Heritage Cadillac, Lombard, IL.
Burris Olds Cadillac, Redwood Falls, MN.
Mel Collier Motors, Casper, WY.
Mitchell Cadillac, Bay City, MI.
Heritage Cadillac, Lombard, IL.
Marvin K. Brown Cadillac, San Diego, CA.
Vintage Dealers: Cadillac Dealers In The 1960s
– Posted on August 3, 2024
The second photo of the Cadillac/Olds dealer in Redwood Falls brought back memories of a business trip I took there in the mid-90’s to visit a factory in that small town in far western Minnesota. Our rental car was in fact an Oldsmobile, a Dustbuster minivan. It was a cute town, very much in the Prairies, and the falls were pretty but not very tall. Nor were the “redwood” trees very tall either; of course they weren’t redwoods at all.
I remember Marvin K. Brown Cadillac in San Diego. Quite sure it was part of that vast development down along the arroyo, not far from the stadium. Fashion Valley Mall, IIRC?
You are correct.
The photo of the Mel Collier dealership in Casper was taken late in 1962 when the showroom opened. Collier had been operating a Cadillac dealership about a half mile away for several years, and decided to expand to a bigger facility. At the time the new showroom opened, the dealership employed just two salesmen.
Mel Collier’s business life followed a trajectory similar to many others in the auto business at the time – people with motivation, charisma and a shrewd sense of business could become quite successful in a short period of time. A Casper native (he was born in a log cabin), Collier took a job selling Cadillacs in 1935 when he was in his early 20s. Several years later, he bought the dealership, moved it to a bigger facility, and became a well-respected local businessman. He eventually sold the dealership in 1976 – still at the same location.
The building itself is still standing. It functioned as a Cadillac dealership into the late 1980s, then a used car dealer, and eventually into non-automotive use. It currently houses an accountant office (the garage doors have been sealed up).
Then-and-now comparison below.
Google StreetView link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eSeoZCcJeHKvhL636
I’ve always loved the 60’s Cadillacs, mostly because of their excess size and hubris, but never bought one for the same reasons. Looking at today’s photo of the Casper dealership, it occurs to me that current model pickup trucks aren’t all that different.
I graduated high school in 1965 and got a job at Barrie Bros. Cadillac-Oldsmobile in Patchogue, NY. Worked there for a year or so, when I recieved an invitation to Vietnam. That ended my career there. Loved working there though.
Based upon its looks and design here, Heritage Cadillac could have later become a place of worship/religion-purposed building.
Thanks for this. This was a period of Cadillac’s greatest success and influence. I loved them then, and still love them, but won’t own another vintage model. Still, I think I’m due for another Cadillac, but no spoilers!
Supposedly, the biggest Cadillac dealership ever in America was located in Newark New Jersey on Central Avenue. It was called Central Cadillac. I wonder if that is correct or was it just word-of-mouth during past conversations
central cadillac was real. I worked for cadillac at Demassi Cadillac ,Brogan Cadillac and Feldner Cadillac all in nj.iwas a salesman , sales manager and used car manager all in about 32 years selling cadillacs.
Cool to see Heritage Cadillac which is still in business at 303 W Roosevelt Rd. They’re still around, and their website says they opened in 1967. I bought a used Lincoln Mark VII LSC from them in 1992.
If the “Olds”, hardtop at “Heritage Caddy” was available inventory, I’d a been interested.
The view of Mitchell Cadillac offers some great car spotting at the adjacent parking lot. My eye was drawn to the Dodge Charger.
Looks like 1966 Cadillacs for sale.
To Anthony Averso,
I worked with you in service at DeMassi Englewood Cliffs from 1978. Cardaci was service mgr, Roselli was sales mgr.
I stayed there for 30 years
Andy K.
ahhhhh……..I vividly recall the days when the Big 3 meant something. For those not old enough to know, there were times when a Lincoln, an Imperial or a Cadillac coming down the street would stop conversation and take the breath away from car lovers like me. Now all that’s left are glorified trucks that bear a Cadillac emblem. It’s enough to make a grown man weep.
Andy you and I worked at Englewood Cliffs back in the 80s. Hopefully you’ve retired and got out of this crazy business. Good old John Cardaci, started as a car washer in Lyndhurst and made it to a boss.
It’s a sin that my step dad had to sell out because of the next generation being idiots
Southhampton Buick Cadillac, A 1950s Design Dealership on a 2 Acres Lot & 2 Car Showroom still Stands Today Unchanged. In the 1990s Caddy was Dropped Leaving Buick to Stand alone eventually Becoming Buick, Pontiac, GMC. In the Mid 2000s The Owner Retired & Put the Key in the Door Leaving No Local Buick or GMC Brand. . The Building is Now used by Southhampton BMW as an Overflow.
Harry ;
You’ll be pleased to know that today (Aug. 4th. 2024) I was waiting at a red light when a white 1964 Lincoln (you know, the cool one with ‘suicide” doors) pulled up next to me silently .
It still had the original black & yellow license tags .
-Nate
My parents bought a Coup Deville at Heritage !
I worked for several years for a used car wholesaler. It was a father and son operation. The father had been in the business since the 40’s. He told me that he bought many a late model trade in from Cadillac dealers in the Chicago area. I can only go by what he told me but he said that having a Cadillac dealer franchise was like an operation to print money during the 50’s and 60’s. All the cars were sold at full sticker and the cars were so in demand that people didn’t care. Many buyers bought new ones every year creating a market of used Cadillac’s that became the used car buyers friend. People would trade a car with under 10,000 miles on it. Can you imagine what that would cost today?
While other teens were playing sports I was riding my bike to various car dealerships. Two I frequented often were an Oldsmobile & a Plymouth franchise.
I distinctively remember riding my bike to ITEN Chevy in Brooklyn Park, MN to see the new Impala SS sedan.
(Fall of 1993)
Black with grey leather interior. The salesman let me sit in it. Right there in the middle of the indoor showroom.
I was in love.
Jesse, Mpls, MN