MarrsCars Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 I am trying to locate the original building that housed the Studebaker (and later Mercedes-Benz) dealership here in Portland, OR. I searched online and only keep finding references to the "West Burnside Street location" but no actual address. Here is a photo of the building I am trying to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studeq Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 Rasmussen was located at 1509 West Burnside. The other Studebaker dealer was Marks Motors they were at 1706 East Burnside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dictator27 Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Rasmussen was located at 1509 West Burnside. The other Studebaker dealer was Marks Motors they were at 1706 East Burnside.Does that mean there were two Studebaker dealers only two blocks apart? How was that even allowed?Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studeq Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Does that mean there were two Studebaker dealers only two blocks apart? How was that even allowed?TerryYour math is incorrect. The two locations were 32 blocks apart. One was on West Burnside the other on East. In any event I am not certain if they were both in business simultaneously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dictator27 Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Your math is incorrect. The two locations were 32 blocks apart. One was on West Burnside the other on East. In any event I am not certain if they were both in business simultaneously. D'oh!Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DwainG Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Doubt if that building exists any longer. That address is just about where I-405 cut a swath through the area circa 1970. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Steve S. Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 (edited) From the HAMB: RainierHooker's '52 Champion - A Survivor turned Daily-Driver - THE H.A.M.B.Note the address on the letterhead. A quick Google Maps search shows a showroom-like building at the site.The parts dept. was located at 1706 E. Burnside St. Edited November 12, 2012 by Steve S. (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 32mod55 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Steve, I wish I had been able to see this before this past weekend, our SDC club just had a tour to Newberg OR yesterday (Saturday, 11-10) and we could have done some on-site investigating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarrsCars Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 (edited) Thanks to all, the west Burnside dealership apparently existed just a few blocks from where I live now, it's the next block east of Monte Shelton Jaguar on the same side of the street and is a dog day care business today called Virginia Woof. Now I wonder if they were neighbors back in the day or who had the Jag shop. I've been driving by the place several days a week for years in blissful ignorance but I confirmed it is the shop in my photo. It seems to have narrowly avoided a close call with the demolition crew!Below is a street view picture as it stands today, tho it's difficult to really tell from this close up. In person it is much more obvious. Good work men, have a round on me.Coincidentally, the 1138 NE Sandy address for Marks Motors dealership happens to be about 3 blocks from where I bought my coupe in 2011. Looking on google maps it seems the building may not have survived. I see Michael's Italian Meats but that's the only building still standing on the block, and it's address is 1111. Portland street numeration dictates that it would only be on this block. Edited December 21, 2012 by MarrsCars added info (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarrsCars Posted December 29, 2012 Author Share Posted December 29, 2012 We have just added an interactive map with various old school dealership locations to assist those wishing to tour the former and current places of business. Please check back here with pics if you make the journey. Moto Arigato: Plan Your Historic Portland Car Dealer Tour with Our Map Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RWMcFerran Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 There were two Studebaker dealers in Portland, Oregon in the 50's. At 1706 East Burnside was Marks Motors (owned by Howard and Florence Marks) and on the West side was Rasmussen Motors. The Willamete River separates East and West Portland so these two competing dealerships were 3 to 5 miles apart. I worked at Marks Motors 1957-60 or thereabouts. I bought my first NEW car ever there - a 1957 black Studebaker Silver Hawk V-8. Great car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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