Answered By: Archives & Library Staff @The Henry Ford
Last Updated: Aug 30, 2017 Views: 160

While we do have historic records documenting the early years of the Ford Motor Company into the 1950s, we unfortunately have very little information about Ford dealerships.  The company had over 7,000 dealerships as early as 1913 and did not keep records for many of them.  The volume of information and photographs would have been overwhelming.  We do have most of our dealership photographs digitized and you can search them on our digital collections website.

We recommend to people who are researching vintage dealerships to contact their local historical societies and state archives for newspaper articles, photographs, etc.  Many people have had luck finding resources in this way.

If you are interested in having us search the limited records we do have, please let us know.  We will be happy to do the research.  However, we do charge $35 an hour for this research service, and ask for payment in advance.  Please be aware that paying for research does not guarantee that we can find documentation on your topic..

Please see our website for further details about our fee-based research service.

If you have questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.

 

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Comments (2)

  1. I'm seeking information on ca. 1912 location of a dealership in Villa Rica, Georgia. And any other locations they might have been. While records are scant is there a database or something that lists cities, locations (preferably addresses), and dates of those dealerships? Not much luck locally as I'm the local expert they send folks to so I'm digging now. If verified the location likely I can share some photographs.
    by Ernest on Feb 03, 2016.
  2. Hello Ernest,
    Unfortunately there is not a searchable database. Research would be required to see if a dealer's name shows up. Names are arranged by year, State, City then name. If you are interested in having us search the limited records we do have, please let us know as we would be happy to do so. Please be aware however, we do charge $35 an hour for this research service, and ask for payment in advance. Also, paying for research does not guarantee that we can find documentation on a specific dealer.

    Please see our website for further details about our fee-based research service: https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/services/remote/

    If you have questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.
    by Stephanie at The Henry Ford on Feb 03, 2016.

Contact Us

To set up an appointment to visit the research center call (313) 982-6020 or write to us at research.center@thehenryford.org.

If you wish to do research from offsite, please contact us in writing. Fees apply to many research requests, and we will clarify this when we receive your request. For more information on cost please see our research services. Requests for information can be emailed, faxed or mailed:

Benson Ford Research Center
The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI
48121-1970
USA

fax: (313) 982-6244