Drennen Motor Company: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Don Drennen logo.png|right]] | [[Image:Don Drennen logo.png|right]] | ||
The ''' | The '''Drennen Motor Company''' was an automobile dealership founded in [[1908]] by [[Hubert Drennen]], as an outgrowth of the [[Drennen & Co.]] department store, which had begun as a general store in [[1869]] and was selling automobiles alongside its wagons and buggies in Birmingham as early as [[1903]]. The separate company's first location was at [[3rd Avenue South|Avenue C]] and [[20th Street South]]. | ||
In [[1914]] Hubert's brother, [[Don Drennen Sr]] purchased the [[Loveman, Joseph & Loeb]] automobile department, and opened another dealership a block away at Avenue C and [[21st Street South]]. Soon later, Don volunteered with the U.S. Naval Reserve Flying Corps serving in [[World War I]]. Hubert operated both businesses, and they were formally merged after Don's return. | |||
The brothers opened several more locations in the 1920s, including lots in [[Bessemer]] and [[Ensley]]. During the [[Great Depression]], the dealer actually lent money to General Motors. Don Drennen left the company in [[1951]] and started his own Buick dealership in [[Ensley]]. That business grew into the [[Don Drennen Motor Co.]], which moved to [[Hoover]] in [[1972]]. | |||
The | [[File:Don Drennen Cadillac rendering.jpg|right|thumb|375px|The Drennen Motor Company opened a downtown Cadillac showroom in November 1954]] | ||
Meanwhile [[Charles Drennen]] took over the downtown dealership, opening a new Cadillac showroom in [[1954]]. When Charles retired in [[1972]] he sold his Chevrolet franchise to [[Ivan Leonard Chevrolet]], his Buick sales to [[Tom Williams Buick]], and the Cadillac business to his son-in-law, [[Ralph Quinn]], who named it [[Drennen Cadillac]]. | |||
<!--In July [[1951]] Don Drennen bought out Hubert's Ensley dealership and reincorporated it as the "[[Don Drennen Motor Co.]]". His son, [[Don Drennen Jr]] joined that company after he graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in [[1956]]. Drennen Jr became president in [[1968]]. That business relocated at 1626 [[Montgomery Highway (Hoover)|Montgomery Highway]] in [[Hoover]] in [[1972]]. He added AMC/Jeep to the lineup. After Chrysler bought AMC, Drennen took on the Chrysler franchise in [[1992]], becoming ''Don Drennen Buick Chrysler Jeep''. Since that time the company's parts department has become one of the largest in the nation, delivering Mopar and other parts to a 15-state region. In [[1993]], [[Ward Drennen|Don Drennen III]] (called Ward) joined the company. He took over day-to-day management in [[2005]]. The company celebrated its 100th anniversary in [[2008]], becoming only the 2nd auto dealer in the nation to do so. | |||
In July [[1951]] Don Drennen bought out Hubert's Ensley dealership and | |||
On [[May 14]], [[2009]] Chrysler Corporation included the dealership in a list of 789 dealers it planned to stop servicing. Drennen vowed to appeal the company's decision, but was unable to win back their position as a Chrysler dealer. Then, on [[June 1]], GM also notified the dealer they would "wind down" their relationship, but gave the dealership one year to close GM-related sales. In late October, however, GM stated the move was a mistake and re-established '''Don Drennen Buick''' as a Buick dealer. | |||
In April [[2011]], the Don Drennen Motor Company was purchased by Hendrick Automotive Group of North Carolina, who renamed it '''Hoover Buick''' and then '''Hendrick Buick'''. Hendrick carried out a $1 million renovation of the dealership.--> | |||
In April [[2011]], the Don Drennen Motor Company was purchased by Hendrick Automotive Group of North Carolina, who renamed it '''Hoover Buick''' and | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Ellaby, Liz (April 19, 2008) "'A long, interesting ride.' Don Drennen Motor Co. celebrates 100 years." {{BN}} | * Ellaby, Liz (April 19, 2008) "'A long, interesting ride.' Don Drennen Motor Co. celebrates 100 years." {{BN}} | ||
[[Category:Former auto dealerships]] | |||
[[Category:1908 establishments]] | [[Category:1908 establishments]] | ||
[[Category:3rd Avenue South]] | |||
[[Category:20th Street South]] | |||
[[Category:2011 disestablishments]] | [[Category:2011 disestablishments]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1951 buildings]] | ||
Revision as of 12:22, 3 August 2020
The Drennen Motor Company was an automobile dealership founded in 1908 by Hubert Drennen, as an outgrowth of the Drennen & Co. department store, which had begun as a general store in 1869 and was selling automobiles alongside its wagons and buggies in Birmingham as early as 1903. The separate company's first location was at Avenue C and 20th Street South.
In 1914 Hubert's brother, Don Drennen Sr purchased the Loveman, Joseph & Loeb automobile department, and opened another dealership a block away at Avenue C and 21st Street South. Soon later, Don volunteered with the U.S. Naval Reserve Flying Corps serving in World War I. Hubert operated both businesses, and they were formally merged after Don's return.
The brothers opened several more locations in the 1920s, including lots in Bessemer and Ensley. During the Great Depression, the dealer actually lent money to General Motors. Don Drennen left the company in 1951 and started his own Buick dealership in Ensley. That business grew into the Don Drennen Motor Co., which moved to Hoover in 1972.
Meanwhile Charles Drennen took over the downtown dealership, opening a new Cadillac showroom in 1954. When Charles retired in 1972 he sold his Chevrolet franchise to Ivan Leonard Chevrolet, his Buick sales to Tom Williams Buick, and the Cadillac business to his son-in-law, Ralph Quinn, who named it Drennen Cadillac.
References
- Ellaby, Liz (April 19, 2008) "'A long, interesting ride.' Don Drennen Motor Co. celebrates 100 years." The Birmingham News