AMC Dealerships & AMC Zones

AMC Dealership Count Year: 1955=2646; 1956=2893; 1957=1958; 1958=2200; 1959=2473; 1960=2977; 1961=2974; 1962=2980; 1963=3095; 1964=3100; 1965=2968; 1966=2636; 1967=2462; 1968=2347; 1969=2294; 1970=2374; 1971=2256; 1972=2025; 1973=1930.   1980=1532.

AMC's MARKET: Annual New Car Registrations for AMC: 
1954=118,553; 1955=136753; 1956=115105; 1957=117330; 1958=186373; 1959=363372; 1960=422273; 1961=370685; 1962=423104; 1963=428346; 1964=379412; 1965=324669; 1966=265712; 1967=237785; 1968=259346; 1969=239937; 1970=254327; 1971=243138.

AMC's PROFITS: Annual profit or loss, in millions:
1955-$6.96; 1956-$19.55; 1957-$11.83; 1958+26.09; 1959+60.34; 1960+48.24; 1961+23.58; 1962+34.24; 1963+34.24; 1964+26.23; 1965+5.21; 1966-12.65; 1967-75.81; 1968+11.76; 1969+4.93; 1970-56.24; 1971+10.18.

Before we continue: A moment of silence for my father, Homer Thomas Stakes Sr, who passed away October 30th, 2005. My dad worked for AMC dealerships for about 18 years in Corpus Christi, TX. Some of those include Andy Anders Rambler; All American Motors and Pagan Lewis AMC/Ford. He died a poor man, leaving many rich memories of these wonderful cars, and the times me, and brother Tommy, spent at dealerships waiting for him to get off work, selling World's Finest Chocolate bars to salesmen for our Catholic school, or even going in back to dig thru the big dumpsters to see what neat crap we could 'salvage' that had been thrown away. No...there was no 401K, no retirement, no benefits, no pension, nothing. But he kept a wonderful sense of humor about it all and reminisced fondly about the times at "THE MOTORS".

Dad....he was 79 years old when he passed away, with a touch of Alzheimer's and dementia  many memories had faded, and time had taken it's toll on this blue collar working man's body. I find solace in the fact that my mother, Sara Marie DeAlcala Stakes, had passed away at 62 years old, on January 30th, 1988.  And to break dad out of doldrums (they were married 37 years) I gave him a 1970 Big Bad Blue Javelin I restored. He later would get the 70 Chinese Embassy Rebel, a black 75 Gremlin X 304 and a 79 Spirit AMX to keep him busy. 

However, momma's birthday was October 22nd. She would have been 79 years old on 07-22-2005. It seemed that he waited until she caught up in birthdays, and they were both 79, before he died on same day she did, the 30th of the month. 

You will find numerous photos of both of them on my site. This particular file is dedicated to my dad, of which many of you AMCers in Texas had crossed paths with thru the years. God bless you dad, give mom a hug for me.

AMC MINIATURE DEALERSHIPS & FACTORIES

American Motors Zones

Some folks have asked me why I have a dealership list on my website. I have always strongly believed that every AMC & Rambler & Nash dealership has a story to tell. Some were mom and pop selling less than a dozen vehicles per calendar year. Others churned them out and had a waiting list for hot sellers like Hornet, Gremlin and Concord. 

But they all had a story!

Chances are your car might have came from one in your area, might have come from one you never heard of. Maybe the original owner opted to pick it up in Milwaukee and drive it home. Regardless, the story of the Nash, Rambler and American Motors dealerships is a forgotten piece of US Automotive History.

In 1969, AMC had 2294 Dealerships in North America. By 1973 they were down to 1930. However, sales rate per dealer had increased 70% from 104 to 178 units sold per year. In 1970, AMC had only ONE Dealership in the US selling more than 1000 cars per year. By 1973, there were more than 30, plus more than 130 Dealerships whose annual sales exceeded 500 cars per year. Dealer profitability before taxes in that period had climbed 173%, one reason for a strong demand for a AMC franchise. AMC targeted new, high volume dealerships in 55 major markets by 1975...and a staggering 600 new Jeep dealers had signed on since the acquisition of Jeep in 1970, although the total number was down about 170. However, the average Jeep dealer sales rate had climbed from 19 to 46. By 1974, 700 Dealerships selling the profitable Jeep, by 1975, 900.

