McDonald AMC/Jeep - McDonald, PA

[AMX]

The 1983 movie Flashdance contains a local news report about a fire which damaged a lumberyard, United Dairy Farmers store and an American Motors dealership in "McDonald, Washington County".

I have always wondered if it was a real sound bite or something made for the movie. So, checking farna's list for PA there was a dealership in McDonald, called McDonald AMC/Jeep at 161 S. McDonald St.

According to Google, that address is now a Family Dollar Store. Right next door, at 159 S. McDonald St. is a True Value lumber and hardware store, so that fits too.

[IowaEagle]

Interesting.  A real news story in a movie.  I wonder if the dealership survived the fire?

[scott]

I'm going to search for the McDonald dealership come spring. Its about 5 "crow flies" miles from another former AMC dealer in Hickory Pa. I've been past the dealer in Hickory within the past couple of months, but didn't have my camera with me. They are a Chrysler Jeep dealer currently. Then another 5 miles from Hickory is Canonsburg, location of another dealer. It seems odd that the dealers would be this close to each other, but I guess that's how they did things.     Scott

[AMX]

I will be eagerly awaiting an update from the "Flashdance" dealership! As far as dealers located near each other, it could be that they were open at different times, my hometown had no less than 5 Rambler/AMC stores at different times. Now that our library has reopened I will be able to check for even more.

[scott]

Flashdance was on TV over the weekend. I was able to watch about the first 10 minutes, then gave up. How far in is the AMC dealer mentioned??

[AMX]

Flashdance was on TV over the weekend. I was able to watch about the first 10 minutes, then gave up. How far in is the AMC dealer mentioned??

I think it's fairly close to the beginning. My wife has it on VHS, I'll have to check it out as I haven't seen it in a while.

[tsamx68]

McDonald did have a AMC dealership, and it was small, no it never burned down, it was eventuallyclosed down around late 60's early 1970 if I recall correctly, and lot sat empty for a couple of years. The AMC dealership in Hickory was originally  a Willy Jeep dealership then Jeep only, no cars,then it seemed they carried some Eagle in 80's,now I think it carries Jeeps and Chyrslers, it was named Corwin Jeeps the oldest  Jeep dealership in US, still open. There was Cannonsburg dealership but can not remember name. My father bought his 66 Rambler classic from McDonald then it closed and  bought His 71 Matador from Cannonsburg.

[Route 66 Rambler]

Thanks for the summary in that area, ts.  Welcome to The AMC Heritage Forum, and have a good time while here.   I always like to hear about particular cars bought at particular dealerships, it's the end of the chain that started at the factory and ended with the family...   
mike

[scott]

I finally made it out to McDonald Pa. to look for the "Flashdance" AMC dealer, McDonald AMC Jeep, at 161 S McDonald st, McDonald Pa 15057. The Family Dollar store is in the former dealership building. The store was open, so I took a look around, looking for signs of the old dearship. I can't say that I found any, it looks like they completely gutted the building at some point. But, there was an area inside where the ceiling was missing & I could tell that this is not a newer building. On the right side of the building you can see a couple of areas where it looks like garage door openings were bricked shut. The young lady working at the cash register didn't have a clue as to what the building was used for in the past. The first picture is the front of the building, second is a picture of the rear & side, last is the building & the yard of the hardware store / lumber yard. I didn't see any signs of the United Dairy store, I imagine that's what burned.

I don't remember ever hearing about this dealership back in the day. Today was the first time I've been in McDonald. This dealer is about 20 miles south west of Pittsburgh.

The mention of the dealership is about 15 minutes into Flashdance. While it looks like they used a real news story, the reporters are not actual reporters from Pittsburgh. Another Pittsburgh based movie, the excellent Striking Distance, uses genuine Pittsburgh reporters, but reading phony news stories. And yes, Flashdance fans, Pittsburgh is full of hot ladies that are welders by day, aspiring ballet dancers by night!

Without any further delay, here's the pictures!!!



 

[AMX]

Thanks scott for a terrific update on this "celebrity" dealership!

[tsamx68]

If I recall correctly the AMC dealership was not at that address, I recall going with my dad on W.Lincoln Ave. which was the main street through McDonald, and the dealership was on the Southwest corner of W.Lincoln Ave & Station Street. The top was the showroom and around the corner underneath was the garage because it was built on a hill, behind it was the A&P store which is now a Gaint Eagle. Across from the dealership was a Presbyterian Church I think, and on the same side of the dealership was a Catholic Church. The Chevy dealership was right past downtown going East. I recall across from the picture that was  shown  to be the dealership was a Tavern/Bar and across the side of the building was a meat processing plant were we had our Deers processed right on the corner.

[scott]

The address for the dealership comes out of the 1982 dealer directory. They may have moved at some point from the location you remember. If I'm in McDonald again, I'll look for the location you discribe.