Chevyland (Gone)
Nashville, TN
Photo courtesy Paul Bauke

Yip'eee Here's Chevyland. At least that's what this Nashville roadside billboard says with its multi-colored lettering.. Who can resist this happy old feller with the big smile.

The Chevyland billboard was one of Nashville's best-known roadside attractions. Perched high above Jim Reed Chevrolet on Broadway, the colorful sign featured a smiling cowboy and a cheerful "Yip'eee" that was hard to miss. It welcomed generations of motorists heading into downtown and became every bit as famous as the dealership below.

Jim Reed Chevrolet had been selling cars in Nashville since the early 1900s, and its Broadway location became home to the giant Chevyland display. The animated cowboy gently rocked back and forth above the rooftop, making the sign a favorite local landmark for decades.

That all changed after General Motors' 2009 bankruptcy, when Jim Reed lost its Chevrolet franchise. The property was sold, and by late 2011 the beloved cowboy and billboard had disappeared as the dealership was rebranded for new owners.

UPDATE: The dealership building still serves automotive customers today, but the colorful Chevyland sign is gone. 08-26

Jim Reed's Truck Center (Gone)
Nashville, TN
Photo courtesy Paul Bauke

The Jim Reed's Truck Center sign added a little extra character to Nashville's automotive row. Perched above the dealership on Broadway, its smiling neon mascot welcomed passing motorists and became a familiar sight alongside the larger Chevyland billboard. It was one of those classic dealership signs that made buying trucks seem like a friendly affair.

Jim Reed had been selling vehicles in Nashville since 1917, and the Broadway location became one of the city's best-known Chevrolet dealerships. The truck center's cheerful neon character fit right in with the colorful roadside advertising of the era, helping the dealership stand out day and night.

Like the famous Chevyland billboard, the truck center sign disappeared after General Motors' 2009 bankruptcy led to the loss of the dealership's Chevrolet franchise. The property was sold, and by late 2011 the familiar neon mascot had come down as the complex was rebranded for new owners.

UPDATE: The old Jim Reed property still serves automotive customers today as a different dealership, but the smiling neon truck center character is long gone. Thankfully, photos like this preserve another memorable piece of Nashville's roadside history. 08-26

5 Points Pontiac (Closed)
Albemarle, NC
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

Check out this 5 Points Pontiac sign that's located in Albemarle, NC. Rumors are they are renovating the old Pontiac building to be a restaurant, and that they plan to retain the sign. Hopefully this bit of news comes through. Many thanks to Tony Craig for info.

The  sign has been a familiar sight in downtown Albemarle for decades. Standing at the busy five-way intersection that inspired its nickname, the glowing Pontiac Indian Chief is one of those classic dealership signs that's hard to forget. The building dates back to 1917 and sold several different makes of automobiles before becoming home to Morgan Motor Company, Albemarle's longtime Pontiac dealer. A 1949 remodeling even added a rotating showroom display so new cars could slowly turn in the front window for everyone passing by.

Fortunately, this landmark wasn't lost when the dealership closed. Today the building is home to Five Points Public House, where much of its automotive character has been preserved. The vintage Pontiac sign still lights up the corner, proving that some roadside favorites really can get a second chance.

UPDATE: The old dealership has found a successful new life as a restaurant, while the restored Pontiac sign continues to brighten one of downtown Albemarle's best-known intersections. 08-26

Beaman Pontiac (Gone)
Nashville, TN
Photo courtesy Paul Bauke

Beaman Pontiac is an old dealership with the Pontiac image creatively cut out on the vertical marquee and was one of the standout landmarks along Nashville's famous automotive row. Its tall vertical marquee didn't just spell out Pontiac. The familiar Indian Chief emblem was cleverly cut right into the sign, giving it a distinctive look that made it easy to spot from Broadway.

Founded in 1945, Beaman grew into one of Tennessee's best-known automobile dealers, with Pontiac becoming one of its signature franchises during the 1950s. The striking vertical sign became a fixture of Midtown for decades, reminding passing motorists of the days when dealerships competed with bold neon and creative designs instead of standardized corporate buildings.

When the dealership relocated and the old Broadway property was redeveloped, the original sign was fortunately spared. It was donated to the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, where it remains preserved as one of the country's finest surviving automotive dealership signs.

UPDATE: The Beaman dealership has moved on, and the old Broadway buildings have disappeared beneath new development. Thankfully, the iconic Pontiac marquee escaped the wrecking ball and continues to tell the story of Nashville's once-famous dealership district. 08-26

Curry Motor Co. (Gone)
Huntsville, AL
Photo courtesy Paul Foster

The Curry Motor Co. sign was impossible to miss along Governors Drive in Huntsville. Towering above the dealership, its bold lettering could be spotted from far down the highway, making it one of the city's classic automotive landmarks during the heyday of the American automobile.

Built during the postwar boom, Curry Motor Co. served generations of Huntsville drivers as the city rapidly grew into "Rocket City." While engineers and scientists were arriving to help shape America's space program, dealerships like Curry were helping supply the cars that filled the area's expanding neighborhoods and highways.

The towering sign was a perfect example of mid-century dealership advertising. It didn't need flashing lights or fancy graphics. Its sheer size and distinctive lettering did the job, guiding motorists toward the showroom long before they reached the lot.

UPDATE: The dealership has long since disappeared, and the property was redeveloped as Huntsville's medical district expanded. The landmark Curry sign came down with the old dealership, leaving photographs like this as a reminder of one of Huntsville's classic roadside attractions. 08-26