Mel Farr - Mel Farr Ford

Mel Farr Ford

After his retirement from pro football, Farr entered the business world, and in 1975 opened the Mel Farr Ford automobile dealership in Oak Park, Michigan. By aggressively targeting the mostly black, poverty stricken, automobile-hungry population of inner city Detroit, he built an auto empire. By 1998, the Mel Farr Auto Group grossed $596.6 million, making it the top African-American business in the United States and the thirty-third largest auto dealership in the US.

There were legal problems surrounding Farr's controversial On-Time Device, which prevented drivers of leased vehicles from starting the car if they missed payments. In June 2000, Farr settled a suit with customers who complained that the device turned off their cars when they were in motion. Many claimed they had not been late with their payments. Each of the 1,500 customers received $200 worth of coupons for their troubles.

In January 2002, Farr was in discussions to sell his franchises in Oak Park and Waterford Township, Michigan, to Ford Motor Company, who had outstanding liens with Farr. The franchises were sold in April 2002 and subsequently closed

For many years Farr appeared in his dealerships' commercials in a stylish suit and superhero red cape flying through the sky as he was dubbed "Mel Farr, your Superstar dealer". The commercials have earned Farr pop star status in the Detroit area.