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First off, it’s not usually our style to talk about new car dealerships. In fact, since the majority of our world revolves around cars that are three-decades old, we don’t often get the chance to talk about ‘em. And that’s fine with us, because in our opinion visiting most new car dealerships ranks right up there with audits and very thorough medical tests. Sure, there are exceptions, but one bad apple... you know the rest.
But, we’ve found a dealership that’s owned and run by for-real, dyed-in-the-wool muscle car enthusiasts. It’s Smith Stokes Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge-Jeep in Reidsville, North Carolina. Now, before we start sounding like a commercial for these guys, let us tell you how we found out about them, and why we thought you would be interested in their story. |
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In May of 1999, we were invited by Mr. Ken Marsh, a co-owner of the Smith Stokes dealership, to attend their open house and car show put on by the Piedmont Mopar Club in North Carolina. Once at the show, Ken showed us around a bit, and began showing us the cars owned by himself and his partner, Mr. Smith Stokes. At this point we began to realize how special these guys, their dealership, and their cars were. Want an example? Smith just happens to be the original owner of a 70,000 mile, original-paint, loaded-with-options '70 Hemi Superbird! The details on this Superbird, Smith's other cars and his story can be found <here>. |
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| Of course, Ken is also a diehard enthusiast, and in fact had just finished a two-year restoration on his 1967 Hemi GTX (click <here> for info on Ken’s GTX). Ken also told us many of his employees either have muscle cars that are in pristine condition or are in the process of being restored. Yep, these are definitely our kind of guys. |
| Both Ken and Smith are longtimers in the car business - Ken as a line technician (mechanic in the old days), and Smith in sales. They cut their teeth in the good ol’ muscle car days, which explains why they still have the bug after so many years. Both have spent many days and nights at drag strips, tuning on everything from bone-stockers to wild-and-wooly Top Fuelers. With hands-on experience like this, it’s no great surprise that Ken and Smith still have that passion for horsepower that afflicts so many of us. |
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As mentioned earlier, Ken and Smith aren’t the only ones at the dealership with a bad muscle car habit. Jim Dalton, a sales rep, owns a pair of ‘70 Challengers - one an RT/SE and the other a Challenger T/A. Click <here> for details on his E-bodies. William Hyler, the Parts Manager, cruises around in his 1968 Chrysler 300 convertible. Plenty of other projects are in the works as well. |
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Perhaps what impressed us so much about these gentlemen, and those that work for them, is their appreciation for the older cars is so genuine. There are a number of dealerships around the country with racer’s names on the front of the building, but almost without exception this is more a marketing arrangement than anything else. Ken and Smith aren’t famous guys, or blessed with last names that carry tons of motorsport tradition. They’re simply two die-hard car guys who’ve managed to build a very successful dealership through honest business practices and a true love for the product. Since all muscle car enthusiasts need to stick together, these guys deserve our support and admiration. |
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| So if you’re in the market for a new Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep, give them a call. They've received Chrysler's highest award, a five-star rating, for the last nine years in a row. Their Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), and Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI), has also been the highest for any dealership in the Carolinas for the past nine years -- all of which means these guys are doing something right. Hey, if you stop by, at the very least you’ll be able to talk muscle cars for awhile. And who knows, you may be able to cut a great deal on a new car! |
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