NEW CARS IN TROY

When and who received the first new 1946 model automobile in Troy, after the end of WW2, in late 1945?  The answer needs an explanation.  Dr. Emerson made daily house calls in Troy and Fitzwilliam for many years, including after the end of the war.  He drove a 1940 DeSoto coupe, well used.  He was elderly during his last few years, his car had a few dents etc.  Public opinion thought he should get the first new automobile.  George Lepisto had a garage on the Fitzwilliam Road and represented Pontiac and Hudson, Charles Lepisto Sr. had a Chevy sales place on the West side of the common, next to now what is a bank.  Bill Parker had the Dodge and Plymouth sales.

People had a few months to dream about a new car and some ordered cars with the three dealerships.  The first car was a Hudson Black 4 door sedan.  Chrome was still scarce, so the bumpers were a 2 x 6 inch plank painted black to match the car.  Ed Lockhart had his order in and received the first car.  He was the Metropolitan insurance man and used his car to pick up the premiums from each household every week.  Dr. Emerson ended up receiving a Plymouth Sedan.  Other early 1946 car recipients were Lynwood Congdon, a two door green Chevy coupe.  His father, Bob Congdon, the rural mail carrier, picked up a gray 4 door Chevy.  Betty Ripley picked up a 47 Beige Chevy 2 door Sedan.  Some people, like my father and Ed Russell, decided not to rush to get a new car, they were going to wait until the price came down.  They ended up buying 1949 Dodges and the price never went down.  Some people held on to their pre-war cars, George Ripley kept his 1939 Buick until 1950 and Earnest Wood kept his 39 Chevy until 1950.  When Betty Ripley got her car she was one a few women who had a car.  Ruth Platts was the only other woman I can think of that drove a car at that time.