CityView Magazine

"I recall George Romney was con- scientious about gas and his ad slogans were: 'Don't drive a dinosaur, drive a gas-saving Rambler'," said Bob Bleeck- er, Jr. Dedicated to Improving Your Lifestyle Bradley J. Broussard, M.D. favorite activities or daily tasks, we can help. Don't let bone and joint injuries slow you down. If pain or an injury is interfering with your Karen V. Jones, M.D. of all ages and walks of life have relied on our physicians for the highest level of care – expert care. Since 1973, people Cape Fear Orthopedics is the Fayetteville area's trusted source for compassionate, Louis P. Clark, Jr., M.D. and your desire to resume an active, healthy lifestyle. a level of care they deserve. We understand your injuries comprehensive care from injury diagnosis and treatment to Our specialists provide James P. Flanagan, M.D. rehabilitation services in the following areas: • Shoulder & Elbow • Hand & Wrist • Hip • Knee Stanley K. Gilbert, Jr., M.D. • Physical/Occupational Therapy • Pediatric Orthopedics • Osteoporosis • Sports Medicine • Foot & Ankle Douglas S. McFarlane, M.D. Wherever you hurt, we help. Walter B. Greene, M.D. To make an appointment, call 910.484.2171 Edwin C. Newman, III, M.D. 4140 Ferncreek Drive #801 • 6000 Ramsey Street #108 www.capefearortho.com • 910.484.2171 32 | October • 2012 Jason B. Lowe, M.D. Stephen H. Kouba, M.D. er was a student at East Carolina Uni- versity and he came back to Fayetteville for good in 1964. He bought the Fiat/ Jaguar dealership in Haymount in 1965. Jaguars and Fiats were elite cars and Bob, Jr. sold many of them, oſten to young Army lieutenants who favored the Fiat Spiders and the Jaguar XKE model automobiles. At the time, the younger Bob Bleeck- The AMC dealership was on the cor- ner of Russell Street, across the street from the current Highsmith Rainey Hospital, where the Homemaker's Fur- niture stands today, and the Rambler Ambassador Wagon, which sold for $4,200, was a big seller. It was the top of the line with a V8 motor. Across the other corner was George Purvis' LaFayette Ford. Also on that street, known then as "Automobile Row", stood Bryan Pontiac, M&O Chevrolet, Lee Autry Chrysler Plym- outh Dodge, Wallis Motors and Yar- borough Motor Company. George Bender reminisced about the cars his family had growing up. He remembers that they had a Ford they bought from Clem Jordan and a Mer- cury from Al Wheatley – his next door neighbor. Growing up George's family also had a Hudson, bought from Bob Bleecker's daddy, he said The 1949 Commodore had a "straight eight", Bender said. "At the age of 16 it was my car 'til I tore it up driving it hard and abusing it," Bender laughed. His wife Susan Bender recalled that her family bought their automobile from M&O Chevrolet. It seems each family had a favorite dealer they were loyal to, but one thing is for sure, everybody bought local back then. "I wouldn't buy a car from anybody but Bobby Bleecker today," Anne Au- gustine said of her friend and former classmate. "But my daddy and Alvis Carr were best friends, so we had what- ever Alvis was selling." CV

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