This list is 10 of the South's OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OWNED AMC DEALERSHIPS IN 1974:
Skinner-Stewart Motors Inc, Demopolis, AL, 1927
England Motor Company, Fort Smith, AR, 1939
Schulstad Motor Company, Tampa, FL, 1945
Southern Motors of Savanna, GA, GA, 1934
Melito AMC of New Orleans, LA, 1950
Fletcher Motor Company of Columbus, MS, 1945
Ed Orr Motors Inc of Asheville, NC, 1942
East End Motors Inc of Orangeburg, SC, 1957
Smith-Owens Motor Company of Chattanooga, TN, 1956
Kern Motor Company of Winchester, VA, 1948

This was the South's LARGEST DEALERSHIPS BASED ON 1974 SALES VOLUME:
Colonial AMC-Jeep, Mobile, AL
Twin City AMC Inc. Little Rock, AR
Fincher Motors Inc. Miami, FL
Bobby Whitens AMC/Jeep Inc. New Orleans, LA
Thad Ryan AMC-Jeep Inc. Jackson, MS
City Motors AMC/Jeep Inc. Greensboro, NC
Tunmore AMC/Jeep Inc. Charleston, SC
Security Motors Inc. Memphis, TN
Mt. Vernon AMC/Jeep Inc. Alexandria, VA

I do not have figures for any other parts of the US. 


AMC Plant, Kenosha, WI, circa 1955

This is my request to you as a AMC owner. If you have photos of AMC dealerships, or promotions, such as this 1969 Badger Javelin Driveaway for dealers: (Dennis McQuade, rt, manager of Specker Motor Sales, Marquette, Michigan, and Alan F. Mitchell lf, AMC General Sales Manager, stand in front of 80 1969 Badger Javelins that were part of a driveaway promotion marking aMC's 15th anniversary in Milwaukee, all came in white, red interior, 390, AT, roof "MOD" spoiler, twin fake hood scoops, and reverse red "C" stripe; before the driveaway, about 200 AMC dealers listened to William V. Lundberg, AMC President, at a breakfast meeting. Interesting that those dealers in the UP of Michgan were involved as part of a Wisconsin promotion!)

Badger Javelin Driveaway, Milwaukee, WI, 1969

I would like to use them for my website here. This is a chance FOR YOU to tell that long ago dealerships story with a simple photo like many below. You can mail me or e/mail me a jpg of the photo, if mailing, the photo will be returned. Thank you, Eddie Stakes

Have you ever wondered where your classic AMC might have been sold new at the AMC dealership? AMC had a extensive dealership network in the US, Canada and Mexico. Some of these dealerships STILL exist long after AMC; they are either DaimlierChrysler; some are Mopar; some are Brand X, such as a former AMC/Ford/Jeep/Olds dealership might now be Ford/Hyundai/Jeep/Kia. The list below is from 1982-1983.

One dealership that is very special to me is one I bought out in Houston. There have been 7 dealerships I have bought out, whether inventories or archives thru the years. Vance & Sons AMC had been around in Houston since 1925 on Bellaire Boulevard in Bellaire, Texas, which is a city inside of Houston. In the 70s it was known as Vance & Sons AMC/Jeep/Renault and in the 1980s changed to Western AMC/Jeep before closing down like many dealerships did after the takeover by Chrysler. I bought most of their stuff in a auction. But the place it still there, the lot subdivided into a Taco Bell, Stereo hi-fi store, and a Pollo Campenero which is some really good chicken out of Central America! These photos are from 1966 and like many dealership photos, take you back into time. Here is the Vance & Sons coat of arms; their sign with phone; a front shot from across Bellaire; a awesome showroom; tuneup area; a packed back lot; inspection area; alignments bay;  Ambassador in makeready; and greasemonkeys in the pit.

Click on each link to view US automotive history

P. K. Williams, Austin, TX. 1949

 My suggestion to you if there are some former AMC/Jeep/Renault dealerships listed in the list below in your area is to contact the parts manager to see what, if any, NOS AMC parts might still be available at their business. You would be surprised at how much items are still in the Mopar pipeline, and many of them have been rebagged, and will now start with a "J" part number, such as a NOS mirror gasket would have appeared in AMC computers and books such as this: 3591097 but should that item still exist in Mopar computers and books, it would now be listed as: J3591097. Here is a extensive list of AMC dealerships in the US and it's territories, Canada, and Mexico.

Amesbury, Iowa 
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List compiled and used courtesy of Steven Clark

Special thanks to Alden Jewell for many photos of Rambler dealerships.
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United States
Alabama
Alaska
Douglas Rambler Motors, circa 1960, city unk
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Milwaukee, Wi, circa 1956
Colorado
Connecticut
Bonanza AMC, Southern California
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Wolfe Motor Sales, Corydon, IN
Hawaii
Idaho
Clark & Weber AMC, Waterloo, IL
(photo courtesy of Joe Clark)
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Houston, TX Circa 1951
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Daytona Beach, FL 1973
Massachusetts
Michigan
Hassan Brothers Nash Rambler, Quincy, MA
Minnesota
Twin City AMC, Minneapolis, MN
Mississippi
Missouri
P. K. Williams, Congress St. Austin, TX 1952
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
P. K. Williams, Congress St. Austin, TX 1949
New Mexico
New York
Ranger Rambler, Floral Park, Long Island, NY
North Carolina
Bilsland AMC, Sheldon, IA
North Dakota
Ohio
P. K. Williams, Congress St. Austin, TX 1953
Oklahoma
Oregon
P. K. Williams, W/New Nash Healey, Austin, TX, 1952
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
P. K. Williams, Congress St. Austin, TX 1959
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Barton Motors, Staunton, VA. 1963
Virginia
Washington
Washington D.C.
J. W. Moody AMC, (1970/location unknown)
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Fort Wayne, IN. 1975

