The Legacy of Evans Motors
100 Years of Dedicated Family Service
The Humble Beginnings
In 1926, our family's automotive journey began when my grandfather, L.P. Evans, took a leap of faith. Moving from Atlanta to Florida to work for Homestead National Bank, his life took an unexpected turn after a devastating hurricane demolished the bank's building. Using all the money he had, L.P. purchased a few vehicles and started flipping them, traveling from Tampa to Miami. His hard work and perseverance paid off, allowing him to save enough money to purchase a building and officially start his dealership.
A Visionary Marketer
L.P. was not just a businessman; he was a visionary marketer. One of our cherished family artifacts is a hand-drawn, colorized image from the 1940s that recreates one of the first aerial shots of his dealership. This image, preserved for over 70 years, is a testament to his innovative spirit and marketing prowess. His dealership quickly became well-known, laying a strong foundation for our family business.
The Second Generation: Jimmy Evans
Thirty years after L.P. opened the first dealership, my father, Jimmy Evans, joined the family business as a salesperson. Jimmy's dedication and hard work continued to build on the legacy started by L.P., helping to grow and sustain our family business through the decades.
The Evans Family and American Bantam Car Company
Our family's automotive legacy extends beyond L.P. Evans Motors. My great uncle, Roy Evans, founded the American Bantam Car Company, which gained widespread recognition for developing the first Jeep. During World War II, American Bantam built approximately 2,700 Jeeps to the BRC-40 design and produced heavy-duty trailers for the Army. Roy Evans' innovative spirit and contribution to the automotive industry are a significant part of our family's history.
Nostalgia in Print: Vintage Advertisements
A glimpse into our past can be seen through a vintage newspaper ad from the 1940s, run by my grandfather. This ad, featuring phone numbers with only five or six digits, is a charming reminder of how times have changed. It showcases the early marketing efforts that helped establish our family's name in the automotive industry.
A New Era: L.P. Evans Motors Mercedes-Benz Franchise
After 70 years of hard work and success, our family opened a brand-new facility under the Mercedes-Benz franchise in 1996. Named L.P. Evans Motors, this state-of-the-art dealership was one of the most beautiful and largest Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the United States at the time. The launch tagline, "Building on the past, looking to the future," perfectly encapsulated our family's commitment to honoring our legacy while embracing innovation and growth.
Continuing the Legacy
Today, L.P. Evans Motors symbolizes our family's enduring dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. We wouldn't be where we are today without L.P.'s dream and determination. As we continue to build on his legacy, we strive to make him proud and ensure that our family business thrives for generations to come.