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Thomas A. Knobloch
Tom Knobloch was born on December 10th 1934.
He inherited the Oldsmobile franchise due to the
untimely death of his father in 1963.
He was one of the youngest dealer principals in
Oldsmobile history. Tom immediately began moving the
franchise forward into a new era.
In 1969 he built a state-of-the-art facility in
what was little more than a corn field in Pennsylvania.
Within ten years this location became what was
known as the ‘Miracle Mile’ for it’s string of thriving
car dealerships.
Tom Knobloch always labeled himself a ‘hometown car
dealer’. He was the first man in the door every morning
and the last to leave at night.
He walked the floors of every department
throughout the course of the day and knew the first name
of every employee. He was even known to anonymously
strike up conversations with customers in the Service
Department’s waiting room just to see how much they
liked their cars! He made sure that his friends,
relatives, and neighbors all drove Oldsmobile's — even
if it meant little or no profit in making the deal. A
handshake was the only contract he needed and his word
was as good as his signature.
The 1988 Pace Car was just one of many
favorites/collectables Tom drove.
Among the others was a 1939 Club Coupe and a 1979
Tornado Diesel
but it was the Pace Car that he enjoyed the most.
The car was the centerpiece for many advertising
campaigns and local parades. It even graced a special
insert of PEOPLE Magazine!
Tom Knobloch retired in 1999 and lost a lengthy and
courageous battle with cancer in March of 2004.
In researching his Pace Car I have been able to
uncover the passion he held for the automobile industry,
the Oldsmobile line, and especially the positive impact
he made on his community and his employees. This is a great car owned by an even greater man.
If you have any information pertaining to the existence of this car or have any questions or comments please visit the
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