You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
In the late 60's and early 70's I lived in the LA area. Ralph Williams operated both a Ford and a Chrysler Plymouth dealership, and advertised constantly on local TV. Eventually he was shut down by the state. I understand that he hadn't paid sales tax or registration fees on the cars he sold for 6 months or more. If that sounds like small potatoes, realize that in California at the time that amounted to 10% or more of the purchase price of the vehicle. No wonder he could undersell other dealers- If he sold them for cost, he would still make 10% on the sale.
His ads were legendary. Even the Firesign Theatre satirized them. Those were interesting times.
wow..the Ralph Williams I remember in the SFO are for "Top of the Hill" Daly City Ford did not look like this guy. 1964-1967 Lemme do some checking...ps: I'd love to have the 1966 Ford Country Squire wagon on the left..!!!
In the late 60's and early 70's I lived in the LA area. Ralph Williams operated both a Ford and a Chrysler Plymouth dealership, and advertised constantly on local TV. Eventually he was shut down by the state. I understand that he hadn't paid sales tax or registration fees on the cars he sold for 6 months or more. If that sounds like small potatoes, realize that in California at the time that amounted to 10% or more of the purchase price of the vehicle. No wonder he could undersell other dealers- If he sold them for cost, he would still make 10% on the sale.
His ads were legendary. Even the Firesign Theatre satirized them. Those were interesting times.
Posted by: TheOtherDave | December 01, 2013 at 09:33 PM
wow..the Ralph Williams I remember in the SFO are for "Top of the Hill" Daly City Ford did not look like this guy. 1964-1967 Lemme do some checking...ps: I'd love to have the 1966 Ford Country Squire wagon on the left..!!!
Posted by: alien | December 03, 2013 at 05:16 AM
Maybe you don't recognize this guy as Ralph Williams because he clearly says in the first sentence that he's talking about "my boss Ralph Williams."
Posted by: JoelinPDX | December 03, 2013 at 11:01 PM