Mile of Cars - History

History

Crowds gathered in 1904 when Ralph Granger, one of National City's most prominent citizens bought the first motor car in the city. The vehicle travelled on the dirt road carved by Spanish missionaries, from Mexico to the north. The first dealership opened later that year. Sales were slow but increased over time, fuelled by an ad for the Ford Model T in The Saturday Evening Post. The $850 vehicle had the streets buzzing.

Over the decades, more and more businessmen opened dealerships in the prosperous area. Chrysler Crown Imperial sedans arrived in 1941. Chrysler Town and Country convertibles, trimmed with wood, arrived shortly after. In 1955, the Ford Fairlane Sunliner arrived, advertised for $2,764. At this time, the region took the name: "Mile of Cars" and was the center of California's thriving car culture.

In 1960, muscle cars arrived. There were twenty car agencies competing for attention. By 1970, more than one million dollars in vehicles were sold on the "Mile". By 1978, the Mile of Cars showcased cars from around the world, from Suzuki to Alfa Romeo to Toyota.