Good Car Day

[Tommy Clayton <top_cat57@xxxxxxx>]

I went to the liquidation auction of Ripley (Tenn.) Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, which closed just before Christmas.??I was hoping to find a few AMC trinkets.??There was probably a pickup load of AMC/Jeep-Renault parts in the back room, which the dealership had apparently purchased from Carlton AMC/Jeep Renault back in the '80s.??Most of the parts were mechanical, from the Renault era, with some taillights.??The only AMC item I recognized was what appeared to be a 1975-77 Hornet taillight lens.??Anyway, the winning bidder had to buy the whole lot, and I wasn't prepared to do that. 
However, I did buy a stack of books which included Renault 18 and '88 Eagle Premier TSMs.??Interestingly, the Eagle manual is dated October, 1987 and is copyrighted by American Motors Corporation.??I thought Chrysler had taken over by then (The cover says "Eagle Premier", not "Renault Premier."?? 
Anyway, I got a few neat Chrysler trinkets (In addition to my '69 AMX 343/4-speed, we've got an '89 Chrysler TC, '99 Dodge Intrepid, and '02 PT Cruiser.??I got a 9-by-9 inch lighted desk-top sign with the Dodge red sign, but with "Rent-A-Car" in the middle.??I also got a pedestal with plexiglas top with a foot tall brass and wood Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge-Jeep sign inside.??It had apparently been awarded to the dealership for becoming a Five-Star Dealership.??I also fished a couple of signs and banners out of a dumpster (I know none of you would ever do that!).??I wish I had been this aggressive in 1978 when Cape AMC-Jeep-Volkswagen closed in Cape Girardeau, Mo.??A buddy and I filled the back seat of my '70 Pontiac Bonneville with posters, signs and brochures, but left a lot of stuff behind.??Stupid!??At least I've saved everything I got for 27+ years!?? 
Tommy Clayton 
Caruthersville, Mo. 

'69 AMX 343/4-speed, #12495