Home > Blogs > Barbara S. Duncan > Barbara Duncan's blog

New car showing day, Searcy AR, around the 50's.

By Barbara S. Duncan

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

January 13, 2014 09:44 AM

Many years ago, if my memory is correct, the car dealers all joined together and had a fine showing of the newest models in their line of vehicles.

Seems to me that it was held downtown on some of the side streets.

This picture was contributed to the blog by Roger Dobbins and he states that it was given to him by Jim Tarkington not long before Jim sold the Truman Baker Chevrolet dealership to another owner. Jim said it was taken on opening day of the new Chevrolet models but he didn't remember the year but possibly it was the early 50's.

Perhaps we can put our heads together and figure out who he is and what the year was and where it was. We see an alley behind him, that's a definite.

New car model days in Searcy AR.

And while we are thinking, how about a salute to the neat dress with tie, hat, dress pants and a great big smile!! Thanks, Roger Dobbins, for sharing the picture.

Re-Blog

Comments(13)

Comment

Show All Comments Sort:

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

I think they are all playing on facebook. I'll put the blog there and see what happens.

Jan 14, 2014 08:39 AM

Don Thompson

Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

The feller sure looks familiar but I can't put a name to the face. The buildings could very well be where suggested on E. Arch. If so, that alley would run behind the old Safeway store where Paula's dad was manager. Here's what the Google Man sees.

Jan 15, 2014 06:04 AM

I thought the alley looked like the picture Don uploaded but what Roger is saying must mean that the alley and surrounding buildings were removed for the bank.

Jan 15, 2014 09:12 AM

I'm showing the Kyle Davis suggested location not Roger Dobbin's wife's suggestion.

I think Kyle is right. I don't remember an alley on the bank side and I lived at the corner of E. Arch and S. Main a short distance from the alley. I went down that alley many times behind Safeway to Market.

Jan 15, 2014 08:24 PM

Don, maybe I should do the drive by shot. The only thing remaining might be the side windows.

Jan 15, 2014 09:07 PM

The front could have easily been remodeled to add the larger window. In the Google pic, work is being done on the side of the building.

This is fun!

Jan 15, 2014 09:56 PM

Don, the building on the East side has been greatly changed. It is now Professional Escrow, a closing company.

Anita, the picture resolution is low so he may not be able to blow it up. But if he does he should do the window, too.

Jan 15, 2014 10:45 PM

Here is Hubby's comment on new car showings from the past. He is retired now but remembers the new car celebrations of the past. He said that the new cars were deep secrets until the day to reveal them. They were even covered when they were transported to the dealerships and he remembers his dad taking them to the farm and hiding them until the day of the big showing.

He also said they would sometimes have a big "showing" at night with invitations sent to the "elite" customers.....an invitation-only shin-dig! They would bring the women folks from home (all the rest of the time they were to stay away from the car-lot) and they'd get to dress up and have a corsage and enjoy the show.

He also remembers that sometimes the cars barely changed from year to year and remembers one year the only change on a model was the door handle!

They had a new-car-dealers group that met about once or twice a month for lunch and they discussed promotion ideas. One time they got the city to agree to let them have the court square for showing. They had assigned parking spaces for each dealership.

He liked the picture but didn't know who the man in the picture was.

Jan 15, 2014 10:51 PM

Anita, rather than blow up the car, how about a build the rest of it shot just for fun.

Jan 16, 2014 08:59 AM

Don, you are so skilled!!

Jan 16, 2014 09:07 AM

Thanks Barbara. Just having some fun. Did you notice the reflection of the car in the window across the street?

Jan 16, 2014 10:58 PM

Harold, Anita has a lot to tell when she's ready. Can't rush Filmfatale.

Jan 17, 2014 07:32 AM

Don, I did not notice the reflection or the whilewalls. Harold Gene, I think you are car lover!

Several folks have said it is Wilbur Dobbins, so Anita wins this one.

Jan 17, 2014 09:03 PM

New car showing day, Searcy AR, around the 50's.

Comments(13)

Barbara S. Duncan

Service Areas

Recent Posts

Popular Posts