Local Pontiac dealer Photo's

[Goatnut]

I enjoy old history like this especially from our local area.

http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/autos/2009/03/03/glory_days_old_pontiac_dealerships_in_ta

The thought of a brand new '49 Pontiac for $49.00 (down payment or monthy I assume) is....incredible considering the cost these days!

[LonnieS]

Very cool!

[GTO_AL]

Scott,
Thanks for the pictures from the past. The Osborne McCann Pontiac dealership shown at the bottom was where my Plum Mist convertible was originally sold. I took it there a couple months before they closed the doors and by chance the "old guy" in the maintenance shop remembered my car and how the original owner used to bring it in a regularly scheduled maintenance. He said it was the only Plum convertible they sold and was easy to remember. He started work there about 1/2 way through the '66 model year. He was extremely delighted to see it again. It was a great chat for me as well to hear how it was 'in the day' when my car was brand new.
As for the other Pontiac dealership buildings shown, I've been in the first one as well, but they're no longer Pontiac, now a classic car dealer in Tacoma.

[THOR]

I LOVE these old dealership photo images :)

Thx for posting the links GoatNut !

One of these days I'd like to research info on Central Pontiac in Seattle.
I think it was on Broadway Street not far from where I live now but I'm not sure.

The Post Intelligencer and the UW have vast photo archives but I'm not sure if they are all catalogued, indexed, searchable, etc. Some of the info I want is perhaps available from the King county assessors office and the WA State Archives

[Mark B]

Bruce
Central Pontiac was on the NE corner of Broadway and E. Pine. I worked down the street in 1971 and went there several times getting stuff for my first 65 GTO. I worked at Spray King Auto Paint on 11th and E. Pine. I was roasting my tires headed towards Broadway one day and the throttle stuck wide open (Tripower) I had to stand on the brake with the clutch engaged to kill the engine with the ignition turned off. I ended up stopping in front of the service door of Central and at the bottom of the ramp (service was on the second floor) there were 3 mechanics BSing. They came over and popped my hood and fixed my linkage and said burn em off when you leave, I was only too happy to oblige. :D

Didn't mean to hijack the thread, you mentioned Central and it brought back memories.

[GTO_AL]

I've got a couple "Central Pontiac" license plate holders ;-)

[Mark B]

Al

Is that a solicitation?

[THOR]

Bruce
Central Pontiac was on the NE corner of Broadway and E. Pine. I worked down the street in 1971 and went there several times getting stuff for my first 65 GTO. I worked at Spray King Auto Paint on 11th and E. Pine. I was roasting my tires headed towards Broadway one day and the throttle stuck wide open (Tripower) I had to stand on the brake with the clutch engaged to kill the engine with the ignition turned off. I ended up stopping in front of the service door of Central and at the bottom of the ramp (service was on the second floor) there were 3 mechanics BSing. They came over and popped my hood and fixed my linkage and said burn em off when you leave, I was only too happy to oblige. :D

Didn't mean to hijack the thread, you mentioned Central and it brought back memories.

Mark, thanks a bunch for the info....Ahhh-Ha, Broadway and E. Pine ! There is a music/record store there now with a bronze statue of Jimi Hendrix on the sidewalk. I've done burnouts there too, how symbolic, LOL :D Yikes on having your throttle stick near a very busy intersection.

AL, Please Save one of the Central Pontiac frames for me, I'll trade you for something you might need.

[GTO_AL]

Sorry guys, was just saying that I got'em since the thread was mentioning Central Pontiac. Believe it or not, I used to have two complete sets, one set wasn't that great and I gave them away.

[Goatnut]

My favorite frames are from a muscle car dealership that used to be in Longview, WA. The buisiness name was "Unique Motors" and that name is at the top of the frame....and the bottom of the frame reads....
"Bring Money"! I only have one but would love to have a set!

This also reminds me of all the times when I first got my '67 that people would approach me and say, "nice car, I used to have a '68 (or '66) exactly like this!??? That all seemed to stop when I got a frame that said....1967 GTO then all those same people would say...I used to have a '67 just like this!!!??? They were a cheep set of plastic frames and the 7 fell off one day. I wanted to replace the 7 and found a set of plastic letters that I bought. When I got around to replacing the 7 I changed my mind and instead installed the "?" at which time everyone would ask me...What year is this!....LOL.

Scott (easily amused)

[JLP]

I had to go to Central Pontiac in April '71 about 3 days after I picked up the T-37. We were on our way back to AK. Left Glenoma in the eveing and drove to Seattle to spend the night.

Turned the key off and the engine slowed down but kept running. Alternator light turned on. Had to let the clutch out with the brake on. Alternator light stayed on. Got under the hood and was glad for spring ring cable clamps. Took the hot one off and went in and spent the night.

Next AM drove it to Central Pontiac. This is a Glenoma guy who was living on Kodiak Island and trying to find this place in downtown Seattle. Finally found it.

Drove into the service bay. Service writer came over and asked what the problem was and what could he do. I turned the ignition off pulled the key out and handed it to him. He said, that isn't good. I agreed, let the clutch out, killed the engine, got out, wife and son did also and they took it away.
They made several mentions of never seeing one of these with this engine and wanted to know about it. Just told them I had ordered it. One of the mechanics who took it for a spin was impressed. Don't remember much else except signing the warrenty papers and heading out for the Alcan.

What the problem was that they installed (at the Freemont plant) the standard hot wire cable tube and it allowed the cable to touch the exhaust manifold and shorted it out. Put a correct one on and never had another problem.

Sorry didn't mean to hijack the thread. My whole story on the T-37 is on PY. I'll post the link here if some would like. I may have done this before.