Chevrolet Dealership Sales History

1930 - AGENCY IS SOLD - The Chevrolet agency at Culver , which has been operated there for a number of years by George Fee, has been sold to Joe Schweidler. - The News-Sentinel, Thursday, October 23, 1930 - the location is unknown at present

The chevy sales dealership in the 1950's was located at 214 E. Jefferson

E Thoner and Sons Chevrolet Sales & Service Agency - 1950. Mpv--Sep. 1952 - 115 E. Jefferson

Skip Higgins writes: First, let me explain that my first Maxinkuckee experiences began in about 1950. My grandparents rented a home on the east shore, near the general store and its flowing well or spring.

They were walking distance north of it. I think you have a webpage entitled Maxinkuckee Landing that discusses the area. They were only there until about 1952. He had been the general manager for L. O. Gates Chevrolet in South Bend and he left Gates to open his own Chevy store on E. Jefferson St. in Culver. It was called Thoner and Sons Chevrolet. The business failed after only a short time, but the little white buildings in downtown (two, on the south side of the street) were there for many more years. He operated the business with his two sons Bob and Bill, who were fresh out of the Army and needed work. Bob still lives in South Bend and Bill is in Maryland. My mother, their sister, died in 1996 in Bloomington where my dad still lives at the age of 90.

I think as late as the early 1980's when I worked on the McGill plant, those buildings were still there, and you could read the faded paint "E. Thoner & Sons" on the front

1952 - September 10 – Chevrolet Agency Here Purchased By Fred Strefling

Transfer of the ownership of a Culver business firm was effected last Friday, Sept. 5, when Fred Strefling became the new owner of the local Chevrolet Agency. He purchased the business from E. Thoner, who has operated the firm since November, 1950.

The new firm will be known as the Strefling Chevrolet Sales. Mr. Strefling comes to Culver from Three Oaks, Michigan.

He has been identified with automobile business for several years and he successfully operated a super market for five years.

Married, he and Mrs. Strefling are the parents of three children, Frieda, age 17; Fred, Jr., 15; and Judy, 4.

The new owner was selected by the Chevrolet Motor Car Company for the local franchise out of several applicants. Mr. Strefling says he is looking forward with pleasure to business associations in Culver.

He is a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church at St. Joseph, Michigan.

Mr. and Mrs. Strefling plan to move to Culver as soon as they can find a home here.

Until he can make more permanemt arrangements he is staying at a hotel.

Since coming to Culver Mr. Thoner has been active in many community activities. He held membership in the Culver-Union Township Chamber of Commerce and the Culver Lions Club. When asked about his future plans he pointed out that he and Mrs. Thoner will leave Saturday for an extended visit with their daughter at Coronado, Calif. They have stored their household goods in South Bend.

1954 - Chevolet Sales & Service Agency - ?- June 30, 1954 Harold N. Myers

Lester C. Snyder of Plymouth on Monday acquired the local Chevrolet Sales and service business at 211 East Jefferson Street from Harold N. Myers. - 30 June 1954

Chevolet Sales & Service Agency - June 30, 1954 Lester C. Snyder

1955-1961 Lester Synder & Jay Snyder

1958 Matchbook

1958 - January 1 - Lester C. Snyder, chevrolet dealer, has awarded the Oldsmobile franchise in this area and will continue to sell and service both General Motor makes of automobiles at Snyder Chevrolet Sales

Don Hand was a salesman for the dealership - as I remember a picture of him handing David Burns the keys to an Oldsmobile, year unknown they were standing in front of the building at 214 (216) E. Jefferson St.



one can see "Chevorlet" painted on the bulding at 214 E Jefferson

1961 - jan 11 - LES SNYDER TERMINATES SALES AGENCY FRIDAY -

Les Snyder of Snyder Chevrolet Sales announces that he has terminated his sales agreement with the Chevrolet and Oldsmobile divisions of General Motors Corporation effective Friday, Jan. 13.

