Alan Frisch was in college with an architecture major during the Vietnam war. He went through army basic training and after that wanted to finish school, nut also needed a job. A neighbor suggested he sell used cars at a lot the neighbor's brother owned. Alan went to see the lot owner, who asked him to just answer the phone for a few minutes while he ran a quick errand. Well, the owner didn't return right away, and Alan that's how he learned to sell cars! He worked in Skokie, Niles, and even managed a lot on the south side of Chicago. At one time, during the 1968 Democratic convention, they carried live ammo, then later, during the MLK riots, they did not. He told us one time he was the only salesperson to come in and he sold 12 cars that day! When he at last was able to purchase his own dealership, he purchased the Highland Park Ford Lincoln at 1333 Park Avenue West. Alan said that he didn't have to lay off any employees during the pandemic. However, Alan expects the supply shortage to continue into 2023. It isn't only the issue of computer chips, it is also glass, rubber, and steel. Parts are also effected, The average age of a car on the road is 12 years old! There is a bigger demand for electric and hybrid cars, despite the fact there are a lack of charging stations and there is no consistent interface for them. Alan feels the future will be hydrogen powered cars, but we are several years out from that. Normally he would have 500 cars on the lot. Right now he has 15 and only one of them is a truck. Currently, he feels dealers are doing well - the average price of a used car is about $1000 more than before the pandemic. But if you want a new car, you either order one (which could take anywhere from 3 months to a year) or you take what they have on the lot. He feels that the cars made now are some of the best cars ever made. Both Jon Levey and Jim Berardi raved about the service they receive at Alan's dealership. Alan has long ties here in HP. His uncle owned Leo's Deli in the Ravinia District back in the 50's and early sixties. Alan and his wife are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They have two grown children and 5 grandchildren. Paul Clements shared a little known fact that would tickle Mike Mills if he'd been there. Joseph Sears and Henry Ford were friends They came to an agreement that Sears would not sell cars. However, they did collaborate on a car care kit that later became known as Turtle Wax! |