Brown Buick Co.
Polkowitz Motors, Perth Amboy, NJ (1949).
Herb Connolly Buick Co., Brighton, MA.
Folger Buick Co., Charlotte, NC.
East Side Buick, Flint, MI.
Harter Chevrolet, Buick, Opel.
Reynolds, Buick-Opel-GMC dealer in West Covina, CA.
Vintage Dealers: Buick Dealers In The ’50s-’60s
– Posted on July 27, 2024
Notice the signage is very individual.
Just what ever it takes to grab your attention.
Just before GM standardized the brand signs in the mid-sixties.
IIRC, Chrysler was the first to do so.
I like the various buildings they really stand out .
-Nate
From my perspective, the architecture is very non-regional. The Harter building in South Carolina and the Reynolds building in LA are very similar, and the East Side store in Flint could be anywhere. I say that as a good thing; the diversity is interesting and more a matter of era and whether the dealership is in town or in a less dense area. I’m not sure today’s megastores in the suburban “auto rows” will be as interesting in 60 years.
My Dad bought a new 1965 Buick Electra 225 convertible at Herb Connolly Buick in Brighton (Boston). It was blue with a black interior and black top. It was a very nice car and he had a under dash a/c unit added before we moved to SC. My stepmother’s sister bought it and it was on the road into the mid 1970s.
Each example is tastefully presented. Quite impressed, by the elegant signage at Brown Buick, and trendy and graphic signage, at East Side Buick. Harter Chevrolet, Buick, Opel, looking much like a fast food restaurant.
The black-walled Buick, most appealing to me.
Buick’s version of the Scotsman in front of Folger really debases the brand image.
But that’s the car that made 1955 such a success for Buick.
Yeah. Looking like a “utility company”, or “government agency”, fleet car. Truly a “bleak, Buick”.
My neighbors, rather simple, “65 Special” looked “decadent” compared to the car in the pic. lol
Buicks were very popularity cars and considered a luxury vehicle even back in the twenties ! Usually bought by the wealthy class . They have a reputation , for making well built , durable products that can last a lifetime with proper care . Cost ? Buicks were never a low cost car but like the old saying goes , ” You get what you pay for ” , right ? I remember a sales motto : ” Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick ?” Happy Motoring ! Mark E. Switzer
Remember that “marketing phrase” quite well. Even the “tune”.
The leader pic makes me think of “Hedda Hopper”.
Before ” Wouldn’t you rather have a Buick” the Buick slogan was for many years “When better automobiles are built, Buick will build them” always enjoy going down memory lane.
Reynolds Buick /GMC in West Covina, Ca is still open to this day. And as their sign states: “Since 1915”.
The entire neighborhood used to have every brand of American car.
In Flint, MI. Mid 60″s. We could watch the fresh off the line Buick go past us. They were. being taken to the haulaway company then to the dealerships
The little red bus would take the drivers back the plant, we waited, then comes another line of beauties. One style at a time. What gorgeous cars. What a show. . Bob Banta.
How can you find when certain dealers closed? Still see cars with Polkowitz tags around here.
Herb Connolly looks like he just added an extra sign every time a new style came along! The vertical ones alongside the door look very dignified (Thirties?); the rest, not so much.