For Over 80 Years and 4 Generations: Klinger Chevrolet
Sacramento, Pennsylvania – Located on the western end of Schuylkill County is an auto dealership that has been owned and run by the Klinger family. For 80 years, and four generations the Klinger family has been serving this small community. Small towns like Hegins, Valley View, and Spring Glen are some of the nearest bordering towns.
It all started in 1925 with a man named Austin A. Klinger. He ran a small blacksmith shop near his home in Sacramento. The automobile was starting to be quite common and they constantly needed repair. He decided to attend a school to learn how to repair these new vehicles. The repair trade went well for Austin Klinger and as time passed more and more people wanted one of these new Machines. This lead to selling new automobiles.
In the early 1920’s there was no such thing as going down to your nearest car dealership and buying a car. A request was made by an individual and Austin would have to locate a new model anyway he could. There were a few distributors around where a person could get a new model. One such distributor was EARL STOYER in Schuylkill Haven, a lot of Chevrolet and Oldsmobile models were first purchased there and than resold to retail customers by Austin. Austin sold most any make and model of the period by this method, Fords Chevrolets, even models called the GRAHM PAIGE and JEWETT. Most anything he could get a hold of was sold from this small black smith shop. And as far as the consumer thought, they may as well purchase anywhere they could because new cars had no warranty what so ever but needed continuous service, most times the same day it was purchased. So they needed a nearby mechanic to keep them running. This method of sales continued until 1932 when Austin was offered a CHEVROLET/OLSMOBILE franchised dealership. There was also a few more CHEVROLET dealerships placed in the community, Hegins Valley View, even Spring Glen had one.
At this point he was able to get new cars and trucks direct from the factory and in 1934 Austin constructed a new building across the street from his blacksmith shop to serve as the new dealership.
Now factory direct did not mean these cars were dropped off at his front door. He and his employees had to drive to the factories to pick up the new models. They had to take tools, Oil any even new tires along because on the way home these cars would suffer break downs and flat tires.
Later on, new models were delivered by train to the station in Joliet; they came in enclosed box cars mostly loaded two tiers high.
Unloading the cars was part of the dealerships responsibility, chain hoists would have to be worked by hand in these tight box cars and on a warm day this would be quite the chore. As time progressed, car selling developed into much more like is today, until WORLD WAR 2. When the war broke out most of the automobile factories converted over to supply machinery towards the war effort. From 1942 to 1945 new cars were very hard to come by. Once the war was over there was a slow startup form the factories to get new vehicle back in the mainstream. The public wanted new cars and they were hard to come by. Most dealerships started a sort of lottery system whereas a consumer would put his name in for a model and Austin would notify them when one arrived. This made for many a dishearten sole because 3 to 4 people wanted the same car and he knew someone was going to get upset. But he got through this period; he gave up the Oldsmobile line, and went on to remain one of the few surviving Chevrolet dealerships in western Schuylkill County.
Austin pursued his carrier in the automobile business through the 1950’s built a home next to the dealership and until his health suffered, he ended his carrier here at Klinger Chevrolet in 1953. Tim Klinger the current owner of Klinger Chevrolet says we still have some of the older clientele speak very highly of “OLD AUST” they called him, as they remember fondly his hardy laugh.
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In 1953, the dealership was left without a captain, having already two other family members, 2 nephews of Austin already working there, a decision was made to bring Harlan Klinger, the father of the two employees (Carl and Paul Klinger) in as the dealership’s owner. The three of them continued to service and sell New and used Chevrolet’s through the 1950’s and 1960’s. This period of time offered some of the most exotic trends in Chevrolet’s history. As we all remember the 1957 Chevy Impala Bel Air, a very sought after car today, but it was rather hard to sell back in 1957.
Harlan and his son’s worked together until 1966 as Harlan’s heath failed him, Carl his one son took over the reins as dealer, and did most of the sales and his other son Paul was in charge of service. So yet again, another period of Klinger Chevrolet’s commitment to the community began. The late 60’s and 70’s brought us big, almost mammoth type vehicles from Detroit Caprice, and Chevelle Super Sport were the models. Big engines as well as big cars were the norm from Chevrolet.
In the late 70’s to early 80’s began a time of fuel conservation and cars were sold with names like Chevette and Citation. Demanding times for the Klinger’s because of the shift from big vehicles to small more economical models. Time moved on and the Klingers persevered by offering a very good product as well as superior service. As Tim, the present owner states, “That has always been our main stay, Great service from a small town atmosphere”.
Carl's son, Tim Klinger, began poking around the store at age 12 and was offered a part time job of sorts by his father. He still remembers the offer his dad gave him “We will pay you 25 cents an hour to help wash cars and sweep floors”. Tim still remembers his first pay check “$5.75 was my first pay check and at that time, in 1972 I had never had that much money at one time, I felt great”. Things developed from there for Tim. During his high school years he attended the Schuylkill Vocational School in Frackville and trained as an auto technician. Tim saw the change that was taking place in vehicles and noticed the area of basic mechanical systems was changing to electronics and wanted to help out his father in the family business. After high school graduation Tim entered the work force full time with his father and uncle at the dealership. Tim states, that when he and his uncle Paul wear working side by side in the service bays was one of the most memorable time of his life. Shortly after that while still working service his farther ask him to try and sell a few of these things. Tim still recalls the first car he sold, a 1974 Ford Maverick (of all things). Tim thought this was great not only would he fix them he could sell them too. Thing just continued from there, Tim got involved with all aspects of the dealership, Now not only did he pursue sales and service, but also developed a full understanding of parts, finance, employee relations.
In 1995 his father came to Tim and suggested he would like to turn the store over to him. Tim did not have to think to long and was more than happy to take on the responsibility. Since his inception Tim has done some vast upgrades to his facility, has kept abreast of the ever-changing trends in his industry. At age 45 Tim brings 26 years of experience to his customers. Tim is surrounded by quality personnel that can help any customers’ needs. Klinger is a full service dealership, in sales one will find a fine selection of new and used vehicles, A full line of financing to meet everyone’s needs - traditional buying as well as leasing.
As well the service department is one a person will find courteous and helpful and will get the job done right the first time. Service loaners vehicles are offered to all that purchase there, at no charge. Klinger is also a store that sells new Corvettes; he notes that not all Chevrolet stores offer them.
Tim says “It’s a small town. We have to treat our people right and believe that has been that reason for our longevity in this area”. And Tim states that this business, the car business, is like the family farm to him and would like to keep it intact. And yes, Tim has some children coming along that may one day also carry on the family tradition.
As of today, Klinger sells cars all over the county as well as having some devoted customer throughout the entire state that keep coming back, but would welcome any opportunity to prove themselves to someone new.
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