Mr. Snyder wishes to express his sincere thanks to everyone for their past six years of patronage. His future plans are ndefinite at this time.

1961 - May 24 - Gates S Calhoun To Establish Chevrolet Agency

The most important automobile news lo affect Culver in some time is that the well known firm of Gates & Calhoun Chevrolet. Inc. of Argos is the Chevrolet new car dealer for this area. The prominent owners Otto dates and Don Calhoun, have announced plans to establish a new and used car sales lot here along with light service facilities. Announce Building Program In Argos they will soon erect a new building to accommodate; their increasing number of new customers. The new structure; will house newer and larger showrooms and service facilities. When the new Argos and Culver sales and service facilities are completed Gates & Calhoun will have the distinction of being one of the largest nonmetropolitan area Chevrolet dealers in Indiana and Southern Michigan. The highly successful automotive company was founded by L. 0. Gates in 1948. Its present ownership took over in 1953 and now are looking forward to greater business success than ever before. Since that time the firm has grown to 17 full time employees.

1961 - Jun 14 - Gates & Calhoun Name Overmyer Culver Manager Heads Chevrolet Branch Here Earl Dean Overmyer - Prominent Businessman

The Citizen of May 24 in an important automobile story stated that the well known Argos firm of Gates & Calhoun Chevrolet, Inc. had been appointed the Chevrolet new car dealer for the Culver area.

This week Gates & Calhoun announced that Earl Dean Overmyer has been named manager of the new Culver branch and will be in complete charge here of new and used car sales.

Mr. Overmyer needs no introduction to the Culver community because he has been prominent in various business enterprises locally for several years. Moreover, he has a statewide reputation for his leadership in the affairs of Lions International, having served is district governor of theservice club organization.

Porter Will Be Mechanic

Robert Porter Jr. has been employed as the mechanic for the local branch of Gates & Calhoun. The site of the location of the showroom and service facilities in Culver will be announced shortly.

1961 - Jun 21 - Gates & Calhoun Building New Business Site

Construction Now Underway

A new building is under construction on West Jefferson Street for Gates & Calhoun Chevrolet, Inc., the Chevrolet new car dealer for the Culver area.

Located directly east of the Joe Boetsma & Son Upholstery Shop near the intersection of new State Road 17, the building is of cement block and will be 2G'x32' with room for two service stalls and an office.

New cars will be displayed on an outside lot.

Earl Dean Overmyer, well known Culver businessman, last week was named manager of the new business in charge of new and used car sales.

Enoch Andrews is the contractor for the building.

This building was located at 590 W. Jefferson This is the building as it appeared on the Botesma properties.

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11 Sep 1963 Gates & Calhoun to moving to former Park n Shop Building

Due to rapid growth of Gates and Calhoun's Culver automotive business they are moving to larger quarters in the former Park 'N Shop building on East Jefferson St.

The move will enable dates and Calhoun to broaden their service facilities and render better service to their Culver customers. Complete service for all cars and trucks will be available in the new location and a larger parts department will also be maintained.

The new used car lot Will be located in the former bank parking lot directly across the street from their new building. Earl Dean Overmyer will continue as manager of Gates and Calhoun's Culver operation.

An open house and new model showing will be held Thursday. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26, 27, and 28.

Joins Staff Of Gates & Calhoun

Dick Dawson of Rochester has joined Gates and Calhoun Chevrolet, Inc. in Culver as sales representative.

Mr. Dawson was reared in Richland Center and has been in the automobile business for several years.

He and his family will move to Culver in the near future.

1964 - Apr.29- Fred Strefling has sold his automobile business and dealership known as Strefling Chevrolet Sales to Harold N. Myers of Muskegon, Mich., who has changed the name of the business at 211 E. Jefferson St. to Myers Chevrolet sales - Apr 29 1964

1965 - feb 18 - Named to staff of Gates & Calhoun chevorlet, Inc. Maurice Curtis...