More-Skinny Used Cars
Pueblo, CO
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Here's an interesting sign found along the roadside in Pueblo. The marquee for More-Skinny Used Cars features a character that looks a bit like Reddy Kilowatt holding a bag of money.

I've never been entirely sure what the message is supposed to be. Is he skinny because he spent all his money on clothes? Is he carrying a bag of cash because of all the money he saved? Whatever the reason, it's certainly one of the more memorable used car signs I've come across.

The dealership dates back to 1939. The unusual "More-Skinny" name actually comes from the Moreschini family, who turned the pronunciation of their surname into a catchy business name that customers would remember.

UPDATE: While the dealership eventually moved from its original downtown location, the famous More-Skinny sign appears to have survived for many years after the move. The family business continues to operate in Pueblo today, making it one of the area's longest-running automotive dealerships. The quirky mascot and unusual name remain a memorable part of Pueblo roadside history. 06-26

Hayes Motor Co. (Gone)
Colorado Springs, CO
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

This rooftop sign for Hayes Motor Co. still lights up the night in Colorado Springs. Signs like this used to be a common sight across America, but very few rooftop signs have survived the passage of time.

Hayes Motor Co. opened in 1938 and spent decades selling Ford automobiles along North Nevada Avenue. To make sure motorists noticed the dealership, the owners installed this massive rooftop sign high above the street. Back in the day, signs like this helped define the look of commercial districts across the country.

I always enjoy coming across surviving rooftop signs. Most disappeared years ago as buildings were remodeled or torn down, making examples like this increasingly rare.

UPDATE: The Hayes Motor Co. dealership is long gone, but the rooftop sign survives. The property has been redeveloped over the years, yet the giant sign remains standing as a reminder of Colorado Springs' automotive past and the golden age of roadside advertising. 06-26

Autorama (Gone)
Denver, CO
Photo courtesy Jason Carlton

Check out the Googie-style lettering on this Autorama sign. The business may have been selling used cars, but the sign was doing most of the heavy lifting when it came to getting your attention. The bold colors certainly didn't hurt.

I also like the "Buy Here, Pay Here" panel underneath. It gets right to the point. No marketing department needed.

The sign featured the kind of futuristic design that was popular during the 1950s and 1960s. Back then, even a used car lot might invest in a memorable sign to stand out from the competition along a busy commercial strip.

UPDATE: The original Autorama dealership is gone, and the property has since been redeveloped. Unfortunately, the distinctive sign was removed as well. Fortunately, photos like this preserve a great example of Googie-era roadside advertising from Denver's West Colfax corridor. 06-26

Oldsmobile Dealership (Gone)
Colorado Springs, CO
Photo and info courtesy Mike Lascuola

Here's a look at the Oldsmobile dealership in Colorado Springs from the final days of one of America's most historic automobile brands. Oldsmobile joined the ranks of AMC, Edsel, DeSoto, Nash, and Packard when production officially came to an end after the 2002 model year.

Founded in 1897, Oldsmobile was one of the oldest automobile manufacturers in the United States. By the time this photo was taken, dealerships across the country were preparing to sell their last remaining inventory and say goodbye to a brand that had been part of the American automotive landscape for more than a century.

These photos are interesting because they capture a moment in time that can never be repeated. Once the final Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line, every Oldsmobile dealership instantly became part of history.

UPDATE: Oldsmobile is now a memory, and the dealership has long since moved on to other automotive brands. Photos like this preserve the final chapter of a company that helped shape the American automobile industry for over 100 years. 06-26

Pawn Auto
Burley, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Check out the colors on this used car lot sign naming out Pawn Auto in Burley. What really caught my attention was the old-fashioned starburst sitting on top of the marquee. It's the kind of design element that instantly gives a sign a mid-century feel.

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, starbursts showed up everywhere from coffee shops and motels to car dealerships. They were meant to look futuristic and grab the attention of passing motorists. Decades later, they still do the job. 08-06

UPDATE: The business is still operating today, although under the name A & S Auto & Quick Pawn. The inventory may have changed over the years, but the colorful sign and its distinctive starburst remain standing along Overland Avenue as a reminder of a more creative era of roadside advertising. 06-26

Chrysler (Gone)
Ogden, UT
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

This old Chrysler dealership can still be found in Ogden. I don't know exactly when the building was constructed, but it certainly looks like it has been part of the streetscape for quite a few decades.

What really caught my attention was the vintage Chrysler sign still mounted to the building. Signs like this were once common at dealerships across the country, but most disappeared as brands updated their image and properties changed hands.

For years, Washington Boulevard was lined with automobile dealerships, making it one of the region's primary automotive corridors. This building is a reminder of that era. 10-06

UPDATE: The Chrysler dealership is long gone, but the building remains standing. Best of all, the vintage Chrysler sign still survives on the facade, preserving a small piece of Ogden's automotive history. 06-26