McClure Motors in Bristol TN

[Dennis B.]

Does anyone know anything about this dealership? Dealer code 387 in Zone 22. I've had no luck finding anything online. My 66 was delivered to them.

[Tom H.]

Re: McClure Motors in Bristol TN

I came up empty........................ So far. I have a couple of areas to search. I will report back if I can dig anything up.

[Dennis B.]

Re: McClure Motors in Bristol TN

Thank you Tom. I sent an email to the Bristol TN city website. I also sent an email to Morgan-McClure Chevrolet in Coeburn, VA. It's not too far from Bristol and could possibly be a merger of one of the original owners. If I don't get any replies, I'll try some phone calls.

[Tom H.]

Re: McClure Motors in Bristol TN

I can't find any record of MCClure motors in Tennessee. Are you positive it was in TN ?? I sent out a couple of emails for you too.

[Dennis B.]

Re: McClure Motors in Bristol TN

That's what was on the NCRS shipping data. McClure Motors Bristol TN. Dealer Code 387 in zone 22.

I found an obit for a fellow that listed him as having worked at McClure Motors. He resided in Bluff City TN just a little southwest of Bristol. So it sounds like the name is correct.

I've also emailed Bill Gatton Chevrolet in Bristol TN to see if they may have at one time been McClure Motors.

[Tom H.]

Re: McClure Motors in Bristol TN

Bill Gatton is huge, his name is all over, but I can't seem to fin McClure. Strange as I can seem to find every other dealer in Tennessee, but not that one ! I'll keep looking.

[Dana B.]

Re: McClure Motors in Bristol TN

Does anyone know anything about this dealership? Dealer code 387 in Zone 22. I've had no luck finding anything online. My 66 was delivered to them.

Dennis,
In the 1959 Directory of American Automobile Dealers...

Mc Clure Motors Inc.
State & 11th Sts.
Bristol , Tenn.

They sold Chevrolet and Oldsmobile

Dana

[Wayne D.]

Re: McClure Motors in Bristol TN

Bill Gatton bought McClure Motors about 1967(?), and now is one of the largest Chevy stores in S.W. Va/ E. Tn. No ties with Morgan-McClure..I live near both dealers. Let me know if I can help..Good luck

[Tom H.]

Re: McClure Motors in Bristol TN

Bill Gatton bought McClure Motors about 1967(?), and now is one of the largest Chevy stores in S.W. Va/ E. Tn. No ties with Morgan-McClure..I live near both dealers. Let me know if I can help..Good luck

Gatton shows in the Tennessee records as filing for business on 4-1-67. I sure find it strange that i can't locate a thing in the Tennessee system on McClure. Wish I could help more !

[Dennis B.]

Re: McClure Motors in Bristol TN

Thank you for all the replies. I have also received information from the Bristol Historical Society that also shows the McClure Motors dealership was purchased by CM (Bill) Gatton and is still at the same location on State Street. Two brothers, Roy C. and Roscoe H. McClure (though one of them left at some point to open a Lincoln Mercury dealership) owned McCLure Motors. Both are deceased.

As noted by Tom, Bill Gatton is huge in the automotive and banking industries. Quite a success story.

I have emailed the dealership and hope to hear something in the near future. If not, I may contact you Wayne. I greatly appreciate your offer to help. If nothing else, it has been fun trying to learn about the car and the delaership that sold it. I am grateful to all who have helped in my quest.