Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22449 Location: UK

Friends of mine with the '40s cab-over Chevy are looking into its history. It was supplied by Ed Rudolph, a Chevrolet dealer in Phoenix, Arizona. They turned up this old matchbook cover, showing an illustration of the dealership. It must have been quite an emporium although there seem to be no records of the place surviving now at this address on E. Adams Street.

I'm popping this on here in case anyone on the www stumbles across the thread, and either has information or memorabilia relating to this dealership.

A few photos that show advertising hoardings for Ed Rudolph have turned up on an Arizona history site, but nothing else as yet.

http://azmemory.lib.az.us/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=any&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOROOT=/histphotos&CISOBOX1=Ed

ta, RJ
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Peter_L · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:22 am Post subject:

Rick.

316-346 East Adams Street has disappeared under the redevelopment of Phoenix. The Ford dealership was advertised as belonging to Ed Rudolph. Although there are some differences between the artist impression and the photo the buildings have a lot of similarity.

The Ford facade is described as Art Deco, which puts it in the 1925 - 1940 timeframe.

roverdriver · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:58 am Post subject:

On the Ford Dealership building, the FORD is in the form of a winged pyramid. This was the emblem during the Model T era (up to 1927). After that the Ford script appeared on an oval with a blue background.
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Peter_L · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 5:27 pm Post subject:

Phoenix historical records show that Ed Rudolph had a Ford Dealership on East Adams, but doesn't record the years . However Roverdriver points out that Ford changed their logo in 1927.

The aerial view of the Rudolph Dealership is dated 1933. The straight horizontal facade to the lower right matches the images from the matchbook. The pitched roof can be seen behind the facade.

The 1960's saw some major redevelopment work in Phoenix and the area occupied by the dealership disappeared under new buildings.

In the 1950's, a certain M.E Neessen worked for Ed Rudolph in Phoenix and it is know that Neessen and Rudolph were partners when in 1960 they opened Rudolph Chevrolet in El Paso Texas.

Neessen bought out Rudolph in 1965. Today, the dealership in El Paso TX, retains the name Rudolph Chevrolet.

If I come across anything else I will let you know..

Art Deco ?? Maybe the historical caption decsribing the Ford Dealer as an example of Art Deco is not correct. I think the matchbook image and aerial photograph show a building more in keeping with Art Deco ?

Any Art Deco experts ?
..

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22449 Location: UK

Fascinating stuff, the power of the www eh!! I'll make sure they see this thread as it's unfolding...

RJ
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Dirty Habit · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 398 Location: West Midlands, UK

I put the address into Google Maps and there is a building there that takes up a whole block. But obviously not the same one.
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Peter_L · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject:

In 1969 a Civic Plaza was built in the area once occupied by Rudolph Chevrolet. The plaza has since been totally rebult. Modern maps show how East Adams is divided into two by this civic centre.

Locals can recall Rudolph Chevrolet moving to another location in Phoenix and also the ownership there changing hands to Louis Grubb.

Peter_L · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:27 pm Post subject: This is a really long shot.

Sidney Clover born in London 1886 died in Phoenix AZ 23 May 1938.
A mechanic with Ed Rudolph, Phoenix. Emigrated 1912 moved to Phoenix 1928. Wife Helen

Had a brother Bert Clover and 3 sisters. Maude Hoare (Clover). Florence Grieves (Clover) and Clara Clover. All of London

Now .. if anyone turns up to be related, then I will be gobsmacked.