s based on the phone number and the dealer name at
that point. Below: Jim Myer’s business card, most likely just before the AMC dealership franchise was removed in 1982 and before Jim became owner, based on Jim’s title and car models listed. Above: An AMC standard issue invitation card from
1964 with “Ephrata Rambler Company” stamped on it. These would be mailed out to prospective
buyers to view the new arrivals for the 1965 model year. Below: An NOS chrome/black mylar dealer sticker that adorned the back of every new and used car that Wissler’s sold in the 70s and 80s at it’s 45 E. Locust St. address. Below: An interesting (but sad) piece of Wissler’s trivia from 1985. The shop was robbed and the story found its way into the newspaper. Of interest here is the old cash register and safe shown behind the service counter. |
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |