longtime Tampa family

April 19, 2006 | tommy | 3 comments - add to the conversation!

In 1885, German Karl Benz built the first gasoline powered vehicle.

In 1893, brothers Charles and Frank Duryea began to set up the first American car manufacturing company.

In 1899, Ransom E. Olds opened Detroit’s Olds Motor Works.

During that same year, a Tampa bicycle shop owner and his employee, Victor James built the first gasoline powered vehicle driven in Tampa.

Victor’s boss applied for and was approved to open an Olds sales agency in Tampa in 1902.

Last week, wifey bought a car from that very same agency, possibly the oldest dealership in America.

Victor James’ boss was Fred Ferman.

If you are in the market for a new vehicle, you should at least consider Ferman Motor Cars, now run by Fred’s great-grandson, James L. Ferman, Jr. They have not been in business over 100 years by just luck.

Side notes:

This is an unpaid endorsement. But I’m not above accepting a referral fee. If you are in the market for a vehicle, send me an email and I’ll gladly tell you more.
Ransom E. Olds purchased 37,500 acres in upper Tampa Bay in 1913. You know the place as Oldsmar.

3 comments - add to the conversation! → “longtime Tampa family”

Bubba

3 years ago

Next time you should charge for advertisements.
tommy

3 years ago

We don’t mind giving love to various local businesses.

And the fact that this particular one has been a part of Tampa for so long, it gives me no pause.

Plus we really had a great experience, which I never mind sharing with you good folks.
Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog » Blog Archive » ready for the party

3 years ago

[...] We also asked you about the first gasoline powered vahicle in Tampa, and Tampa Tribune movie critic Bob Ross knew that Fred Ferman (you know the Ferman Auto Dealership) and his employee, Victor James built the first one here in 1899. [...]