Canada

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
Portage La Prarie, Manitoba, Canada
New Brunswick
Unknown AMC Dealership with NEW 68 AMX & Javelin
NewFoundland
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Andy Anders Rambler, Corpus Christi, TX 1972

Mascot Motors, Sydney, Australia, 1973

Bangkok, Thailand, From the 1974 AMC Cult Classic
The Man With The Golden Gun
(courtesy Arcticboy)
1974 Hornet 360V8 crashing thru plate glass
Roger Moore aka James Bond in front of dealership

Mark Triffler AMC/Jeep/Olds
(courtesy John Mahoney)

Cliff Wheeler, sent me this wonderful photo of his parent's dealership: 
 Wheeler Motors of Grants Pass Oregon
You won't go wrong with Genuine Rambler Parts & Service. The photo is from 1963.

Craig Thompson writes: "Eddie, this is the building that was 
George Bowman Motors in Santa Barbara California;
 (I grew up in SB). 118 State Street (one block from the beach).
My dad and I bought many AMC cars from him.
I remember when I was in high school coming down to look at a new 70 Machine
in the small showroom area (just inside the large windows facing the street.
I took this photo when visiting Santa Barbara 2 years ago. I visited with
George, now retired, and he still has a Gremlin X, very nice condition. 
The fence was not there when he had the building. The car lot was to the
left of the building and the large doors on left side of building were the
service areas.
He had a large "American Motors" lighted sign across the top of the front of
the building with the script logo, then around 70 got a vertical sign as was
used for that period. 

This building was supposed to be torn down 2 years ago when I took this
photo. I do not know if it was torn down yet or not.
====================================

Bill Clark Majestic Motors
7800 Brewerton Road. PO Box 322
North Syracuse, NY. 13212
"Where The Customer Is King"
Tel. 315-458-0224
US RT 11 North of Bear Rd.

Ed & Sam's Motors, Chicago, IL

Hoyt Stephens Motors
4907 Covington Hwy.
Decatur, Ga. 30032
284-9310
Home of the JAVELIN, REBEL, AMBASSADOR & AMX
Also Rambler; The Economy car with seven main bearings and seats six people with comfort.

Avenue Rambler, San Francisco, CA (ad)
1601 Van Ness
776-9300

Long Motors Rambler
????

Mockingbird Rambler, Dallas, TX
2449 West Mockingbird Lane
Dallas, Texas, 75235
214-357-8201
Authorized Sales & Service
Ten Years At The Same Location
Home of the American Motors Buyer Protection Plan

Southside AMC & Jeep
"South Phila. Auto Mall,"
67th & Passyunk (Essington) Ave.
Philadelhpia, PA. 19153
"We have been in business since 1958, which has made us Philadelphia's #1 AMC/JEEP Dealer. Our services are experienced by thousands of new and used car buyers in the Delaware Valley area. Our success has been built upon honesty and integrity. Come in and see us."
Tel: (215) 492-8600

Vilas Rambler, Sunnyvale, CA

Alfred Rambler, La Grange, IL
"Dear Friend, If you are interested in a new Rambler, or a used car of any make or model, please come in and see me at Alfred Rambler, 2737 W. 111 St. or call HI-5-1200. There is a FREE gift waiting for you if you ask for me."

Compass Rambler
"Let Compass Be Your Guide For Better Values"
Compass Rambler Corp.
1745 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa, Calif. 
LI-9-9308       KI-5-9541

Dahlgard Rambler
1401 N. Dixie Hwy.
Lake Worth. Florida
Ph. 585-7565

East Bay Rambler
16338 E. 14th, St. 
San Leandro, CA.
Telephone 351-6400 or 276-4000
Serving The Community Since 1919
SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN 7:30am!
"Salesmen strike not recognized by Mechanics Union or Central Labor Council. Don't delay service on your car or jeopardize your warranty." Dwight Adams: Service Manager.

Knoxville Motor Company
413 N. Gay St. 524-8674
Knoxville 17, Tennessee
SALES-SERVICE-PARTS
Rambler American, The Economy Champ--Rambler Classic, our Volume Line--and the world's largest 6 cylinder wagon--Rambler Ambassador, or finest medium sized car--also servicing the quality car with economy habits, Mercedes Benz.

Security Rambler
695 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee
Telephone 525-6393
"solve Your Rambler Needs with SECURITY. SECURITY for a new Rambler or a clean used car. SECURITY for the finest in service and parts. One of the South's oldest and largest Rambler Dealers. Buy with confidence--with SECURITY in mind.

Mexico

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I will also be adding many dealerships that existed in the 1960s/70s that people have sent me, your participation is appreciated!

 

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