|
|
 |
 |
|
|
RedboneWe all hold stories that shaped our lives close to our hearts.
I recall one from my childhood that my father, Redbone, told to me.
Redbone is a World War II veteran, a radio operator who flew "The Hump" --- a dangerous supply mission over the Himalayas that kept the Chinese supplied and alive.
After the war, poor but optimistic, Redbone's first job was selling Pontiacs. Salesmen took turns waiting on customers -- in sequence.
One day, a somewhat shabby looking customer entered the showroom. The cagey old-time salesmen delighted as they told Redbone, as the rookie, it was now his turn --- out of sequence.
Redbone diligently showed the shabby man every feature of the newest 1949 Starchief - the big coupe - electric antenna and everything. He even took him for a test-drive. Surprising all, he paid cash for the car. The shabby man turned out to be jazz great Thelonious Monk.
A few years later, Redbone opened a Hudson dealership of his own. Hudson became Nash, then became Rambler, then American Motors, then AMC, later Renault, and finally Chrysler. Redbone's car dealership was not very successful but I know his customers never felt that way.
I can remember seeing my mom driving home with a bumper missing from her car. "Mom, what happened to your bumper," I'd ask. Oh, your father gave it to a customer so they wouldn't have to wait a week for a new one to be shipped.
Redbone's influence on me and how he treated his customers is still felt today every time you visit Perrywinkle's.
All the best, Perry
|
|
