Bourne-Jones Motor Co of Richmond, VA
2930 West Broad St.
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Ad from unknown year, but presumed to be 1950s.
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Cover of Hudson Dealer News Vol. 3 No. 3. Dates to 1952 or newer.
Dealership had adequate display space for four cars
as well as office facilities and parts department.
With a proud reminder of five-star honors above their head,
Tom Bourne (left) and Jim Jones discuss plans for the coming year.
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Hudson Dealer news circa 1953-1954. Within it contains article on
how Bourne-Jones "Dealer Makes Curiouslity Pay Sales Dividends"
Curiousity can be turned into sales dividends. Proof of that puding is the experiences of Tom Bourne and Jimmy Jones of Bourne-Jones Motors in Richmond, Virginia. Antique hunter Jimmy thought an old car would be a showroom attraction. Accordingly some time ago he acquired a 1921 Hudson and set it on the showroom floor. Increased floor traffic was a result which set Bourne and Jones thinking that an even older car would get better results. They finally found a 1912 Hudsonthrough an antique magazine. By the time they refurbished the car plus the original investment the company had spent $1800. But here is what happened as the aftermath. Young Charles Bourne took a trip with his girl firend and immediately ran afoul of the law. While it was all right to drive a 1912 car, it wasn't legal without lighted oil lamps at night nor was it legal with 1912 plates. The incident made the papers. Later the company used the car in a shrine parade where it attracted terriffic curiousity. Finally it was used to re-enact the first delivery of air mail to Richmond, an event which took place in 1928.
OLD STYLE DELIVERY. Postmaster Fergus McRee gives mail pouch to Jim Jones as the celebration of the 1928 first air mail delivery takes place. The passengers are pretty Virgina maids.
Jim Jones and Tom Bourne inspect their prize car.
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It seems that Bourne-Jones occupied 2930 West Broad Street from at least 1946-1950. The grandson of Jim [James F.] Jones states the dealership was located at 3000 West Broad St. Jim's children own the land/building at 3000 which is leased to Merchants Tire. Dates the dealership occupied that building have not been confirmed.
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