A South Texas Tradition Since 1926 By SHERYLL POE, Consultant, NADA In January 1901, prospectors struck oil in Beaumont, Texas, ushering in the Texas oil boom that would shape the Lone Star State’s economy for decades to come. A year later, 214 miles away in Victoria, Edgar L. Atzenhoffer was born to Henry and Caroline (Wilkerson) Atzenhoffer, descendants of German immigrants who came to the United States in the early 1800s. Baby Ed could not have known then how the historic discovery at the Spindletop oil field would shape his career, life and legacy. THE BEGINNING OF A FAMILY LEGACY Ed Atzenhoffer began his automotive career at the age of 17, when he went to work for V. A. Sitterle, a Buick dealer in 1919. Young and ambitious with a big personality, Ed continued with the Buick dealership even after it was purchased by Mike Scott. The 24-year-old was awarded his own Chevrolet dealership on April 19, 1926, and opened the Atzenhoffer Chevrolet Co. in a small, 2,100-square-foot building in downtown Victoria with just two employees. One of the favorite stories about Ed’s early days in business is that he served as office manager, sales manager, clerk, bookkeeper, salesman and janitor. He was also a new father. “My grandmother [Elizabeth Ann] was born two days after they opened the store,” said Tommy Taylor, Ed’s great-grandson and current dealer principal of Atzenhoffer Chevrolet. Always driven, Ed would tap Atzenhoffer mechanic Clares Vess to watch the office while he was out in the street selling automobiles. Clearly, Ed was a great Atzenhoffer Chevrolet DEALERS’ CHOICE 18
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