Archive by Author | Reed Brothers
July 16, 2012  

1972 Washington Auto Show

Gathering around the Charger Topper on display at the Washington meeting are (from left) Lee Gartner, Dealer President/Principal and Phil Vetter (at wheel), Service Manager of Reed Brothers Dodge.

The 1972 Dodge Charger “Topper Special” was a custom-equipped economy Charger specially equipped with the canopy vinyl roof, hidden headlights, side paint stripe, contour moldings, bumper guards, Rallye instrumentation, security inside hood release, whitewalls, wheel covers, left remote control mirror, extra chrome, and  fender mounted turn signals.

And for adding these beautiful touches, your dealer can offer you a vinyl roof. Free. Want power steering and power brakes? See your Dodge Dealer about his offer on the specially equipped Charger Topper X. Dodge, Depend on it.

1972 Dodge Charger Topper Ad ~ Free Vinyl Roof

July 4, 2012  

Montgomery County Police Department Marks 90-Year Anniversary Today

This blog entry was posted today to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Montgomery County Police Department. It was 90 years ago today that the MCPD was first established. Posing in front of Reed Brothers Dodge on July 4, 1922 Chief Charles Cooley, center, and his men of the first mounted unit of the Montgomery County Police Force, were on their first day of duty.

The Montgomery County Police Department was established on July 4, 1922, consisting of five officers and a Chief. Each of the officers was issued a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a .38 Smith & Wesson handgun, a black jack, law book and was allotted $300.00 a year for the upkeep of their motorcycle.

The Montgomery County Police Department has produced a commemorative book as they celebrate 90 years of service. This exciting new book will contain the history of MCP from 1922-2012, exciting historic accounts and stories, full-color portrait photos of current officers, personnel and retirees, division and unit awards, an In Memoriam Tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and more, with hundreds of historic and full-color photographs.

You can order the “Montgomery County Police Department 90th Anniversary Commemorative Book” on the Acclaim Press website.

July 2, 2012  

50th Anniversary with Dodge

In 1965, Reed Brothers Dodge celebrated its 50th Anniversary. A double ceremony at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington, D.C., was part of a special 50th Anniversary celebration honoring two Dodge dealers: C.C. Wine, founder of Wine Brothers, Harrisonburg, Va., and Lewis Reed, founder of Reed Brothers, Inc., of Rockville, Maryland. Both men, who received their franchises in 1915 from the Dodge Brothers – John and Horace Dodge – were awarded gold plaques for “a half-century of dependability in sales and service.” Presentation was made by Ray Cox, Washington regional sales manager.

Lewis Reed Accepts 50th Anniversary Gold Plaque presented by Ray Cox, Washington regional manager for the division.

June 24, 2012  

Lewis Reed As Chauffeur

To be a successful motorist in the early 1900s, you needed to have mechanical skills. Alternatively, you simply hired someone who did. Rather than learn to do it themselves, wealthy people employed private chauffeurs not only to drive, but also maintain and repair their large, expensive automobiles. Chauffeurs would be in charge of everything to do with the owner’s motor vehicle including repairs, maintenance and cleaning: this meant that early personal chauffeurs had to be skilled mechanics. Lewis Reed worked as a chauffeur early in his life, receiving some of his training at the Pierce-Arrow factory in Buffalo, New York, whose cars he is pictured with below.

Pierce-Arrow was one of the most prestigious makers of luxury automobiles in the early 20th century. Their models could easily cost ten times the price of a standard touring car.

Chauffeur Lewis Reed (left) with unidentified family, 1914

Chauffeur Lewis Reed (left) in the 1914 photo above poses with an unidentified family and their Pierce-Arrow Model 48.

Lewis Reed Chauffeur

Two ladies with parasols are sitting in the landaulet section of an early Pierce-Arrow limousine, while chauffeur Lewis Reed tends to the motor. The rear portion of the limousine is partitioned from the driver with a glass shield, and covered by a convertible top, which you can see is currently in the lowered position behind the ladies.

 

June 8, 2012  

Rockville’s First Gulf Gasoline Dealer

Reed Brothers Dodge operated their own full service Gulf gasoline and service station. In fact, the company was the first Gulf gas dealer in the Washington, D.C. area, selling gas at its original location in Old Rockville at the triangle at Viers Mill Road and Rockville Pike. In addition to gas, they carried a full line of Gulf lubricants, Goodyear tires, Willard batteries, complimentary road maps, free air and water, and many other well known brands of merchandise to meet their patrons needs. Reed Brothers discontinued offering this product line when they relocated to their new facility in November 1970.

1915 Rockville Garage First Gas Station – A Single Pump

Reed Brothers Dodge 1922

Note the “modern” gas pumps. The Rockville Fairgrounds are beyond the boarded fence.

“That Good Gulf Gasoline” drive-through filling station circa 1920

In front is a large sign that reads “That Good Gulf Gasoline”.  In the background is the old St Mary’s Church and Cemetery in Rockville. Gulf scored notable a “first” with the world’s first drive-in service station.

1936 After World War II with a New Front

Reed Brothers celebrated the end of World War II with another new facelift and a whole new look.

Reed Brothers Dodge mid-1960s

Due to changes in the highway, Reed Brothers began an extensive remodeling and rebuilding program. Two-thirds of the original location at the junction of then Route 240 and Viers Mill Road was razed and a modern Gulf Service Station was erected.

« Older Posts
Newer Posts »