Toyata Center, 1640 & 1645 Airport Boulevard: June 2014 11 comments
This Toyota Tercel station wagon was the only car we ever bought from Toyota Center. Usually we dealt with Dick Dyer since they were a lot closer, but for whatever reason, Toyota Center had the car we wanted at the time we needed it (even then, 5-speeds were getting harder to come by). The car (which we called The Leatherneck based on a title in the detailing) was a bit of a dog, as Toyota never should have put an engine that small in a body that big, but that wasn't Toyota Center's fault, and as I recall they were fine.
This summer they pulled up stakes for both their new and used operations from their longtime Airport Boulevard location, and relocated to US-378/Sunset Boulevard near I-26. I have not yet seen the new location, but judging from nearby billboards they have also changed their name as part of the move.
On Airport Boulevard, the "new" car center was on the west side of the street at 1640 and the "used" car center was on the east at 1645.
(Hat tip to commenter Gary)
UPDATE 5 December 2014 -- Here is the new Sunset Boulevard/US-378 location:
11 Responses to 'Toyata Center, 1640 & 1645 Airport Boulevard: June 2014'
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James
7 Aug 14 at 10:02 am
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I have also driven by the new location and was shocked because I had no idea anything was even going on around that part of 378. I really do not recall anything new in this area in least 20 years maybe more. The dealership looks really nice. They have tons of cars and trucks. Maybe the dealership will spur on other development in the area.
William
7 Aug 14 at 4:19 pm
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Ted, I was enjoying all the photos with the various cloud patterns and was pleasantly surprised to see two of them with an electronic message board I installed for Toyota Center back around 1982. The rusted pylons sure look 30 years old.
I have not been by the new location but if they have an advertising board it is surely an LED display. James or William, how about it?
Terry
7 Aug 14 at 8:07 pm
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When Ted referenced the Toyota Tercel station wagon that came from this dealership, I found myself wondering if this is one that had rear facing seats. My mom used to drive a 1987 Chevrolet Celebrity Station wagon that had them and I remember riding in said back on my way to a birthday dinner on my birthday one year in said rear facing seats with one of my best friends.
A part of me wishes someone would relaunch a line of cars that had rear facing seats...all I'd need is a dear friend and someone to drive it and I'd be reliving some memories of what I miss about the Celebrity my mom used to drive.
Andrew
7 Aug 14 at 8:30 pm
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@Terry -- neat! Although I have driven by there fairly recently before they moved, I can't recall if the boards were active or not.
@Andrew -- Nope, all forward facing seats. My grandmothers Rambler wagon had fold up seats in the cargo bed that were rear facing. I suspect they probably aren't legal anymore. There has certainly been a lot of over-regulation since we used to sleep on the back window shelf during long trips..
ted
8 Aug 14 at 12:00 am
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Speaking of automobiles, I saw a commercial on TV today for "The All New GMC Pickup Trucks".
I could not help but chuckle at what the announcer said when ending the commercial.
"Get to your GMC Dealership today and check out the all new GMC Trucks, They won't last long".
With all of the quality troubles and millions of vehicle recalls GM has been having lately, defective air bags, defective ignition switches, etc. I believe the announcer to be correct when he said "They won't last long", I'm guessing maybe two to three years, LOL, GM might need to rethink that ad.
What do you guys think?Rick
10 Aug 14 at 10:37 am
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Rick, I remember the old OK Used Car lots that had banners that read "At these prices they won't last long". What ever happened to OK?
Terry
10 Aug 14 at 11:39 am
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Terry, That also gave me a chuckle. I do not remember the OK used car banners but I do remember OK Used Cars.
Just a guess, JD Byrider.
I also remember Smart Cars, wonder what happened to them?
When I was in my teens, a great night out was to cruise all the used car lots in Columbia. My date and I would hit Main Street, Two Notch, Beltline Blvd. West Columbia, even Percival Road had a lot called Sharpe's Used Cars.
It's a wonder I was able to marry, taking girls out on dates like that.
There was a used car lot on Sumter Street where I bought a 1967 convertible Mustang with a 289 HP and 4 speed tranny, cost $475.00.
There was a lot on Leesburg Road called Ron Kelly's used cars where I bought a 1970 Mach 1 Mustang with a 351 Windsor and 4 speed, it cost $950.00.
In 1976 I bought a 1970 Corvette Convertible with a 350/350 and Muncie 4 speed from the same lot, that one cost $4500.00.
DANG... I wish I had kept those cars, or at least be able to buy one today for the same price.Rick
10 Aug 14 at 12:39 pm
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@Rick and Terry - I saw an article tonight that said that GM is having to re-recall some of the vehicles with the faulty ignition switches because they may have replaced them with the same units. They may have even replaced some good switches with bad ones. I'm seriously thinking about leaving GM....
Homer
10 Aug 14 at 10:14 pm
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BTW - did anyone read the article about the aluminum bodied 2015 Ford truck catching fire on the test track? All that was left was the frame, drive train and a huge puddle of molten aluminum. Time for damage control......
Homer
10 Aug 14 at 10:18 pm
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I live in the Raleigh media market and see/hear ads for Fred Anderson Toyota all the time. I've also seen Toyota Center ads during my stays in Columbia. Anderson and Toyota Center have been using the same ads ("The Family Store") and showing the same family (it's Fred's son in law I think but I could be wrong) for a few years. They must have just decided to use the standard company name with the move to a new building.
Toyota Center - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxkZlyFC1zE
Fred Anderson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u6sREH0_2QScott
11 Aug 14 at 4:40 pm
I drive by the new location almost daily on my way to USC. It is really nice. I am not sure about previous ownership of the Toyota Center, but the name on new location, Fred Anderson, is part of a larger Automotive Group in the Carolinas carrying Nissans and Toyotas in Raliegh, Charleston, Columbia, Asheville, and Fayetteville.
I did not realize this new location was actually a move. Thanks for the posting on the old location.