My Great Uncle Was a Hupmobile Dealer

[drb77]

My great-uncle was the Hupmobil dealer in OKC during the 1920's and 1930's. His 2-story brick building is still in retail use, on automobile-ally in downtown OKC and close to the 'bricktown river-walk.' He was a successful businessman with an oil production & exploration company and the first 'modern' motor-hotel west of the Mississippi River. The Hupmobile car company and my uncle's dealership didn't make it past the great depression of 1929-39. His close friend and oil business partner, Fred Jones had the competing Ford dealership and a factory that re-built Ford engines & transmissions, (and was said to be close to Henry Ford). Oklahoma City, and much of the state was quite the hoppin' place (believe it or not) during the roaring 20's and oil booms at that time.

 

[drb77]

The old version of the 10-dollar bill has been said to picture a Model T Ford or an early Hupmobile. The Mint and Bureau of Engraving deny it and say it's a compilation of US-made autos.

 

[drb77]

1935 Series 521 Hupmobile, very modern for the time.

 

[TexasBigBlue]

1935 Series 521 Hupmobile, very modern for the time.
View attachment 43869

Wow drb, that is one beautiful ride. Never heard of that car maker but it is sure is pretty my friend. Thanks for sharing.

 

[tacojoel]

I think Lincoln copied, or bought the rights to use the grill in that lower pic.

 

[drb77]

The former Shelburne Motors in OKC. Today it's all about liquor, wine & spirits at 824 N Broadway in 'Automobile-Ally'. Notice the service entrances in the middle.

 

[tacojoel]

Booze, cars, and sex built america

 

[drb77]

Booze, cars, and sex built america

Yeah, but it wouldn't have happened so quickly without lots of cheap oil.

 

[drb77]

At their 'motor-hotel' they handed out these little crude oil samples to the guests. Located just a block North of the state capital and on Route 66, they owned and operated an oil well. The state was well known for having wells around and under the capital grounds. The Park-O-Tell was condemned and acquired by the state to expand the capital complex during the early 70's. As a young teenager, I had a summer job there and my father had his office there.

 

[tacojoel]

Stuff looks like the caster oil bottle my mother use to make take when a young kid. It tasted horrible.

 

[drb77]

Stuff looks like the caster oil bottle my mother use to make take when a young kid. It tasted horrible.

Unlike castor oil, to me, this has the sweet smell of money, black gold.

 

[tacojoel]

Texas tea

 

[sataro]

Thanks for sharing this story! Very interesting reading.

 

[JayQQ97]

does the RockAuto sell parts for those old timers?

 

[tacojoel]

Yeah they do have some...you planning your next cross country trip with a Hupmobile?

 

[JayQQ97]

not currently at this very moment!

 

[drb77]

The Park-O-Tell in it's prime. The Park-o-tell #1 oil well is the steel derrick in the upper left. And the state capitol in the background. No swimming pools at hotels back in the 1930's, but they did have air conditioning, not so common back then. They had lots of traffic from Route 66 and the state buildings, the small "cottage" in the lower right was usually leased for pages serving at the capitol.

 

[TexasBigBlue]

The Park-O-Tell in it's prime. The Park-o-tell #1 oil well is the steel derrick in the upper left. And the state capitol in the background. No swimming pools at hotels back in the 1930's, but they did have air conditioning, not so common back then. They had lots of traffic from Route 66 and the state buildings, the small "cottage" in the lower right was usually leased for pages serving at the capitol.
View attachment 46024

I don't know drub,
ya keep poppin in and out on this here website and I'm not sure what you're tryin to say here. Can ya help me out ?