Carol:   

Rollins Ford was on the N/E corner of 29th & Huntington (later named Center Ford

on Jefferson Avenue -  two locations}

Next to Rollins was Cofer Motors that sold DeSoto & Plymouth cars.

Nick Allen Buick was on the N/W corner of 30th & Huntington across from THE SCHOOL..

Half way down the block on 31st St was a Chrysler/Plymouth dealer across from the old
Daniel Elementary School {which was the first CNC building}. I can't remember the name of this one,
but it may have been part of Cofer's too.

Bowler's Auto Exchange on 35th & Huntington sold Kaiser & Frazer cars.

Shackelford Auto Co., Inc. was on 25th Street between Huntington & Virginia Avenue {later changed
to Warwick Boulevard after the 1958 consolidation of Newport News & Warwick}.

There may have been more dealers downtown but this is all my tired brain can recall right now.
 

- Bruce Sims  ('56) of VA - 11/03/05
 

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Hi Carol,

The Peninsula has an incredible automotive history. Many revolutionary ideas along with great visionaries
helped shape not only the local scene but nationally as well. Here is a brief history of the local automotive dealers.

Abbitt Chevrolet became Casey Chevrolet in the late 50's when Washington DC businessman Arthur M.
Casey purchased the dealership on Warwick Boulevard. Many dealers got their start there. Ken Hall
founder of Hall Automotive, the late Tom Riddle founder of Riddle Honda and Accura, the late Toby
Hallet of Midway GM in Pocomoke City, the late Mike Sofikitis ('61), and Dale Parsons of Dale Parsons
Chevrolet and many others cut their automotive teeth there.

The old Shackleford Dodge downtown became Peninsula Dodge in the mid 70's after being purchased
by the late Bill Wiley who also owned Tidewater Dodge in Norfolk. It is now Oyster Point Dodge.

Nick Allen Buick was in the old Guaranteed Foods building across from NNHS. It moved down to Warwick
Boulevard into what was then considered one of the most modern facilities in the country. The building
had a large body shop in the basement. It became Harbor Buick in the 80's after being purchased by the
Casey Group and the franchise is now known as Casey Buick on Jefferson Avenue and Morris Boulevard.

Center Ford, beside NNHS was owned by Johnny Rollins " The working man's friend." Before that it was
known as Hudgins Ford and is now owned by Hall Automotive.

John Abbitt operated the Packard dealership on Huntington Avenue and also the Lincoln Mercury dealership
at 42nd & Huntington. He later opened the first Abbitt Chevrolet location at Randolph Road & Warwick
Boulevard before moving to 11061 Warwick Boulevard.

The original Tucker franchise was on 34th and Huntington and M. P. Breon was the unfortunate dealer.

Peninsula Chevrolet Cadillac was owned by Jim Maume and was at 202 West Queen Street. It became
Beveridge Chevrolet in 1955 and was bought by Bill Lewis around 1960 and now is known as
Hampton Chevrolet. The Cadillac franchise was picked up by Harvey White and was known as Harvey
White Oldsmobile Cadillac. When he closed doors the franchise was not renewed in Hampton because
of the strength of Suttle Oldsmobile Cadillac in Newport News.

Bowditch Ford was originally at Harpersville Road and Jefferson Avenue and trading as Bill Bailey Ford.
Bowditch moved to the present location on Warwick Boulevard in the 60's.

Spratley-Rogers Ford on Armistead Avenue was purchased by George Thompson in the early 60's and
moved to Mercury Boulevard and now operates as Freedom Ford.

Merrimac Motors on Kecoughtan Road was founded by Neil Carwile and is now operated by Pomoco which
was founded by Dois Rosser in Poquoson. Poquoson Motors later moved to Mercury Boulevard and
operates dealerships all over the region.

Bing Burford operated Burford Buck on North King Street.

These are just to name a few and many lives have been shaped by the automotive industry in our country.
It's great to see the interest shown in the history of Peninsula dealers. Enjoy the day.


- Tim Parsons ('73) of VA - 11/10/05
WOWZERONI!!!  Thanks, Tim!