Collier Motors
TypePrivate
IndustryCar dealership
Founded1955
FounderRobert Collier
HeadquartersPikeville, North Carolina
ProductsGeneral automotive repair and parts
Websitehttps://colliermotorsamc.com/
Vehicle inventory in the front lot
The dealership as of February 2011
The front lot as of January 2012
Rambler vehicles, surrounded by overgrown vegetation

Collier Motors is a private car dealership primarily selling cars built by American Motors Corporation (AMC) as well as with other makes. The business was for many years an AMC franchised dealership located on business U.S. Route 117 in Pikeville, North Carolina.[1]

Background

Robert Collier established Collier Motors in 1955 as a single entrepreneur while in his 20s.[2] His father was also in the automobile business and continued working until he was in his 80s.[2] Collier transitioned from marketing Chevrolets to selling cars made by American Motors Corporation (AMC).[3] The longstanding relationship with AMC continued until the automaker was partially purchased by Renault in 1979.[4]

After AMC started importing Renault models from France, Collier decided he preferred to sell only domestic-designed and built cars.[2] Rather than selling new Renault-derived passenger cars, such as the 1983 Alliance that was built in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Collier continued to sell the stock he already had on the lot and focused his dealership on older AMC cars and Jeep vehicles, as well as used vehicles of other US makes. American Motors was bought by Chrysler in 1987.[5]

The 5-acre (2.0 ha) property is on the west side of old U.S. Route 117. By 2010, the business was described as having "vehicles and parts slowly returning to the soil."[6] Collier died on 11 February 2018, at the age of 88.[3] The administration of the estate was placed mainly on Robbie Collier, the oldest son.[7]

Business

Collier Motors sits frozen in time.[8] Attempting to settle Robert Collier's estate, the Collier family continues to sell off the remaining inventory, though most have sat outside unprotected on the lot since the early 1980s.[9] Inventory includes 1970s and 1980s-model AMCs, such as Gremlins, Pacers, Ambassadors, Matadors, Javelins, Eagles, Spirits, Hornets and Concords. Some of the cars still retain their original Monroney window stickers.[10] Once the inventory has been sold or otherwise disposed of, the property will be cleared and listed for sale.[7]

Historic AMC vehicles

Historic vehicles owned by the Collier family and stored at the lot have included unique examples such as Barry Goldwater's two-seat AMX muscle car with a "tricked-out dash",[11] two Alabama Highway Patrol Javelins, and a Nash from the 1991 movie The Marrying Man.[4]

The policy has been to sell complete cars, not to part them out. A late-2021 estimate noted 40 "desirable" and restoration worthy cars that include some high-performance equipped AMCs.[7]

Television

In 2015, Collier Motors was featured on two History Channel shows: American Pickers (episode "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" originally aired 13 May 2015).[12] and Lost in Transmission (episode "Fly Like an Eagle" originally aired 4 June 2015).

Appeared in Season 1, Episode 7 of Roadworthy Rescues, “Rebel with a Cause”. The show first aired in fall of 2022, starring Derek Bieri, creator of the Vice Grip Garage YouTube channel.

References

  1. ↑ "Company Profile: Collier Motors AMC". Manta Media. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Jones, Wigwam (2005). "Loyal to the End". Archived from the original on 5 June 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Obituaries: Bobby Collier". newsargus.com. Goldsboro News-Argus. 13 February 2018. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  4. 1 2 gremlinx.com. "Collier Motors: The Last 'Surviving?' AMC Dealership". Archived from the original on 30 August 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  5. ↑ Holusha, John (10 March 1987). "Chrysler is buying American Motors; cost is $1.5 billion". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  6. ↑ Hyde, Justin (15 September 2010). "America's Abandoned Auto Dealerships". Jalopnik. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 Gilboy, James (14 October 2021). "The Clock Is Ticking for America's Last AMC Dealership". The Drive. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  8. ↑ Cranswick, Marc (2012). The Cars of American Motors: An Illustrated History. McFarland. p. 318. ISBN 978-0-7864-4672-8. Collier Motors NC.
  9. ↑ "The Last Remaining AMC Dealership". AMChornet.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  10. ↑ Truesdell, Rich (4 April 2009). "An AMC Weekend in North Carolina". Automotive Traveler. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  11. ↑ Lemons, Stephen (19 October 2006). "Goldwater Uncut". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  12. ↑ "American Pickers Episode #157: "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"". The History Channel. 13 May 2015.

Further reading

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