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HISTORY
Clyde Guy was born in 1904 in a small town in Alabama. He lived with an Aunt in Mobile, Alabama after he was orphaned by the death of his parents. When he was 19 years old a doctor recommended that he move to a better climate. So, with $5.00 in his pocket and a letter of recommendation on a Masonic Lodge letterhead from a friend of his father, young Clyde hopped off the train in Roswell, NM in the fall of 1923. With this letter he secured a job packing apples for Frank Schramn, manager of the Southwestern Public Service Company. When the recession hit Roswell, Clyde secured odd jobs ranging from delivering ice, working as a ranch hand, to driving a bus between Roswell and Carlsbad. While working for the bus line, Mr. H.A. Lowery, owner of the Chevrolet Agency in Roswell, gave Clyde a job where he went to work in the parts department. In late 1925 H.A. Lowery and Grant Keys, a business associate, opened a Chevrolet Agency in Artesia. Clyde was sent to Artesia to work around the shop as a general handy man. Artesia was a farming and ranching town with a population of 2,500. Clyde lived at the dealership in a small room adjoining the garage. He took correspondence courses in salesmanship and began selling cars in addition to his other duties. In 1928, the manager of the Artesia agency was discharged and the 24 year old Clyde was asked to look after the dealership for a few days. A few months later, Mr. Lowery, satisfied with Clyde's managerial qualities, gave Clyde 10% interest in the company. In 1932, at the suggestion of the Chevrolet Zone Manager, this interest was increased to 25% and Clyde paid $2,460 for the additional interest. On August 23, 1932 he signed a contract with Chevrolet to become the Franchised Chevrolet Dealer in Artesia, N.M., and the name of the Agency was changed to Guy Chevrolet Company at the recommendation of Mr. Lowery. In 1935 Clyde bought out Mr. Keys' remaining 25% interest. This same year Clyde received an award for Distinguished Chevrolet Sales Record. Clyde continued to build the company with his own business ideas, continually stressing integrity of sales and service. In 1946 Clyde married Mary Jo Lochridge, and later became the parents of Eddie and Joe Guy. In 1950 Clyde purchased the remaining 50% from Mr. Lowery, his silent partner. In 1964 Clyde received the Benjamin Franklin Quality Award and was the number three car dealer in the United States. Clyde involved himself and his dealership in many community organizations; he was a pioneer member of the Quarterback club, Community Chest, now known as United Way, Artesia Schools Driver Education, and Future Farmers of America. He was a faithful contributor to and buyer of livestock from the Eddy County Fair, Little League Baseball, and many, many more community activities. In 1952 Allen White joined the dealership staff. Through Clyde and Allen's hard work the dealership continued to grow in sales and service. In 1973 Eddie Guy joined the dealership working in the Service department with Chester Gable, then Service Manager. In 1976 Allen and Eddie signed the Franchise agreement with Chevrolet Motor Division. In 1998 Eddie's daughter Danielle joined the dealership and is working in the Service department as Service Manager. The dealership continues to receive awards for sales and service and is the oldest Franchised Chevrolet, Buick and Oldsmobile Dealership in the State of New Mexico. |
Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Sat: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
(Sales Only)
"Serving Your Automotive Needs Since 1925"
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