Grand Spaulding Dodge as it looks today

[Ghoste]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro9Q0w66Ic0

[maxwellwedge]

What a shame huh? - The big building across from the original dealership was part of it as well. Mopar Mecca is gone...

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Very cool video!  Thanks for posting

[Aero426]

Probably a lot safer to watch that, than walking around the neighborhood today.

[PocketThunder]

Probably a lot safer to watch that, than walking around the neighborhood today.

I drove Grand ave to work sometimes when i lived in Chicago and i do agree.   

[Silver R/T]

What's the story line on that? Abandoned/closed dealership/used car lot?

[Ghoste]

Something like that Silver, belonged to a guy named Norm Krause.  I was there about five years ago and the locals were not liking me being there that's for sure.

[maxwellwedge]

I was there about 7-8 years ago - took a tour through it with Norm. We then stopped for some special sandwiches he liked. While he was in ordering them, my wife and I got out of the car and walked around a little. When Norm came out he was horrified we got out of the car and told us we were lucky not to get shot/mugged or whatever.    

Back in the day he said the neighborhood was full of hard working immigrant families. Now - not so much.

[Ghoste]

What do you mean?  There were hard workers hanging around when I went there.  They were trying to make an honest living running a roadside drugstore.  There is a slight chance their business permits may have been expired and I think that is why they were agitated about my being around.

[stripedelete]

What do you mean?  There were hard workers hanging around when I went there.  They were trying to make an honest living running a roadside pharmaceutical business.  There is a slight chance their business permits may have been expired and I think that is why they were agitated about my being around.

Not all of them.  I'm sure there were some in the metal recycling business.

[69bronzeT5]

Too bad the neighbourhood has apperentley gone to shits.....it would be cool to lease that building and reopen a mock version of Mr. Norms in museum form

[elacruze]

Too bad the neighbourhood has apperentley gone to shits.....it would be cool to lease that building and reopen a mock version of Mr. Norms in museum form

I'd wager that Chicago/State of Illinois has some tasty Urban Renewal Tax credits waiting for you...personally I'd drive in and have a hot dog at the museum. In fact it's on my list anyway when we begin the Rte. 66 tour.

[Ghoste]

Interestingly enough Norm told me a year or two ago that he was negotiating a deal with someone who wanted to buy the property to do that very thing.  I don't know that anything ever came of it.

[Aero426]

I'll bet my GPS would show three gun icons driving through there.   

[Silver R/T]

I didn't see any graffiti or they don't do that around there...

[maxwellwedge]

Some pics from the good old days at 3300 West Grand

[1970Moparmann]

Very cool pictures

[maxwellwedge]

One of my faves...Got a full page in color somewhere...

[maxwellwedge]

Very cool pictures

See the Bird in the used car lot of the Demon pic?

[BBKNARF]

Thanks for the post Ghoste its nice to remember the past but its a shame the place is boarded up, also great pics Maxwellwedge.

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

I live just a few miles from there.  It is a very sad neighbor hood.  Chicago is trying to fix it up, but it is an uphill battle.  Last time I talked with the owner of the land the dealership is on, someone was in negotiations to tear it down.  This was just last year.  Don't know if anything has changed.  I pass by it atleast once a month.  Hasn't changed in years, maybe a new plywood window cover here and there.

Many of my fathers friends worked for Mr. Norms, I have a few patched and stickers from the original Mr. Norms tucked away somewhere.  Also have an entire 340 engine built by Mr. Norms sitting at a friends place.  It was never assembled.

On another note, the black charger in the Mr. Norms painting above is my friends car.  Hemi Car.

Ryan

[maxwellwedge]

Cool Stuff - The purple Hemi Challenger is my car - My initials are on the license plate - but Dave Snyder neglected to make it an SE. I think Norm sold the site 2-3 years ago. Mrs. Norm (Fran) passed away a few months ago.

[The70RT]

That would be cool if it could be a musium. How many people would be worried about there car in there if the neigborhood was that bad. Someday maybe if it doesn't get torn down.

[Ghoste]

Very sorry to hear that about Fran, I didn't know.  As for putting a museum there, I just can't see it happening.  You have to really see how crappy the neighborhood is and how far it is from the cultural center of Chicago downtown to appreciate what  a stretch that idea is.  The 5,000 Mopar fans who know what it means AND would actually go there would be through in the first two years and then what?

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

I talked to Mr. Norms at the Nickey's show.  He was busy and chatting with people about his new line of cars.  So I didn't ask him about the original dealership, but when I see him next I will ask him.

Ryan