[72pontiac]

a buddy sent me this pic.

[zeebo]

do you happen to know the name of this dealer? or where its located?

[72pontiac]

trying to find out from my buddy hasn't replied yet. stay tuned.

['ol Pinion head]

Blew up the pic & it's the Pontiac Retail Store.

['ol Pinion head]

Invoice would read:

Pontiac Motor Div. Retail Store
65 University Drive
307-631 Pontiac, Mich 48053

[72pontiac]

University dr. and mill st.

[Stuart]

I just looked it up on Google Maps. Interestingly, the building is still there in the overhead view, but when you go to street view it's been torn down.

[Keith Seymore]

Yes - it's been gone for a number of years. They are going gangbusters tearing down the old buildings in the Pontiac area.

The original retail store, farther south in the loop, is still there and is in use as artists lofts.

K

[2002Z4CSS]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Yes - it's been gone for a number of years. They are going gangbusters tearing down the old buildings in the Pontiac area.

The original retail store, farther south in the loop, is still there and is in use as artists lofts.

K

What is that building on the West side of the loop in Pontiac that has a sign that looks like it was part of a Pontiac dealer? Sorry I don't know the cross street at the traffic light.

[trophy421]

I've always wondered, what exactly was the Pontiac Retail Store? I assume it was like a dealership but owned and operated by Pontiac Motor Division? Would employees take delivery of their cars there? Did they do service work? Could a non-employee walk in off the street and buy a car there? Any info appreciated.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by trophy421

I've always wondered, what exactly was the Pontiac Retail Store? I assume it was like a dealership but owned and operated by Pontiac Motor Division? Would employees take delivery of their cars there?

Correct. It was like a dealership run by Pontiac Motor Division and you could purchase and take delivery of your car there (sort of like eliminating the middle man).

Employees could definitely take advantage of this and I believe it was available for non-employees as well.

My next door neighbor worked for the retail store. Sadly, he passed away before I could ask him any questions.

K

[zeebo]

from what i understand, most employees of gm would go through the pontiac store to get their cars--at a discount..i think gmc truck and bus down the road had a similar setup.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 2002Z4CSS

What is that building on the West side of the loop in Pontiac that has a sign that looks like it was part of a Pontiac dealer? Sorry I don't know the cross street at the traffic light.

Zeeb - I'm not sure I know which building you mean. Can you take a pic?

Pontiac Paint? (at the corner of the loop and M59/Huron St). Or - there are some grey buildings farther south....

K

[72pontiac]

this one ? Pontiac Spring and Wagon Works, 20 Franklin Rd. Established 1899.

By 1907, producing the first "Pontiac" cars.

Company sign still visible on the north side of the building.

[72pontiac]

Standard Motor Co., 24 Osmun in Pontiac St. Established 1901 (date visible over doorway).



Company sign still visible on the west side of the building.

[2002Z4CSS]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Zeeb - I'm not sure I know which building you mean. Can you take a pic?

Pontiac Paint? (at the corner of the loop and M59/Huron St). Or - there are some grey buildings farther south....

K

Might be Pontiac Paint. The lettering "Pontiac" looks like it has the same font as the dealers did. It has the appearance of the old dealer show room and bay doors for the service area.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 2002Z4CSS

Might be Pontiac Paint. The lettering "Pontiac" looks like it has the same font as the dealers did. It has the appearance of the old dealer show room and bay doors for the service area.

Oops. I'm sorry, 2002Z4CSS - I thought Zeebo asked the question.

No - while Pontiac Paint and Varnish is a cool, vintage looking building it was never used by Pontiac Motor Division.

K

[72pontiac]

The Pontiac Retail Store as it looked like not to long ago located at University Dr and Mill street

It was used by the UAW, but I think it did get torn down

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 72pontiac

The Pontiac Retail Store as it looked like not to long ago located at University Dr and Mill street

It was used by the UAW, but I think it did get torn down

Yes. A UAW training center. We also used to park extra fleet and pool vehicles there, as they were awaiting being put into service or taken out of service.

Thank you for those pictures, btw. I worked in Pontiac for about 10 years (GM Truck) but didn't really understand the significance of that particular building until after it was gone.

K

[trophy421]

Speaking of the Pontiac Retail Store, the April High Performance Pontiac which I just received has an article on it. Great timing!