How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (Tucson: ratings, requirement)

[desertratz]

I almost forgot about Chandler Dodge where I bought my first new truck, a 1972 Dodge Power Wagon.

Francis Becker was the owner and he sold all his trucks at $200 over invoice which was unheard of at the time. He sold so many Dodge trucks that Chrysler corporation gave him #1 priority west of the Mississippi. If he needed trucks, they would let other dealers twist in the wind to supply Chandler Dodge.

My friends dad was the maintenance manager for Chandler Dodge and Francis Becker kept two or three mechanics busy doing nothing but restoring old Chrysler products. He had a collection of several hundred, some of which Chrysler didn't have in their collection and they were always bugging him to sell.

[desertratz]

Roosevelt, do your phone books show the Edsel dealer in Mesa? I remember them as a kid and they were on the SW corner of Main St and Sirrine St. (now Centennial Way)

Also, who remembers when Tex Earnhart used to have the Diving Mules periodically at his one and only dealership at the time in Chandler? I believe the practice is now banned in Arizona now?

YouTube - Smokey The Diving Mule

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by desertratz

Roosevelt, do your phone books show the Edsel dealer in Mesa? I remember them as a kid and they were on the SW corner of Main St and Sirrine St. (now Centennial Way)

Was it Smiley-Berge? 255 W. Main.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by desertratz

I almost forgot about Chandler Dodge where I bought my first new truck, a 1972 Dodge Power Wagon.

Francis Becker was the owner and he sold all his trucks at $200 over invoice which was unheard of at the time. He sold so many Dodge trucks that Chrysler corporation gave him #1 priority west of the Mississippi. If he needed trucks, they would let other dealers twist in the wind to supply Chandler Dodge.

My friends dad was the maintenance manager for Chandler Dodge and Francis Becker kept two or three mechanics busy doing nothing but restoring old Chrysler products. He had a collection of several hundred, some of which Chrysler didn't have in their collection and they were always bugging him to sell.

"Drive a little - Save a lot at the oldest Dodge dealership in the valley."

[desertratz]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

Was it Smiley-Berge? 255 W. Main.

Smiley-Berge is now Berge Ford/Mazda/Volkswagen. I do remember them also, but the Edsel dealer's address would be something like 55 - 99 E main St. (odd number)

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by desertratz

Smiley-Berge is now Berge Ford/Mazda/Volkswagen. I do remember them also, but the Edsel dealer's address would be something like 55 - 99 E main St. (odd number)

Bud Pritchard Motors
63 E. Main..........

[desertratz]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

Bud Pritchard Motors
63 E. Main..........

YES!!!

Mrs. Pritchard was one of my grade school teachers. I had totally forgotten the fact that her husband was the Edsel dealer. Poor guy!

[roosevelt]

Will all this car talk, here is a picture that will bring back memories of the good old days in 1970 but there is another picture if you click on 'related image' and gas is only 33 cents so maybe the date is off; it is mislabeled Phoenix, it is Tucson but reminds me of Phoenix because a lot of the same businesses were here too. Be sure to click on image to enlarge, it will fill your screen.

If any of you were around in the 50's and 60's you will flip when you see the following pictures of downtown Phoenix:
Washington Street
Central Avenue

[desertratz]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

Will all this car talk, here is a picture that will bring back memories of the good old days in 1970 but there is another picture if you click on 'related image' and gas is only 33 cents so maybe the date is off; it is mislabeled Phoenix, it is Tucson but reminds me of Phoenix because a lot of the same businesses were here too. Be sure to click on image to enlarge, it will fill your screen.

If any of you were around in the 50's and 60's you will flip when you see the following pictures of downtown Phoenix:
Washington Street
Central Avenue

Last shot at the car dealer question. Does anyone remember the the name of the Willys Overland Dealer on East Washington St? It was located on the south side of the road between 44th and 48th streets roughly where the 143 Hohokam crosses it now. I remember the place, but not the name.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by desertratz

Last shot at the car dealer question. Does anyone remember the the name of the Willys Overland Dealer on East Washington St? It was located on the south side of the road between 44th and 48th streets roughly where the 143 Hohokam crosses it now. I remember the place, but not the name.

Tovrea Equipment Co., 4605 E. Washington

Later it was Ray Korte Kaiser - Willys on Van Buren