Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

[Joseph S.]

Does anyone remember Advance Auto Co. Located in New Bremen. O.H. Timing would be mid year 1967. My 67 Coupe was delivered there around the end of May in 1967. Any info about the company or past employees would be greatly appreciated. I have great luck in the past with former employees of other dealers.

Thanks, Joe

[Tom H.]

Re: Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

Hey Joe !!!! Yes !!!! I remember them !!!!! I have an 82 here today that came from there !!!

They were bought out or taken over By Jim Bubeck. Bubecks has recently closed too, but I bet a Google search will still show them. Jim is still around and I know him personally, he might be able to help us out. He's a Corvette guy. I bet we can find out who owned that car. PM me some details on it and I'll go hunting !!

The building is still there, but not as the dealership. I can buz by sometime and take a picture of the place for ya !! It is literally right down the road.

Here's the sticker from the 82 I have here. I get around to allot of the flea markets and swap meets. Might be able to find some keyrings and stuff for you around here !!

Tom Kuenning owned Advance. He has passed away, but his daughter comes in here all the time. I'll track her down. I also have located the old office manager. I'll get you some info later as I track it down. Got another good friend who knows everything in New Bremen. Trying to call him right now !

[Tom H.]

Re: Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

Hey Joe !!

Headed out on the motorcycle today and headed for New Bremen. Got a couple shots of the old Advance chevrolet building for you. I also got a couple shots of the dealership from the historical society of New Bremen. Still no luck locating the original owner of your car, but I bet we'll find him or her !! Here's what I got so far. The first two shots are from the historical society, the second two I took today.

[Tom H.]

Re: Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

Here is some history on the old dealership I found from the historical society as well. This information was written in the 80's.

The following information is from the New Bremen Sesquicentennial Book published in 1983.

Advance Auto Company, Inc.

A Chevrolet dealership since October 20, 1928, the business was started by Earl E. Kuenning and is still operated today by his son, Robert E. Kuenning.

From January, 1921, Earl Kuenning became the principal operator of the Advance Implement Company, which then handled Ford cars, trucks, tractors and related farm equipment until 1927. A Pontiac franchise was held for a brief time during 1928.

On October 20, 1928, Mr. Kuenning was granted a franchise from Chevrolet under the name of Advance Auto Company. The location and main building at 407 West Monroe Street, are still being used today.

Earl Kuenning also purchased and operated the first New Bremen School Bus in 1923. He drove the bus until 1928, then Leo Huenke operated the bus for the next five years until 1933. It then returned to Earl and he again operated the bus for thirteen more years until 1946, after which the school began purchasing their own buses.

The Chevrolet dealership was operated by Earl until 1957, at which time he retired from active daily participation, but remained as an officer.

On January 1, 1957, the business was incorporated. Robert E. Kuenning assumed daily operations and still does to the present day. Submitted by Robert Kuenning

[Paul J.]

Re: Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

Pretty cool, Tom.

[Tom H.]

Re: Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

Pretty cool, Tom.

I was pretty excited when I saw a dealer name I actually knew. Better yet having the building still be there. Gave me a good excuse for a bike ride too !!!

[Joseph S.]

Re: Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

Tom, Thanks so much for the info, the way COOL photos and for all the effort. Your a great "Corvette friend"

Talk to you soon, Joe

[Tom H.]

Re: Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

Tom, Thanks so much for the info, the way COOL photos and for all the effort. Your a great "Corvette friend"

Talk to you soon, Joe

Glad to help !! That's what it's all about.

[George J.]

Re: Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

Tom,
You're definitely one of the good reasons to belong to this club! I hope when I get my information I find someone as helpful, and that I may be able to be as helpful to someone else.

George

[Tom H.]

Re: Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

Thanks George !!!

I have spent my whole adult life in and around a GM showroom. Nothing excites me more than the old showrooms and the history of the cars that once graced the floor !


I hope you find some info on the original dealer of your car too !!!

[Richard M.]

Re: Remember Advance Auto, New Bremen O.H.

Tom,

What you're doing here is great! We are lucky to have you around helping the cause. I really enjoyed the thread and the pictures and history of the dealership. Thanks for sharing.......

Rich
p.s. now if only I could get info for my '59 before 1970, the last leg of my search. Coincidentally, the owner prior to '70 was in Huber Heights Ohio, but I could never locate him.