How To Track Down An Old Dealership, Anyone?

[LocuMob]

I'm trying to find out some more information on the dealership whose name is on my 66 Monaco 500. Spencers is the name on the trunk.

I've tried Google but that hasn't helped much. I did find a picture, giving me an approximate location, but that's all, and the name then was Spencer-Faust, and before 1966.

I'm going to try to find some old newspaper ads, if possible, through the Wichita library system. I've tried calling the chamber of commerce, but never get anyone, or a return call. Any other ideas or avenues I could try would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[65 500]

Could it have been this place? They lost their franchise when everybody else did.

 

[LocuMob]

Could it have been this place? They lost their franchise when everybody else did.
View attachment 205622

Hmm, that address is home to Eddie's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. They open at 7am, I'll be up...

 

[LeBaron1973]

I just did a search for Spencer dodge Wichita ks and the top link was an obituary for Bill Spencer who operated Spencer Dodge on East Douglas Avenue. Says he worked there for 50 years, eventually owning it.

Suggest you contact Wichita State University - there's a link in their special collections to TIHEN Notes 2/01/1970 Wichita Eagle-Beacon ....
Quote
Work has begun to renovate a structure at 2020 East Douglas for the......at 1214 East Douglas now owned by Spencer's Dodge located... unquote

This gives you a heads up and there will be lots of information on a dealership operated for at least 50 years.

Good luck.

 

[LocuMob]

I just did a search for Spencer dodge Wichita ks and the top link was an obituary for Bill Spencer who operated Spencer Dodge on East Douglas Avenue. Says he worked there for 50 years, eventually owning it.

Suggest you contact Wichita State University - there's a link in their special collections to TIHEN Notes 2/01/1970 Wichita Eagle-Beacon ....
Quote
Work has begun to renovate a structure at 2020 East Douglas for the......at 1214 East Douglas now owned by Spencer's Dodge located... unquote

This gives you a heads up and there will be lots of information on a dealership operated for at least 50 years.

Good luck.

I sure didn't get those results. Gotta love Google.

 

[LocuMob]

Sure, now I got that obituary. Thanks!

 

[LocuMob]

Well, Dick Landy was there 11/5/68 for a clinic.

 

[Yeahrightgreer]

I sure didn't get those results. Gotta love Google.

You can find almost anything, anyone and anywhere on google. Just all about the way you can manipulate the words in the search engine.

 

[LocuMob]

You can find almost anything, anyone and anywhere on google. Just all about the way you can manipulate the words in the search engine.

I can't get pictures of my gray car if I do a search, my stepson can on his phone. Same words entered in, I have no luck. Don't get it. And yes I realize Google tailors each person's search habits, or whatever, to that person.

 

[LocuMob]

So this is 1214 East Douglas

It certainly looks like it could have been a dealership. There is a building behind this one that looks like it might have been the service department, four big bay doors.

 

[LocuMob]

This is 2020 East Douglas.

Is that some old windows or doors?

This looks to be a nice, all in one building, new car sales up front, service in the back. No need to walk through the rain to get to the service department, or hot sun. Not much more on the interwebs. Yet.

 

[LocuMob]

Could it have been this place? They lost their franchise when everybody else did.
View attachment 205622

Well, I finally got someone polite to speak with and Eddie's was formerly Spencer's Dodge Jeep Plymouth Ram, or whatever the gal said they were called. She was unsure if the ressin fir the name change as it was around the time she started working there. I left a message for the GSM, so I'll see if he calls me back and can give me a little info. The gal seemed confused that I was calling to get some history of the dealership, I don't think it made much sense to her. The quest continues.


Edit: I just realized the dealer names aren't the same, Eddie's used to be Stevens, I'm looking for Spencers Dodge. Oh well, I may get some info from the GSM.

 

[1970cat]

try the local museum
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum | The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum

 

[LocuMob]

try the local museum
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum | The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum

I'll try that one again.

 

[LeBaron1973]

Seems the best shot will be to visit Wichita and search at the library, must be plenty of old advertising and information about a dealership which operated for 50 years. The local chamber of commerce would have information about such well known businesses. Maybe post a new thread asking Kansas members if they can help? Seem to recall at least 1 new member from kansas within the last week, perhaps the last couple of days.

 

[LeBaron1973]

Seems the best shot will be to visit Wichita and search at the library, must be plenty of old advertising and information about a dealership which operated for 50 years. The local chamber of commerce would have information about such well known businesses. Maybe post a new thread asking Kansas members if they can help? Seem to recall at least 1 new member from kansas within the last week, perhaps the last couple of days.

One possible lead is that he was a lifetime member of Hillside Christian Church, maybe contact them as they should have details of his family, else you may be able to leave your contact details and what information you require for them to pass onto his family.

Good luck

 

[LocuMob]

One possible lead is that he was a lifetime member of Hillside Christian Church, maybe contact them as they should have details of his family, else you may be able to leave your contact details and what information you require for them to pass onto his family.

Good luck

Survived by his daughters, haven't gone down that road yet.

 

[ceebuddy]

LocuMob got it right in his first post with pics, that's the former Spencer's Dodge dealership. Now a Ferguson store.

Here is the obituary of Bob Spencer that LeBaron 1973 had found and mentioned in his post.

"Saturday, April 12, 1941
Formal opening of Spencer Motor Company, Dodge and Plymouth dealer, to be held today in their newly remodeled building at 1210 East Douglas."

"Sunday, December 20, 1970
Building permit issued last week for wrecking of the old Byron Street Pontiac building at 1214 East Douglas, now owned by Spencer’s Dodge, located next door. The building will be replaced by a new car and truck display area and customer parking. Spencer’s will also remodel its new car showroom."

Matchbook cover on eBay

This is how it looked like probably before Ferguson moved in:

 

[LeBaron1973]

That's brilliant he'll be thrilled to see this.

 

[LeBaron1973]

Now, buy it for a Christmas gift and good keepsake for the car.