Drennen Motor Company: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Drennen Cadillac rendering.jpg|right|thumb|375px|The Drennen Motor Company opened a downtown Cadillac showroom in November 1954]] | [[File:Don Drennen Cadillac rendering.jpg|right|thumb|375px|The Drennen Motor Company opened a downtown Cadillac showroom in November 1954]] | ||
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 | 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 on [[Block 136]] at 221–231 [[20th Street South]], on the corner of [[3rd Avenue South|Avenue C]]. | ||
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. | 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 | 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. | ||
[[Charles Drennen]], Hubert's son, took over the downtown dealership in [[1951]]. In July of that year Don, Charles's uncle, split the company by taking over the Buick dealership in [[Ensley]]. That business grew into the [[Don Drennen Motor Co.]], which moved to [[Hoover]] in [[1972]]. | |||
Meanwhile opening a new Cadillac showroom at 321–323 20th Street South 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 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. | ||
Revision as of 14:24, 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 on Block 136 at 221–231 20th Street South, on the corner of Avenue C.
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.
Charles Drennen, Hubert's son, took over the downtown dealership in 1951. In July of that year Don, Charles's uncle, split the company by taking over the Buick dealership in Ensley. That business grew into the Don Drennen Motor Co., which moved to Hoover in 1972.
Meanwhile opening a new Cadillac showroom at 321–323 20th Street South 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