When I moved to Jersey, I never thought that Classic was a new car Dealer just by Appearance. The Dealship that gets me has been there since I was a kid and I'm 60. When I was a kid we always took RT.30 ( Whitehorse Pike) to AC. We passed it every week. Arena Buick now, I think it was Olds at one time. It is the smallest dealership I've ever seen. Everytime I go by I'm amazed it's still there. Somebody tell me something about Arena.

I love Arena! It really is a throw back to a different time. They've been located in that same spot for 90 years, and are still owned and operated by the Arena family. They're now run by the founder's grandson. The showroom's so small, that I don't think a car will fit in it.

At one time they were an Oldsmobile and Cub Cadet (yea, the lawn mower people) store. They added Pontiac probably 30 years ago, and GMC about 15 years back. When GM killed Olds, they gained the Buick franchise, to replace Olds.

Four years ago, when the Feds and GM decided to kill Pontiac and purge a number of GM dealers, I think they were on the hit list. I'd heard they were getting axed, and there was a period of time when they didn't seem to have any new car inventory. There were some dealers that got a reprieve, or at least a stay of execution, and Arena may have been one of them. They seem to have more new car inventory now, then I ever remember them having in the past.

A buddy of mine, use to be a mechanic there, before opening his own shop. He'd told me that over the years, Arena had sold assorted other brands, including Nash and International Harvester Trucks, but Olds had been there since the 30's.

Today Arena still sells Cub Cadet mowers, along side Buick and GMC Trucks.

Not that long ago, in addition to Arena, Hammonton had Cadillac, Chevrolet and Ford stores. The Caddy and Chevy franchises were sold and moved elsewhere, and the Ford store died about 5 years ago, right after completely remodeling their dealership.

Somehow, Arena has managed to survive over all these years. Maybe it's the Cub Cadets! :lol:

Word I heard is Wawa is finally going to build there.

Much alined with Arena Olds is another historical auto dealership in Atlantic City New Jersey. Mathis Studebaker in Egg Harbor Township New Jersey built in 1926-27 at a cost of $90k. That's a lot of money in 1926 dollars. Pic--> http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...thismotors.jpg
:flag:

Classic definitely looked...well, Classic.:lol:

Very interesting. You know some really good history on NJ dealers.:thumbs:

Really? Wonder if they are making any changes to address the traffic concerns.

That is cool. Where is that building at? Be cool to drive by it the next time I'm in the area.

I love that old Studebaker dealership. It's a fantastic old building. Unfortunately, it's in very bad shape. I remember riding by there as a kid in the 60's, when they were still selling Studebakers.

On the top of each corner of the building, there are large Studebaker logos. If you look closely at Ol'55's picture, you can see the logos on each corner, over the arches. They are the 1920's style Studebaker logos, with the Studebaker script spread across a spoked wheel.

The building is located on the Black Horse Pike (Rt. 40/322) in Pleasantville. If your heading toward AC, it's on the left hand side. I can't give you it's exact location, but it's not far past RT.9, maybe 6 to 9 blocks. There's a fire house right near it.

The building was an antiques store for years. I had stopped in once or twice, not to shop, but just to look at the building. The store is now closed and for sale. I had read about someone who was looking for $1 and $2 dollar donations, to help buy and restore the building as a museum of some sort. :thumbs:

Very Interesting read. I bought my first car from them back when it was Stanley Chevrolet, a 1979 Chevy Monte Carlo.

Sad to hear folks will be out of work. Another crazy Jersey dealership question, what's up with the Ayers Cadillac/Pontiac/GMC dealership in the Burlington area on Rt. 130? I have stopped in at times and found no one inside. And they have a brand new never titled Pontiac G8 (v6) on the showroom floor.

Here ya go. There are two images... click or thumb wheel down from the top one to read the plea for a dollar to aid in the fight to save this historical building from the wrecking ball. Link--> http://rci.rutgers.edu/~crisitel/SDC...p%20Museum.pdf
http://rci.rutgers.edu/~crisitel/SDC...p%20Museum.pdf

Hate to say it but I remember that as a car dealer. Studebaker closed late 60's, then it was a Mercedes Benz for a little while. That Antiques store has been there forever. I always said I was going to stop in sometime and never did. The store just looked so unorginized but right. To give you an idea of location just a little further towards AC, other side of road is " World Renown Julia Reader Adviser ". She might have moved up to Spiritualist, has been there forever. No Appointment Necessary, I guess she knows you're coming. True story about 15 or 20 years ago I went by and the whole place was ablaze, guess she didn't see that coming.

Sad to see another business lost in the area, although the good guys who worked there (very few) have already moved on or found other jobs. The rest were about as qualified to work behind the counter making my Turkey sub at Wawa.

Classic had decent new car pricing, but HORRIBLE used car pricing. I didn't appreciate the sales tactics and the service was hit or miss. Stopped going there years ago. Still will miss seeing "Corvette Corner" next to the mall though.

Most (perhaps not all), of their used Corvettes deserved to stand in the corner.
The prices?
Simply made them remain standing in the corner for a long, long time!
Great place to buy an econo box, but the smart money bought their Corvettes elsewhere, unless car-lust blinded them.
Businesses that go out of business usually do so for a reason.
They were not always bad, but neither were they consistently good.
Likely the best location in the area, so to not make it there, certainly tells you all that you need to know sorry to say.
Still sad to see any small business throw in the towel.
:cheers:
Marty
1FUNZR1

I use to drive by there all the time in a previous job. Surprised I never knew about it. I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in the area. Be nice if it could be preserved and turned into some cool auto-themed business.

I'll check them out, Ed.

Funny, the last couple of times I had been by there, Corvette Corner looked more like Camaro Corner. I looked at a couple of used Vettes there over the years, and as you and Ryan stated, I never thought their prices on used Vettes were very resonable.:cheers:

That's what I was referring to. I think someone was passing around a copy of it, at a Corvette club meeting or show.

I'm pretty sure they were one of the dealers that lost their franchise 4 years ago, when Obama was purging GM of "excess" dealerships.

The last time I rode by there, I thought that the Cadillac/Pontiac/GMC sign, had been replaced with an AC Delco parts and service sign?

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

I'm in the market for a GOOD used lift. Any of these dealers merchandise/ equipment being auctioned off, like they did when GM dropped the axe years ago?

Missed out on a 12,000 capacity lift a Stockberger Chevrolet in Newtown PA.....Sold for 2300.

WB

Sounds like me and Triboro Pontiac in Cinnaminson. Bought three cars in 3 years there. Thought I was a good customer.

That was until they gave me back my TA completely smashed in the side, claiming I dropped it off that way. :cuss :mad:

Ah, don;t we all love a good dealer story...

Taking the Tahoe to Elkins tomorrow. We'll see how they are.

Elkins has always treated me right.

Even when they destroyed the engine in the TransAm. :yesnod:
Yes, their fault, but they manned up and made things right.

Yeah I read some good reviews of them on the internet. I was in and out in 5 minutes for them to look at my warped BSMs on the Tahoe. Pretty easy trip.

I bought a 2000 Camaro SS at Elkins and had a great buying experience..if i ever buy a chevy except for a Corvette i will shop Elkins first.